Machining tungsten

[N555]

For weights. Get you mind out of the gutter. Pure tungsten machines like cast iron with a tungsten carbide cutter.
Made some tungsten E-mod buffer weights. The main difference between regular buffer weights and Emod is the Emod are the same, except one weight, the rear most weight has a dimple to make room for a spring between the rear most weight and the plastic bumper. Adding that spring keeps all the weights pushed forward, for every shot.

 

[Steve762us]

For weights. Get you mind out of the gutter.

Huh?

Why do they have to be tungsten--can't use lead?

 

[N555]

I assumed lead would deform.
Tungsten is about 2.5x the density of steel and nearly 2x the density of lead.

 

[GBExpat]

In addition to agreeing with Steve762us about the gutter comment ...

What's an "e-mod"?

 

[N555]

That's the "extended" carbine buffer tube, also called A5. It's a few inches longer than an M4 tube, but still shorter than a rifle tube, takes all your favorite M4 style adjustable stocks, uses a rifle length spring and uses its own 4 weight buffer.

Anytime anyone talks about machining tungsten, there's always some fudd that assumes the person is making tungsten bullet cores.

 

[AK Hunter]

The only tungsten I mess with is the tungsten electrode used in TIG welding & I grind that.

 

[N555]

Yeah same here I used it welding never tried machining it till now.

 

[Steve762us]

there's always some fudd .

I'll take the high road and bow out, since I'm a few years north o' fifty.

 

[N555]

You can be 70+ and not be a fudd or be 30 and be a fudd, it's all the person, not their age.

 

[Bill M.]

My experience with tungsten is that it machines very well. And grinds to tight tolerances. But...almost impossible to tap with hand dies. The shop used several dozen taps for what seem like a fairly simple job and only a few holes.

 

[N555]

I have also read that "tungsten is almost impossible to machine" these people must have gotten a hold of a piece of tungsten carbide is all I can think of.

 

[Slamfire]

That is interesting. I thought you had to grind tungsten because it was too hard to machine.

 

[Pete D.]

I am unfamiliar with using tungsten or its related alloys in any form other than birdshot. It is expensive stuff. Elemental tungsten is quite pricey. Why would you use it for weights?

 

[N555]

I am unfamiliar with using tungsten or its related alloys in any form other than birdshot. It is expensive stuff. Elemental tungsten is quite pricey. Why would you use it for weights?

To make an AR15 buffer heavier to slow down the bolt carrier group speed. A problem us silencer guys have a lot.

 

[jmorris]

Most common use I know of aside from TIG electrodes (some) is balance weights.

https://www.amazon.com/Tungsten-Crankshaft-Balance-Weight-0-875/dp/B07HKSCRT4?th=1

 

[N555]

This is them.
EBay is one of the best place to get them. I have seen them listed for as much $20 per weight on other gun sights. Notice how they look exactly like steel AR15 buffer weights.