Very tempted to attempt cosmetic slide modifications

[RooftopKorean]

I have a beat-up Glock 19 Gen 3 slide that I'm tempted to give a try in doing some cosmetic milling on.

I was thinking about using my drill press with an end-mill bit and cutting a vertical window cut along the Y-axis of the slide.

I'm sure using a punch to make divot so the initial drill bit doesn't skate off will help. Of course, this being after I make all the necessary measurements to make sure it is center. After the pilot hole is completed, I'd use an end-mill bit to complete the cut.

I'd have to invest in a cross-slide vise to do the task.

Any recommendations or do you guys think I'm nuts for attempting this? I don't really have any machining experience outside cutting down barrels, recrowning and threading all with hand tools. I've used routers/jigs, table saws and basic power tools for wood projects.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Glocks aren't exactly collector's guns but I personally feel it would be a shame to do this to an OEM gen 3 slide. Imagine if someone milled a gen 2. Just saying. As far as the milling goes, the cross slide vice probably won't work as well as you think it will. Drill presses are really only meant to handle z axis stress. Not to mention drill presses aren't as precise as mills. You may be able to get away with it better on something like a polymer frame but not steel. Why not get a cheap slide that already has the work done to it that you want? There are really basic non uber expensive slides out there already.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Glocks aren't exactly collector's guns but I personally feel it would be a shame to do this to an OEM gen 3 slide. Imagine if someone milled a gen 2. Just saying. As far as the milling goes, the cross slide vice probably won't work as well as you think it will. Drill presses are really only meant to handle z axis stress. Not to mention drill presses aren't as precise as mills. You may be able to get away with it better on something like a polymer frame but not steel. Why not get a cheap slide that already has the work done to it that you want? There are really basic non uber expensive slides out there already.

Boredom! The slide finish is all marred up and to see if I can do it.

Idle hands, you know...

 

[spat]

Glocks aren't exactly collector's guns but I personally feel it would be a shame to do this to an OEM gen 3 slide. Imagine if someone milled a gen 2. Just saying. As far as the milling goes, the cross slide vice probably won't work as well as you think it will. Drill presses are really only meant to handle z axis stress. Not to mention drill presses aren't as precise as mills. You may be able to get away with it better on something like a polymer frame but not steel. Why not get a cheap slide that already has the work done to it that you want? There are really basic non uber expensive slides out there already.

I've tried the "drill as a mill" thing, and let's just say there's a reason you don't see drill chucks on milling machines.

Even if the precision isn't an issue, I had the whole chuck pop off the taper a couple times.

You'd be better off doing it by hand with a dremel, or better, a die grinder.

Cheap HF die grinder costs less than a good milling bit. But it will have a proper collet chuck that can handle the side loading.

 

[kev74]

The drill press won't work great. The x y table will have a ton of play. The column on the drill press isn't rigid enough. And like @spat mentioned, the chuck is likely to pop loose in the taper from the side load.

A drill and some files would be a better choice.

Think about the shape of the holes and what they might do to the strength of the slide. Also, sharp corners tend to be failure points where cracks develop. Nobody wants to catch the back half of a slide with their face.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

I've tried the "drill as a mill" thing, and let's just say there's a reason you don't see drill chucks on milling machines.

Even if the precision isn't an issue, I had the whole chuck pop off the taper a couple times.

You'd be better off doing it by hand with a dremel, or better, a die grinder.

Cheap HF die grinder costs less than a good milling bit. But it will have a proper collet chuck that can handle the side loading.

There is of course plunge cutting to get rid of the bulk of material but again the precision will be an issue. I don't know how good of a drill press RTK has but if plunge cutting, he better make sure each hole is perfectly in line with the next. If not, the window(s) will have to be wider than originally intended. @RooftopKorean, have you ever looked at getting a mini mill? They are a bit of money but would certainly be a hobby that will get you unbored. Could even be useful in the future.

 

[RooftopKorean]

There is of course plunge cutting to get rid of the bulk of material but again the precision will be an issue. I don't know how good of a drill press RTK has but if plunge cutting, he better make sure each hole is perfectly in line with the next. If not, the window(s) will have to be wider than originally intended. @RooftopKorean, have you ever looked at getting a mini mill? They are a bit of money but would certainly be a hobby that will get you unbored. Could even be useful in the future.

No I haven't thought about a mini mill nor do I have the space.

 

[spat]

No I haven't thought about a mini mill nor do I have the space.

A small desktop mill isn't much bigger than a drill press, and could replace the drill press, so you wouldn't need any additional space.

 

[Acer-m14]

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[RooftopKorean]

@Acer-m14 that thing got terrible reviews. Anything sub $1000 seems to be subpar chinesium garbage.

 

[spat]

@Acer-m14 that thing got terrible reviews. Anything sub $1000 seems to be subpar chinesium garbage.

Even a subpar Chinesium garbage mill makes a better mill than a drill press does.

This thing isn't a great mill, but it'll do what you need, and an R8 headstock will work light-years better than the drill chuck in your drill press.

With appropriate tooling and a lot of labor, you could finish a 0% receiver (i.e. block of aluminum or steel) with it into an AR, 1911, or whatever else you want.

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[tony]

Lots of good advice given thus far. If you want to see how inadequate a drill press is for milling try what you have proposed on a piece of scrap steel...

 

[RooftopKorean]

With appropriate tooling and a lot of labor, you could finish a 0% receiver (i.e. block of aluminum or steel) with it into an AR, 1911, or whatever else you want.

Then Führer Whorechul and the brown shirt purple tie jack boots would come and get me.

And Leticia the Hutt would prosecute me.

 

[kev74]

Even a subpar Chinesium garbage mill makes a better mill than a drill press does.

This thing isn't a great mill, but it'll do what you need, and an R8 headstock will work light-years better than the drill chuck in your drill press.

With appropriate tooling and a lot of labor, you could finish a 0% receiver (i.e. block of aluminum or steel) with it into an AR, 1911, or whatever else you want.

2 Speed Benchtop Mill/Drill Machine

Amazing deals on this 2 Speed Benchtop Milling/Drilling Machine at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I had the Grizzly version of that mill. I was able to do some pretty cool stuff with it!

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

All the mini mills are pretty much the same within the same class. Just like every other chinese thing that comes from the same factory and has a different color paint added to it. And of course some have different features depending on going up and down in price. Think red dots. You get what you pay for. Mini mills work well though if you know what you're doing.

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I can't look at the site above for too long or I will end up buying stuff. Gotta go in, look for exactly what you need and get out!

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Just rattle can it