The crew at FarmCraf101, a YouTube channel, just proved that with the right will and know-how it’s possible to turn empty cans into working guns.
Starting with nearly two gross of empties, FarmCraft101’s Jon machined a more-or-less standard cast aluminum lower AR-15-pattern receiver. He even serialized the rifle: “FC101.”
Because the lower receiver is the serialized part on AR-based guns, for legal purposes it’s the firearm. The other components are just unregulated replaceable parts.
Of course, in the video he shows the mechanical aptitude to make a lower out of a billet of aluminum, too. But that defeats the purpose of building an AR literally from scratch.
Ironically one of the parts he used to make his aluminum can receiver was a standard stripped lower. Jon used the stripped lower as a template throughout the manufacturing process.
See Also: Bullet Casting 101
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Here’s something you can do with your empties. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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This build took 265 cans. Better start drinking? (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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Jon melted the cans down in a small foundry. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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The molten aluminum is poured into ingots. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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The ingots are easier to store and handle. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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The next step is to make an insert for the molds. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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The inserts include spacers for sand plugs. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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Sand is poured around the inserts to make the casting. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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He will remove the inserts before pouring aluminum into the cast. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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Filling the mold with molten aluminum takes a steady hand. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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Once the casting has cooled it’s time to break it out of the mold. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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At this point it’s a pretty dogged 80 percent receiver. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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Here it is with the flashing, sprue and vent channels trimmed off. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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Time to start machining! Quite a bit of work left to do. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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After more milling, drilling, and filing, the casting almost looks like the real thing. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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And it’s finished. One 100 percent lower made from cans. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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Assembled and ready to test. (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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Success! (Photo: FarmCraft101)
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The video gives you an idea of how much work it takes to tackle a project of this scale but just a taste. The good news is that the FarmCraft101 team is working on a series based on this that will have step-by-step directions for the home gunsmithing/recycling enthusiast.
If you would like to know more about this and other FarmCraft101 projects check out the YouTube channel.
No one knows what the measurements are to the wood block he used for the mold?
Very cool,no flies on him
But in the time it took him to make that I could arm a squad with shotguns that would allow them to aquire nice government weapons from those who don’t need them anymore. Using 2 sizes of pipe some caps and screws a power drill and pipe threader.
But he already did it – and you didn’t. And now, in the time it takes you to gather up a squad of volunteers and arm them weapons you havent’t built. The fellow above has you dead to rights.
Now that’s proper “Gun Control” Amen!
Cool, but someone has to much time on there hands.
I admire talent and innovative thinking and I’m jealous of his equipment that he has on hand. I would love to have a Bridgeport and a metal lathe! I would probably never leave the shop! But he is working with molten aluminum wearing only shorts!!! That is just beyond stupid! I make bullets and when I work with molten lead, I wear long pants and long shirt sleeves along with a leather shop apron, leather gloves and eye protection. I also do my work in front of a vent fan to take all the toxic fumes away. Better safe than sorry!
Which shows that total gun control is an exercise in futility. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
This dude is one bad MOFO!