[stu]

No Carston, Im not converting to the dark side totally. In fact there's another pre ban mini14 in the safe at work on lay away. :D
I found this site while lurking at AR15.com, and talked to my machinist about helping me complete the receiver legally. Over all, Id be taking the easy way out and getting a parts kit with a couplet upper, so that part would be already built, and set up. But the lower would need to be built from the parts in the kit. What Im wondering is how much of a pain is it to install the lower receiver parts? And is this something that I could do with a Leatherman. http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com/forums/icons/icon29.gif

[stu]

Oops, forgot the web site. 80% AR Receiver (HTTP://WWW.TANNERYSHOPINC.HOMESTEAD.COM/index.html)

[fal308]

I think his prices are a little on the high side for 80% receivers, though that appears to be the case with most everything sold on the 'net. The advantage is that he has the jigs to do the finish work. That's assuming the jigs are properly measured off. Having the holes drilled properly will make the difference between having an AR and having an expensive paperweight.
Don't know what "ceramic matrix material" is but it sounds like sintered metal to me. Not sure I'd want a sintered metal receiver, though on the AR-style receiver it should be no big deal as the receiver is not stressed.
You need to find out what size takedown pin holes the jig has on it; standard mil-spec, Colt oversize or some weird proprietary size. Also are all other holes standard sized? You may also want to decide whether you'll be using any aftermarket parts that might need sizing (i.e. triggers etc)now, before drilling. With an unfinished receiver you could completely custom fit any parts you need without compromise, as opposed to a stock receiver, to the same degree as a finished receiver.
I'm sure I'm skipping several items but it's late for me and I've ony had 9 hours sleep in the last three days so I'll be heading off to bed soon.
If you have any questions, I'll try to answer if I can. Or perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I can fill you in some more.