Milling a custom body.

[Migz]

Hay guys I sometimes have a lot of free time at work and was thinking that they often sell Aluminum bar stock on ebay and how cool it would be to have a custom body made. So here's my Idea I want a ULE mini mag I figure by going off the sluggo plans and modifying them a little I think I could get it to work. Or am I just being crazy.

corrected for english errors.

[txaggie08]

keep your machine tolerances high and it will work just fine

[Migz]

Hay any machinests out there was wondering what AL alloy to use 6061 or 7075.

[ScatterPlot]

I think it's 6061.

[Hawke]

Alot of light guns use 6061

[syko2102]

The 7075 is going to give you a little bit more strength especially in the T6 temper. Ideally The 7075 is the way to go but it tends to be a bit more expensive. Both however have excellent strength, the difference being in the composition of the alloy, where the 6061 has a primary alloying element of magnesium and silicon, and the 7075 is primarily zinc. Having machined both before, I can say that if you're between those two go for the 7075. It will likely be tempered so it will be rated something like: 7075-T6

[Migz]

The 7075 is going to give you a little bit more strength especially in the T6 temper. Ideally The 7075 is the way to go but it tends to be a bit more expensive. Both however have excellent strength, the difference being in the composition of the alloy, where the 6061 has a primary alloying element of magnesium and silicon, and the 7075 is primarily zinc. Having machined both before, I can say that if you're between those two go for the 7075. It will likely be tempered so it will be rated something like: 7075-T6

Hay another California guy. Yeah I wash looking more towards the 7000 series of Alunimum alloy. Hay know anything about Fortal Alunimum. I was looking into that they have a couple of rods of this I was thinking of buying. They say it pretty good.

[CoolHand]

The 7075 is harder, and will be tougher to machine. The AGD sluggo plans call for 7075 T-6, BTW.

The body tube won't be too hard to pull off, its the feed neck that's a booger. If I were you, I'd go with a pressed neck like WGP uses in their STO cockers. Press it in, and ream the bore to match again. No big.

That is certainly the easiest way to do it. You could also weld a vert or power feed onto it, I guess, but that will likely warp the living crap out of the body tube, and take the heat treat out of both pieces. Angel threads are a more complex option, but I bet finding a tap that size will be tough (though I have heard of people finding them, I have never heard a good answer as to where).

Be prepared for some chatter from your boring bar on that 7075, unless you are using inserts with a lot of positive rake.

Good luck, and don't damage yourself.

[thefool]

yes 7000 sieries is definatly harder but dont expect to annodize it because the high sillocon content makes it very difficult

[CoolHand]

You can anodize 7075 T-6 just fine, just don't expect the colors to match those of the other alloys. We have found that 7075 comes out consistently two to four shades darker, in the same dye bath, when compared to 6061.

That's why AGD's ULE bodies never match anything.

[syko2102]

Migz,
As far as you're fotal aluminum goes, I cant say I know much about it but they seem to have a good rep. based on a quick google of their name. If you're in the bay area I can mention a few basic metal supply houses that tend to have a good supply.
PS- if you have access to a CNC, I have a proj you might find very intruguing.