Ak rails

[Aaron707]

I've also noticed that the rails I have gotten from Curtis in the last couple months have been hardened more than usual. I find the only bits that will drill them easily (with some cutting oil) are the short 5/32 machine bits Curtis sells.

[ott1]

I helped a few over the weekend with a carbide bit and no problems.

[TATER313]

majority of the rails had no issues, just 3 or 4 of them had hardened rails

[ott1]

Ask Curtis about them and he'll probably deny that any of his rails were hardened.

In the future, just use a carbide bit and don't even worry about whether the rail was hardened or not.

[nicoroshi]

I always use high quality bits, and the one I helped with on Sunday was the first time (out of many, many, many builds) I have ever seen rails this hard or had any kind of an issue with drilling Curtis' rails.

For me I will chock it up to experience, and test drill one of the rails when they are being cut for the magazine stabilizer rails. If hardened I will heat to soften before they are installed. Not a big issue IMHO.

[mrlonewolf]

I've encountered this issue many times before.

Sometimes the builder gets impatient and push the drill bit to much; that may lead to a rail separation and the subsequent re welding process.

I always use straight flute carbide cutters so....

[ott1]

I always use straight flute carbide cutters so....

Definitely saves some time without having to see if a rail is hardened or not.