hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
I've had an FFL in the past so I do know. Good try though
Wanting to Learn
- Thread starter Bully
- Start date
BUT,, you don't have one now! Things have changed. Price breaks are minimal. Quantity is where the breaks are at, now. Very little difference between a FFL w/tax permit buying one or two and retail. Gotta' buy 10 barrels to get a 10% discount from many. You'll pay the same per pound for a 10# case of powder as you would if you only bought one pound. No discount for 10 cases. Travel to Kansas if you want it cheaper. Some companies still discount for FFL, but they seem to be getting fewer and fewer. Things are NOT as they once were, where a bit of profit could be made on components and the other stuff. What you thought you knew, you didn't!
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
Well thank you for all that information, I appreciate it. I know you are right about the cost of much of this stuff. It's got to be frustrating trying to run a small shop the way the industry has headed. When you can buy a firearm for a 20.00 dollar transfer fee I don't see how a small gun shop can stay in business. So we don't have an LGS around here just guys selling out of their houses. I still think I could save a few bucks overall in a year if I had an FFL but I wished I had not posted that now as I don't want to contribute to the problem.
B Nettesheim
Gold $$ Contributor
Maybe the guy who wrote the op should just throw in the towel and save himself any hardship. He can use his brain to concentrate on what is happening in front of him on the tv instead.
Shop life is bad for you anyway, all that noise and moly d smoke... listening to your favorite songs the hot chip that finds its way down your shirt, and who would want to satisfaction of pulling the trigger on something selfmade anywho.
Think of all the people in this country who started something from nothing. That's the why were called Americans!!!!
Shop life is bad for you anyway, all that noise and moly d smoke... listening to your favorite songs the hot chip that finds its way down your shirt, and who would want to satisfaction of pulling the trigger on something selfmade anywho.
Think of all the people in this country who started something from nothing. That's the why were called Americans!!!!
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
That's what I thought. As you see some of these threads take on their own life. Didn't you get a lot more info than you needed here?
Check out hobby-machinist.com They welcome questions from noobs and cranky know it alls are discouraged.
Bully
Silver $$ Contributor
Thank you, I shall.
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
Well, that counts me out.
I've been known to wear differnet hats myself, depending on the phase of the moon and the tightness of my underwear!Well, that counts me out.
Cigarcop
Silver $$ Contributor
I saw you sent me a message on FB..... if your patient I'm sure we could work out a day where we could chamber a barrel or at least show you some of the process.
I just purchased two new machines and in the process of getting them in and set up, so I'm getting behind myself....also trying to get ready for the Worlds this year.....so like I said if your not in a hurry, perhaps I could help a bit.
May also give you an idea of what's needed and what your getting yourself into!
I'm a nobody really but have been given plenty of help myself!
Keith
I just purchased two new machines and in the process of getting them in and set up, so I'm getting behind myself....also trying to get ready for the Worlds this year.....so like I said if your not in a hurry, perhaps I could help a bit.
May also give you an idea of what's needed and what your getting yourself into!
I'm a nobody really but have been given plenty of help myself!
Keith
Last edited:
Bully
Silver $$ Contributor
No hurry here. Thanks.
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm all for doing your own thing in garage, but let me say this. I don't advise you getting a lathe for the sole purpose of doing your own gunsmithing. I had a lathe in my garage, use it every day, built many things that were before not possible. Built a small steam engine with no plans to go by. When I started doing barrels, it came very easy when you already know and are comfortable with your machine. Like others said earlier, it isn't profitable to just do a barrel for yourself. You are going to need about $15,000 to even get in the game, and that's being conservative. I feel that you need at least a 12" swing or larger machine around 1500lbs. Or more. The smaller the machine, the more problems.
Now, if still interested, go for it, just trying to give you some truths about it. Have fun, you will find out with a lathe that your now able to rebuild the world!! There is no better feeling of accomplishment when you shoot a little cloverleaf group at 200yds. If you want to learn something that really makes a gun shoot good, learn how to bed a rifle correctly with no stress, then you will have a fine shooting rifle.
Now, if still interested, go for it, just trying to give you some truths about it. Have fun, you will find out with a lathe that your now able to rebuild the world!! There is no better feeling of accomplishment when you shoot a little cloverleaf group at 200yds. If you want to learn something that really makes a gun shoot good, learn how to bed a rifle correctly with no stress, then you will have a fine shooting rifle.
Someoldguy
It's a wonder anyone gets anything done, based upon the contents of this thread. WoW.
Just thought I'd check back in on this thread after a week. Do it, don't do it...that just summed it all up. Meanwhile, I've made a few fixtures for add materials on the lathe, a dial indicator holding fixture, a new spindle lever tightening screw for my drill press, and bought a 1941 Burke #4 Horizontal Mill that's been completely restored all tooled up, and has the vertical head and its accessories as well. Tonight will be completing the order of operations sheet I have made for tomorrows project. And yes, at my home shop all parts get an official order of operations worksheet with a detailed account of all setups, tool changes and operations. The doers never give a shit what anyone else says, they're too busy doing stuff to consider not doing stuff. Jesse
Bully
Silver $$ Contributor
I'm gonna go for it. My order of ops is as follows:
Continue to read and learn via as many visual aids as I can find, including but not limited to: YouTube, various forums and Facebook. I also purchased a couple of videos to get me familiar with the process.
Enroll in a night class or two to get some formal training as time, for me, is tighter. I'm not a kid anymore (discounting what my wife says) and the formal training will get me started on the right foot.
Continue speaking with 2 or 3 gents on here that have offered me assistance via phone, text, and possibly informal instruction in their shops.
I'm also shopping for a suitable lathe. I won't be purchasing anything until the first semester class is completed. I'm learning now what won't work as well as some things that will. But the money will happen once the first class is done.
Thanks again for those that have offered me guidance, insight and encouragement both publicly and privately. I owe several on here a beer if ever we meet.
Some of you, well, you know... probably best left unsaid.
Continue to read and learn via as many visual aids as I can find, including but not limited to: YouTube, various forums and Facebook. I also purchased a couple of videos to get me familiar with the process.
Enroll in a night class or two to get some formal training as time, for me, is tighter. I'm not a kid anymore (discounting what my wife says) and the formal training will get me started on the right foot.
Continue speaking with 2 or 3 gents on here that have offered me assistance via phone, text, and possibly informal instruction in their shops.
I'm also shopping for a suitable lathe. I won't be purchasing anything until the first semester class is completed. I'm learning now what won't work as well as some things that will. But the money will happen once the first class is done.
Thanks again for those that have offered me guidance, insight and encouragement both publicly and privately. I owe several on here a beer if ever we meet.
Some of you, well, you know... probably best left unsaid.
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
I think you're doing it the ideal way. Wish I could have done that. Always remember Safety is job 1 and I bet you'll do fine
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.