editted
The second one is more correct. The first is horrible. Only one needs to be done.
Next time, try punching closer in to the center of the endplate. You just want a round protrusion into the nut- not to try and fill it with metal.
I know the first one is really bad. What happened was the first one I started off center, so the piece of metal that was supposed to bulge into the slot broke off and I had to do it again.
Taking that experience into account is how I came to do the second one “properly.”
Will it hold though?
What did you use? A center punch and a small hammer work great and give very clean results.
I used a starrett auto punch. There is NO way it would have come out cleaner with a hammer and punch. This doesn’t slide around or move at all. Its great. The error was with the operator.
bkb0000
Cut a guy some slack 
My advice is take a hammer and punch and do it again. Make one nice pushed metal instead of what you have now.
bkb- That was funny.
I cannot say that I have never seen worse workmanship on a product made in China…
I really didnt think it was that bad… :bad: I guess I was mistaken…
Considering most of us should be all about how it functions over how it looks, I thought the responses would be better 
relax, man… we’re all just flicking you shit. it’s staked, thats all that matters. i think if we were seriously hating on you, the posts would be longer than one-liners.
The second one is fine- nice dimple. Just the extra marring at the left side of the staking that looks bad…
Next time, use the auto punch to create a small dimple and then use your center punch and hammer. The starter dimple you make holds the tip of the center punch so it does not move all over.
We’re just harassing you. Who cares what it looks like. All that matters is hitting the target before the target hits you.
You may want to take a small file and smooth it out if it could cut you.
Beautiful job!!!
I used a sharp punch and brass hammer. It works everytime. I’ll post a pick later.
A for effort. If you’re not confident with your work, let me know - just for posting this thread, I’ll send you as many ASAP plates as you need to get things right. Just shoot me a shipping address: nick at magpul dot com.
Data base error - double tap.
See below…
Awesome gesture by NickB! Can’t beat that!
I just use a hammer and punch. I never understood the need for an auto punch.
I have a pin punch that I took 10 seconds on the bench grinder, that I just rounded the corners on. Stabilize the lower, and a few whacks, and done! This is an ASAP as well…
