Hello,
Yeah I'm looking for someone who can assist/advise on 80% lower milling technics.
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Hello,
Yeah I'm looking for someone who can assist/advise on 80% lower milling technics.
YouTube
Assisting in the actual work is technically illegal (makes them a manufacturer), so you have to do the work yourself.
I've done a few. What's your question(s)? Feel free to PM me.
My first advice, get a good jog like this one that I use...makes it super easy with a hand drill and router.
https://www.80percentarms.com/produc...asy-jig-gen-1/
I also bought their bit kit. Durable and all you need.
https://www.80percentarms.com/produc...-jig-tool-kit/
Then use this video that accompanies it. I used this and just paused it at each step. Super easy to follow and complete.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TexD-YdEjck
Ok guess assist wasn’t the right terminology. Advice on actually getting a quality end product is what I need.
I covered it. Get a jig and quality bits...follow those instructions in the video, go slow and use lots of lube, and you really can't mess it up.
I used Tap Magic, reapplying to the bit on every hole/pass. I'd put a drop on and use an old craft paintbrush to spread it out, then a drop in the hole too.
Also, light pressure with the drill. Push to hard and it will catch, kick and nearly break your wrist. Doesn't feel good.
That jig works on most lowers, I used both 80 percent brand lowers and Anderson in it.
https://external-content.duckduckgo....jpg&f=1&nofb=1
I*ve been machining my own AR lowers for several years now. Are you starting out from scratch? I have a bench mill, and first used a very basic jig. American Made Tactical are the ONLY 80% lowers I use. Been my supplier of 80% lowers since the start! https://americanmadetactical.com/pro...llet-anodized/ 7075-T6 billet, and look great! I also have one of their jigs now as well. Are you planning on using a router? Or are you looking to do a drill press or other means? The type of jig I*m using doesn*t have that top plate for the router to slide around on...but I could easily do that. I also don*t use their drill bit/end mill *kits*. I buy the bits separately. I only use Cobalt drill bits. But if you are doing the router style & going with the 80% Arms kit, mine as well use their bits.
Here was a few years ago with the inexpensive jig I had first. Works fine with a mill, but not for a router.(without some modification).
https://i.ibb.co/MhvF9dY/9-CEC8791-7...-B57-F0-B1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/n6npvdT/903-EC170-3...5-F2-D7-F1.jpg
If you are planning to use a drill press, it will need to be one of the really heavy duty types. 7075 Aluminum is really tough stuff! The polymer lowers are easy though. I don*t use the polymer lowers for ARs, but I do Polymer80 pistol frames. Like this.
https://i.ibb.co/YX8VNZH/2909-C576-C...8-E59-B338.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/yWhSYC9/67-FA3-A42-...69-AAC1-A9.jpg
I*m always available to lend an ear & give some advice on it. I consider myself fairly *Experty* with them. I am a Gunsmith & Machinist after all. LOL.
I have not done one yet, although I have a couple, so I'm watching this thread with interest. On the recommendation of a friend, I got a small, variable speed DeWalt router, he said I'd get better results than with a drill, and I don't have a drill press. He also said use lots of lube and go slow, but it he claims it is a piece of cake.
Good luck, post progress pics if you have the time. Good luck!
The ones I’ve made are functional but the gen 1 80% arms jig I’ve used seems to always score the exterior surface of my lowers