But 50/50 isn’t a good record

Gotcha. So who makes good milspec 80%s?

It can be but I think it would be worth it.

Aero makes a solid $50 lower

^

they have a more gucci one for $75 or so but

I don't see it on their site.

hey

Buy a 50$ aero or go to your lgs and spend 50 on an anderson

I quit my pistol build and am trading off my anderson lower

Tradin it for some cash and a 75rd clamshell for my ak

Yeah, I don’t think there’s much significant difference between an Aero and more expensive lowers until you start getting into LMT and higher end stuff

If you want to do a low shelf 80%, you just have to cut the pocket deeper in the rear right? Do the jigs and the specific 80% you buy have any effect on that?

I think youll have to do that bit freehand but it shouldnt be hard

Measure your depth and width and mark it then cut to the mark

You just use a longer router bit right? Or does the shelf get narrower once it gets lower?

I would suggest you buy a rifle to begin with before you worry about the other stuff

and then get gear

Found the answer to the rear lug pocket question here, step 6, if anyone else is curious. https://www.80lowerjig.com/blogs/80-lower-blog/how-to-complete-an-80-lower-router-or-drill-press-jig/

@Festive I think I get it. Once you cut the "high shelf" depth, you have to avoid the solid black areas when cutting to the "low shelf" depth, right?

@Misaki I might end up doing that, I'm really not sure yet. But I love the idea of making my rifle myself, to a reasonable extent.

@Red Korvo idk iv never done an 80% build

I might 3d print myself a lower to try that out too, and to have a physical model to help me understand what I'm doing better when I make a metal one.

Im just providin tips as i work with metal

Gotcha.

Appreciated.

If your really uncomfortable do a poly 80% build first its a ton easier

Metal can make your tools do some goofy shit if you arent ready

Make sure you punch any holes before drilling even with a drill press

Might do that too, but only if the jigs and tooling are the same. I don't want to buy two whole sets of tooling, that shit's expensive. I could try printing a 100% lower and an 80% lower, then practicing on the printed 80%.

The tools and steps will be the same

I will, especially if they're unsupported. But I think the jigs all have a lot of support for the bits.

But the plastic being softer itll be easier to do also you dont have to worry about your bits walking

The punch prevents the bit walk

Sounds good.

Also dont forget to step up the holes if its not wantin to cut

I've used punches for that before, and I'll do it if I have problems, but the jigs SHOULD do plenty to keep them from walking. They provide at least 1cm of steel around the hole to guide the bits.

Step up?

Start with a smaller bit and step up the size until its the correct size

Ah, so pilot holes, gotcha.

Yee