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Posted: 4/9/2013 4:27:43 PM EDT
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I ordered some TR-Enabling 80% lowers and wanted to give a report on them. These are machined from billet 6061 aluminum. Customer service with these guys is very good with Josh being very easy to get in touch with. I ordered my lowers without the safe/fire pictograms. Josh said normal lead time was less tjan 10 days but likely closer to 3 or 4 days. Mine took a little longer since all their lowers in stock were already marked with safe/fire. One very nice feature of these lowers is a tapped rear detent spring hole, making install of the buffer easier. Also the bolt catch pin hole is tapped. The receiver comes with 2 allen plugs and wrench, and a pin to replace the roll pin for the bolt catch. This lower uses NO roll pins! I fitted the lower to the front pin and it fit well and seemed to line up perfectly, but I will know more when i get the rear milled for the rear upper block. Aluminum military mags fit well right out of the box. Looks like some plastic mags will fit tight without some sanding in the mag well. So far the only progress on the lower has been sanding out surface endmill swirls. I will be updating once I get machining, engraving, and annodizing completed.
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Looks like you got one without their name on it. Nice
I cancelled my order after the pics finally became available of them and showed TR enabling milled into the side. Ruined it for me, that and that it is 6061. Looks like it is nicely machined. Thanks for the review |
| It's free of all markings. I'm planning on engraving the hell out of it. Yes we did buy the jig. I will provide some pics of the jig at a later date, I left it with my buddy who owns the mill. From the research I did the differences between 7075 and 6061 are minimal for a lower. I would want 7075 for an upper. I'm very happy with the purchase and will be buying from them again. |
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These are awesome lowers so far, Josh and Andrew (owners) are good people too.
I've got 3 of them and the jig, now I'm waiting for my HF mill to arrive so I can get to work on them. I also had to do a little work on the mag wells to get magpul mags to slide in and out nicely, I think this is only due to the fact that the wells are produced with EDM rather than broached. I am still researching finishing products for these. I have been seriously considering the Johnny Norrell molyresin coating. Has anyone else used the molyresin? How is it compared to anodizing? |
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Engraving using a DC power source just like the Vaderspade thread has worked well in practice attempts for me. I'm working on getting my graphics sized and converted to vector format to get the vinyl stencil cut out. Will hopefully have pics of an engraved lower in a week or so.
Jim Quoted:
Cool. I just placed an order for a couple and the jig. I've got a HF mini mill and a mini-CNC that I can use for engraving. I'm looking forward to spending some time down in the shop! 
CHRIS |
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Quoted:
Engraving using a DC power source just like the Vaderspade thread has worked well in practice attempts for me. I'm working on getting my graphics sized and converted to vector format to get the vinyl stencil cut out. Will hopefully have pics of an engraved lower in a week or so. Jim Quoted:
Cool. I just placed an order for a couple and the jig. I've got a HF mini mill and a mini-CNC that I can use for engraving. I'm looking forward to spending some time down in the shop!
CHRIS Gomlin, what are you using for a powersource? I want to start experimenting with the same technique, but I'd like to use a power source I have already. I've got a 10 amp battery charger I am thinking about giving a go...... |
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I have been using an old laptop charger that no longer would make a reliable connection to the laptop due to a faulty plug. It is like 19v and 5amp so it is quite powerful. It has worked well using electrical tape with letters cut out. I have tried the toner transfer method but the metal gets pitted under the toner. I suspect that the charger has too much current for the toner to reliably insulate the metal. I want to try the toner technique using an old cell charger to see if it works more cleanly since it is much less powerful. Working on getting my graphics ready for the sign shop in case I go that route. If the toner method works well using the cell charger it will allow MUCH smaller and detailed engraving. If you look on YouTube for "toner and pcb" and "knife marking" you can see how it works.
Jim Quoted:
Quoted:
Engraving using a DC power source just like the Vaderspade thread has worked well in practice attempts for me. I'm working on getting my graphics sized and converted to vector format to get the vinyl stencil cut out. Will hopefully have pics of an engraved lower in a week or so. Jim Quoted:
Cool. I just placed an order for a couple and the jig. I've got a HF mini mill and a mini-CNC that I can use for engraving. I'm looking forward to spending some time down in the shop!
CHRIS Gomlin, what are you using for a powersource? I want to start experimenting with the same technique, but I'd like to use a power source I have already. I've got a 10 amp battery charger I am thinking about giving a go...... |
| I just ordered my jig today. I have two lowers sitting here. I should have picked the jig up with them. I have the first generation that still needs to roll pin for the bolt catch and no retainer for the rear take down spring. I'll post some pics when I get them finished. |
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