80% AR10 Lower
- Thread starter Robert
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Frosty Dave
Member
I vote Yea, especially if early on in the series you include preemptive answers to the usual questions that will later intrude on the how-to-make-chips part, like -
Why doncha just buy a lower and save the time and money?
You fool, you know you can't ever sell that lower, right?
So where does ATF say you can make guns in your garage?
Can I buy this thing and give it to my buddy to finish up? He gots him a mill.
Why doncha just buy a lower and save the time and money?
You fool, you know you can't ever sell that lower, right?
So where does ATF say you can make guns in your garage?
Can I buy this thing and give it to my buddy to finish up? He gots him a mill.
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GBExpat
Member
Yes, please. I would be very interested in seeing the tooling requirements and process.Robert said:
Thanks!
OP
OP
Sorry guys I was finally able wrestle my laptop away from my wife. Seems since she updated her iPhone it only wants to charge via the computer. That's one pricy charger...
Yes I will have it anodized.
The jig I need is out of stock at the moment so when I am able to get it, an end mill bit and a router I will let you know.
Yes I will have it anodized.
I am always a day late and a dollar short. The day before I got my lower Aero Precision released there 308 receiver combo for less than $400. So at this point I am doing it because I can.
Why would I sell it? I sold a rifle once but was able to get it back a few years later. I will never do that again.
It has long been their stance that you can build anything short of NFA items for personal use.
I am operating under the assumption of no. If you did that then he would be manufacturing the lower and then the ATF might have an issue.
The jig I need is out of stock at the moment so when I am able to get it, an end mill bit and a router I will let you know.
Frosty Dave
Member
I'm suggesting that you address those kind of questions when you begin posting the series. Otherwise they can create a tsunami of topic drift as people address them for you.
I want to see this step by step
OP
OP
Justin and I got one each so we will do the work with tools that anyone can use and he can take great pics of the process.
wally
Member
There was also a nice series on building 5.56 80% lower "kits" in some recent Shotgun News issues.
This is really building instead of the assembling most of us do. Takes it to the next level. Sure its not "cost effective" if you discount the knowledge and skills gleaned from doing it.
This is really building instead of the assembling most of us do. Takes it to the next level. Sure its not "cost effective" if you discount the knowledge and skills gleaned from doing it.
pnolans
Member
Yes, I'm very interested in this build.
Details, details, Please!
Details, details, Please!
OP
OP
Quick update. End mills are in the mail and I have nailed down a drill press with a milling vise. Now I have to get Justin to take a day off during the week and we can knock one or three out.
I will take lots of pics and write up what goes well and what goes not so well.
I will take lots of pics and write up what goes well and what goes not so well.
OP
OP
Totally forgot the jig. Here are some pics.
The first pic is the sides and all three top plates. The left side plate has bushings for drilling the trigger and selector holes. The upper most plate is for removing the rear shelf and starting the trigger well. The next plate down is for the trigger well and the bottom plate is for the trigger hole. Oops got those backward, middle plate is for trigger hole...
The other pics are of the jig assembled on my lower. Fit very snug and should make a pretty decent lower.
The first pic is the sides and all three top plates. The left side plate has bushings for drilling the trigger and selector holes. The upper most plate is for removing the rear shelf and starting the trigger well. The next plate down is for the trigger well and the bottom plate is for the trigger hole. Oops got those backward, middle plate is for trigger hole...
The other pics are of the jig assembled on my lower. Fit very snug and should make a pretty decent lower.
Attachments
GBExpat
Member
Thanks for the update!
Looking forward to seeing how well that drill press works handling the side-loading of the end mills. {Fingers Crossed!}
Looking forward to seeing how well that drill press works handling the side-loading of the end mills. {Fingers Crossed!}
TrickyDick
Member
For the record, you CAN sell a firearm you've manufactured, and it technically doesn't even need a serial number, it's only suggested. HOWEVER, one can't start cranking out builds with intent to sell, then you would be considered a manufacturer and that requires a license.
OP
OP
My plan is to run the press nice and slow, well at the proper RPM, and take my time. I'd rather take twice as long than break something or ruin a lower.
OP
OP
Nope, it was the only thing in arms reach to prop the jig and lower up with...
OP
OP
Ok, so Justin and I were able to get out to the drill press today and do some work. Spent a couple hours just tinkering and getting accustom to the press. We are using a 17" Craftsman floor mount drill press. I was able to get almost half the trigger well milled out in the next two hours. I was going painfully slow and taking off very little material as I have read up on the folly of using a drill press and did not want to over stress the press or have an issue.
I was able to drill the trigger pin and selector switch holes as well and did a test fit of my MagPul Moe+ grip and selector from my AR15. They fit and function just fine.
I did have one awww hell moment when I did not tighten the vice down correctly and the rotation on the end mill pulled the assemble into it and took a chunk out of the front of the jig and receiver. Nothing terrible but it will be there forever now.
I was able to drill the trigger pin and selector switch holes as well and did a test fit of my MagPul Moe+ grip and selector from my AR15. They fit and function just fine.
I did have one awww hell moment when I did not tighten the vice down correctly and the rotation on the end mill pulled the assemble into it and took a chunk out of the front of the jig and receiver. Nothing terrible but it will be there forever now.
Attachments
![IMG_20140913_201559452_HDR[1].jpg](/data/attachments/148/148330-cdf570cfb0ea0bf763330b1cb4892d8f.jpg)
![IMG_20140913_201534565_HDR[1].jpg](/data/attachments/148/148332-bc67ad3ede084272b579e8920ac575ec.jpg)
![IMG_20140913_201518469_HDR[1].jpg](/data/attachments/148/148331-6c4d5adbfda24b9c6bd4356d36885fdb.jpg)
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OP
OP
Here are some action shots... The press, the first hole I drilled in my lower. The back of my rather large head and my right hand. Apparently Justin was taking pics with my phone while I was working...
Attachments
![IMG_20140913_151547501_HDR[1].jpg](/data/attachments/148/148333-0b301e8bed030c6f8a73e02cf54f4819.jpg)
![IMG_20140913_151804381_HDR[1].jpg](/data/attachments/148/148334-b674e8cd495a364b4305b2946e98f8b4.jpg)
![IMG_20140913_171103796[1].jpg](/data/attachments/148/148336-638af088d2b79f0d95f69e68aaec2442.jpg)
![IMG_20140913_171117877[1].jpg](/data/attachments/148/148337-884fb95e4e66c5cadad999f9cda6e375.jpg)
OP
OP
Few things I forgot to point out.
1. I am no machinist. I think that is pretty self evident.
2. According to Tactical Machining there is a minute amount of play in the jig that will not effect the fit or function of your lower as the play is measured in thousandths of an inch. But I have already seen this happen.
3. This is fun!
4. If you are not a patient person then this may not be for you.
5. A drill press is not ideal but it can be done.
6. More to follow when I can get back in the shop. 1/2 down 2 more to go...
1. I am no machinist. I think that is pretty self evident.
2. According to Tactical Machining there is a minute amount of play in the jig that will not effect the fit or function of your lower as the play is measured in thousandths of an inch. But I have already seen this happen.
3. This is fun!
4. If you are not a patient person then this may not be for you.
5. A drill press is not ideal but it can be done.
6. More to follow when I can get back in the shop. 1/2 down 2 more to go...
GBExpat
Member
Thanks for the update, Robert.
I'm sure that I am not the only drill press owner reading this that is beginning to feel The Itch (No! No! That that kind if itch!
).
I'm sure that I am not the only drill press owner reading this that is beginning to feel The Itch (No! No! That that kind if itch!
).
OP
OP
The biggest issue I have with the drill press is the amount of vibration and flex that you will see during mill. It is not huge, but it is there. That and taper press fit chucks are the devil. But nothing a 4x4 and a 3lbs sledge hammer couldn't fix...
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