O-1 tool steel.I like to tinker and don't mind machining them
The only problem is that I do not currently have the tooling to machine steel (nor the funding)
You are correct in saying that there are not "Aluminum mills" or "Steel mills", but the tooling that we use in 3-flute tooling. This is very efficient for aluminum only (We only really work with aluminum). To use 3-flute tooling on steel would cause excessive tool wear.
Aluminum and steel, as well as virtually all other alloys, are machined the same way. There aren't "aluminum mills" and "steel mills". Speeds and feeds are different, but process is the same.
Now, if you're talking about using wood cutting tools, well, you're really not set up to make precision FCG parts anyway.
Having said that, aluminum FCG parts are doable, but would need steel inserts at hammer face, hammer hook, and both sear surfaces. Disconnector needs to be steel, pins need to be steel, Ti or another hard & highly abrasion resistant alloy. Selector can be 100% aluminum; I have made them from 7075-T651, saving 12 grams vs. steel:
You are correct in saying that there are not "Aluminum mills" or "Steel mills", but the tooling that we use in 3-flute tooling. This is very efficient for aluminum only (We only really work with aluminum). To use 3-flute tooling on steel would cause excessive tool wear.
"We" is a group of my co-workers who all have access to the CNC machine (Haas VF2ss). We do research involving programs that can automatically generate g-code for a part by the simple touch of a button (the program does all the toolpaths etc). With this, not a lot of parts are run so we are allowed to run parts on our own time to keep the machines running.Who is "we" and what is it you're doing?
I use mostly 4 flute cutters for diamaters under 1", regardless of steel, aluminum or titanium work pieces. But you certainly can cut steel with single, 2 and 3 flute cutters, just have to calibrate speeds and feeds accordingly. Or, ya know, just buy some 4 flute carbide cutters out of pocket. If you're running CNC machines that use CAT 40 or CAT 50 , you can buy an ER32 collet adapter and and collets quite inexpensively these days (assuming such a critter isn't already in use). If you have the latitude to run programs for personal stuff, I can't imagine there'd be a problem with temporarily changing out magazine tooling.
Just as an FYI: I might be making titanium parts (we have the parts and titanium to play with for these) so what would be a cool AR part to have in titanium?
There is always aluminum lithium alloy. Lighter, stiffer, and stronger than aluminum.
The problem most lay-people have with alloys is that not all "aluminum" is the same stuff.There is always aluminum lithium alloy. Lighter, stiffer, and stronger than aluminum.
No cheap, though.
BSW