80% Lower Machining

[Frenchy13]

I've just purchased 2 80% lowers that I plan on building. I have searched the site and read about needing to own all the tools and do the machining yourself, I completely get it. I'm a journeyman machinist, CNC programmer and have been managing a machine shop for 10 years now, I own my own tools but I do not own my shop. I'd talked to the owner of the shop and she has no problem with me machining whatever I want whenever I want. Do I need to own the machines that I machine the lowers on? I love my job and definitely don't want to jeopardize my freedom, my job and the owners shop. I can buy the 80% jig as I have a drill press and routers at home but as a machinist I think that if I can't program and use a machine I have access to is really silly. But again this whole state is silly

[kevins750]

I would stay on the safe side and get a router and do it at home.

[mossy]

I would stay on the safe side and get a router and do it at home.

this.

[CandG]

Seems like it should be fine to me, but you may want to listen to the above advice... if there's any question, err on the side of caution.

It's not very hard to mill an 80%. I have never milled anything in my life, and did a pretty pristine milling job on my first 80% using an old wobbly drill press from the 60's. It pretty much looks like it was milled at the factory. Granted, some people's 80% lowers look like a complete hack job, but usually that's due to a mix of a complete lack of mechanical skills and a lack of patience and proper end mill bits. In your scenario, with your experience, I think you'll do just fine at home.

[Nick Adams]

CNC and STFU, IMO.

[ColdDeadHands1]

CNC and STFU, IMO.

Too late. They're watching you now.

[Quiet]

I've just purchased 2 80% lowers that I plan on building. I have searched the site and read about needing to own all the tools and do the machining yourself, I completely get it. I'm a journeyman machinist, CNC programmer and have been managing a machine shop for 10 years now, I own my own tools but I do not own my shop. I'd talked to the owner of the shop and she has no problem with me machining whatever I want whenever I want. Do I need to own the machines that I machine the lowers on? I love my job and definitely don't want to jeopardize my freedom, my job and the owners shop. I can buy the 80% jig as I have a drill press and routers at home but as a machinist I think that if I can't program and use a machine I have access to is really silly. But again this whole state is silly

It's a Federal issue, not a state issue.

If the Feds want to make an issue over it, they can bust/seize the machine shops tools/machinery saying they are "manufacturing" firearms.

Unless you do not care about the machine shop, error on the side of caution and use your own tools/machinery.

[wpage]

Best to check with a attorney. But as long as you are building it yourself why not use the best available resourses....

[nedro]

You should point your boss to this thread. Then ask her again.
It's not just your future you will be destroying.

[RGMoore]

Hmmm...
I was never a machinist but sold tooling to them for 25 years. Don't recall ever seeing a BATF agent in any of them. And some of them were manufacturing parts for firearms.
Use whatever you have and if any body asks, tell them you did it at home.

[Can'thavenuthingood]

I think the BATF&E are more interested in the intent & quantities made rather than a one off mfg. regardless of who owns the tools.

Vick

[BABUSA]

If you sent the parts to a machine shop and had them do the work they are manufacturing it for you. If YOU do all the work yourself you're GTG!!!

[strongpoint]

Hmmm...
I was never a machinist but sold tooling to them for 25 years. Don't recall ever seeing a BATF agent in any of them. And some of them were manufacturing parts for firearms.
Use whatever you have and if any body asks, tell them you did it at home.

"Violate the law, then lie about it if asked. Nothing could go wrong!"

I think the BATF&E are more interested in the intent & quantities made rather than a one off mfg. regardless of who owns the tools.

If you sent the parts to a machine shop and had them do the work they are manufacturing it for you. If YOU do all the work yourself you're GTG!!!

BAFTE is on record as stating that if you're manufacturing for personal use, it has to be your work done with your tools.

[Zartan]

Delete this thread...

[BABUSA]

"Your tools?"

That's easy, buy all of the bits and hand tools that you need to do the job. Keep the receipt. Later you can sell "your tools" to re coop some of your costs. Don't make this so hard. Put a serial number on it also, a gun with no serial number is a red flag. Any number you want is fine.