How to fixture 80% in mill? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How to fixture 80% in mill?

Posted: 12/11/2017 12:24:07 PM EDT

What are you guys using to mount 80% a2 lowers in a mill?

Posted: 12/11/2017 1:13:04 PM EDT

[#1]

I just used a couple parallels when doing the holes.

I cut a block to support it from the bottom when doing the pocket. Placed the block where the trigger slot gets cut.

Eta. Guess I used the block for the holes as well

you can see a parallel in the back

Posted: 12/11/2017 1:49:10 PM EDT

[#2]

http://www.tacticalmachining.com/80-jigs/80-ar15-jigs.html

Posted: 12/11/2017 5:58:33 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
http://www.tacticalmachining.com/80-jigs/80-ar15-jigs.html

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I cut slots across the ends of the sideplates to give me a place to slot in a hold down.

Posted: 12/11/2017 6:06:07 PM EDT

[#4]

I clearanced a couple pieces of aluminum to sandwich the sides so I could do the pocket. Just take out material where the high spots of the lower will hit, like the mag fence.

Posted: 12/11/2017 6:23:56 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

I cut slots across the ends of the sideplates to give me a place to slot in a hold down.

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Do you happen to have a photo of this?

Looking closely, it seems like you could just sandwich that in a vice.

Posted: 12/11/2017 8:08:22 PM EDT

[#6]

edited.

Posted: 12/11/2017 10:23:22 PM EDT

[#7]

When I only had a 3" vice, it was rough

Attached File

With a 5" vice it was a lot easier. I can find pics of the fixture plates I made, but I have a TM jig and it works great.

Attached File

I had to do some trimming to fit an AR9

Attached File

Posted: 12/11/2017 10:28:54 PM EDT

[#8]

Ar308 clamps right in. I do use tape to keep from embedding raw aluminum from the soft jaws into the anodized lowers though

Attached File

I did make a block to keel from crushing the trigger guard and another to help level it.

Attached File

Posted: 12/12/2017 8:06:49 AM EDT

[#9]

Same question Best way to clamp a forged 80 in a vise

Posted: 12/12/2017 12:24:41 PM EDT

[#10]

I have used both sideplates from a jig a friend bought as well as making my own from the ray-vin instructions for completing a 0% raw forging

The jig sideplates are nice, but having owned the mill I never would have bought a jig myself

Posted: 12/12/2017 10:27:02 PM EDT

[#11]

Go look up the ray-vin method. His side plates are great but I expanded to concept into soft jaws and they rock.

Attached File

Posted: 1/29/2018 8:12:52 PM EDT

[#12]

I've made the Ray-Vins as well, super simple to do. Never occurred to me to make soft jaws though. That is pretty slick.

Posted: 1/31/2018 10:47:13 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Go look up the ray-vin method. His side plates are great but I expanded to concept into soft jaws and they rock.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/145430/Screenshot_20171212-202606-389340.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/145430/Screenshot_20171212-202557-389341.JPG

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Holy crap I did the same!

Posted: 2/4/2018 12:27:42 AM EDT

[#14]

What is the best vise for a mini mill? I bought a small one and it will not hold tight.

Posted: 2/4/2018 1:20:20 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
What is the best vise for a mini mill? I bought a small one and it will not hold tight.

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Depends a lot on your machine. I got an Interstate 5" vise for my LMS mini mill. The floor height is the same as the 3" vise with the swivel base (the one that came with my mill). The problem is, it takes up a MILE of real estate on my little mills tiny table. It's great for holding some stuff, smaller parts get lost in what seems like giant jaws.

Attached File

Posted: 2/8/2018 5:24:25 PM EDT

[#16]

Parallels.

Supplemented with lots of 6061 scraps from previous jobs.

I have a large drawer full of scrap pieces arranged by thickness front to back.

If I will be ding a project multiple times I might use a larger scrap and make a 'custom. parallel (or set).

For a one time thing?

Just stack them up.

Aluminum is easier to machine than steel.

Keep every scrap you can find room for.

Al sheet makes great parallels when backed up by some tool steel ones.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How to fixture 80% in mill?

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