Looking for a jig...

[Varminterror]

Honestly if you just want to do it to say you did it then more power to you, but unless you are planning to go into a career of making things with the wrong tools I’m not really sure this is even an educational experience. I don’t really see what you get from it over just assembling a stripped completed lower.

ALL OF THIS…

I’ve drilled and routed, and milled several lowers in multiple fits of idiocy in the last ~16yrs, and I don’t see any value in it. Maybe you’re trying to break the law by making your own in a state which doesn’t allow the sale of AR-15’s, but does allow 80% lowers, or maybe you’re delusional about papertrails and federal surveillance - and equally ignorant about credit card and online retailer records - but I fail to understand the utility value in learning how to “not mess up” making something with the wrong tools. My personal path went from drill to router to mill, because I wasn’t satisfied with the process or results from the wrong tools - but then arriving at the right tools, I realized, “damn, that was a lot of work, took a long time, and cost me a lot of money… why did I do this again?” So I finished my run of lowers on the mill and packed the idea away onto my “not my best ideas list.”

 

[adcoch1]

ALL OF THIS…

I’ve drilled and routed, and milled several lowers in multiple fits of idiocy in the last ~16yrs, and I don’t see any value in it. Maybe you’re trying to break the law by making your own in a state which doesn’t allow the sale of AR-15’s, but does allow 80% lowers, or maybe you’re delusional about papertrails and federal surveillance - and equally ignorant about credit card and online retailer records - but I fail to understand the utility value in learning how to “not mess up” making something with the wrong tools. My personal path went from drill to router to mill, because I wasn’t satisfied with the process or results from the wrong tools - but then arriving at the right tools, I realized, “damn, that was a lot of work, took a long time, and cost me a lot of money… why did I do this again?” So I finished my run of lowers on the mill and packed the idea away onto my “not my best ideas list.”

Pretty much my exact experience. I am glad I had the experience, but I often ask myself "Why?"

 

[Varminterror]

but I often ask myself "Why?"

Yup… basically the same sentiment I feel about the redhead I dated for a while in grad school… Sure, I guess that time period lead me to my wife, and there certainly were some high notes, but overall, I don’t think fondly of that era, and doing so makes me question if I really would enjoy slamming my hand in a car door as a hobby too…

 

[doubleh]

I have never done an 80% receiver. Considering the cost of a finished one I can't for the life of me see a reason to go to the trouble. I have watched videos an even looked at the equipment required and still see it as VT has already stated, a PITA.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I have never done an 80% receiver. Considering the cost of a finished one I can't for the life of me see a reason to go to the trouble. I have watched videos an even looked at the equipment required and still see it as VT has already stated, a PITA.

They were easier to buy online than a completed one, for a while. And much easier to find, for a while.

I enjoy doing them and it only takes me and hour now. But I have the tools and knowledge, like ive said. That being said, I agree fully. Its not worth it from a monetary standpoint. And you really wont learn anything by doing it, other than how to do it faster.

 

[doubleh]

They were easier to buy online than a completed one, for a while. And much easier to find, for a while.

I enjoy doing them and it only takes me and hour now. But I have the tools and knowledge, like ive said. That being said, I agree fully. Its not worth it from a monetary standpoint. And you really wont learn anything by doing it, other than how to do it faster.[/QUOTE

Yes, finished lowers were rather scarce for a time. I can see doing the 80% one if you really wanted one during that time.