trimming upper rail

[Vepr62]

So I bent a few AK flats and upper rails require a lot of trimming. I bought a Milling vice for my press drill and a Dremmel Mill bit does a great job but it takes too long (about an hour per side). What kind of a mill bit I can use? I am not a machinist and get yeasily confused with the stuff I don't know. I want a quality bit that could be used without liquid cooling if possible. Thanks.
Vasiliy

[ar15barrels]

The cutters you are thinking of are called endmills.
Drill press spindles are usually not designed for thrust loads associated with milling operations though.


Good luck with your project.

[crob241]

top rail cuts

I have tried using my mill to trim the top rails but have much better luck with a dremel type tool and a cut off disc. Using the mill the center support has to be in along with the trunions for support, using the dremel it takes about 20 minutes total and you get better results( I use the top rail jig from ak builder clamped to the side)

[Vepr62]

endmills

Thank you. I just need to make about 24-25 receivers and if my drill press ($55 special with HF 20% discount) will last that long I'll be happy.

Vasiliy

[ar15barrels]

Thank you. I just need to make about 24-25 receivers and if my drill press ($55 special with HF 20% discount) will last that long I'll be happy.

Vasiliy

I would not attempt to mill anything with a cheap drill press like that.
I can just about guarantee that you will trash the endmill on your first attempt due to the slop in the spindle.

[weezil_boi]

I used a die grinder and could hog most of the rails off in about 5-10 mins. then about 15 mins with a file or dremel sander. but watch those corners

[asheron2]

Heres a simple guide:

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Accessories/End_mills/end_mills.htm

Make sure you get one that fits in the drill press!!! Try maybe a 1/4" that way it doesnt bite too much.

Also get the one with the shortest cutting length so there isnt a ton hanging out while your using it.

From my personal experience the drill press should be fine for you if you have a little table with x and y motion, i personally have used a drill press to mill out the FCG area of an AR receiver, and it came out fine.

Make cuts that leave some extra so you can go back and clean it up with a file by hand and good luck on your projects.

[scott.cr]

I would not attempt to mill anything with a cheap drill press like that.
I can just about guarantee that you will trash the endmill on your first attempt due to the slop in the spindle.

Agreed - spindle slop will rapidly "bounce" the end mill against the work piece and ruin it in minutes.

Also, the side-forces during machining operations are HUGE, even for minor cuts.

Hell, give it a shot anyway. Get your mills from use-enco.com and report back to the group.

My inclination would be to use indicating dye, a straightedge, and either a hand file or an automatic file AND a hand file. An unpracticed (but careful) hand could get that edge to .005" straight and flat EASILY.

[motorhead]

some sort of rotary file perhaps. i recommend dremel myself. cheap drill presses generally fail as mills.

[wash]

The thing about Chinese tools is that you can mess around with them and not feel too bad about breaking them.

Depending on the spindle bearings, you might be able to disassemble the spindle and remove a lot of the slop.

That might not be enough to make it a good milling solution but it might help.