Flat Spot AR Lower

[MachIVshooter]

So, not that I need to build another AR, but for $31 shipped (buddy got one too, split shipping), the "puzzle piece lower" seemed like a fun project for a totally unconventional build. For those not familiar, this is the kit:

http://www.theflatspot.net/ar-15-receiver-flat.html

(not my pic)


It's a weld together kit, but it also requires some machining and tweaks, so much more advanced than it might seem on it's face. Not "weld 'n go", for sure.

Now, before ya'll judge, understand that this build is to be deliberately ugly. I'm going to do the upper as well, which will be primarily a piece of 1" ID .250 wall DOM. The receiver extension will most also likely be a permanently affixed piece of DOM with a butt plate welded to the end. Haven't decided on a handguard yet, but probably a free floated piece of steel, maybe even radiused square tube. The ideas are still rolling around in my head for now.

I used TIG for the entire process, filler only where there wasn't enough material to blend. I should have done some prep, but it welded OK in most spots as received (I didn't even degrease). Yes, I can lay a pretty decent bead, but there's a theme here, and beautiful welds would be anathema to it.

Anyway, here's my ugly beast





I did add some material to the inside of the pocket at the rear, as the kit does not positively locate the rear takedown lug and does not have adequate material for the selector detent hole



And my selector markings

 

[adcoch1]

Use an old car shock body for the freefloat tube, a ford pickup emergency brake pedal for the stock pad and a motorcycle muffler for a suppressor...

 

[MachIVshooter]

Use an old car shock body for the freefloat tube, a ford pickup emergency brake pedal for the stock pad and a motorcycle muffler for a suppressor...

Not bad ideas!

But I'm going more for "patina robot" than junkyard or Mad Max.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Here is mine. Or at least what it looked like when I had it set up for 5.56. It's since been chopped and had an Uzi mag well (also from Flat Spot) welded in place. Looks atrocious, kinda the point for my build.

Used, 1/4-20 nuts and hex head screws to attach the upper instead of the typical take down pins, due to lack of place for the detent and spring.

I had to get creative with the selector, but I've basically got a right side (for lefty shooter) 45 degree reversed safety. I'll get updated pics at some point of the build.

It's got a home made short pistol buffer tube and will be outfitted with an AK underfolder stock, with a 9mm blowback upper. It's been a fun build so far, full of frustrations and do overs. But I've learned a lot.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Looks atrocious, kinda the point for my build.

Ya almost have to go that route with these! The amount of prep, clean up, grinding, rewelding, filling and finishing it would take to make one of these look good would probably almost rival the time I have into my billet steel lower (33 hours).

 

[USAF_Vet]

I tried to clean it up, do some rewelds, and warped the ever loving crud out of the Uzi mag well, so much to the point I had to cut it off and rebuild it. Looks even worse now, I added some stiffeners and supports to the mag well, but it now loads and drops the mag freely and smoothly.

The amount of prep, clean up, grinding, rewelding, filling and finishing it would take to make one of these look good would probably almost rival the time I have into my billet steel lower (33 hours).

Oh easily. I've probably got at least half that, maybe closer to 20 hours, into my lower build. I've got a few left to go with more grinding, filing, filling and finishing. I know it'll never look as good as a forging or even most 80% that people do with a drill press and dremel (certainly not as nice as your milled stuff). So I think I'll just knock down some of the boogers, file out the major rough spots, slat a few coats of paint across is and let her rip as the Mad Max mix master build I intended it to be.

 

[Walkalong]

Bored my friend?

 

[Robert]

Man, you do some of the neatest stuff. I love it.