80% lower finishing
 

Ok I got my Range Tool 80% lower and just ordered the Range Tool jig to match. I will wait to see when it arrives but I don't think it has drill bits or end mills. I also don't have a drill Press but I have a hand drill and a couple routers. I may not be able to get to this till after we move next month. So while I have a couple weeks I wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with these. Speciffacly with sources for bits and end mills.

80% lower
http://www.rangetool.com/store/index...80percent.html

80% lower jig
http://www.rangetool.com/store/index...lower-jig.html

Okay, you're scaring me... Have you done this before?

mills and routers are a lethal combo. A drill press and an X/Y vise are a minimum requirement.

do you know anyone with a mill?

Subbed for updates. I have no advice on this as I have never done it.

Never done it. The mill is to clean up after drilling out the meat of the pocket. The jig keeps things inline once you get started. No access to a drill press or a mill, or a CNC machine. If I really need to I could wait till I can see about buying a drill press but if not necessary I would like to avoid that expense.

You will need a drill press at a minimum...

Unless you are positive you can drill perfectly straight holes.:D

At a minimum, you'll need a 5/6x4" center cut end mill, plus the drill bits for the trigger and selector pins. Using a 3/8 end mill will make a more conventional firing group pocket, but a 5/16 will work, too.

I would recommend working out some way to hold your drill exactly perpendicular to the jig. The mill and drill bits will eat into the jig as easily as the lower. Even a cheap import mill-drill from CraigsList would be better than trying free-hand.

Good luck with your project.

Randall

Well it may be easier to get the Harbor Freight drill Press. With the 20% coupon it would be in the $55 range so that won't be bad. Will need to wait till after the move in June. Then some carbide bits and an end mill should be good to go!

Carbide bits would be overkill (and needlessly expensive). For drilling the lower, HSS is fine. If you plan to drill stainless steel, you might want to invest in Cobalt, but otherwise save the $$$ and use it to buy a decent vise.

I already had a vice and a stand for it.

I am going to save a few links here for some of the tools I am considering. When I start milling I will make a new thread with my step by step.

http://www.modulusarms.com/jig-fabrication-tool-kit/

http://www.80lowerjig.com/router-jig...ar-15-80-arms/

https://www.turners.com/80-percent-a...g-tool--280110

https://www.80-percent-lower.com/Carbide-End-Mill

This could possibly turn into a sticky.

I got the Harbor Freight drill Press, where we are moving to would be a bit of a drive to HF so one more box to take up. Only thing left is really the 1/4" endmill and a stop collar as I have some good drill bits or can get those easily enough. I have seen mentioned that WD40 works for cutting fluid, can anyone confirm this? I wouldn't mind ordering it and having the endmill when we get up there. My wife has training in Dallas for a week for the new job so I would have some time to mill it without bothering her.

I will put a new thread up when I actually start the steps. If anyone has any suggestions for the endmill I would love to hear them.

You shouldn't actually need cutting fluid for aluminum. But, yes, wd40 would work as cutting fluid...it's basically fish oil. I have also used Canola oil, but you have to clean it up before it gets gummy which happens pretty quickly.

Just buy cutting oil, I doubt it's that much more than wd40. But, wd40 will work if that's all you have.

Bought the end mill.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/84...m-1-4-end-mill

All the others I linked to earlier had shipping charges $10 and up. Pretty outrageous for a couple bits that would fit in a Mylar mailer.

I have some pretty good drill bits so I only need to pick up the drill stops and I will have all the tools. Now just need to finish our move and I will get a full list of tools and pics on the process.

https://www.80percentarms.com/?msclkid=264c44c250e81cf2876118fc5beb746e&utm_sour ce=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=**TM%20-%20General%20-%20D&utm_term=%2B80%20%2B%20Arms%20%2BRecievers&ut m_content=80%20Arms%20Recievers

https://www.80lowerjig.com/collections/on-sale-today/

https://www.polymer80.com/

Did you end up buying one?


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I'm going to but haven't pulled the trigger on one just yet though. I have access to a Bridgeport mill anytime I want so just figuring which setup (jig) would be best for me, I want/need to be able to do more than 1 lower.
They make kits to do pistol frames (1911/g lock) too.

Why on earth do you need a jig if you have access to a Bridgeport? A little bit of measuring and turning the machine's handwheels is all you need. Jigs are for people who don't have milling machines.


Randall

^^ That's exactly why I haven't bought one yet.

My jig was a cheap $45 jig from Range Tool. They don’t seem to have the store anymore. I used it for two lowers. It has some marks from the shank of the mill and the bits but it is still good to go. It is a very simple jig. I have been pretty preoccupied lately but both my lowers work fine. They may not win any beauty contests but they function and have both been used.