Mini Mill Upgrades
Here’s how I improved my Harbor Freight mini mill.
Topic
Machining
Mini Mill Overview
Thinking about buying a mini mill? Here’s how to determine the best fit for your shop.
AMT Hardballer 1911
What’s old is new. An overview of working vintage handguns such as the Arcadia Machine & Tool Hardballer 1911.
Officer Model Fixes
Officer Model Fixes “What seems to be the problem, officer?” Addressing some issues on an Officer Model 1911 and my fixes for them.
AR-15 Barrel Extension Fitting
An updated look at improvements and new products for barrel extension fitting precision AR-15 rifles.
Mill Power Lift
Get rid of the crank! This power conversion effortlessly lifts and lowers your mill head.
Automatic Tool Changer
Located in Madison, Wisconsin, Tormach Inc. makes CNC equipment ideal for small shops. Their goal is to make top-line CNC automation more affordable. The new Automatic Tool Changer for the Tormach 24R CNC Router is an example. The Tormach 24R CNC Router…
Girsan Regard
The Girsan Regard is a copy of the Beretta 92, a very interesting firearm with good interchangeability with Beretta parts. We’ll look at gunsmithing specifics, including interchangeability of parts with the Regard fourth generation model.
New Bantam CNC
Bantam Tools (BantamTools.com, now has several tools in its accessory line that are beginner-friendly and empower users to expand the abilities of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine to include 4th axis machining. The Bantam Tools Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory…
Spuhr Ideal Chassis System
Details on Hakan Spuhr’s rifle systems as revealed at SHOT Show.
Mini Bench Mill for Gunsmithing
A large floor mill is nice but not necessary for many gunsmithing projects. Here’s how I make optimum use of a bench top machine.
Bantam CNC Tools
Bantam Tools builds desktop computer numerical control machines with professional reliability and precision. These machines are easy to set up and ready to use right out of the box. The Bantam Tools base machine is a three-axis desktop CNC milling machine ideal…
Reader Forum
Trulock CNC Upgrade As a sign of the times, Trulock Choke Tubes expanded their operations in 2022 by increasing automation. The company has added a Fanuc Robodrill long bed 4 axis vertical machining center, an automated vertical machining unit equipped with a…
Power Route XL
Mill Right CNC (MillRightCNC.com, is a manufacturer based in the United States that specializes in affordable desktop CNC and tabletop CNC machines at affordable prices. Mill Right’s machines work with various software, including free options and popular options such as Autodesk. The…
Reader Forum
Joe Carlos AR-15 Update I am finishing up an article tentatively titled “AR-15 Muzzle Attachments” but before I can finish it I have to fire test groups on the machine rest with these devices. Unfortunately, the range is not usable at present…
MillRight CNC
Mill Right CNC specializes in desktop CNC and tabletop CNC machines at affordable prices. Made in the United States, Mill Right CNC machines can mill wood, plastics, printed circuit boards, aluminum, brass, carbon fiber, and many other materials. With appropriate tooling, jobs…
Phase Power Primer
American Rotary (AmericanRotary.com, is a Wisconsinbased company making rotary phase converters since 1991. Here are there tips to make the most of your shop machining equipment. Phase here refers to the distribution of a load. Single-phase power is a two-wire alternating current…
Bantam Tools CNC
The Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine is a desktop CNC machine optimized for machining aluminum parts. Intended to be an easy transition for users of 3D additive printers, this CNC machine features a 28,000 RPM spindle, 1/4" tooling, and a 7"…
Brush Research Manufacturing
Abrasive nylon wheel brushes provide deburring for extremely hard metal parts. Here’s how JR Precision & Welding used Brush Research wheels for muzzle brake manufacturing.
Open Source CNC
The open—and sometimes free—world of Computer Aided Design and Manufacture and Computer Numerical Controlled machines.
BSD Fabrication and Works
The history and how-to of a gunsmith company startup.
Reader Forum
While I haven’t tried testing the forward assist method, the bread crumbs just weren’t luring me in that direction. Had the guys who were experimenting with that modification to Doug’s technique been coming back with rave reviews and saying they were getting…
1911 Parts Kits
Here are some kits and parts for building custom 1911 handguns. American Weapons Components (AmericanWeaponsComponents.com, is offering their 1911 80% Government Kit for building a personalized and custom 1911. As an unfinished (80%) frame, this is a not an FFL item and…
New CNC Equipment
Tormach, Inc. (Tormach.com, has new shop items for both beginning and experienced Computer Numeric Control tool users. The xs TECH Router Mill with Path Pilot HUB is a ready-to-use tabletop unit ideal for students learning CNC fundamentals or for small jobs. Despite…