My 80% Lower Build thread---.22lr **Post #72, Assembled**

[Zartan]

Good ol' Tactical Machining is supplying the lower. This will be my build thread, and I will update accordingly from receipt of lower by UPS to test fire. It may take a while with a baby on the way, but it WILL happen. Carry on men!

[froyohandup]

Are you using the jig from TM to do your machining as well? I recently started machining two 80% lowers from TM with the jig and let me tell you, it significantly cuts down on machine set up time. I only got as far as drilling and reaming the trigger, hammer, and safety holes before my buddy had to close up shop. My other coworker managed to finish completely machining his lower.

[Zartan]

I was coming here to ask, is it easy to mill the FCG without the jig plates? As long as I can make some plates to hold the lower perpendicular to the machine spindle, should be fine right? I'm going to program the FCG in Mastercam and run it on a VMC.

Or would somebody want to sell/trade their jig for welding services?

[couch]

If you're running CNC, you do not need the top plates. Mill some soft jaws to hold the lower in the vice and go.

I personally do not use the top plates anyways. My TM plates require the endmill to stick out further than necessary and are oversize anyways.

[Zartan]

Mill some soft jaws to hold the lower in the vice and go.

That's the one. I'm designing some right now. I have a feeling I'll use these jaws way more than once

[SURVIVOR619]

Cool thread, I'll enjoy seeing the plan through. I hope to go through with an 80% build soon, but at a semi-regular build location here in my area.

Thanks for taking the time to educate us CGers via experience! Good Luck!

[couch]

I took my TM plates and counterbored a few spots so I can just use them as soft jaws. Makes it so you don't need clamps at the top since they won't spread once bolted to the vice.

[Zartan]

I took my TM plates and counterbored a few spots so I can just use them as soft jaws. Makes it so you don't need clamps at the top since they won't spread once bolted to the vice.

Excellent tip!

[froyohandup]

I machined out the jog in the jig plate (TM 1001) - in relation to the lower, it is located directly above the safety selector hole. It seems as though Stagarms machines theirs out too and does not leave the additional material. I used a 1/2" endmill to machine out the rear pocket and did not machine the full depth per print. Again, when i measured the stagarms lower, they only machined down about .520" and the print (and tactical jig) suggests, .625" deep.

[couch]

I'll have to take some photos of my new setup that I made. Running modified TM plates in a Sherline angle plate with two large clamps on the sides to hold the outer plate in place. No vices required for this setup. Mainly beneficial because I'm running it on my Sherline bench top CNC.

[Zartan]

Well, my lower has arrived, all safely wrapped



I stopped off in Manteca at Elite Arms and Supply and picked up a DPMS lower parts kit, and at Walmart for a brick of M-22.



Now to get this thing machined...

[Intimid8tor]

I machined out the jog in the jig plate (TM 1001) - in relation to the lower, it is located directly above the safety selector hole. It seems as though Stagarms machines theirs out too and does not leave the additional material. I used a 1/2" endmill to machine out the rear pocket and did not machine the full depth per print. Again, when i measured the stagarms lower, they only machined down about .520" and the print (and tactical jig) suggests, .625" deep.

The little nub that you took out is only needed for a DIAS. If you don't want or plan on having DIAS functionality then you don't need it. A couple others do that. Some even leave material all the way across closing off the rear pocket where the pin is. The shelf height depth is also for auto sear. You can go shallower since you are not worried about it.

To the OP, you will use the jigs more than you expect. I did my first 5 and just ordered 10 more paperweights.

[Zartan]

I think we're ready to shoot! I had to assemble something! Aside from the Pmag, this is gonna be a .22lr. Speaking of which, what brand .22lr AR mags do you guys suggest?

[SURVIVOR619]

Stoked Bro!!

[Bartin]

I think we're ready to shoot! I had to assemble something! Aside from the Pmag, this is gonna be a .22lr. Speaking of which, what brand .22lr AR mags do you suggest?

Black Dog Machine