80% Lower Machining

[wooshoo650]

Don't tell anyone what you are milling. Just do it and be done

[Phat Daddy]

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

Looks like you already answered your own question. Please delete this silly thread.

[strongpoint]

"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.

BAFTE was pretty clear that it needs to be your equipment; using someone else's CNC is not kosher.

Put a serial number on it also, a gun with no serial number is a red flag. Any number you want is fine.

There is no legal requirement to do this unless the gun is to be sold. In that case, there are clear rules about what the markings need to say and standards for size and depth of the engraving.

[golfish]

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

IMO, you may be setting your boss and her shop up for a hurt-en.

Do it at home with your own tools just to be safe.

[sigstroker]

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

Cite the "record" that says so. I've never seen it. Too many worry-warts ITT IMO.

[bblr]

I would use the "best" tools available to me, whatever those may be. Simple as that. Unless someone from BATFE wants to stand over you and watch you do all the work, don't worry about it.

[toddh]

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

Wow....just, wow.

1st post on a gun forum...posts about building a gun at work and possibly not following the legal guidelines required to do so.

Brilliant.


.

[BigPimping]

It takes a brain. Maybe OP needs to read up on laws.

[Frenchy13]

Thanks for everyone's responses, I was hoping someone would recite the specific law or point me in the right direction but after a few hours I found the specific ATF ruling Rul 2015-1

https://www.atf.gov/file/11711/download

Mods feel free to delete this thread

[Kottie]

OK, 2 thoughts on this.... 1) Maybe it's someone from ATF who doesn't have anything better to do than try and trip someone up. 2) Just maybe it's someone new to all who actually wants clarification on an issue and signed up in order to ask. With the Heinz57 hash of state laws, fed laws, and sometimes local laws - is it a surprise that people trying to start from square one throw up their hands and say WTF?

[Tinknocker]

There might be a knock on the doors of the guys who told you to break the law or not, the Feds could be fishing for something to do. The law is clear but some people like to think it won't happen to them.

[strongpoint]

80% Lower Machining

Cite the "record" that says so. I've never seen it. Too many worry-warts ITT IMO.

How do you feel about it now?

Thanks for everyone's responses, I was hoping someone would recite the specific law or point me in the right direction but after a few hours I found the specific ATF ruling Rul 2015-1

https://www.atf.gov/file/11711/download

[benjamac]

With your experience, I would definitely say don't risk it. Just buy a jig, and you can always sell it on here when you are done

[huntercf]

[QUOTE=strongpoint;17605380]BAFTE was pretty clear that it needs to be your equipment; using someone else's CNC is not kosher.


I believe the BATFE had a problem with build parties where the person put the 80 in the machine and pushed a button and that was it. The "business" was making money off of having build parties and had already set up the machine to do all the work. The person was only pushing a button.

IANAL but it would seem that this is not the case. Now if the machine was set up by the owner and not the OP and all he did was push a button then yes the BATFE would have a problem. If he does all the programming and work then he should be ok.

[strongpoint]

BAFTE was pretty clear that it needs to be your equipment; using someone else's CNC is not kosher.

I believe the BATFE had a problem with build parties where the person put the 80 in the machine and pushed a button and that was it. The "business" was making money off of having build parties and had already set up the machine to do all the work. The person was only pushing a button.

IANAL but it would seem that this is not the case. Now if the machine was set up by the owner and not the OP and all he did was push a button then yes the BATFE would have a problem. If he does all the programming and work then he should be ok.

Did you read the link Frenchy13 posted above? It reads, in relevant part:

[A] business (including an association or society) may not avoid the manufacturing license, marking, and recordkeeping requirements of the GCA by allowing persons to perform manufacturing processes on blanks or incomplete firearms (including frames or receivers) using machinery, tools, or equipment under its dominion and control where that business controls access to, and use of, such machinery, tools, or equipment.