Successful disaster

[Hdawg]

I just finished my first AR 80% lower. I didn't expect the first one to be usable. I have no metal working experience. I figured that my failure would be a good learning experience. I was right. I drilled too far and went through the bottom of the lower near the trigger hole. That hole is now amoeba shaped. The fire control pocket itself (not counting the really screwed up trigger hole) turned out okay.

I used Tactical Machine's jig and router adapter with my super cheap Harbor Freight drill press ($49 on sale) and a Dewalt router. My lower is also from Tactical Machine. Either I measured the depth wrong when drilling or the drill bit stop collar slipped. I'm not sure which. I also broke the Tactical Machine end mill. Operator error again.

While the lower is no good I still consider this a success. I learned a lot about the whole process and I think my next one will be much better, maybe even usable.

Here is the lower.

[nickstone]

You could try some JB Weld steelStik Epoxy to close the hole up and re-drill it. I've done it on some of my earlier "disasters" and it worked good enough.

[baranski]

Good job. Sounds like you enjoyed it and learned a new skill.

Congrats.

[baih777]

You should cry installing the trigger group anyways. Just to make sure you drilled the trigger pin and selector hole correctly.
I always use a new drill bit and oil when drilling those.

[bksa]

looks like the lower should be still functional

[dekul34]

looks like the lower should be still functional

Looks like he might have milled out the safety selector detent as well, would probably take a bit of work to make a functional gun out of that but could be done by epoxying up the holes and drilling again, it should still be solid enough based on what is left, compared to a poly lower.

[Jon Road King]

The hole above the grip will be hidden by the grip, but it might fail with heavy recoil. But there will not be too big a gap around the trigger once you mill the trigger hole... as long as your wall thickness in the pocket is ok, I bet the trigger will stay rigid.

Chalk it up to experience and keep going till the end... finish it and build it into a .22 for the kiddies.

[skeeboi]

Still worth test fitting the parts for function.


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[bksa]

Looks like he might have milled out the safety selector detent as well, would probably take a bit of work to make a functional gun out of that but could be done by epoxying up the holes and drilling again, it should still be solid enough based on what is left, compared to a poly lower.

safety detent is on the right side with inside the wall, unless he went too wide in the fcg pocket it would be in tact. With a jig top plate, you can't really go too wide.

[golfish]

OP, I'd install your LPK and test it out. What do you have to lose?

[Hdawg]

Thanks for all the input. I do plan on finishing it. I didn't think of JB Weld. I was thinking instead of putting an aluminum shim in the floor and epoxying that in place. I think JB Weld would be a better idea.

As I said, I expected a non functional lower on my first try. That's why I bought two. If I can salvage this one it will just be a bonus.

[Jon Road King]

As I said, I expected a non functional lower on my first try. That's why I bought two.

Since you are well on your way to catching the bug, you will look back on this statement after building your 6th or 7th, and realize how silly this statement was, and laugh, and laugh....

Hell, you will probably have enough spare parts by then to fill this lower with epoxy and turn it into a wall hanger just for the hell of it.

Beware the spare detent. They grow into new rifles overnight...

[liber]

You could still cut out the trigger opening and it would function fine.

[bargasm]

Good to see I'm not the only one who went into my first with the same expectations and results!! I blew right through the front of mine.

[Hdawg]

Since you are well on your way to catching the bug, you will look back on this statement after building your 6th or 7th, and realize how silly this statement was, and laugh, and laugh....

Hell, you will probably have enough spare parts by then to fill this lower with epoxy and turn it into a wall hanger just for the hell of it.

Beware the spare detent. They grow into new rifles overnight...

Oh I know there will be more. I have a number of stripped 100% lowers in the safe. I'm sure they will be joined by completed 80s as time progresses.