Carbon barrel chambering warning

[Alex Wheeler]

In hindsight I should have known better. I have chambered a bunch of different carbon barrels. This was the first time I did one where the brake shoulder up against the carbon, no steel shoulder like a Proof or Bartlien. I went about it without thinking and proceeded to cover my lathe in fine carbon dust. It got in everything. Turned into a paste that was not going to just wipe off. I have a nice lathe and want to keep it that way, so a couple hours later and a case of brake cleaner and shop towels the lathe is clean. As clean as possible, I'll never get all that crap out. It got in my oil sump, so did the brake cleaner so there goes $300 in oil. Lathe is down a week until a new bucket arrives. Pissed does not even begin to describe me right now. Thats the last one in my lathe ever. Just a warning, if you have to work with one of these jokes have a shop vac sucking and cover EVERYTHING. Or better yet, pass.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

My windflags have to have a .035" x 6" long flat machined onto the fiberglass shaft the vane goes on, and two .129 holes drilled in it.. I do it in a mill and it makes a mess. It's not good for the machines or my lungs. I'm contemplating a jig to do about 20 or so at a time with a laser. I try to do it on days that I can open the doors and use fans to blow it away from me, the mill and out the door..but that's not always practical. I use a shop vac at times too but that's not perfect either. I'm hoping the jig and laser idea works out. If so, problem solved , in my case. It might eliminate all but just a tiny amount on brake jobs like you described, too.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have done g10 for pillars and the fiberglass didnt bother me. This stuff was nasty and felt very abrasive. I do stock inlets all the time but the ways are covered and shop vac is going. Still a mess though. This stuff went straight to the ways and sucked through the spindle to cover the outboard gears too. I'm surprised they can find guys to do these things.

 

[Clancy]

I know many a gunsmith that won’t touch them for one or more reasons. I’m adding this to the list.

“They look cool” just doesn’t cut it. I’m yet to see one outshoot a sporter contour Brux.
One was plenty for me, kept it 300 rounds. I’m over it.

Very sorry about your lathe, that sucks.

 

[LVLAaron]

Never seen one up close. Are they supposed to be shouldered up to the carbon fiber? Meaning, they expect you to make a mess like that?

Sorry about the machine.

 

[xr650rRider]

Proof, Bartlein and Christensen arms that I've had in lathe are not like that. Your only cutting steel unless you really screw up.

 

[wk4036]

I have done g1p for pillars and the fiberglass didnt bother me. This stuff was nasty and felt very abrasive. I do stock inlets all the time but the ways are covered and shop vac is going. Still a mess though. This stuff went straight to the ways and sucked through the spindle to cover the outboard gears too. I'm surprised they can find guys to do these things.

I have done g1p for pillars and the fiberglass didnt bother me. This stuff was nasty and felt very abrasive. I do stock inlets all the time but the ways are covered and shop vac is going. Still a mess though. This stuff went straight to the ways and sucked through the spindle to cover the outboard gears too. I'm surprised they can find guys to do these things.

g1p?

 

[Aero]

G10

 

[PigButtons]

Carbon fiber is a nightmare for other reasons. In it's powder or smoke form it is electrically conductive and can destroy electronics. When it started showing up on military aircraft we had all kinds of directives on what to do in case of an accident at the airport.

 

[hoz53]

In hindsight I should have known better. I have chambered a bunch of different carbon barrels. This was the first time I did one where the brake shoulder up against the carbon, no steel shoulder like a Proof or Bartlien. I went about it without thinking and proceeded to cover my lathe in fine carbon dust. It got in everything. Turned into a paste that was not going to just wipe off. I have a nice lathe and want to keep it that way, so a couple hours later and a case of brake cleaner and shop towels the lathe is clean. As clean as possible, I'll never get all that crap out. It got in my oil sump, so did the brake cleaner so there goes $300 in oil. Lathe is down a week until a new bucket arrives. Pissed does not even begin to describe me right now. Thats the last one in my lathe ever. Just a warning, if you have to work with one of these jokes have a shop vac sucking and cover EVERYTHING. Or better yet, pass.

that stinks - sorry to hear this happened. many of us have done things similar to this- i certainly have my share

 

[tobnpr]

A few years back my son was an Aerospace Engineering senior and his group's project consisted of designing, building, and testing solid rocket motors. I was tasked with machining several engine nozzles to the prints provided- out of graphite rods they sent me.

Having never (obviously) been near the stuff, I read up on the machining requirements. Nasty shizit. Covered everything on the machine I could...Hepa vacuum strapped to the lathe. The stuff cut surprisingly well, fortunately I only needed to do a few nozzles.

When I was done, still did a full wipedown on every machine- like CF, the dust is abrasive (and conductive) and you'd get the slurry if it mixed with oil on the ways.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Yes g10 is what I meant

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ill stick with christensen and proofs. Thats just ignorant having to do all that. A spray bottle with plain water and a catch towel or pan is the trick. Never let the dust get airborne and you can control it

 

[ridgeway]

We cut carbon electrodes once in awhile. Yes...its dirty, but nothing to freak out about. Been doing it for years. Vacuum works great. Clean it off and move on. You'll be fine with no issues at all. I doubt the tiny bit in coolant won't be an issue.

 

[Carl S]

In hindsight I should have known better. I have chambered a bunch of different carbon barrels. This was the first time I did one where the brake shoulder up against the carbon, no steel shoulder like a Proof or Bartlien. I went about it without thinking and proceeded to cover my lathe in fine carbon dust. It got in everything. Turned into a paste that was not going to just wipe off. I have a nice lathe and want to keep it that way, so a couple hours later and a case of brake cleaner and shop towels the lathe is clean. As clean as possible, I'll never get all that crap out. It got in my oil sump, so did the brake cleaner so there goes $300 in oil. Lathe is down a week until a new bucket arrives. Pissed does not even begin to describe me right now. Thats the last one in my lathe ever. Just a warning, if you have to work with one of these jokes have a shop vac sucking and cover EVERYTHING. Or better yet, pass.

Sorry to hear about your lathe Alex and thank you for sharing.you have probably saved alot of people a shit load of hassle.i have only ever machined carbon barrels where steel is present mainly Proof and they don't give you alot to play with..not alot of room for mistakes.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Never seen one up close. Are they supposed to be shouldered up to the carbon fiber? Meaning, they expect you to make a mess like that?

Sorry about the machine.

Yes, this was a Helix 6 and they shoulder on the carbon. Most leave steel in the front to shoulder on. I dont know if there are others that shoulder on the carbon as well. Aside from the mess it seemed like a good barrel. I have no problem chambering carbon barrels it's no different than steel barrels otherwise.

 

[LVLAaron]

Thanks for the info. Glad I could learn from your experience here.... and wow that's an expensive barrel.

 

[L.Sherm]

Yes, this was a Helix 6 and they shoulder on the carbon. Most leave steel in the front to shoulder on. I dont know if there are others that shoulder on the carbon as well. Aside from the mess it seemed like a good barrel. I have no problem chambering carbon barrels it's no different than steel barrels otherwise.

Holy crap Alex did i see that Helix 6 barrels are 1250.00?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

It was sent by a customer. He did say they were not cheap. It may shoot like crazy? Hope it does.

 

[Shooter71]

I can’t believe people fall for them. I was curious and cut the carbon off one mfg, guess what resides underneath, a sporter barrel.