AR15 Builds from 80% Lowers

[Open Carry Jenkins]

Hello all!

I'm not a new shooter, but I'm relatively new to ARs and I've never done a build before--blame it on being a lifelong AK guy. Recently I took advantage of a sale here (https://www.80-lower.com/3-ways-to-save-this-holiday-season-at-80-lower-com/) and took the plunge on a complete AR15 parts set with an 80% lower. I'm sure some of you have done builds like this before, and I have a few questions if you have the time.

Do I need a drill press, or can I just use the jig and a hand drill if I'm careful? I'm relatively good with tools, but I've never done this before. LIkewise, what's the best way to router-out the remaining material in the trigger well? Is there anything else I should know--it looks really simple and in my experience simple things are easy to get wrong.

Thanks in advance--I appreciate being able to tap the hive mind!

Cheers,

Michael

 

[barnbwt]

Hand drill is a good way to ruin it, even with a jig, unless you are talented/experienced. That said, there have been Dremel builds that worked. Many jigs require a drill press for bulk removal and pin holes, as well as a router to clean up the pockets. A die grinder or Dremel could do the latter with care and patience, but the drilling operations need the 'steady hand' of a drill press. Do it free hand and the bit will wander or break constantly.

In the end, all that matters are the pin holes being accurate enough for the trigger/safety to fit properly. Any extra material in the pocket can be incrementally removed until these parts do not interfere, though it might look ugly.

TCB

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

The lower receivers are made from 7075 aluminum. That is a much more rigid variety and is difficult to drill by hand. You also won't have a way to control the depth of the drill hole if you make it that far by hand. A drill press makes life much easier because it has a depth stop on most. Another thing that makes life easier is a cross slide vise for the drill press. Your work piece will stay rigid and you have more control over things. With the cross slide vise you could make the walls nice and even by doing a clean up pass with an old endmill bit. Unfortunately there is some equipment involved in order to make the job easier. I am a machinist and wouldn't even want to attempt an 80% lower without a proper mill. Otherwise it could look like a hack job when finished.

 

[barnbwt]

A cross slide smooth enough to use while cutting (while not gib-locked) that doesn't cost a mint, is going to be at least several decades old. Same goes for a half-decent drill press; the ones at Lowe's are intended for drilling wood. A good affordable bench vise is 70-100 years old. There's a reason so few are able to get into metal working hobbies anymore

TCB

 

[Robert]

I use a drill press and a hand router. Has worked on about 4-5 now. Not CNC perfect but they all function just fine. I have to take my time with the press to avoid deflection as it is a bench top model and not the most registered of designs.

 

[TheRealBen]

If that's the same jig I used (the router model) a hand drill works just fine, it just takes a really long time and is tiring. The drill just clears the bulk of the material and doesn't need to be very precise. When you go back over it with your router it will clean everything up an look fine.