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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Prototype engraving (and progress). (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 5/4/2019 7:12:09 AM EDT
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Ran this overnight. Broke it into three parts so I could reset Z zero in different areas (I've had issues with this before, zeroing Z multiple times allows for issues with the lower and jig not being perfectly square and wear on the bit from cutting an anodized surface). Ran slow, 1 IPM FR and PR.
Going to do my selector markings today and start on my second prototype lower tonight. 
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Quoted:
Nice! You taking orders?  Did the selector markings. JT modifies safeties so that their function matches the markings. 
My second prototype lower is on the machine now. |
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Quoted:
looks good, Was it you that emailed me looking for CAD? |
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Second one done. I'm doing 000011 (the one with the "1" painted on the right side of the magwell) and 000027 (the one with the "9" painted on the right side of the magwell and the tape across rear of the buttstock). I figure most prototype replicas are 000001, so I wanted to do something different.
Both are soaking in gun oil now (Alumablack, then cold water rinse, then oil). I was pretty happy with how these turned out. I am always afraid when engraving an anodized lower. They are prone to the engraving "fading" out, usually due to the engraving tip wearing down during the engraving - eventually it wears to the point that it doesn't even contact the surface. For these, I made the logo and AR-15 one file, the Hollywood and Patents Pending marking a second file, and the serial number a third file. I used the same X and Y for all three files. I re-zeroed Z for each file. This was enough to offset any wear on the engraving bit. I set the feed rate extremely slow (the logo took 5 1/2 hours alone). Selector markings were done separately. 
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Quoted:
I sure would like a huge “Mattel” roll mark, With the round gear looking thing. I think it would be funny. 
I've also done a few of the Pegasus engravings. 
The ATF has made it clear (to a few of us) that they don't want Colt engravings done but the guys I talked to didn't seem to care about (or had no jurisdiction over) the older (and out of business) companies like H&R. 
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Quoted:
.....The ATF has made it clear (to a few of us) that they don't want Colt engravings done but the guys I talked to didn't seem to care about (or had no jurisdiction over) the older (and out of business) companies like H&R.[/b] https://i.imgur.com/2OhyrOth.jpg |
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Quoted: So is the ATF trying to protect the Colt trademark? I had heard that the Colt firearms company had sent a few letters to engravers. If you want to stop people from speeding past the grade school for the safety of the kids you can hide behind a sign and catch a few speeders or you can park a police cruiser out front and slow everyone down? I would think they would want the word to get out but I guess I shouldn't say any more? |
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Quoted: So is the ATF trying to protect the Colt trademark? I had heard that the Colt firearms company had sent a few letters to engravers. |
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Quoted: In guitar building, I've seen several builders get cease and desist letters from Gibson over trademark issues. I could see Colt doing the same thing, but trademark enforcement is not even remotely within BATFE's jurisdiction. Trademarks are enforced by the company that holds the trademark, using our civil courts. Without a complaint from Colt, there is no authority for anybody to do anything about trademark infringement - and BATFE is not the correct avenue for such a complaint. |
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I'm engraving a Mattel for someone right now. I have engraved a few of them.
https://i.imgur.com/CRM6bnQh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UN2q2j5h.jpg I've also done a few of the Pegasus engravings. https://i.imgur.com/0R7NIyLh.jpg The ATF has made it clear (to a few of us) that they don't want Colt engravings done but the guys I talked to didn't seem to care about (or had no jurisdiction over) the older (and out of business) companies like H&R. https://i.imgur.com/pADtmgoh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2OhyrOth.jpg Those look great, what program is that anyway? |
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Quoted: In guitar building, I've seen several builders get cease and desist letters from Gibson over trademark issues. I could see Colt doing the same thing, but trademark enforcement is not even remotely within BATFE's jurisdiction. Trademarks are enforced by the company that holds the trademark, using our civil courts. Without a complaint from Colt, there is no authority for anybody to do anything about trademark infringement - and BATFE is not the correct avenue for such a complaint. |
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"arbitrary determinations" of vague laws.
A case that the SCOTUS has agreed to hear goes to the heart of how the ATF has been doing business. Federal agency powers The justices have agreed to hear arguments in a dispute over how much courts should defer to federal agencies in deciding legal challenges to ambiguous regulations. James Kisor, a Vietnam War veteran, is asking the court to overturn precedent that directs courts to generally rely on the agency’s own interpretation of its own regulation. In essence they are making law and that is NOT their job! |
| Looks nice. I was going the “reddish” route till I saw s.n.000002 and 000003 in person. It became clear that what some had been telling me all along was true. They are dark brown and only in certain light do they appear reddish. I like the results you got, it looks good. |
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Quoted:
Looks nice. I was going the “reddish” route till I saw s.n.000002 and 000003 in person. It became clear that what some had been telling me all along was true. They are dark brown and only in certain light do they appear reddish. I like the results you got, it looks good. I tested my dip plan on a scrap A2 grip (ignore the deep scratches - I used this grip to practice stippling). The grip got a coat of dark brown paint, then the Testors transparent red, then dip in a silver fiber weave pattern. I'm going to watch the grip for a few days to make sure there are no paint/ink compatibility issues (I don't want to dip my stock and handguards and then get bubbling and separating). 
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I buried my dip in clear to remove the “feel” of the weave and then buffed on a wheel. You are correct on the chance of reaction with certain products. When learning and experimenting I had one wrinkle all up after it was done and cleared. Took about a week to happen. Think a primer I used reacted with the wrap.
I forgot to note that I ended up dusting a light haze of brown paint over the dip before the clear. Just enough to add a little color to the wrap and I held the gun further away then normal while shooting the paint. Keep playing till you get it your version of right, hell that’s half the fun... |
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I'm actually going to test another hydro film pattern before dipping. "Subtle gold real weave". I actually think this gold will blend better with brown than the silver that I just tried. I've tried several tints over the top of the silver, but can't get rid of the hazy silver sheen. Dip supplies aren't that expensive when you get away from the all-in-one kits.
This might work over dark brown: 
Same pattern over red (gives an idea how a color other than black shows through, I think dark brown will work well): 
If I get a pattern that I don't have to shoot tint over, it lessens the number of paints that can possibly be incompatible. For instance, if I use the Testors transparent red anywhere in the mix, I know it automatically rules out using a 2K clearcoat (acrylic enamel and 2K are incompatible). This is why I use nothing but nitrocellulose lacquer for guitar finishes, it's very forgiving and takes tint without any issues (the downsides are that it is really noxious, fumes are really flammable, and it takes forever to cure). If the subtle gold doesn't look right, there is a copper weave that looks like it might be worth a try (color is almost perfect, but is a little too light and maybe a little too metallic). |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Prototype engraving (and progress). (Page 1 of 3)
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