Posted: 5/24/2014 2:57:25 PM EDT
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Ok, I'm stationed on Camp Pendleton and im looking into picking up an 80% lower however I don't have any of the equipment to finish it.
So before I put hundreds of dollars into this, I'm trying to make sure I have the skills or at least the ability to learn the skills. SO if anyone in the area has the necessary tools and is willing to teach me (on my own lower I will purchase) I would REALLY appreciate it. I'll even buy the beer. Thanks for the looks guys. EDIT DISCLAIMER: I am NOT asking anyone to make me a firearm, break the law nor do anything they are uncomfortable with. I am familiar with federal and state laws and am in no way restricted from owning/manufacturing my own firearms. |
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Be very careful. The finishing of an 80% has to be done completely by you.
I've bought seven 80% lowers I've bought this year ... so far, so I'm willing to help. I highly suggest buying a jig. The one I recommend is the 80% Arms jig which is about $150 all told. I have been using a CNC Gunsmith jig but bought the 80% Arms jig for my .308 and it was wonderful. I'm thinking of buying one of the AR-15 jigs just to put away. Armed with the $150 jig you can get away using nothing more than a 3/8" end mill and a hand-held Harbor Freight router. Additionally you'll need a nice sharp/new 3/8" and 5/32" drill bit for the safety and trigger pins. EZ Jig You don't need a mini-mill but it sure helps! 
Finished weapons (the .223 and .308 ARs in the center) 
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Paul - I appreciate the references for those tools. I've been shopping around but the problem is that I dont even have a work bench to start working on; hence my search for someone who is willing to let me use their equiptment and provide guidance but place no hands on. Perfectly legal.
So before I start building a bench, buying a mill, x-y vice, jigs bits and the rest of it, I would at least like to know that I can properly complete the task at hand. |
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This looks like a fun project. It is not really cost effective (the jig alone costs as much as two finished lowers), but it still looks like fun.
Without a properly equipped work space and the tools, it would be immensely more difficult. Paul, what finish did you use,Ceracoat, anodize,...? Would powder coating work? |
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Quoted:
Paul, what finish did you use,Ceracoat, anodize,...? Would powder coating work? They're a mixture. The black ones and one of the FDE ones I got anodized from the manufacturer. I used krylon on some. I used Guncoat Duracoat on another. I'm not really the kind of guy who cares what they look like ... and long as they function. 
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Not cost effective now while we can buy finished lowers, registered and trackable/traceable finished lowers. But if CA ever gets around to going after those?? At that point they may become a much better deal.
Although if things ever get to that point I might finally say the heck with it and get out. |
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Quoted:
Not cost effective now while we can buy finished lowers, registered and trackable/traceable finished lowers. But if CA ever gets around to going after those?? At that point they may become a much better deal. Although if things ever get to that point I might finally say the heck with it and get out. No kidding. I like that they're nearly impossible to capture in legislation and the federal legislation is clear that they're legal ... but so is everything else CA has banned. I've been following the EP Lower's legal fight and the defense team they have is excellent. |