Folks,

We have received countless questions about what router should be used to finish an 80% lower receiver with their Modulus Arms Heavy-Duty AR-15 Jig, Standard AR-15 Jig, and our AR-308 / AR-10 Jig. We have compiled a list of routers we recommend and do not recommend and why. Unlike some other companies we bought all of the recommended and almost all of the non-recommended routers to compile this list. We have used all of these routers and determined the following.



Recommended Routers:

Dewalt DWP611 This is out favorite router. This is a very rugged and quality unit. It is a mostly metal construction with a big base size. It is variable speed and has an LED light. It is a good purchase but on the higher price point from $120-$140.Link

Craftsman 28212 This router has a powerful 1.25 HP motor. The base size of the router is a little small but it comes with an attachment with two handles for added control. Can be purchased at Sears for $90. Link

Ridgid R24012 This router has a powerful 1.5 HP motor. The base size is smaller than the above but it still a good router. It is a little more flimsy than some of the other recommended routers.  It can be found for $80-$100. Link

Makita RT0701C This is a quality and powerful router. It has a 1.25 Hp motor and a mostly metal construction. It is a good purchase for $90-$100. Link

Porter Cable PCE6435  This is a quality router. It has a normal sized base and a pretty powerful motor. It doesn't feel as sturdy or as stable as its bigger brother the Porter Cable 450 and costs the same. It can be bought for $120-$130. Link

Dewalt D26670 This is a good router. It is a little less powerful than the others but still quality. It has been discontinued and can be hard to find.

Porter Cable 7310 This is the same router as the Dewalt D26670. It is a good router but a little less powerful than the others. it has been discontinued and can be hard to find.



Not Recommended Routers:

Harbor Freight and Black And Decker Routers. All the Harbor Freight and Black and Decker Routers we have found are all junk. The spindles don't run true. Some of them are not variable speed and the overall quality is bad.  These are typically labeled as DrillMaster, Chicago Electric and Black and Decker. We do not recommend them but you could use one if you were so inclined.

Dewalt DWE6000 This is a flimsy router with a mostly plastic construction. While all the recommended routers have metal bases this one is all plastic. If you were going to purchase a router for this price you should get one of the recommended ones instead. It costs $100. Link

Porter Cable PCE6430 This is actually a pretty decent router. There isn't anything wrong with it and it is very similar to the recommended Porter Cable PCE6435. The reason for not recommending is that it is not variable speed and it is less powerful. This will work if you want to save a few dollars but for the same money I would buy the Makita RT0701C. Cost is $90-$100. Link

Bosch PR20EVSK People are surprised when we do not recommended a Bosch tool. This is a quality router with a good sized base but it has a couple of drawbacks. The depth adjustment is a little weird and if you do not do it correctly the height can slip. It also has a tendency to let the router slip in the collet. We used to recommend this but based on customer complaints and problems we don't anymore. Cost $110. Link

Bosch PR10EV This looks identical to the Bosch PR20EVSK and has the same drawbacks of slipping end mills and poor height adjustment. It also does not have variable speed which is why it is cheaper than the PR20EVSK. Cost $100. Link

Porter Cable PC450 This is very rugged and feels study in your hands. Has a large base size. The reason it is not recommended is that it is not variable speed. It is very similar to the Dewalt DWP611 but isn't variable speed and doesn't have an LED light. Can be found from $100-$120 Link

Full Size Routers Many people use full size routers but we do not recommend them if you are purchasing a router to do this work. They are more powerful than necessary and can be large and cumbersome making them harder to control. Many of them are also not variable speed. Full size routers also come with a 3/8" chuck instead of a 1/4" chuck that is needed for the end mill we sell. You need to purchase a 1/4" collet to use a full size router.

There are a bunch of routers that will work. This was just a recommendation if you were buying one to use for doing 80%.

Yeah, We bought ours a Home Depot. I think that's the best option for a purchase at Home Depot.

You are correct. That was an oversight by us and we corrected it in the original post. I am attaching an image that shows the two routers side by side. The Dewalt has the variable speed dial at the top and an LED light. The Porter cable doesn't have either of those. Thanks for your feedback!

We don't sell an easy jig. We sell Modulus Arms Universal Jigs! Yes, all of our jigs fit NFA lowers.

That wasn't Max. He quits at 6PM EST.

The Ridgid is a very quality router.

Good deal!

Yeah, we used to recommend the Bosch. We have seen it is really hit or miss with the Bosch routers. Some people swear by them and some people have trouble with the depth adjustment and slipping end mills. The Bosch routers we have work great but we have had quite a few complaints from customers about them so we decided to stop recommending them.

CPO's are usually a good deal.

We will give suggestions. We own every model that is listed above and have used them all at one point or another. The problem with giving an "exact" setting is that different people do the job a bit uniquely. Some people go very slow and soft while other peoples only tool is a sledge hammer. The speed setting is intimately dependent on the end mill used, how aggressive the user is, how deep they decide to take each pass and on the exact router they have. Many people use our end mill, which is a solid carbide american made tool. A lot of other people use our competitors tool or something else which is not of the same quality or specifications which will adjust the optimal speed of the router.

I know some people said we won't give recommendations. This isn't true. If you are having trouble with anything whether it's the jig you purchased from us, a router you bought from Home-Depot or the lower receiver you bought from our competitor to use with our Jig just give us a call or an email and we will get you straightened out.

On our website, in the FAQ section, we have some recommendations regarding routers and how to use them. Here is a piece of the FAQ's

Q: What router should I use?
A: We recommend the Dewalt DWP611, Craftsman 28212, Ridgid R24012, Makita RT0701C, Porter Cable PCE6435, Dewalt D26670 and Porter Cable 7310. Harbor Freight and Black and Decker have been known to have poor results. There are many that will work and the important thing is that is has a 1/4" chuck and is variable speed. For more information check this link.

Q: What speed setting should I adjust my router to?
A: Each router is different. We recommend a setting  of "5" or towards the middle for most routers.  You should start slow and ramp it up until it feels smooth and relatively easy to move. Take your time. You will know when it is right.

Q: What's the best way to mill with the router?
A: You should always start in an open hole without touching any material. This is why you drill the holes. You are very likely to break the end mill if you start touching a side or turn the router on before you place it into the jig. The router should never be spinning when pulling it out or putting it into the jig. When the router is fully up to speed in the jig you should first try to join all the drill holes taking small semicircular cuts trying to cut with the side rather than the front of the end mill. Continue doing this until all the holes are joined. When they are joined go around the larger hole you created until you are touching the template.

Q: My router isn't cutting very well, what is wrong?
A: Check to make sure aluminum isn't clogged in the end mill. You should check after each pass or if you hear an audible change in the noise or feel of the router. Use more cutting fluid. Attach a shop vac and suck out the chips as you cut them. Check to make sure you did not break the teeth off your end mill. Take shallower depth of cuts. Slow down or speed up the router speed.