Machining an 80% lower at work?

[Will_White]

Assuming you have permission, can you machine an 80% lower at a shop you work at?

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[Kruel J]

From how I understand it, that USED to be ok. But now....it has to be done from home with your personal tools otherwise your employer becomes a manufacturer. I could be wrong here.

 

[IronMonster]

I bet there are exactly zero cases of the ATF throwing people in jail for working on home built guns while at their place of employment. But technically I think Kruejl is right, you are supposed to own the equipment.

 

[P7M13]

If you talk to the shop owner, make them completely aware, and they say "OK" then have at it.
Don't do it otherwise, that would be uncool.
There's a difference between using shop tools after hours when it's enhancing your abilities, a whole 'nuther thing when you are doing something that could put them in crosshairs. That would be even lower than using their tooling to make parts for competitors or to sell yourself. (I've known people who did that...).

 

[Kruel J]

For the cost of a router or drill press, why risk it?

 

[JeremyK]

^ This. No at home shop is complete without at least a drill press, and routing tools are easy and cheap enough to come by.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Exactly, I have 6 routers..... uh, scratch that I sold one yesterday....

 

[Caveman Jim]

I will ad that, which has been stated above, why possibly put your employer in hot water & risk your job over this trivial task.
Go home and create your masterpiece, you will have more pride in it.
Respectfully.

 

[Will_White]

I'd definitely be up front about it. As for just buying the router, drill press, jigs etc I actually already have a router, drill press, etc but they're not very great and a mill would make things easier. But something else is that calling the kits I have 80% is generous to say the least, more like 20%. I have an AR15 and an AR10 weld together steel flat from theflatspot.net and while I do have a decent mig welder at home that would work they would turn out a whole heck of a lot nicer if I tig welded it which I don't have..

 

[JeremyK]

I'd definitely be up front about it. As for just buying the router, drill press, jigs etc I actually already have a router, drill press, etc but they're not very great and a mill would make things easier. But something else is that calling the kits I have 80% is generous to say the least, more like 20%. I have an AR15 and an AR10 weld together steel flat from theflatspot.net and while I do a have decent mig welder at home that would work they would turn out a whole heck of a lot nicer if I tig welded it which I don't have..

Yup, that's definitely TIG work. I've been considering picking a few of those up and sticking one together with everdur. Thought it might look cool.

 

[Will_White]

Yup, that's definitely TIG work. I've been considering picking a few of those up and sticking one together with everdur. Thought it might look cool.

That would definitely look unique, and be one of a kind.

 

[Bandook]

Here is the ATF document that governs this issue.
https://www.atf.gov/file/11711/download
(ATF 2015-1 is the rule if the above link doesn't work)

 

[failsafe]

Ask your boss if he wants one, while youre at it ;D

 

[IronMonster]

Ask your boss if he wants one, while youre at it ;D

Shoot, why not? One federal felony, Two federal felonies... What's the difference?

 

[11Charlie]

Buy a jig and be done with it. I can't wait to use mine. Decided to move my shop around a little bit and get more organized before I get started.

 

[failsafe]

But in all seriousness (in addition to my sarcasm up there) - it's a great reason to own a drill press and a router. I bought those two tools for my shop specifically for 80%'ers and have used them on so many other peojects. I shop CL for tools, got my router and drill press for around $100 together.

 

[3MTA3]

A man should never pass up an excuse to buy yet one more tool, else he runs the risk of producing estrogen and having to sit while he pees. Hog out your 80% lower at home - it's so easy, even an @Caveman Jim can do it.

 

[Will_White]

I'd definitely be up front about it. As for just buying the router, drill press, jigs etc I actually already have a router, drill press, etc but they're not very great and a mill would make things easier. But something else is that calling the kits I have 80% is generous to say the least, more like 20%. I have an AR15 and an AR10 weld together steel flat from theflatspot.net and while I do have a decent mig welder at home that would work they would turn out a whole heck of a lot nicer if I tig welded it which I don't have..

I am planning to do it at home just to be safe.

 

[Diamondback]

A man should never pass up an excuse to buy yet one more tool, else he runs the risk of producing estrogen and having to sit while he pees. Hog out your 80% lower at home - it's so easy, even an @Caveman Jim can do it.

Hell, I hogged out a poly freehand with just a jig and cordless drill! Think next time I'll get a drill-press vise or similar first, though...

 

[Caveman Jim]

A man should never pass up an excuse to buy yet one more tool, else he runs the risk of producing estrogen and having to sit while he pees. Hog out your 80% lower at home - it's so easy, even an @Caveman Jim can do it.

And do it well to boot...