Neck turning on a lathe

[Rich S]

I just had my first go at turning necks on a lathe. I basically used the method Jackie Schmidt posted. https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/neck-turning-with-lathe/ I didn't like removing the dead center to pull the cases. I made a puller so I could leave the dead center in place. This also allowed use of the tail stock to push the brass on the same distance each time. Then a carriage stop can be used to cut the shoulder. It seemed fairly consistent. I turned at 400 rpm and 0.0022 feed rate. Any suggestions for improvement is appreciated

 

[PatMiles]

I like your idea for a dead center and puller. I'll be making the same for my lathe later when my lathe is freed from it's current project.
Nicely done!

 

[Capt45]

I don't have a Mill so I can't make the puller (fantastic mod ) so I use a Lee case holder and a precision milled pin gauge in my chuck (mandrel in place for the pic) and it works fine for me.

 

[BenPerfected]

My “lathe” is the Hornady neck turner that I use for the initial 2-3 shallow cuts. My final cut, is a very light “cut” that puts my neck thickness to within .0001. If you are looking for perfect, without spending a lot of $ on tools, call DJ @DJSBRS and have a conversation. His work is excellent.
Ben

 

[WIB3]

My turning lathe.

 

[Rich S]

I didnt have any issue holding tolerance. 1 pass will get them within 0.0001. I took 2 passes at the same setting. I figured the mandrel is fairly flexible so the second pass was more for piece of mind. Once set up it took about 1 min each for 1 pass or 1.5 to take 2 passes. I didnt do any brass prep. It took a while to set up and learn a method playing with old brass. Next time should be quicker to set up. The only investment was a $5 piece of HSS for the cutter. Much cheaper than my KM.

 

[BenPerfected]

My turning lathe.

The K&M tool is the same tool I use to massage the final .001-.002 of neck thickness. Some may not know that the K&M tool “moves” the brass in the neck and doesn't actually cut the brass. No brass chips involved.
Ben

 

[rwj]

The K&M tool is the same tool I use to massage the final .001-.002 of neck thickness. Some may not know that the K&M tool “moves” the brass in the neck and doesn't actually cut the brass. No brass chips involved.
Ben

Roll forming?

 

[carlsbad]

I find that for me the best way to hold the case is by the body in a chuck in the tailstock.

So the cutter has to rotate. I mount the cutter in a collet and get good results.

--Jerry

 

[PatMiles]

I turn mine such as Rich does.
Turn a one time use arbor to .244" OD, push the cartridge on the arbor with a live center, start the cut from left to right by hand, kiss the shoulder and then engage the auto feed back to the arbor/chuck.
I'll be making a dead center and puller to pull the cartridge off the arbor as Rich shows above.

 

[BenPerfected]

Not too many shooters have their own lathe.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Not to derail the thread, but was wondering if the expansion and then contraction (sizing) of the neck affect the consistency of the neck material thickness? Seems like it would have some affect as the metal won't expand and contract evenly.
I don't turn but enjoy learning.

 

[butchlambert]

The K&M tool is the same tool I use to massage the final .001-.002 of neck thickness. Some may not know that the K&M tool “moves” the brass in the neck and doesn't actually cut the brass. No brass chips involved.
Ben

K&M doesn't cut? I guess mine is defective. It cuts.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

K&M doesn't cut? I guess mine is defective. It cuts.

Mine does too. They all leave a big pile of shavings. Turned 100 6x47 down last nite. Cut just like a lathe

 

[rsmithsr50]

go read the original referred thread on doing this.

Not to derail the thread, but was wondering if the expansion and then contraction (sizing) of the neck affect the consistency of the neck material thickness? Seems like it would have some affect as the metal won't expand and contract evenly.
I don't turn but enjoy learning.

 

[Rich S]

Not to derail the thread, but was wondering if the expansion and then contraction (sizing) of the neck affect the consistency of the neck material thickness? Seems like it would have some affect as the metal won't expand and contract evenly.
I don't turn but enjoy learning.

At least not that I can measure. Very consistent wall thickness. OD readings of brass while the on mandrel match wall thickness readings + mandrel diameter. No different than the results you get seating a bullet.

 

[danny]

Rich,
Nice job. I think.that you are getting superior results. I like that you are able to turn into the neck slightly with a matched tool like PMA does on their neck turner. I think that I will try doing it this way.

With that said, how are you pushing the case onto the mandrel in the chuck with the tailstock and getting your center in the primer pocket to repeat that position each time?

Danny

I just had my first go at turning necks on a lathe. I basically used the method Jackie Schmidt posted. https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/neck-turning-with-lathe/ I didn't like removing the dead center to pull the cases. I made a puller so I could leave the dead center in place. This also allowed use of the tail stock to push the brass on the same distance each time. Then a carriage stop can be used to cut the shoulder. It seemed fairly consistent. I turned at 400 rpm and 0.0022 feed rate. Any suggestions for improvement is appreciated

View attachment 1149111 View attachment 1149112

 

[Bill Norris]

The K&M tool is the same tool I use to massage the final .001-.002 of neck thickness. Some may not know that the K&M tool “moves” the brass in the neck and doesn't actually cut the brass. No brass chips involved.
Ben

Please explain "moving the brass" My K & M sure does cut shavings just like any other turning tool I've tried.

 

[BenPerfected]

Please explain "moving the brass" My K & M sure does cut shavings just like any other turning tool I've tried.

Can you PM or post a picture of your KM tool?

 

[dskogman]

Please explain "moving the brass" My K & M sure does cut shavings just like any other turning tool I've tried.

Run it backwards ?