A Look Around the Shop

Most of what we do comes down to two machines: a CNC lathe and a CNC mill. Everything on our services page, from threading an AR-15 barrel to making a one-off part, goes through one or both of them. Here's what's in the shop and how we use it.

The lathe

Barrel threading happens on the Haas TL-1. Threads are cut concentric to the bore, not just to the outside of the barrel. That matters once a suppressor goes on: a thread that's off center moves the bore line closer to the inside of the can than it should be.

The lathe also does the turning on our custom jobs, like the thread covers we make for the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun.

Checking threads

Threads are cut to 3A/3B and checked with ring gauges and thread pitch micrometers before anything leaves. The patterns we cut regularly are 1/2×28, 1/2×32, 1/2×36, 9/16×24, 0.578×28 (37/64×28), 5/8×24 and 3/4×10, plus metric 13.5×1 left-hand, 14×1, 16×1 and 16×1.5. Everything is right-hand unless it's marked LH.

If you need something that isn't on that list, send the part that screws onto it, like the muzzle brake or suppressor mount, so we can check the fit against the real thing. It's also worth asking your suppressor maker which thread and engagement length they recommend before you send a barrel in.

The mills

Custom parts and prototypes are cut on the Haas CNC mill. We also run a JET manual knee mill with a Kurt vise for one-off cuts and small jobs that don't need a program written. Laser engraving is done in house too.

Custom work

If you need a part made, whether it's a prototype or a short run, we bill $100 an hour plus materials. Send drawings, a sample, or a description of what you're after and we'll go from there. FFL/SOT transfers are available on request.

Questions about a job? Get in touch before you ship anything, especially for work that needs the whole firearm sent in.