Receiver Jigs

That's the one @3M-TA3 !

 

Well the answer is in, and it isn't to save money. Same answer I gave in college doing trig, "you know you can do that on a calculator a lot faster than doing it on paper don't you?" Yeah, but this way I learn (mostly what I learned was never do trig, but that's another post) and I might not have a calculator when I need it.

Casting bullets can save you money and some people seem to like it. Same with reloading, I just enjoy doing it and find it relaxing, that I get to shoot cheaper is nice too. Yeah well, as often as I've able to get to the range in the last year I could shoot golden bullets (anyone catch the reference to the German High Command when jacketed bullets first came out and there was the old school lead shooters and the new kids on the block wanting jacketed bullets? No? I feel old. Heck, I AM old!) and the lay out wouldn't be too much different right now. On the other hand, I am all set to wipe out a LOT of zombies!

 

My "machine shop" consist of a 55 year old Logan 9X18" lathe,HF mill/drill, files, grinders,and cutoff saw. Those along with my torch and Hobart 140 mig accomplish 99% of everything I need to do "machining"wise.Don't not build because of lack of machinery. ARs and their "attachments"can be easily built with the most basic tools. Do it and other projects just to develop skills. Explanation about that mig: one of my sons talked me into going with it after 40yrs. of using various Lincoln tombstones.I like it.

 

Still waiting on the AR jig, but the parts kit is here and the HK jig arrived today as well. Gotta say I'm impressed with it just out of the box. Much larger than the online pics show and appears to be very well built.

 

Here's the jigs for the HK series of rifles,ect.

 

So am I DR! Seems that talking about a new house has led to a new house,at least the getting ready part-land clearing, perk tests, water hookups,well capping, foundation was dug yesterday.. This is why we've not been around the monkey much as of late. Have no fear, when the weather turns bad and @Sassenach ain't looking, I'll get back to the important stuff

 

Lol @Tully Mars. Did the sequence vortex. Get you?

 

I'm taking the 5th as Sass may be watching...

 

The material would be aluminum. Type II anodizing is about .0002" thick type III is .006" thick. Type III Hardcoat or hard sulfuric anodizing.

 

Although I haven't any pictures yet I thought I would post a short update.
The jig and tooling works great so far. Will handle every receiver we've tried to date from different manufacturers. I actually have not used the router yet. We started off using an older well built drill press and it handled the milling process well, although we did notice some tool flex with the supplied end mill. Switched to a new 4 flute 1/2" end mill and it worked great. Have to admit I was doubting the outcome, but the press has handled it well. Went back and finished up with the supplied end mill. The table of the drill press was raised to the work so that kept from having to extend the vertical travel too much. Work was clamped in a drilling vice that has "X" and "Y" movement.

This appears to be faster than the router video IF you have a very good drill press. If you are not familiar with machining/metal working be prepared for a mess. One receiver generates a large amount of chips, let alone doing a few. Having an air compressor is very handy to clear away the chips as you're machining, both to help see the work and to keep the tooling clear. I use kerosene as a tool lube when working with aluminum and it worked well here as well.

If you have a milling machine then this jig and tooling makes finishing a 80% receiver a snap.

As stated above, I've yet to do one with the router, but will be shortly. I will take pics of the setup as we go through one at that time.
I would not hesitate to purchase another jig(and will be doing so for the AR-10) and receivers from these folks. Top notch products and speedy service.

 

Update:
Have now completed 3 80% receivers using a drill press for the drilling operations and the Ridgid finish router for the machine work. It works great. To me this is the best way for the average Joe to complete their lower. Finish was very good and was faster than using the drill press for the milling with a better finish. There are a number of reasons a person might want to go with finishing their own receiver, but saving money isn't one of them-unless you plan on several receivers thereby reducing the cost of the jig through multiple receivers.

 

I should've mentioned this before but hadn't thought of it until now after just finishing off another receiver.

This jig, and others like it are for completing a receiver to AR-15 specs. There are a few differences between an AR-15 receiver and a M-16 receiver. This jig as shipped will not allow a person to mill a blank to M-16 specs and does not have a location for the "third hole".

 

Just finished up a 9mm upper today.

and a matching mug