80% lowers

DutchV · Feb 21, 2016

Mark75H said:
You don't even need a mill. There are jigs and tools to complete 80's without a mill

I have seen a jig that uses a small router to open up the fire control cavity. That's lots cheaper than a mill. Of course, you may have other projects in mind for a mill.

It can also be done on a good drill press but a lot of guys don't have one that is sturdy enough.

DaemonAssassin · Feb 21, 2016

cpbrews said:
Mostly I want the satisfaction of completing it myself. I'm a DIY'er, I just love tinkering with things and trying new stuff, so I figured why not?

Understandable.

cpbrews · Feb 21, 2016

Muleskinner said:
I completed 2 80% lowers last week using this. Picked it up at Maryland Quartermaster in Falston. Took about 3 hours per blank.. http://www.80percentarms.com/products/80-ar-15-easy-jig

Does that include the router? Or do you have to buy that separately? I've heard the Easy jig is quite...well, easy lol

teratos · Feb 21, 2016

cpbrews said:
Does that include the router? Or do you have to buy that separately? I've heard the Easy jig is quite...well, easy lol

Gotta buy the router.

whistlersmother · Feb 21, 2016

If you use the Easy 80 jig, I'd recommend a drill press for the initial drill out. The speed can be set constant and the mechnical advantage of the handle gives the best feed rate when dealing with 7075 lowers.

(high speed and high pressure does not end well.)

Alphabrew · Feb 21, 2016

Drill press def helps. Here is one partially complete on the easy jig. Takes some time to finish but it's fun. I've made a few mistakes but learned from them. If you haven't made any mistakes you have made enough. Be careful on the wall nearest the mag and near the safety detent. I still have a pile of 80s left to mill out.

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Rab1515 · Feb 22, 2016

X3 on the drill press and the easy jig.

cpbrews · Feb 23, 2016

Oh man I may have to invest in the Easy Jig system. I'm sure they turn out much better looking than those done on just a drill press, huh?

Muleskinner · Feb 24, 2016

cpbrews said:
Oh man I may have to invest in the Easy Jig system. I'm sure they turn out much better looking than those done on just a drill press, huh?

They make an easy jig for drill press and a different one for handheld drill/router. I used the router. The only draw back I found is the end mill. The tool pack (drill bits/end mill) that 80% arms sells is way over priced for what is in it. I picked up the correct end mill on Amazon for $19. I already had the correct cobalt drill bits.

I did 2 80% lowers in about 6 hours...I also did a 80% polymer lower that came with it's own jig. I wouldn't normally have touched a poly lower but a friend bought it and decided not to build from 80% because he got a great deal on a complete rifle kit that included a stripped lower. I did that one in about 2 hours and I think I'm going to use it to build an AR platform in a pistol caliber like 40S&W or 45ACP...

MMartini1969 · Feb 24, 2016

Any updated pictures? Looks nice so far. :thumbsup:

Alphabrew said:
Drill press def helps. Here is one partially complete on the easy jig. Takes some time to finish but it's fun. I've made a few mistakes but learned from them. If you haven't made any mistakes you have made enough. Be careful on the wall nearest the mag and near the safety detent. I still have a pile of 80s left to mill out.

[/URL][/IMG]

cpbrews · Feb 28, 2016

Muleskinner said:
They make an easy jig for drill press and a different one for handheld drill/router. I used the router. The only draw back I found is the end mill. The tool pack (drill bits/end mill) that 80% arms sells is way over priced for what is in it. I picked up the correct end mill on Amazon for $19. I already had the correct cobalt drill bits.

I did 2 80% lowers in about 6 hours...I also did a 80% polymer lower that came with it's own jig. I wouldn't normally have touched a poly lower but a friend bought it and decided not to build from 80% because he got a great deal on a complete rifle kit that included a stripped lower. I did that one in about 2 hours and I think I'm going to use it to build an AR platform in a pistol caliber like 40S&W or 45ACP...

Yeah I'm not sure what to think of the polymer lowers...I've heard both good and bad lol. This weekend I completed my 80% lower and got the AR together. Using a cheap drill press and even cheaper quality jig, it got the job done but it looks waaayyy mediocre :sad20:

but it's a complete rifle, and I loved shooting it!

OnTarget · May 1, 2016

Since some time has passed, which 80% lower jig kit for 5.56/.223 is considered the best in terms of be durability, easy to follow instructions, precision, extra tools needed, etc. I know the following are popular: Modulus, 80% Arms, Stealth Arms, Tactical Machining.
In other words, which would you buy - not necessarily the cheapest one?

welder516 · May 1, 2016

I have a mill and now may have a project ...................good thread .

OnTarget · May 2, 2016

OnTarget said:
Since some time has passed, which 80% lower jig kit for 5.56/.223 is considered the best in terms of be durability, easy to follow instructions, precision, extra tools needed, etc. I know the following are popular: Modulus, 80% Arms, Stealth Arms, Tactical Machining.
In other words, which would you buy - not necessarily the cheapest one?

Bump for answers.

dogbone · May 3, 2016

OnTarget said:
Since some time has passed, which 80% lower jig kit for 5.56/.223 is considered the best in terms of be durability, easy to follow instructions, precision, extra tools needed, etc. I know the following are popular: Modulus, 80% Arms, Stealth Arms, Tactical Machining.
In other words, which would you buy - not necessarily the cheapest one?

Milled a few 80% lowers with a jig from Colfax Tactical.
It held lowers from a few sources and accurately guided the work. The instructions are clear and easy to follow.

They also have alternate instructions for mills with a DRO:
http://www.colfaxtactical.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=3

Muleskinner · May 5, 2016

OnTarget said:
Bump for answers.

I've done 4...1 from SWAT, 2 from 80% ARMS 1 from polymer80. obviously the poly was easier, but I saw no real difference in the alloy ones. The milling took me about 3 hours each They all worked as intended...about the only difference in the lower was the SWAT lower has an over sized trigger guard and the 80%s have the swing away trigger guard...other than that, the rest of the differences appear to be completely cosmetic...

Jollyllama · May 5, 2016

I've tried several 80% lowers and turned them all into un usable pieces of metal.

Rab1515 · May 5, 2016

Jollyllama said:
I've tried several 80% lowers and turned them all into un usable pieces of metal.

What method/jig were you using?

pcfixer · May 5, 2016

This is what mine looked like after Cerakote.

OnTarget · May 5, 2016

Jollyllama said:
I've tried several 80% lowers and turned them all into un usable pieces of metal.

Who's jig kits were you using and did you get the job done to your satisfaction?

80% lowers

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