Getting started in Neck Turning

[TQB]

Hi,

I am insterested in getting started in neck turning for .308 win.
What should I get? Mind You, I live in Portugal, therefore, acess to some "specialty items" is rather dificult here.
I have acess to brownells.es, which means I can get some sinclair equipment.

Thank You,
Tiago

 

[dogdude]

K&M, if possible.

 

[1611]

https://kmshooting.com/neck-turning-tools.html

If you can I would contact KM Shooting Products. They sell kits that contains the tooling. Then you will need a drill and ball micrometer. KM tooling is quality.

 

[dthomas]

I like the 21st century neck Turner. Don't know if it's available to you.

 

[rwj]

I like the 21st century neck Turner. Don't know if it's available to you.

+1!

Their website (http://www.xxicsi.com/6mm--243--powered.html) indicates that they ship outside the US and that the power supply automatically switches to 220V. Obviously, I cannot comment on any import restrictions...

 

[cocopuff]

why do you want toturn the necks?? do you have a tight chamber?

 

[T-shooter]

The K&M works well. A dial indicator will fit into the tool. Also a good idea is the adjuster called a pilot jack to be able to set the dept of the mandrel and cut with precision.

And you'll need the proper expander that sizes the cases to the mandrel. I use a hand held drill on a slow speed to turn. Your wrists will flex to maintain alignment.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Hi,

I am insterested in getting started in neck turning for .308 win.
What should I get? Mind You, I live in Portugal, therefore, acess to some "specialty items" is rather dificult here.
I have acess to brownells.es, which means I can get some sinclair equipment.

I've had the Sinclair neck turning kit for a long time now that I use for my .308 cases. And I find it works just great. Though the Century 21 tool and the K&M are fine tools as well. Any of these three should work well for you. Except for the Century 21 tool, you'll need a chuck to hold the case if going to use something like a cordless power drill to power the turning. In addition you'll want to get a good ball or tube micrometer that measures to the .0001 and a stand to mount it on. Oh, and if you're not already doing it, you'll need a trimmer to trim the cases before turning the necks.

 

[foxguy]

I have used the PMA Neck Turners and the 21st Century Neck Turners and really like them both. For a first timer just getting started turning necks, the PMA may be a good way to get started as its a hand held unit that fits the hand well and is micro adjustable doing an excellent job. you will need to purchase a Turning mandrel for the caliber you will be turning, you will also want the expanding mandrel (you will want to purchase the turning & expanding mandrel from the same manufacture). You can go the PMA Site and look at their list of PMA International distributors. http://www.pmatool.com/

 

[creedfan]

PMA and very happy
6br
6.5 creed
308
284 win

 

[Killick]

PMA, all the way. You'll need a mandrel die holder. I use a Sinclair. I use a bench mounted drill press to turn perfect necks.

 

[rsmithsr50]

you do not NEED a ball micrometer.
neck thickness is nice, but what you NEED is
loaded round neck dia.
a quality .0001 mic is what you NEED.

 

[rsmithsr50]

I HAVE an older hart turner, a PUMPKIN, and a K&M.
the hart I use for rough turning
the pumpkin is pure gold in neck turning
the k&m seem to always have a "load" on the cutter.
it leaves a mark when removing from the neck.
neither the hart nor the pumpkin do this.

 

[rsmithsr50]

if just turning to clean up necks for a commercial chamber,
you do not need more than a basic turner and
set for about a 50% contact cut.
just clean it up, removing high spots

 

[dogdude]

PMA, all the way. You'll need a mandrel die holder. I use a Sinclair. I use a bench mounted drill press to turn perfect necks.
View attachment 1147501

Any turner would be nice in your set up

 

[ckaberna]

PMA, all the way. You'll need a mandrel die holder. I use a Sinclair. I use a bench mounted drill press to turn perfect necks.
View attachment 1147501

Isn’t that setup too ridged? I thought the cutter needed to “float” in order to compensate for any eccentricity. You said it turns perfect necks so I will take your word for it, may need to test it myself. But seems to me if the case isn’t perfectly true with .000 runout the the neck would be off? Or uneven.
Thanks

 

[Killick]

Any turner would be nice in your set up

This HF drill press is onlynq $140.00 and it's min. is 300 RPM. That's slower than mine and mine works great.

10 in. 12 Speed Bench Drill Press
https://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-12-Speed-Bench-Drill-Press-63471.html

 

[rsmithsr50]

I know several people/companies that use LATHES to turn brass, and it works well.
a drill press and a vice are not a good substitute.
the frill press is ok, just hand feed the cutter.
put the drill press on its side

PMA, all the way. You'll need a mandrel die holder. I use a Sinclair. I use a bench mounted drill press to turn perfect necks.
View attachment 1147501

 

[Killick]

Isn’t that setup too ridged? I thought the cutter needed to “float”

Floating is a myth! Get your base level and center up your bed vise to the ram and you are good to go. I use to believe in the float jazz...until I tried the drill press.

 

[rsmithsr50]

you cut way too far up the shoulder.
people make good money with lathes because of people like you that think a
drill press and a vice is a PRECISION tool.

View attachment 1147617
Floating is a myth! Get your base level and center up your bed vise to the ram and you are good to go. I use to believe in the float jazz...until I tried the drill press.