Issue with 80% lower

[gsc3zny]

I bought a 7075 80% lower, el cheapo, to practice on before I try my Easy Jig lower. I am using the Ridgid R2401 hand router. The problem is towards the end, the milling bit slips, and I think it was the hard aluminum that was causing it towards the end. Will this same problem hapen with my 6061 aluminum lower? I know its a lot softer. Should I get a bigger router? Any ideas would be great

[ar15barrels]

Keep as much of the endmill in the router collet as possible and tighten the collet as tight as you can.

Keep the router base as close to the motor as you can so you don't have any extra cutter hanging out of the collet than you have to.

[rogerdo]

I thought I saw somewhere that you have to insert the end mill all the way. Then back it off the end a bit. For some reason they don't grab properly. I'll try that next time.

Tip: I had to extend my end mill from the collet as the 2401 didn't have enough depth to cut to the bottom.

[rogerdo]

Oh and I had to really crank that end mill down every so often on a 6061. I imagine it being tougher was I do my 7075s.

[nodixe]

You should try the modified instructions at 80percents.com. He advocates doing trigger hole first that way you don't neef to plunge cut into material just start it in the hole.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[CandG]

You should try the modified instructions at 80percents.com. He advocates doing trigger hole first that way you don't neef to plunge cut into material just start it in the hole.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I imagine that might also provide a place for the shaving to fall through as well, I might give that a try on my next one. My only concern is that making that first deep hole with the skinny bit might result in bit-flex and an inaccurately sized/placed trigger hole. Still worth a try, I hate removing all the shavings out the top of the hole.

[golfish]

I The problem is towards the end, the milling bit slips,

Is it coming loose from the collet? Been there done that. The 6061 cuts easier, I didn't have a problem with the 6061 but then I use full size router. These trim routers are suggested to use because they are cheaper to buy. 80% arms did an amazing job setting this all up, they also setup their jig to use a full size router. Those 7075 are hard to cut. I think in the long run the 6061 billets lowers are cheaper to mill because they are easier on the router and end mill, this makes it easier on the jig.

I
Tip: I had to extend my end mill from the collet as the 2401 didn't have enough depth to cut to the bottom.

Its not the router or collet. The end mill has to be dropped down in the collet as you go deeper. Maybe 80% could make the end mill a little longer

[Alittleevil]

I used the DW 611, and the end mill came loose twice. You really gotta crank that thing tight. Held up fine after I gave it a respectable tightening. Check it occasionally.