please delete

[marlin357]

del

[bjonesgtaw]

what did you do to remedy the flex in the drill press?

[sigstroker]

You know you can adjust the depth of the mag catch, right? It's threaded, so you just twist on the catch further or less as needed.

[FLZ_Boy]

To the OP, so If I'm going to drill out the pocket with a FH drill I should reduce the depth by 0.125" to accommodate for the flexing?

[FLZ_Boy]

From what I see, it can't be easily fixed. You just have to remember that it can't be relied upon. See response to FLZ_Boy at the bottom of this post.



Yes, and when I tightened it as far as it would go, it still wouldn't hold, which is why I chose to mill it out just a little bit.



Do not rely on the depth stop. The next time I mill out a lower, I will use electrical tape to mark off 1.250 on the bit itself. Remember when marking the bit to go from the pointy part at the very end. Follow the instructions with the drill bits. The carbide end mills are absolutely essential, as drill bits do not cut to the side; if you don't have them already, I'll send you a link to ones I purchased on eBay.

When it comes time to use the 3/8" carbide end mill, do not use the handle to adjust depth. Use the table. I will use the end mill to first mill out the pocket to 1.000", then after milling the pocket to 1.000, I will remove the top plate of the jig and mill the remaining 0.250". I had no problems sideloading the HFT drill press with the carbide end mill; you just need to go slowly, keep it lubed, and dump the cuttings from the pocket every few minutes (yes, you will need to adjust the table each time), and wipe off the end mill to get cuttings out of the grooves. You do not need to use an X/Y vise, I don't even have one. You should be able to complete the whole thing, from an 80% lower to completion in 3 to 4 hours.

If you have any more questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them.

Thanks for the tips, I do have several 80% to destroy for practice lol.

[rayrayz]

OK just a tip: measure 5 times and cut very carefully

I prefer to use a set of calipers and measure many times while taking shallow cuts towards the end depth of 1.25 inch at trigger/hammer pocket (I used a harbor freight drill press too). threre is not much material there at all...only about 1/8" or so. I have to say doing a 80% took more time than I thought it would but this was also on a drill press. I guess I need more practice