Milling a cast AR-15 lower...

[sp3worker]

What if I cast something that only had the mag well and trigger assembly slot cut out? None of the pin holes or buffer tube connection would be drilled yet.

I think you would still have to machine the mag well and the inside of the receiver. I just don't think that it would come out dimensionally correct being cast. You would have less material to machine out though.

 

[Wesley Willis]

There's so many things I want to say, but I will just keep my mouth shut.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

There's so many things I want to say, but I will just keep my mouth shut.

Why's that?

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

I got my 0% lower in the mail today, and also ordered a cross vice so I can convert my drill press into a "mill" (word used lightly...we shall see)

Here is the lower. I was surprised at how smooth the surface was, I expected it to be rougher.



Here is the cross vice I mentioned. Anyone have any experience with these? Is it a headache to mount it to the drill press table?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001FGAJTA/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2ZSTDEXO9VTZF&v=glance"]Amazon.com: 4" Cross Slide Drill Press Vise Metal Milling Machine: eToolscity[/ame]

Any tips on stabilizing a drill press? Cement in the column? Lead weights on the base? Chuck the end-mill bits as far up as they will go?

All told, $35 shipped for the lower, and $42 shipped for the cross vice...

 

[ar15junkie]

You can't really mill with a drill press. There are a 100 reasons why, but just trust me it can't be done well.

 

[Cwood]

A drill press spindle is not rigid enough to even think about using as a mill.

 

[hc4sar]

Listen to junkie. 100 reasons only scratches the surface on this one. 30 years as a die maker backs that up. their spindles just aren't tight enough to do what you want to do!

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

I've been reading that, no worries. I don't have high expectations for this project, but considering the low cost of attempting it, why not? I love trying new things like this and figuring out a way to make it work.

 

[sp3worker]

Here is the cross vice I mentioned. Anyone have any experience with these? Is it a headache to mount it to the drill press table?

Should just tow clamp down with a t-nut, stud, tow clamp and nut. Hope you have a dial indiacator to check the straightness along the back jaw of the vice?

Any tips on stabilizing a drill press? Cement in the column? Lead weights on the base?

I don't think you will stabilize a drill press enough to mill with it, but hey you've already gone this far so might as well go for it.

Chuck the end-mill bits as far up as they will go?

Yea, I guess. Drill chucks were not designed for lateral stress, so after about 2 passes it will be ruined and will never run true again. You really need an R8 type collet or solid adapter (and heavier duty spindle) to hold an endmill and cut with the profile of the tool.

 

[thelakerat]

Can i bug you for the link to where you got that 80% AR lower for $35

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

it's not an 80%, it's a 0%

 

[thelakerat]

Ahh i gotcha, i must have misread or just dreaming a hopeful dream. Thanks anyway.
I've got a mill and feel comfortable about everything except the buffer tube alignment, so i want to get one that that is done.

 

[IndyGunworks]

anybody have any links to the MILLING jig and not the drilling jig.... i am pretty sure you can drill w/ the mill jig, and it just so happens that i have a milling machine now, and am looking for something to play w/

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

Indygun, you mean this?

CNCGUNSMITHING - www.cncguns.com - AR15 80% Tooling / Drill Jig

 

[rockydog]

I have the CNC original jig, I'm sure it would be handy for holding and keeping the part square for milling.

 

[IndyGunworks]

I have the CNC original jig, I'm sure it would be handy for holding and keeping the part square for milling.

HUH... i looked at that... guess i am just not seeing its usefullness... havent looked to much into completing these lowers, but i might give it a shot... might be worth buying the jig... i am a type 07 so if i could buy them cheap enough, and finish them out, i could put my markings on them, and a custom INGO logo.... just thoughts, i think i am just in the limited few that would be able to take this on.... FFL able to manufacture firearms... who has a mill.... and enough time.... and isnt a big enough company to require bulk orders to get the INGO logo put on them...
guess i have some research to do...

rockydog, what are the chances of me being able to borrow your jig for a while to see if i can make these things to a high enough standard to do a run of INGO labed lowers.

 

[rockydog]

No problem, PM me your addy and I'll get it out to you. I used to be a machinist. with a mill and a good set of prints, I believe It could be done easy enough. The jig will really speed up the other hole registry and locations.

 

[Hoosier Gun Coat]

Tactical Innovations has the 0% lowers on sale for $24.99. And the upper/lower combo for $49.99.

AR15 LOWER RECEIVERS - Tactical Innovations Inc.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

rockydog, how difficult would it be to make your own jig? my goal for this project is to see how far i can go without buying any specialized equipment, and get a functioning lower.

 

[vtxrecruiter]

Most mag wells are BROACHED not milled. This ensures that corners are square and better dimensional tolerances. Not sure how well a drill press is going to hold tolerances....