AR Sponsor
Posted: 5/24/2013 3:56:10 PM EDT
|
I just picked up my first 80% forged AR lower and jig. I hope to start working on completing it in the next week or so.
I will be using a drill press to do the machining. I am just looking for some tips, do's and don'ts from others who have used a drill press. Also looking for the best place to get the end mills I will need. I have already done the Youtube and Google search but just wanted to hear some first hand tips from someone who has done this. Thanks in advance |
|
Quoted:
I just picked up my first 80% forged AR lower and jig. I hope to start working on completing it in the next week or so. I will be using a drill press to do the machining. I am just looking for some tips, do's and don'ts from others who have used a drill press. Also looking for the best place to get the end mills I will need. I have already done the Youtube and Google search but just wanted to hear some first hand tips from someone who has done this. Thanks in advance Spend a few bucks on this if you only have a drill press...it is a wise Investment and will make the job much easier. Just keep in mind that a drill press is not designed to make milling cuts on the x-y axis so you will need to take small light cuts and go easy when making your making milling cuts etc. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-4-CROSS-SLIDING-DRILL-PRESS-VISE-/230141557220?pt=Clamps_Vises&hash=item35958179e4 |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I just picked up my first 80% forged AR lower and jig. I hope to start working on completing it in the next week or so. I will be using a drill press to do the machining. I am just looking for some tips, do's and don'ts from others who have used a drill press. Also looking for the best place to get the end mills I will need. I have already done the Youtube and Google search but just wanted to hear some first hand tips from someone who has done this. Thanks in advance Spend a few bucks on this if you only have a drill press...it is a wise Investment and will make the job much easier. Just keep in mind that a drill press is not designed to make milling cuts on the x-y axis so you will need to take small light cuts and go easy when making your making milling cuts etc. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-4-CROSS-SLIDING-DRILL-PRESS-VISE-/230141557220?pt=Clamps_Vises&hash=item35958179e4 This is good advice. 
|
| Are you using a jig? If so, I discovered that if you tape the entire area between the jig top plate and the buffer tower and tape a shopvac hose to the rear of the buffer tower it will do a great job sucking out chips. At least it worked well on my buddy's mill. |
|
You can get end mills here for use in a drill press. I use four flute, center cutting end mills. These allow you to plunge cut. You may need a short one to start with, after you finish drilling, so that you avoid cutting your jig, i.e., the smooth part of the mill's shank rubs on the jig - NOT the cutting edge. Then follow with a longer one to get deep enough into the receiver. Measure everything three times and GO SLOW!
end mills The X-Y vise is a MUST have. Have fun. |
|
a drill press...... wow tolerances must not be very high
On the 80% side, they aren't. Look at the print, then look at what needs to be done. Then think about what is important. The most important tols are already done, the next tightest ones are in the jig. Drill press job. Just don't have the quill down when side milling. |
|
Here is a good video. Notice the machinist makes reference to the difference between conventional and climb milling, Very important that you conventional mill. They also offer the necessary end mills and drill bits to do the machining.
Desert Warrior Products |
|
From my copied Colt print
"Tolerances .015" unless otherwise noted" That is extremely forgiving and easily achievable with a drill press. Of course I decided against the drill press, only because of the side loading issue. Ordered the harbor freight mini-mill and couldn't be happier with it. |
AR Sponsor