Want to finish 80% lowers...

[amcardon]

Hey guys, I have 2 billet 80% lowers that I would like to mill out. I've looked at the different kits but have a hard time convincing myself (read: convincing my wife) that another $200 on a jig & tooling to finish the lowers that already cost more than completed lowers is worth it. So, does anybody in the OKC area have a jig they'd "rent" out, sell, etc? Are the jigs worth purchasing if I'm only doing 2 lowers? I don't think I've ever seen a "used" jig for sale, so what do people do with them when they're done? Hold on to them to do more 80% lowers? Anyway, my wife and I were talking about it tonight so I figured I'd get some suggestions from y'all!

 

[Pokinfun]

you cannot rent one from somebody, legally.

 

[cal7.62x39]

Why not? Your utilizing a tool, your not paying someone else to do it for you.

 

[amcardon]

You can't borrow somebody's jig? I understand not using somebody's CNC mill, but I don't think there's anything wrong or inappropriate about borrowing somebody's jig...

 

[Pokinfun]

You can't borrow somebody's jig? I understand not using somebody's CNC mill, but I don't think there's anything wrong or inappropriate about borrowing somebody's jig...

you can barrow/buy it, but not rent it.

 

[Pokinfun]

Why not? Your utilizing a tool, your not paying someone else to do it for you.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/ruling/2015-1-manufacturing-and-gunsmithing/download
look under the machine and tooling part

 

[NightShade]

You could use someone else's jig but if you don't own the tool it's hard to do another one. However searching around can find a jig for much less than 200 to complete a lower.... https://www.andersonrifles.com/product/andersons-80-jig/ There are tons of different designs out there and some are higher than others but with that cheap of an option IMHO it's not worth wasting time to search for a used one.

As far as using a CNC that someone else owns I remember a thread at some point on the forums of someone in OKC doing something like a build it yourself with their machine. They basically stated that YOU personally had to press the button to start it... Anyway that was a while back and the thread went dead so if you get a little google fu going you might find it and see what is happening. In fact even with a couple glasses of wine I found it... https://www.okshooters.com/threads/interest-in-finishing-your-own-ar-lower-receiver.165746/

 

[amcardon]

I participated in that thread from 2013, the guy offering to host it stopped all communication, even stopped responding to emails...

I just have 2 billet 80% lowers that have been sitting here for almost 3 years that I either need to finish (preference) or move along to somebody who can. If I was going to do 10+ lowers I could justify the cost of a new jig for myself, but for just 2 lowers it's a little more difficult to justify. I'd love to do 10+, but I have far too many "irons in the fire" to ever get around to it.

I have looked at the Anderson jig, but it's for open triggers, my lowers have integral trigger guards...

 

[NikatKimber]

I would agree with pokinfun on this.

That thread was prior to the ruling he linked. (Jan 2015)

It would seem that if the owner of the tool/equipment/jig controls access to or charges for use of said tool, then it's illegal. So with a mill/lathe, not likely; a jig you could borrow.

 

[cktad]

I would agree with pokinfun on this.

That thread was prior to the ruling he linked. (Jan 2015)

It would seem that if the owner of the tool/equipment/jig controls access to or charges for use of said tool, then it's illegal. So with a mill/lathe, not likely; a jig you could borrow.

The letter pokinfun posted a link to concerns FFLs and unlicensed manufacturers doing work on firearms without a manufacturing license. Loaning (not renting) a friend a jig to complete a 80% lower is not illegal unless he is pumping them out by the dozens to sell for profit, in other words doing it as a business.
It's basically the same thing as selling your firearms. Technically, you are not supposed to buy and sell firearms on a routine basis without an FFL. It's all about your intent.