Have thought of using my el-cheapo Skil drill press, but it has no way of setting a fixed depth other than hold the damn thing as you might try and traverse the part.
doorgunner69 said:Who makes that rig and what is the cost?
Here’s a link:
http://www.harborfreight.com/two-speed-variable-bench-mill-drill-machine-44991.html
Yesterday their 20% off sale ended. With the hold down kit, some mill bits, a collet kit, etc. , I wouldn’t plan on getting into this for less than about $1k. You’ll also probably need a specialized jig for guidance in doing the work.
The big advantage of this mini-mill over a drill press is that a drill press is not designed to hold the cutting tool against lateral forces. If you don’t hold the cutting tool firmly enough, it will move downward in the chuck while “milling” and will cut too deeply, possibly ruining your work piece. Don’t ask how I know this.
Making your own gun is not a way to save money. In Kalifornia now it is not even a way to insure privacy of gun ownership.
The inexpensive drill presses from HarborFreight have a mechanism for setting the maximum depth of drilling and a lock you can set at a particular depth. I would never try to do an aluminum lower with just a drill press.
There are polymer 80% lowers. I think a person using a drill press would probably be better off with one of those. Don't know how durable the product would be. The lower receiver in an AR doesn't typically have to endure much force.