How can I cut a bolt face?

[nrakid88]

Hello,

I am looking to build my first from scratch rifle. I am also looking to build it for the smallest investment possible...

So, how can I cut a bolt face? It will be for 9mm. I was thinking of maybe getting a drill press and mill bits from harbor freight, and drilling the bits into the barstock. Im afraid getting a milling table will ruin the drill press, so I was thinking of hand filing the rim this process would leave so that the rounds will feed.

I just started looking, I know a mill will help a ton... but I don't want to shell out $500 for it.

[kcstott]

[tanakasan]

AR or AK?

Never mind, you are better off buying one even if you kitbash the rest of the build.

Robert

[ElvenSoul]

Going to make a barrel from scratch....you know that is the hardest part?

[71MUSTY]

You could try something like this

[tanakasan]

I see you are a neighbor!

Not bashing but making bolts, barrels and such is a science considering the metallurgy and heat treating involved not to mention the design work.

Robert.

[nrakid88]

Where can I find a book on this "science" of bolt making?

Im serious about making my own bolt. I have the barstock already. Hopefully its of sufficient quality. Only cost like $12 for a foot of it so no biggie if I need something else.

And I will test the first one to destruction so I know I can trust the second

['ol shooter]

And "boom goes the Dynamite".

[kel-tec-innovations]

sounds like a bad idea especially when I heard "Harbor Freights"

[nrakid88]

Wow, you leave California and you forget how pessimistic everyone who lives there is.

[Alex$]

I'm not a pessimist.

Show me your zip gun bolt... I have some bar stock sitting around too, I might copy it. (with permission)

[thomashoward]

HMmmmm. Methinks if you knew what you were doing you wouldn't be asking here, Mr Harbor FrightFreight
unless you were an Afgani beating it out on a rock at midnight

[kcstott]

Where can I find a book on this "science" of bolt making?

Im serious about making my own bolt. I have the barstock already. Hopefully its of sufficient quality. Only cost like $12 for a foot of it so no biggie if I need something else.

And I will test the first one to destruction so I know I can trust the second

The palm face was there because if you have to ask you are in way over your head.
You mention looking for a book on the science of the bolt. Again way over your head.
You make no mention of what material you have that you bar stock is composed of. 1018, A36, 1045, 4130, 4140, 8620, A2, O1, D7???? What kind of material is it.
Then finally you statement of "For the smallest investment possible"

I don't even know how to respond to that.

I'm a very experienced machinist and tool maker. I have a full machine shop in my garage. Full size stuff not harbor freight stuff. And I would not attempt manufacturing critical parts unless there was no other source and I had months of spare time.
Pessimistic has nothing to do with it. It's my desire to continue living.
You know nothing of weapon design, construction or metallurgy. You are going to get your self killed or seriously hurt.
35,000 psi in a 9mm can do that for you.

[nrakid88]

kcstott- we all gotta learn somewhere, right?

figured I could do the least damage to myself with a 9mm, and that itd be easier to pull off than a .22lr.

The barstock is 1018... Lets start there. Was that a poor choice?

[nrakid88]

And I know this is a risky thing to make. Thats why before I hold one while it goes off, it will be tied to a bench and I will fire a double charged 9mm through it, so that I know when it fails if it would be fatal or self contained.

Correct me if I am wrong, considering the British made sten gun bolts from brass... I was thinking that steel type wouldn't be critical. I was thinking low carbon to avoid splintering in case a case ruptures. If you have any advice, or a reference you can refer me to it would be deeply appreciated.