Using a lathe

[AckleymanII]

I have turned MANY thousands in a slow speed drill press. Key on the drill press is to find a model that will get speeds very slow or heat on mandrel will be a constant problem.

Also, an older 1/2" drill with the adjustable speed on the trigger will get the speed down to a crawl, trigger is locked to keep the speed constant. I hold the drill in a bench vise, drill chuck is holding the back of the K&M neck turner, and I feed the case in by hand.

I use a Sinclair case holder for turning cases. Accuracy is exceptional.

I use Lee sizing wax for a lube that beats any petroleum product, apply a touch on the mandrel and a touch in the case mouth using Q tips.

Using the 1/2" drill in a bench vise is less stressful on my back and shoulders than either of the two lathes. I have used the lathe and single pointed around 50 cases, but decided that this was really too slow, like using the back side of the ax.

 

[boltfluter]

Doesn't matter the size of Jackie's tool, He chucks up a piece of stock that allows him to press the brass on the mandrel. He then single points the neck. I've done it that way, but for "me" I use another method.

Exactly how I do it. Works very, very well.

Paul

 

[dcali]

Chuck the case in an electric screwdriver and hold the tool in your hand. It doesn't get much easier. Using a lathe to turn necks is like using a chainsaw to chop wood.

 

[222 rem]

I run a 21st century in a 3 jaw chuck in back gear. Results the same as by hand.

 

[boltfluter]

Chuck the case in an electric screwdriver and hold the tool in your hand. It doesn't get much easier. Using a lathe to turn necks is like using a chainsaw to chop wood.

To each his own. I would rather turn necks without having to hold anything, and auto feed for a more consistent feed rate. With a light press onto a mandrel for friction drive, there is no clearance needed between mandrel and neck. Holding .0001 is easy peasy. Many ways to skin this cat!

Paul

 

[AJC]

Chuck the case in an electric screwdriver and hold the tool in your hand. It doesn't get much easier. Using a lathe to turn necks is like using a chainsaw to chop wood.

One does use a hydraulic splitter while processing eucalyptus. It's like concrete.

 

[ebb]

You are preaching to the choir, I only mentioned Jackie cause if he can do it on that big lathe it can be done on anything. I recently used my friends big Monarch to split my tractor wheels and make the narrower.

 

[Judd]

Here's a link to the "Jackie method" http://www.benchrest.com/jackie/

 

[AJC]

Here's a link to the "Jackie method" http://www.benchrest.com/jackie/

This looks awesome, but having a moment of honesty, I am getting this lathe soon and have maybe 2 hours total operation time on one. My dad was a machinist, and I'm time late on having an awesome mentor. I do plan on learning how to correctly use it, maybe even see if they have a college class near me to speed up the learning curve. Using the 21st tool made it seem like a simple process.

 

[Judd]

This looks awesome, but having a moment of honesty, I am getting this lathe soon and have maybe 2 hours total operation time on one. My dad was a machinist, and I'm time late on having an awesome mentor. I do plan on learning how to correctly use it, maybe even see if they have a college class near me to speed up the learning curve. Using the 21st tool made it seem like a simple process.

I can relate on not being a machinist. I bought a Grizzly 14x40 lathe in July and was tickled that last week I was able to make a shim for my Wilson die...baby steps.

Good luck!