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Posted: 7/16/2015 12:07:55 PM EDT
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Just an FYI:
We currently have 20 of these out with some lowers for anodizing. Due to the surface condition of these forgings there will be a high percentage of anodizing blems. We have dealt with this before on the slick-side uppers, but this batch is much worse. The carbon streaking is cause by the raw material. I polished the crap out of them but I can tell what the outcome will be. 
This stuff will even show through black anodizing. 
So, if you have an order in with us you should not try and hold out for a "perfect" part because we might not get any this go round. |
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Will media blasting of any sort take that out? No, the only thing that gets rid of it is taking off the skin. There is a chemical whitening process that can be done, but it's pretty nasty and affects the dimensions a bit. Also, it has to be done before machining. We chose not to do it on these because of time constraints. |
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No, the only thing that gets rid of it is taking off the skin. There is a chemical whitening process that can be done, but it's pretty nasty and affects the dimensions a bit. Also, it has to be done before machining. We chose not to do it on these because of time constraints. Quoted:
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Will media blasting of any sort take that out? No, the only thing that gets rid of it is taking off the skin. There is a chemical whitening process that can be done, but it's pretty nasty and affects the dimensions a bit. Also, it has to be done before machining. We chose not to do it on these because of time constraints. I have had to anodize several uppers with that type of problem (at least it appears to be the same problem... it seems like it was more common on upper receivers than lowers, and I don't recall ever having the trouble on any small parts)... I really don't think there is ANYTHING that can be done. I've tried a lot of different things along the way, including the chemical you mentioned, Mike, (I think it was Nitric Acid, but can't remember for sure), but even that didn't seem to make a difference (it sure does make it look nice before you anodize, though). Media blasting makes it "disappear" until you anodize, then you see it's still there... you can see it when it comes out of the acid, before you even dye it. It's a real bummer, because you work so hard to make everything just right and then something like this screws up the works. Guys, high-quality anodizing is absolutely unforgiving... I quit doing it for a reason and never looked back. NDS, thanks for bringing these parts to the market, and also thanks to US Anodizing for catering to our "retro needs"! |
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Just an FYI: We currently have 20 of these out with some lowers for anodizing. Just to make sure I understand, this issue is only on the NDS-604 uppers and the lower is only pictured as a reference? I ask because I have a lower on order that I think/hope may be one of the ones out for anodizing. As for the uppers, I'd assume they'd make good candidates for the "battlefield pickup" finishing you do? |
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The A1 lower is only there to show you what a good part looks like.  Is that a forging issue or a surface/cosmetic issue? Just curious from a scientific standpoint. I'm sure it doesn't cause any weakness or problems from a structural standpoint. I just wonder what causes it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Is that a forging issue or a surface/cosmetic issue? Just curious from a scientific standpoint. I'm sure it doesn't cause any weakness or problems from a structural standpoint. I just wonder what causes it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Quoted:
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The A1 lower is only there to show you what a good part looks like. Is that a forging issue or a surface/cosmetic issue? Just curious from a scientific standpoint. I'm sure it doesn't cause any weakness or problems from a structural standpoint. I just wonder what causes it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile The surface of the raw material is dirty from the extrusion process and they don't clean it off before it gets hit by the dies. It has no affect on the integrity of the part. |
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Does anyone have pictures of original parts with carbon streaking in them? (just curious) Quoted:
Does anyone have pictures of original parts with carbon streaking in them? (just curious) Quoted:
<cut> The carbon streaking is cause by the raw material. I polished the crap out of them but I can tell what the outcome will be. <cut> I've seen a Colt R0933 11.5" Barrel Rifle with tiger stripes due to this issue. |
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See Mike, you're selling this all wrong. They aren't forging flaws. They're rare specialty items! 
For a limited time, (and a premium price) you too can build a limited edition tiger striped 604!  A man after my own heart! I was thinking the same thing  The NDS boys don't play that game. Too honest for their own good sometimes, but we love them for it.
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Are all 20 accounted for. or can I still order The qty 20 is just the first batch sent out for anodizing, from the latest production run of NDS-604 uppers. We have not confirmed all the pre-orders we have (some go back to 2013), but it looks like this first batch of 20 will be taken by the pre-orders we have. We are still taking pre-orders for NDS-604 upper receivers. Call us at 952-942-1909. We usually send out a batch of product for anodizing about every 7-10 days, and we will include a few NDS-604's for anodizing in these upcoming batches. Harlan NoDak Spud LLC |
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So here's a few macro pics of what this stuff looks like after anodizing.
If you have one of our NDS-15U uppers you will see the same type of darker spots. Typically they fade out a bit after soaking in the oil. The grading is defined by how dark and widespread the discoloration is. If you get more than 12"-15" away you will not notice it as much. 
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Thanks, but it's pretty brutal on my hands and elbows. Quoted:
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You can barely notice the spots/sections affected....you guys did a great job polishing them to almost perfection. Thanks, but it's pretty brutal on my hands and elbows. After watching your video hand polishing "Normal" Uppers, I can only imagine the blisters and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome caused by this batch of "Bad" uppers. 
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We have finished three batches of the gray NDS-604 upper receivers, and all but one (out of a total of thirty) have been graded with the cosmetic BLEM as discussed in this thread. This situation is unlikely to change anytime soon. We will continue to process the uppers through anodizing and keep offering the BLEM's for the discounted price. We are holding a few customer orders who are wanting a grade one gray anodized NDS-604.
Thanks. Harlan NoDak Spud LLC |
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9/16/2015
We have processed through another batch of NDS-604 upper receivers for anodizing, along with a batch of NDS-15U uppers (with trigger charging handle), and all are graded as BLEM grade, because of the carbon streaking in the forgings. We will continue to process these uppers for gray anodizing. Call us at 952-942-1909 for availability details. Harlan NoDak Spud LLC |
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9/27/2015
We have processed through another batch of NDS-604 upper receivers for anodizing, and all are graded as BLEM grade, because of the carbon streaking in the forgings. We will continue to process these uppers for gray anodizing. Call us at 952-942-1909 for availability details. Harlan NoDak Spud LLC |
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