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Posted: 6/29/2013 3:34:23 PM EDT
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Hello. I was wondering if anyone knew if any plastic buffer tubes existed. Would this even work? I think it'd be pretty nifty to be able to print out one more part for a rifle. I'm thinking about getting a 3D Printer soon, and if it's possible, I might just end up designing some new parts.
Thanks. -Ed |
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I know of no conventional type plastic buffer tubes. My Cavalry Arms MKII has its buffer tube as an integral part of the buttstock. While adequately strong, I don't think it is quite as strong as conventional metal buffer tubes.
Maybe a plastic buffer tube can be made to work. Maybe not. I suppose it is worth investigating, but I wouldn't have high hopes for easy success. |
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Okay. So, on the interior of the tube, would I be able to make it a little bit thicker to accommodate for the lack of strength in plastic? Not really, it still has to fit the buffer and spring inside and the stock outside. Long story short, it probably won't work for very long, and will most likely fail at the threads first. The weight of the buffer and bolt carrier slamming into the rear of the tube every time you fire it will crack it in short order |
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I think a plastic tube would be suitable on a 22 conversion upper but nothing else. So if I made it specifically for a .22 conversion kit, would I be able to roll with the stock thickness? And with the pistol guys, would something like a buffer tube block off be something they would be interested in? |
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I think a plastic tube would be suitable on a 22 conversion upper but nothing else. So if I made it specifically for a .22 conversion kit, would I be able to roll with the stock thickness? And with the pistol guys, would something like a buffer tube block off be something they would be interested in? A .22 doesn't require the buffer or spring, so you could make it as thick as you want. |
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I think a plastic tube would be suitable on a 22 conversion upper but nothing else. So if I made it specifically for a .22 conversion kit, would I be able to roll with the stock thickness? And with the pistol guys, would something like a buffer tube block off be something they would be interested in? A .22 doesn't require the buffer or spring, so you could make it as thick as you want. Fail. Wasn't thinking. Would there be more demand for a solid one for overall strength, or something thin to keep costs down? Also, with the pistol guys, would it be legal for me to make a buffer tube that was a little bit thicker to have just a little bit more surface area to contact with the shoulder? It would still accept a buffer spring and function normally. The only thing different would be that it was thicker. This would also aid in rigidity. |
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Meh. Make me a solid, small, streamlined folding stock adapter for my 22lr. Make one of those, keep it under $75 price point and you'll make a bundle. One of the greatest things about this will be that a kilogram of whatever colored filament (probably black) will only cost me 48 bucks. So if what you're asking for uses up a whole spool, which I doubt, it'll cost you probably $60. Another thing I could do is allow members to submit their own CAD designs and charge them materials plus shipping. |
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I think a plastic tube would be suitable on a 22 conversion upper but nothing else. So if I made it specifically for a .22 conversion kit, would I be able to roll with the stock thickness? And with the pistol guys, would something like a buffer tube block off be something they would be interested in? A .22 doesn't require the buffer or spring, so you could make it as thick as you want. Fail. Wasn't thinking. Would there be more demand for a solid one for overall strength, or something thin to keep costs down? Also, with the pistol guys, would it be legal for me to make a buffer tube that was a little bit thicker to have just a little bit more surface area to contact with the shoulder? It would still accept a buffer spring and function normally. The only thing different would be that it was thicker. This would also aid in rigidity. The only problem would be that the base of the threads would still be weakest point. and you can't add material there... |
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I think a plastic tube would be suitable on a 22 conversion upper but nothing else. So if I made it specifically for a .22 conversion kit, would I be able to roll with the stock thickness? And with the pistol guys, would something like a buffer tube block off be something they would be interested in? A .22 doesn't require the buffer or spring, so you could make it as thick as you want. Fail. Wasn't thinking. Would there be more demand for a solid one for overall strength, or something thin to keep costs down? Also, with the pistol guys, would it be legal for me to make a buffer tube that was a little bit thicker to have just a little bit more surface area to contact with the shoulder? It would still accept a buffer spring and function normally. The only thing different would be that it was thicker. This would also aid in rigidity. The only problem would be that the base of the threads would still be weakest point. and you can't add material there... True, I'd have to get pretty crafty there. Maybe some form of insert that I'd sell, or maybe threadlocker? That'll be a question for when I get the printer. |
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If you're thinking of selling plastic buffer tubes, I don't think it would work out so well, metal ones are relatively inexpensive. I think that most guys would just pay the little bit extra for 7075 True, buffer tubes are quite inexpensive, but depending on how much each one ends up costing base price, a plastic one could be as little as five dollars. I'm still trying to think of parts that would be practical to print, as I want to make a rifle out of as many plastic parts as possible when I get a priinter before too long. Do plastic printed lowers have problems with the buffer tube threads? |
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Quoted: Fail. Wasn't thinking. Would there be more demand for a solid one for overall strength, or something thin to keep costs down? Also, with the pistol guys, would it be legal for me to make a buffer tube that was a little bit thicker to have just a little bit more surface area to contact with the shoulder? It would still accept a buffer spring and function normally. The only thing different would be that it was thicker. This would also aid in rigidity. This statement shows it is designed with the intent of using it to shoulder fire the weapon. In other words, you would be building a stock... not for use on a pistol. |
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Hello. I was wondering if anyone knew if any plastic buffer tubes existed. Would this even work? I think it'd be pretty nifty to be able to print out one more part for a rifle. I'm thinking about getting a 3D Printer soon, and if it's possible, I might just end up designing some new parts. Thanks. -Ed Could possibly be made to work but would not be durable enough to be practical. |
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So far anyone trying to print load bearing parts has failed. I'm not an engineer, I've never used a 3D printer, and I'm not a materials specialist. But I've been doing a LOT of materials and fabrication research lately and I'll post some specific issues a bit later. Right now, it's nap time.
Just suffice to say 3D printing is best used for modeling and light duty small scale parts. This what is was designed for both in materials, and abilities. (edited - above comments mainly specific to firearm related fabrication.) |
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Aaaaand, anxiety attack says nap time is over.
There are two materials that seem to be used for 3D printers that use spools. ABS, and something else I don't remember. What I do remember is that ABS was the stronger of the two, I think. Now, we know ABS plastics are good plastics, right? They are often used in cars, appliances, and various types of machinery. But, how is it used? Almost universally it is injection formed, and fiber reinforced. If it is used under much load it is made thickly with the part formed so that it supports and distributes that weight across the largest area possible. Examine objects and machines. Look for ABS tubes. See any? How are they being used? Are they thick walled or thin walled? Is there any other materials/structures sharing the load? Is there any addition geometry formed to increase the load bearing capabilities? Are there other additives used to change it's base properties to be more favorable for the application? What type of force is being applied and in what direction will that cause stress? How is that dealt with? Now I subscribe to Question Everything. Accept little at face value, and even when you do, do not fail to explore. 3M Sticky Notes were a failed adhesive. Fluorescent lights were an engineering joke sprung on new interns. The first was observing what properties this failed material did possess and exploiting its favorable properties. The second was someone not realizing they had been given an "impossible" task, and applying ideas to solve the problem presented that hadn't been explored previously. When one enters an "area" it is usually best to scout, survey, and assess the situation. What one material is nearly universally used by every polymer part made for firearm and knife use? What method(s) is used to fabricate those products? Is this adaptable for you to employ? Are there alternative materials with both physical properties and the resources to fabricate what you desire? In short, get to know the neighborhood. Figure out who is who and what is what. Once you are familiar, dig deeper. Then it's time to do something, or move onto something else. If you decide to do something, do it splendidly! You'll likely fail. Failure is excellent! Often much more is learned by not accomplishing a task at first than would be learned if success was achieved. Then it's time to dig even deeper. Give yourself to your craft, and it might pay back well. |
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