Anodizing Group Buy 80% Lower Interest?

[vqser]

Hi all,

I recently bought an 80% lower and about to finish it up at a build party soon.

Afterwards, I need to get the damn thing anodized, and wanted to see if anyone else was interested in getting the anodizing done with me.


Purpose:
Anodize a bunch of calguns 80% finished lowers at one place at a similar timeframe to save money for all.

Location:
I'm still looking around, but I like techplate since they have good reviews. If you know a good place to anodize in the LA area, please let me know!

Price:
I'm still trying to see who wants in so I guess it would depend on the QTY of lowers. I will not make any $$ off of this. Money exchange will be between the anodizer and you only. I am willing to sacrifice my time alittle to call around and setup a group buy. (this also means if you commit, please follow through)

[MIL-A-8625F] Type III with sand blast prep


Time frame:
I'm thinking end of Sept/start Oct to bring the lowers to the shop. You will physically have to drive the lower and drop off at the anodizer. I do not want to be responsible for your lower.


If not enough interest, I'll cancel this group buy.
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EDIT: 10/11/2013

Sorry for the delay~!

I got in contact with a local anodizer. Anodizer located ORANGE, CA.
The price will be $45 for both engrave + anodize.

I'll update member list as people put their name and QTY down.

Once I hit 20 I'm going to stop it and PM you directions and location.


(see below post for details of service but...
right now it is setup as engrave + anodize because I've gotten PM's for that.
Also, engrave is one side only to keep cost down. I do not have pricing for logos, etc. Since I want to keep this group buy as easiest as possible, right now I'm going with 1 side engraved + anodizing in black. IF I cannot get people or many request other things I will have to look into it, but I dont want to delay anymore.)

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EDIT: 10/14/2013

Updated the memberlist to reflect engrave + anodize or anodize only.
The easiest way to let me know what you want is through PM and I can update.

I'll keep checking this periodically but not every day (I'm busy).

The price for anodize only should be no more than $30?
I have to call the anodizer but the main guy is busy too so I'll call when I get sufficient people lined up.


ALSO.... in case anyone is wondering.

Anodizer has FFL.
AFTER YOU FINISH YOUR 80%, you should engrave + anodize.


IF I dont get 20 by ~early November I'll cancel this groupbuy.
(or try to get similar pricing with fewer people already signed up.)

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EDIT: 10/31/13

GROUP BUY CANCELLED.
I PM'D ALL OF YOU ON THE LIST.

I'm going to attempt a anodize+engrave after the holidays and hopefully we get some hits...

[vqser]

Member List:

Anodize + Engrave
vqser 1
gigantor 1
foxtrot uni 1
indietrucks 3
rocketrob 4
dchang0 2
Neil 1

?NEIL? 4?






CUTOFF AT 20

[T.Yoon]

Depending on the price, I've got 3 that need anodizing.

[vqser]

you might get more traffic in the semi auto forum or the Socal one.

OK, thanks!

[ar15barrels]

Money exchange will be between the anodizer and you only.

No anodizer is going to want to deal with multiple customers on a single batch.
The WAY you do a group buy is that YOU group all the items together and submit them to the plater as a single batch.
Then, YOU pick them up as a single batch and pay the single batch fee.
The batch fee is for keeping track of the job.

If multiple people show up at a plater, each is going to pay the "shop minimum" for their job.

The way to save money in plating is to do more pieces in a single batch.
A single batch will be on a single invoice and will be handled as a single batch.
That means all will be the same prep, process, color etc.
They would also all have to be the same base metal as 6061 gets processed differently than 7075.

Here is the kicker, if you are dealing in completed receivers, you need to be an FFL to organize this group buy as you would need to book each one in from each owner and then book them back out to the owners after the work is completed...

[vqser]

No anodizer is going to want to deal with multiple customers on a single batch.
The WAY you do a group buy is that YOU group all the items together and submit them to the plater as a single batch.
Then, YOU pick them up as a single batch and pay the single batch fee.
The batch fee is for keeping track of the job.

If multiple people show up at a plater, each is going to pay the "shop minimum" for their job.

The way to save money in plating is to do more pieces in a single batch.
A single batch will be on a single invoice and will be handled as a single batch.
That means all will be the same prep, process, color etc.
They would also all have to be the same base metal as 6061 gets processed differently than 7075.

Here is the kicker, if you are dealing in completed receivers, you need to be an FFL to organize this group buy as you would need to book each one in from each owner and then book them back out to the owners after the work is completed...

thanks for ur advice~


UPDATE: if anyone is still interested...

I've contacted 2 anodizers and 1 cerokote guy; got a reply from 1 anodizer and 1 cerokote guy.

1 anodizer: You have to drop off the item yourself and let them know you are part of the group. They are willing to do a group buy for us. (prices still pending)

1 cerokote: willing to do group buy but I'm not sure if people want cerokote.

[FresnoCNC]

No anodizer is going to want to deal with multiple customers on a single batch.
The WAY you do a group buy is that YOU group all the items together and submit them to the plater as a single batch.
Then, YOU pick them up as a single batch and pay the single batch fee.
The batch fee is for keeping track of the job.

If multiple people show up at a plater, each is going to pay the "shop minimum" for their job.

The way to save money in plating is to do more pieces in a single batch.
A single batch will be on a single invoice and will be handled as a single batch.
That means all will be the same prep, process, color etc.
They would also all have to be the same base metal as 6061 gets processed differently than 7075.

Here is the kicker, if you are dealing in completed receivers, you need to be an FFL to organize this group buy as you would need to book each one in from each owner and then book them back out to the owners after the work is completed...

Now I will say, some of this information is shop dependent, I send all of my customers to one shop, this shop will do any single color for a flat fee of 20.00 dollars per lower, no batch fee.

[gwhunter69]

I have one that I want to do. Let me know the price

[Gigantor]

Im in. 3 ready to go.

[robodeer]

Edit: whoops. Didn't notice that it was t SoCal.

[dchang0]

I'd be in for three or four. Have a friend who will bring another four....

[HPGunner]

I'm interested. If they can do same day drop off and pick up on a Saturday that would be a big plus.

[Gigantor]

Any update on this?

[gemini1]

OP where's your location?

[vqser]

Hey guys....

I'm really sorry for the delay.. (got caught up in a business trip).

I'm not sure if anyone is still interested in doing a group buy anodizing.


I got in contact with a local LA anodizer (with FFL), and I procured pricing.

$45 cash per lower if I can get ~20 lowers

It will include:
1. deep laser engraving (1 side only, normal text like city, mod, ser, cal, etc)
2. bead/sand blast
3. hardcoat type III hard anodizing

Start -> finish is around 1 month lead time after you pay.

I want to set it up where we can drop off the lowers within a certain timeframe (one week) and have it done.



You can reply with your name and QTY of AR15 lowers if you haven't done so already.