Competition Shooter and gunsmith Bud Scott didn’t stay retired for very long. “This is my retirement,” joked the Indiana native as he showed off some Vepr-12 & Saiga-12 hand guards machined on his Tormach PCNC 1100 mill during a recent visit to the Tormach showroom in Waunakee, WI.
After a career in the steel industry, Scott launched RapidFire Technology (www.rapidfiretek.com) to develop, manufacture and market products for 12-gauge shotguns made by Saiga, Vepr, and also AK-47 rifles. As word of mouth spread through shooting clubs as well as online, Bud soon found that his retirement hobby had become a full-fledged business.
“The hand guards are made from 6061 Aluminum. I do most of the machining for this part on my 4th-axis. After machining I apply a finish called John Norell’s Moly-Resin™,” said Scott. After the finish has cured, Scott uses the 4th axis once more to do a final engraving operation for his logo.
In addition to the hand guard, he makes scope rails, sling adapters, tactical stocks, and stock adapters. Scott also specializes in custom parts for the M92/85 AK Pistols. Prior to purchasing the Tormach PCNC 1100, Scott got by with a manual mill and lathe in his shop.
As sales increased, he was soon looking for a way to streamline production without handcuffing his bank account. After researching his options, the choice was clear, “the low cost of ownership of a Tormach PCNC 110 with a 4th-axis just made sense for my business at this time.” Tormach’s reputation for customer support also weighed on the decision, and Scott hasn’t been disappointed.
“I’ve been very pleased with the help I’ve gotten from the technical support staff.” What’s in store for RapidFire Technology in the future? Scott continues to find new uses for his PCNC 1100. He recently launched a new product line of urethane rubber recoil and magazine pads.
The molds are made from UHMW-PE, machined in his shop on his PCNC 1100. As Scott explained, “We’re are always looking for new and innovative ideas for USA-made custom products.”
