3-D Printers

[planeflyer21]

These awesome machines have seemingly been improving so fast, that they are outdated not long after they hit the market.

Anybody have a good source for reviews on the most recent desktop offerings?

[Robocop1051]

I'd rather a desktop CNC over a 3D printer.... at least for right now. 

No doubt the 3D printer will surpass the CNC within a few years. 

[planeflyer21]

14 minutes ago, Robocop1051 said:

I'd rather a desktop CNC over a 3D printer.... at least for right now. 

No doubt the 3D printer will surpass the CNC within a few years. 

I can drive and pickup the TaigCNC.  Looking at the Tormach's though.

I want the 3-D printer for some various plastic stuff.

[jtallen83]

RECOIL magazine just did an interview with the guy that 3D printed a pistol, the Liberator. The state department shut down this portion of his business but he is paying the legal fees by marketing a table top CNC for doing 80% AR's and 1911's

Here is an article from Defense review, this would be a good company to support, in my mind anyway;

http://www.defensereview.com/defense-distributed-dd-ghost-gunner-desktop-cnc-mill-home-cnc-machine-your-own-ar-15-upper-and-lower-receivers-automatically-video/

[mineralman55]

I looked at the Ghost Gunner machine a while back. It is the real deal. I believe it runs on "grbl" code with which I'm not familiar. I asked them if their system could be adapted to do something other than AR15 80% receivers and they said yes, but that's way beyond my abilities now. It is designed to do 80% AR15 receivers and that's it... for now. He also said they'd be thinking about 308AR receivers as well in the future.

I love this new generation of desktop cnc machines. There are a bunch of them now, and I'd be happy with any one of them.

[mrmackc]

Just wondering, could any cnc machIne, like saying a high end Smithy 3 in 1 machine have code written and adapted to finish 80%receivers. I have no doubt that a good machinist can use a template and a decent 3 in 1 setup to finish a 80%  received, hundreds have already done so.

 

[Cunuckgaucho]

I'd love to add a Tormach to the workshop but exchange rate kicking my ass right now.

Check out NYC CNC on youtube,tormach guy and machines firearms related stuff

[Cunuckgaucho]

4 minutes ago, mrmackc said:

Just wondering, could any cnc machIne, like saying a high end Smithy 3 in 1 machine have code written and adapted to finish 80%receivers. I have no doubt that a good machinist can use a template and a decent 3 in 1 setup to finish a 80%  received, hundreds have already done so.

 

 Unless you have no other choice I'd avoid a 3 in 1 machine.

Check out cncguns.com , also if you have CNC capability then you can start with a 0% lower 

[mrmackc]

It would seem logical to me that I could buy a new or used AR15 off the shelf, tear it down and use it to set up a mill and a drill press and make a functioning AR15. But why? Just to show that I can?

[planeflyer21]

1 hour ago, mrmackc said:

Just wondering, could any cnc machIne, like saying a high end Smithy 3 in 1 machine have code written and adapted to finish 80%receivers. I have no doubt that a good machinist can use a template and a decent 3 in 1 setup to finish a 80%  received, hundreds have already done so.

 

There is literally an entire cottage industry of companies offering CNC kits for mini-mills/lathes and 3-in-1s.  It is very competitive but there are only a few who have a rock solid customer service.

[mineralman55]

10 hours ago, mrmackc said:

Just wondering, could any cnc machIne, like saying a high end Smithy 3 in 1 machine have code written and adapted to finish 80%receivers. I have no doubt that a good machinist can use a template and a decent 3 in 1 setup to finish a 80%  received, hundreds have already done so.

 

Actually, if you look hard enough, you can find the AR15 machining code on the web. Now, how you'd adapt that to your specific machine is another matter. I keep toying with the idea of cncing my mill. It's a lot of money but what the heck. I can't spend it all on 308ARs (well, I could).

[planeflyer21]

16 minutes ago, mineralman55 said:

Actually, if you look hard enough, you can find the AR15 machining code on the web. Now, how you'd adapt that to your specific machine is another matter. I keep toying with the idea of cncing my mill. It's a lot of money but what the heck. I can't spend it all on 308ARs (well, I could).

These guys have glowing reports on Hobby Machinist (don't let the name fool you):  http://www.flashcutcnc.com

While most reports are on smaller conversions, there are more than a few on larger J-head type milling machines and bigger lathes.

[mineralman55]

Great videos, great equipment, but they don't answer my emails or phone calls. Kind of pissed about that.

[planeflyer21]

I would be too.