Disturbing email exchange- 3D printed Guns- Makerbot for sale

Summary:

I put my makerbot replicator online for sale and I got an email back from a guy asking whether he can buy it to print AR-15 parts. Sounds like police entrapment to me. I.E. they want to see if I'm gullible enough to sell so they can make an arrest? Creeping me out. I'm done replying, but thought I would share

Email exchange- 3D printed Guns- Makerbot for sale

grantnyc 16 Oct 2012 02:19

I put my makerbot replicator online for sale and I got an email back from a guy asking whether he can buy it to print AR-15 parts.

I wasn't going to reply to him after the first email about the AR-15 but I wanted to see where it was going.

Has this happened to anyone else? Comments? Advice?

Here is the email exchange (I substituted "-—-" for the personal info:

interested in your Replicator- Pls. Call or email me….
7 messages
Wil -— <--> Sun, Oct 14, 2012 at 5:17 PM
To: --——gmail.com

—
Wil --
-.-.—

--- <---gmail.com> Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 6:49 PM
To: Wil ---— <--—-gmail.com>
Hey Wil,

Just wanted to let you know I got your email. I'm totally swamped right now with work and I'm going on a trip Weds-Sunday. Maybe we can talk next week if you're still interested.
My number is ---

Are you in NYC?

Thanks

On Sun, Oct 14, 2012 at 5:17 PM, Wil -- <--—gmail.com> wrote:

—
Wil --—-

---

Wil ---<---gmail.com> Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 6:53 PM
To: ---<---gmail.com>
Not in NYC but my sister lives near Newark and I could have her facilitate and then ship to me in Park City Utah. Next week is fine, let me ask a question.

Is the quality of the finished product good enough in ABS to make a AR-15 Lower for a rifle? You can look up AR-15 lower on the web and see them, they are usually Aluminum but some are made in ABS, here is a link.

---(He sent me a link to AR-15 parts, but Makerbot forums wont let me post links because I'm a new account)----—
[Quoted text hidden]

Wil --—-

---

--- <---gmail.com> Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 8:57 PM
To: Wil --- <---gmail.com>
Hey,

The quality is most likely good enough. it would take a lot of work and patience with the printer to get it perfect though.

It can print these dimensions:

(I linked to makerbots dimensions page)

After lots of tweaking I have gotten models to print with a layer thickness that is the same as a sheet of paper (or thinner) so its pretty smooth. Its tricky to get it smooth tho, a lot of babysitting is required to get it to begin right on the 1st layer and print at the right speed.

I'm not sure the legality of printing AR-15 parts tho, just to keep in mind. But this isn't my area of expertise
[Quoted text hidden]
--- <moc.liamg|-------------#moc.liamg|-------------> Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 8:58 PM
To: Wil --- <moc.liamg|-------------#moc.liamg|------------->
You could also use ABS as a mold for aluminum casting
[Quoted text hidden]

Wil --- <moc.liamg|-------------#moc.liamg|-------------> Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 9:02 PM
To: --- <moc.liamg|-------------#moc.liamg|------------->
Its legal to make your own gun with out register or serial numbers….
[Quoted text hidden]
—
Wil --—-

---

Any comments appreciated

Last edited on 16 Oct 2012 17:06 by grantnyc Show more

Re: Email exchange- 3D printed Guns- Makerbot for sale

phibroptic 31 Oct 2012 13:20

This is not entrapment, and you are assuming the worst of the guy.

I know it's not your area of expertise, but you immediately jump to conclusions about firearms. ARs are legal throughout the US (with special restrictions in certain states) and very relaxing and enjoyable to take to the shooting range. (I'm not sure I agree on their necessity for hunting, but that is besides the point.)

What you don't realize is that building an AR is like building with Lego, they are all about customization. There has been an increased trend lately of people printing certain parts of the AR lower (mostly just the grip and surrounding decorative area, nothing functional on the firearm) which probably piqued his interest in 3D printing to begin with. Most of these prints have been done with commercial 3D printers, but something rough could be done with the Replicator and some patience.

He shouldn't expect to be able to plug in the replicator and immediate print AR parts, but it is possible with some design work and tweaking. (I haven't done it, but I've read a number of articles.)

Aside from the 3D printer aspect, it is perfectly legal, in most if not all states, to manufacture or machine your own firearms from scratch, as long as you don't try to sell them or manufacture weapons that break other regulations. (Such as making any sort of fully-automatic weapon or going over magazine restrictions.)

So, instead of freaking out and thinking "OMG GUNS!" you could reply to the guy about the general capabilities of the replicator, and make sure he knows that you are not sure about the feasibility of printing firearm components, instead of giving him the silent treatment like a child.