Machining help for a CCR Gas Block

[jcook]

I am trying to build a gas block for my pseudo home-built Hammerhead mCCR. I wanted to basically make a copy of the Cis-Lunar Mk5P's one, maybe a tad smaller. I have drawn up blueprints for it, but alas I have little machining know-how and no tools. I could make one from parts from McMaster Carr, but I wanted something a bit more streamlined and sexy. Anyone on the forum have some knowledge on this kind of thing?

[gasdiver]

Do you have CAD files (DXF) or paper drawings?

[billyf]

are you wanting it in stainless, brass or delrin?

delrin is easy, brass is hard and stainless is a B!TC#

[huxley]

depending on your budget, there are several online companies out there that you can have them manufacture the part. 3d cad file comes in handy. I know of a local machining shop that we use once in a while.I would need to check if they would be interested to do 1 piece. as said let us know what you want and what you have as far as the model.

[crazyduck]

Check with stone aerospace in Austin.
Check with Kevin at Hammerhead for extra units.
The Cis-lunar transmission is very complicated and if dissimilar metal are used then you can have problems.
There is at least one nice gas block on the market. Best regards on your build, Andrew

[gasdiver]

I have a benchtop CNC mill, but without some idea of what this thing looks like its hard for me to say if it is something I can make. My mini-mill probably does not have enough HP to make something out of stainless. If the gas block is low pressure, brass might be your best bet.

My experience with shops like http://www.quickparts.com/ is that they are fast, but expensive.

[jcook]

Sorry I am just getting back to the thread, the back gave out last night.......again.

I have some stuff sketched out, I can throw it on AutoCAD but it may take me about a week or so since its been about 10 years since I last used it or I could use SolidWorks or Revit. Could always make the wife do it, put that architecture degree to good use. I was thinking of using a delrin case for it and HP SS piping inside it with 3 ball valves (2 for onboard/offboard gas selection and 1 for bov feed/solenoid or CMF shutoff) and 2 manual adds for O2 and DIL.

I have sent Bill Stone numerous emails, he never replies to anything.

I doubt Kevin will be any help, they can't even get the bayonet QD's upgrades for their Classic HH's in. I was told over 6 months ago "two to four weeks at most". I have lost faith in their ability to do anything on time. I would have a Meg if I didn't get this HH basically for free. At least Leon and Jerry are helpful.

I have seen all the ones on the market and don't like any of them, they don't take into account a lot of stuff, like feeding the solenoid/bov/adv from offboard or shutdown of solenoid and just use manual add. Plus the flow characteristics of the gas blocks out there suck. I would have to modify all the ones greatly just to get what I want out of it, I almost bought some just to toy with. At that point it is no longer streamlined and some giant mess just sitting on top of my CL. I am half tempted to contact Omniswivel and see what they can do.

[apitkin]

Are you sure you need it?

just a thought...

[jcook]

Are you sure you need it?

just a thought...

yes

[tienuts]

A few years ago I made a gas block for my unit. Same reasons, 1 I felt the existing commercially available blocks did not do what I wanted, and 2, I felt they were way overpriced for that they were.

A good friend of mine is the regional sales manager for Solidworks, so he and I sat down and drew up a 3d model of the block I wanted. We sent it around to a few small machinists, the cheapest quote I received was $450 per unit, for a minimum of 4 units, and that was just for the machining. I ultimately ended up making them myself, and although they turned out pretty well, they were not the refined product someone with a multi-axis machine could have done.

From the sound of it, your design sounds a bit more complex than mine, so I'd imagine cost would be much more. I imagine if Omni Swivel was willing to do it, it would cost 4 times as much. If you aren't experienced at working with delrin, brass, or stainless, I don't recommend trying the actual machining yourself. I am experienced at machining all 3, and I still had issues. Delrin can be a ***** to machine if you don't have the correct tool speed. Brass is damn expensive, and stainless is not possible without professional equipment. I'd avoid aluminum if at all possible, as you'll have to coat it somehow. While hard coats and anodizing are commonly done, it's just a pain in the ass, and you have corrosion issues.

Not to discourage you, home building with Solidworks is lots of fun. Let me know if you have any specific questions.