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i was in the market for an 80% and jig to put together an ar pistol in 5.56 and 9mm. I was never into or like the ar pistol until recently with all the sse talks.
i have an 80% lower already that was done on a CNC for a rifle and that was really easy.
im the kind of person that likes to tinker so i got the 80% arms easy jig kit and lower to see how easy it really is and that the router plate is nice and big. this helps keep the trim router flat.
Note to anyone looking to get an 80%; it is not cheaper. Add jig, lower, bits, router/drill press, and laser engraving all add up. you can get a 100% lower OTD for quite a bit lower then $100.
i have never used or owned a router before so this is all new to me. the easy jig tolerance is really tight. one thing i messed up on was the main pocket template. i put the plate upside down cause the tolerance was tight and i thought the lip would not go into router plate. this is my fault i didnt ready the instructions, just followed the youtube vid. i found that the "80percents" vid is a bit better in that it shows the way the plate should be. but this is in no way 80% arms fault; it is all mine. it didnt really make a difference until you are close to the end of your cut.
the side with the lip faces up. mine was really tight so i thought it wouldnt fit. looking back i feel real stupid to not try i should have known better, bit it didnt affect the routing.
i used a rigid trimmer router that had a micro adjust on the top. i would have pproblems with this cause the adjustment knob would move and drop the bit and the router would jump. nothing major and after a few times i just keep my finger on the knob so it doesnt move when routing.
i would like to see 80% arms add 2 spacers for the lower part of the jig. this way it will space out the jig to help it clamp down evenly. i had tighten the jig and found that the lower part would bow out a bit. i just backed out all the bolts and held the jig in my hand and mad sure it is completely flat.
besides that is was smooth sailing and a truely easy way to finish your lower.
-lower
only problem i found was the safety detent hole needed to be drilled out. other then that is worked perfect. mags drop smooth and everything fits perfect.
after drilling was finished, i found a few places that the chips had marked and/or embedded so it wasnt smooth. my friends tactical machine was the same way. so next time i would tape up the gaps so the chips dont fall into the side of the plates.
over all this is way easier then i had thought. by the time i was half way routing the main pocket, i found that i can just keep my finger on the adjustment knob and lower the bit as i cut. This way i dont have to turn it off to adjust depth of cut. just dont do this when you are close to the end.
80% arms has a deal if you buy a jig, lower, and finish it you can get another lower for free. just post up a review; good or bad. So this is my review and if you have any questions feel free to ask.
i have an 80% lower already that was done on a CNC for a rifle and that was really easy.
im the kind of person that likes to tinker so i got the 80% arms easy jig kit and lower to see how easy it really is and that the router plate is nice and big. this helps keep the trim router flat.
Note to anyone looking to get an 80%; it is not cheaper. Add jig, lower, bits, router/drill press, and laser engraving all add up. you can get a 100% lower OTD for quite a bit lower then $100.
i have never used or owned a router before so this is all new to me. the easy jig tolerance is really tight. one thing i messed up on was the main pocket template. i put the plate upside down cause the tolerance was tight and i thought the lip would not go into router plate. this is my fault i didnt ready the instructions, just followed the youtube vid. i found that the "80percents" vid is a bit better in that it shows the way the plate should be. but this is in no way 80% arms fault; it is all mine. it didnt really make a difference until you are close to the end of your cut.
the side with the lip faces up. mine was really tight so i thought it wouldnt fit. looking back i feel real stupid to not try i should have known better, bit it didnt affect the routing.
i used a rigid trimmer router that had a micro adjust on the top. i would have pproblems with this cause the adjustment knob would move and drop the bit and the router would jump. nothing major and after a few times i just keep my finger on the knob so it doesnt move when routing.
i would like to see 80% arms add 2 spacers for the lower part of the jig. this way it will space out the jig to help it clamp down evenly. i had tighten the jig and found that the lower part would bow out a bit. i just backed out all the bolts and held the jig in my hand and mad sure it is completely flat.
besides that is was smooth sailing and a truely easy way to finish your lower.
-lower
only problem i found was the safety detent hole needed to be drilled out. other then that is worked perfect. mags drop smooth and everything fits perfect.
after drilling was finished, i found a few places that the chips had marked and/or embedded so it wasnt smooth. my friends tactical machine was the same way. so next time i would tape up the gaps so the chips dont fall into the side of the plates.
over all this is way easier then i had thought. by the time i was half way routing the main pocket, i found that i can just keep my finger on the adjustment knob and lower the bit as i cut. This way i dont have to turn it off to adjust depth of cut. just dont do this when you are close to the end.
80% arms has a deal if you buy a jig, lower, and finish it you can get another lower for free. just post up a review; good or bad. So this is my review and if you have any questions feel free to ask.
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