Free Float Tube Mill Work

**Clark Kent** · July 16th, 2012, 09:30 PM

Thought my free float tube was a bit boring so here's what we did tonight.

Stock:

Clamped down in the slight ridge of the bridgeport's table:

Milling more vents at both ends;

Current unfinished state:

Need to clean it up some with a file as the rigged up clamp was not the most stable thing and the cuts do have a slight wave to them. I'm debating weather to open up slightly long slights inbetween the currently milled small slights. But I'm thinking I might leave it like it is right now and start with the filing and finish work. Hopefully I can get someone to match the finish well.

**nateebobo** · July 16th, 2012, 10:48 PM

just a suggestion but have you ever used a deburring tool on things like that? aluminum zips right off and leaves a nice smooth radius at the cut edge and would be alot faster than a file with less clean up overall, could also get it on both sides with one. not trying to tell you what to do and obviously you know metal work, just thought id throw it out there to save some blisters maybe.

looks damn good in pics by the way, great job.

eta: nevermind i see what your talking about now. disregard my entire numbskull post, other than looks good of course.

**Clark Kent** · July 17th, 2012, 12:40 AM

I'm a novice at metal work so any suggestions, criticism, etc are welcomed.

**Maropowered383** · July 17th, 2012, 03:47 AM

A deburr knife will not work on a already anodized part it will just skip and look crappy... If you wanna get rid of some of that chatter you might try a 2 flute endmill instead of roughing and finishing with a 4 flute. If you only have a 4 flute try slowing it down and feeding it faster. A decent chip rate will help the chatter.

**Clark Kent** · July 17th, 2012, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by Maropowered383

A deburr knife will not work on a already anodized part it will just skip and look crappy... If you wanna get rid of some of that chatter you might try a 2 flute endmill instead of roughing and finishing with a 4 flute. If you only have a 4 flute try slowing it down and feeding it faster. A decent chip rate will help the chatter.

Thanks! Added some rep for that advice.

**Brian Ahearn** · July 17th, 2012, 07:10 AM

Armor black cerakote looks like it should match that perfectly.

**Clark Kent** · July 17th, 2012, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by Brian Ahearn

Armor black cerakote looks like it should match that perfectly.

Then see you towards the end of the week sir. I've got a muzzle brake and a slide to drop off as well.

**Brian Ahearn** · July 17th, 2012, 08:33 AM

I will be in all day Weds., Thur,on Friday I am taking my boys to the range early for some 100 yard steel plate pistol shooting I should get back into the shop by 10:30 to 11:00 am call first 610-252-5334 sat I should be in 8am till 2:00 pm Brian / EFR