Milling an 80 lower with a drill press is a relatively simple process that anyone with basic machining experience can do. The most important thing to keep in mind when milling an 80 lower is to take your time and go slowly. There are numerous YouTube videos and forum posts detailing the process, so I won’t go into great detail here.
Basically, you’ll need to clamp the lower in a vise, and then use a end mill bit mounted in a drill press to remove material from the top and bottom of the fire control pocket until it’s of the correct depth. You’ll also need to drill out the trigger pin hole and magazine release button hole.
- Find an 80 lower that is the appropriate size for your project
- Set up your drill press according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Place the 80 lower on the drill press table and secure it in place with clamps or a vise
- Drill through the marked holes in the 80 lower using the correct size bit for each hole
- Be sure to keep the drill bit perpendicular to the surface of the lower while drilling to avoid damaging it
- Remove any burrs from the holes with a file or deburring tool, then remove the lower from the drill press and set it aside until you are ready to use it on your project
Credit: www.recoilweb.com
Can You Mill an 80 Lower With a Drill Press?
You can mill an 80 lower with a drill press, but it is not recommended. A drill press is not as accurate as a milling machine, and it will take longer to mill the 80 lower.
What Tools are Needed to Mill 80 Lower?
Assuming you would like a complete list of tools needed to mill an 80 lower:
– Drill Press
– End Mill (1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″)
– High Speed Steel (HSS) or Carbide drill bits (3/32″, 1/8″, 5/32″)
– Center punch
– Hammer
– Anodized aluminum 80 lower receiver
What Size Mill Bit 80 Lower?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the size of the mill bit will vary depending on the specific 80 lower receiver that you are using. However, we can give you some general guidelines to help you choose the right size bit for your project.
First, it is important to know that there are two different types of 80 lower receivers – forged and billet.
Forged receivers are made from a single piece of aluminum that has been heated and then pounded into shape. Billet receivers, on the other hand, are machined from a solid block of aluminum.
The type of receiver you are using will dictate the size of the mill bit you need to use.
Forged receivers generally require a larger bit than billet receivers due to their thicker construction. Billet receivers can usually be milled with a smaller bit because they don’t require as much material removal.
Once you know what type of receiver you have, you can start determining which size mill bit is best for your project.
As a general rule of thumb, we recommend using a 1/8″ or 3/16″ end mill for most 80 lower projects. If you’re working with a forged receiver, you may need to go up to a 1/4″ end mill in order to get through all the material. And if you’re working with an especially large or thick billet receiver, you may even need to go up to a 3/8″ end mill in order to get through all the material.
However, by knowing what type of receiver you have and following some general guidelines, you should be able to choose the right sized bit for your specific needs.
Is a Stripped Lower an 80%?
A stripped lower receiver is not considered an 80% receiver because it does not meet the ATF definition of an unfinished receiver. A stripped lower receiver only has the fire control group cavity and pin holes drilled and milled out, while an 80% receiver also includes the drill bit template for the trigger hole.
Milling Out An 80% AR Lower
Conclusion
The blog post covers the topic of how to mill an 80 lower with a drill press. The post starts by giving some necessary background information on what an 80 lower is and what it’s used for. It then goes into detail about the various steps involved in milling an 80 lower with a drill press, including setting up the equipment and choosing the appropriate settings.
The post ends with a few tips on troubleshooting common issues that can occur during the milling process.
