80% build question/ help

[christmasstorm]

Decided I would scrap the plumbcrazy lower experiment and build my first lower. I plan to buy an 80% from ares and their jig... but, then what? Where do I go to get it cut (by me of course)?

[sigstroker]

There must be a dozen better choices than Ares.

[ARgomez]

There must be a dozen better choices than Ares.

2 dozen

[BMartin1776]

screw Ares they had to put the 80% builds in everyones face and bring more attention than we already had to 80's. Plenty of other places selling with jigs. As for the machining good luck again thank Ares for putting up a big bullseye on build parties... many say they have gotten the work done view a drill press

[Victor Cachat]

If you don't mind a less expensive aluminum:

https://www.ar-parts.net/ar-15/80-lower-receiver-raw-blast/

(Note: I have not purchased anything from these folks, just saved the link because of the price. Also, it is die cast, not forged.)

[christmasstorm]

Yes, I noticed that the "build party" posts have all but gone the way of the dodo. So have I missed the boat on doing an 80% then? Should I do an online search or could somone pm me with other "better" choices. I only mentioned ares because they are local and I have heard of them.

[SoldierLife7]

I would suggest doing a little research. Build parties don't exist anymore. It's not too hard to do it yourself.. after buying the right tools.

[bksa]

Where do I go to get it cut (by me of course)?

at your house?

[Quiet]

Buy the required tools and build it yourself at home.

[christmasstorm]

Thanks everyone for the help... I am just gonna scrap the idea and buy a 100% lower. Missed the boat, oh well.

[BabyBen]

If you don't mind a less expensive aluminum:

https://www.ar-parts.net/ar-15/80-lower-receiver-raw-blast/

(Note: I have not purchased anything from these folks, just saved the link because of the price. Also, it is die cast, not forged.)

Their reviews here in calguns are not very good.


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[c35412]

Im doing with a drill press and a cross slide vice from harbor freight...i tightened it up a bit... its not very hard. Just bought some calipers from.harbor freight too..its not a 400 dollar caliper buy accurate.enough trust

[ogarcia_02]

How come I never see used jigs for sale? Are they specific for a certain 80%?

[paratroop]

You can do it on a drill press with a jig easily. But it will cost you a bit of money. You need a press, a 12inch craftsman works well, bits, an endmill and a jig. A vice helps out, but not entirely necessary. Then you have to think of a finish, cerakote, gunkote, duracoat, alumahyde, anodizing, etc., and whatever you might need to facilitate it,i.e., compressor hvlp sprayer, and whatnot.

Now it won't be as pretty as one done on a CNC, but it will work just fine.



When all is said and done, it turns out to be one expensive lower. But you can do quite a few with the same tools to hedge your bet. The press, vice, bits, compressor, blaster, heat gun, cutting lube, etc. can all be used for other stuff too, so don't really add all that up in the cost of your lower.

[servo]

Had every tool available to me to build the lower. It was a fun learning experience and I got an AR pistol out of the deal, but after all that I don't think I want to do another. Cerakote process done at home is already half the price of a finished lower. I still don't have safe/fire engravings, or any engravings and markings.