BSD Fabrication and Works

Gunsmithing is a specialized art form that focuses on repairing, modifying, designing, and building firearms. Provisions like welding and machining are required in order to properly repair and modify firearms. BSD Fabrication and Works was officially established May 2020 by owner/operator Brice De La Cerda as an independent full-service machine, welding, fabrication, and gunsmithing business.

Starting his professional career as a race mechanic with a passion for automobile tuning/modification, new and developing interests evolved with time. Having been born with a natural artistic talent, Brice developed his skills in the trades of welding, metal working, and machining through practice, local employment opportunities, and online resources. Over time, he saved money to supply his own machine shop along with inherited tools from master machinist Luis Padilla and gunsmith Charlie Shepard.

Starting out with a nineinch Atlas Lathe and a 1950s Series 1 Bridgeport, Brice officially opened up shop. Knowing from the start that production work would never fulfill creative desires, BSD became oriented around custom designs and ideas that clients wanted to create but didn’t know how to implement. A large part of this creative flexibility is owed to the versatility of an all-manual machine shop which BSD uses for all of their work to design and handcraft projects in close communication with their clients.

As more requests for work and projects come in, plans are in place to expand services and offer mass production options for popular designs by adding a fleet of CNC machines. The blend of man- This extension tube was machined on the lathe from 7075 aluminum alloy.

ual machines and tools for bespoke custom work along with automation when needed will allow for lower production costs. Prospective clients can reach the company via email or social media Facebook.com/BSDfabworkx, for inquiries. Custom Jobs One unique project BSD tackled was a customer request for a Surefire rail-mounted illumination system. The client wanted to use a 6-Volt illumination head on the original mounting body.

This required using a second battery, which in-turn necessitated design- 5" diameter 4140 steel stock. The part was designed in house by Brice and subsequently machined to the client’s required specifications. BSD states this first attempt was sub-par to their standards due to imperfect knurling caused by tool Far A custom mandrel was turned and threaded to hold the part concentrically to the bore. Stainless steel was drilled and rethreaded to 14x1mm LH and welded in place. ing an extension tube.

The extension tube was designed, then machined on the lathe from 7075 aluminum alloy. The completed part was elegant, aesthetically pleasing, and allowed the client to achieve height and wearing wheels. Below center: A milling machine and dividing head cut 80 60degree notches with a dovetail cutter, matching the original barrel nut.

A36 Steel stock was turned in a lathe to the original part’s dimensions. his goal of adding an extra battery for the 6v illumination head. A similar custom mount project involved a SIG QD flash hider mount sent in for are-threading conversion. The client wanted to use the mount on a 14x1mm left hand threaded AK-47 platform. A custom mandrel was turned and threaded to hold the part concentrically to the bore center axis, providing a solid mounting fixture.

The SIG QD mount was originally threaded in 1/2×28, leaving plenty of material to bore as well as a thermal interference to fit a fresh slug of stainless steel. The piece was then drilled and rethreaded to 14x1mm LH. Once the slug was permanently pressed into place, it was TIG welded to fully secure. Once the machining operations were completed on the mount, the fit was checked for concentricity visually with a bore rod when mounted on the rifle.

The final result is a product currently unique to the market and exact per the client’s request. There are also a wide variety of muzzle brakes and quick detach mounts on the market that all could be modified similarly. Another unique custom project involved creating a barrel nut cap for a Mini UZI with integrated "D-Cell thread" (1.435×20 TPI) on the front. Starting out as 1.5" diameter 4140 steel stock, the part was designed in house and machined to client specifications.

Next, the milling machine and dividing head was used to cut 80 60-degree notches with a dovetail cutter to match the original barrel nut and retain its ratcheting characteristics. The part was then sandblasted and oil blackened for rust protection that also provided a matching finish to the original UZI Parkerizing. A similar project involved a customer request to replicate VZ61 Skorpion cocking knobs.

A36 steel stock was mounted into the collet chuck on the lathe and the profile was turned to the original part’s dimensions. When the machining operations were completed, the parts were sandblasted and oil blackened, which is BSD’s normal procedure for steel parts. The last sample project was an order to have a Beretta Model 81 threaded for a suppressor. The fact the barrels on these pistols barely protrude past the slide presented a design challenge.

Two barrels were threaded identically with a custom thread so as to retain maximum original metal and structural integrity. The corresponding adapters were machined to match these exact outer dimensions while maintaining original slide-to-barrel clearance. Once the adapters were turned and threaded internally and externally, they went to the milling machine to add low profile wrench flats for easy removal and installation.

The final product added a clean look to the original design while adding the functionality required by the client. The adapters were further refined aesthetically by torch browning and quenching. A pair of steel thread protectors turned from A36 mild steel and oil blackened for rust prevention finalized the project. Gunsmith Takeaways BSD Fabrication and Works provides a wide variety of custom services, serving as a full-service machine, welding and fabrication shop, with a Type 7 FFL.

They also provide a model for how skilled gunsmiths and machinists can build a business. The first and critical part is developing the base skills. As those skills develop, you’ll be in a position to serve individual customers by solving their issues. The above projects illustrate bespoke solutions, providing custom solutions to individual customers. Providing those solutions to your customers can also inform what sort of things other future customers may want.

Taking a one-off project may lead to ideas for small batch production of unique items, something that CNC machines can help automate.

The original barrel provided little mounting surface to work with. Above right and This was done to maintain the same slide to barrel clearance as originally designed. It takes skill to make an individual item work and entrepreneurial vision to turn it into a salable product. It also takes good sense to know when it is better to outsource tasks better tackled elsewhere.

If you run into problems or need a job done that is beyond your current capability, BSD Fabrication and Works Facebook.com/ BSDfabworkx, can help you out. Thanks to Brice De La Cerda for the stellar example! AG