Need a machinist with a metal lathe to make some guide rods

[zachomega]

Irony of ironies. I work in a machine shop. However it is very corporate and I'm not a machinist.

I am hoping to have some guide rods made for some Beretta pistols (PX4, PX4 compact, PX4 subcompact, & 8000L Cougar).

It would be entirely turn work. I'm pretty confident that the grade of steel here isn't too important, but something like 304 would make me happy.

I'd prefer somebody local so that we can test fit the parts.

All of those pistols use a captive guide rod assembly, but it doesn't have to be a captive design. Bonus of we can turn a plastic (nylon, delrin, pvdf, etc) bushing to protect the slide from a bare spring.

I was willing to pay roughly 25$ each online but the supplier doesn't have a convenient way to pay and never responded to my email.

Let me know if you are interested.

-Zach

[Walleye Hunter]

I have a machine that should be able to do it but I am no machinist. I'd welcome the opportunity to have someone show me how it's done.

[cdi]

That sounds like a lot of set up time plus the turning for 25 bucks a rod.

[zachomega]

That sounds like a lot of set up time plus the turning for 25 bucks a rod.

Firstly, that is just the price i found online for something similar. Not a suggested cost. Pricing would be negotiated before hand.

Secondly, we are talking about a straight rod with a slightly larger diameter on the end. Not sure how much turning you've done. This isn't exactly high precision work that requires anything particularly time consuming.

3 of the 4 rods have identical features. Just different lengths.

Lastly, i define hobby as "work we do for free". The point being, sometimes we do things for reasons other than money.. Although money is always nice.

-Zach

[esh21167]

https://ssguiderods.com/shop/beretta...-rod-assembly/

Did you try this supplier?

Looks like they are available directly from Beretta also: https://www.beretta.com/en-us/gun-ac...-or-pluspplus/

Looks like at least three separate pieces, plus a screw to remove the one end for spring removal/installation, which may or may not be proprietary sizes. It's a little more work than you think.

I've worked in the machining industry for decades and when people ask about items like this the first thing I ask them is how much it would cost to buy one. They usually give some answer like, 'it's expensive, probably $50.' I tell them it would be very easy to make them one for at least 2-3x that price. That's kind of what you're looking at here.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

[streaker69]

When I needed a part machined, and my regular machinist was too busy I contacted my local trade school and asked them if they could do it. One of their students made exactly what I needed.

[zachomega]

https://ssguiderods.com/shop/beretta...-rod-assembly/

Did you try this supplier?

Looks like they are available directly from Beretta also: https://www.beretta.com/en-us/gun-ac...-or-pluspplus/

Looks like at least three separate pieces, plus a screw to remove the one end for spring removal/installation, which may or may not be proprietary sizes. It's a little more work than you think.

I've worked in the machining industry for decades and when people ask about items like this the first thing I ask them is how much it would cost to buy one. They usually give some answer like, 'it's expensive, probably $50.' I tell them it would be very easy to make them one for at least 2-3x that price. That's kind of what you're looking at here.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

That is the supplier who hasn't responded to emails about payment method. Plus they don't offer a Beretta 8000L rod which is just a PX4 rod that is in between the full size and compact length.

The Beretta metal rod is... Well not good. And again, doesn't solve for the 8000L.

The PX4 guide rod does not need a screw to keep the spring captive. It uses a cheap plastic cap that is a point of failure. The metal rods are just hollow tubes. The bushing can be reused from the plastic rod assembly.

You haven't burst any bubbles. I'm asking for a custom fit part. Hopefully from a hobbyist with a lathe at home.

-Zach

[zachomega]

When I needed a part machined, and my regular machinist was too busy I contacted my local trade school and asked them if they could do it. One of their students made exactly what I needed.

Good thought. I'll look into that if i don't get any good hits.

-Zach

[streaker69]

Good thought. I'll look into that if i don't get any good hits.

-Zach

I'd hook you up with my regular machinist, but I'm still waiting for him to finish some parts I designed a couple weeks ago.

[cdi]

You are welcome to use my lathe and tools to turn the part yourself. Not sure how much turning you*ve done, but it should only take a couple minutes.