Neck turning on a lathe

[BoydAllen]

As far as the uneven cut on the shoulder goes, it is an expansion issue. After years of experimenting I have learned how to expand .220 Russian cases to 6mm without increasing the runout as measured near the case mouth. It involves using a long taper expander, the best lube, and reversing feed into the neck when the resistance felt on the press handle rises to a experimentally determined level. You go in a bit, reverse a bit, and repeat. Using this method I do not have the uneven cut on the shoulder problem. I cannot do this with a short taper mandrel.

 

[butchlambert]

As far as the uneven cut on the shoulder goes, it is an expansion issue. After years of experimenting I have learned how to expand .220 Russian cases to 6mm without increasing the runout as measured near the case mouth. It involves using a long taper expander, the best lube, and reversing feed into the neck when the resistance felt on the press handle rises to a experimentally determined level. You go in a bit, reverse a bit, and repeat. Using this method I do not have the uneven cut on the shoulder problem. I cannot do this with a short taper mandrel.

You won't have it if you fireform before turning either.

 

[BoydAllen]

You won't have it if you fireform before turning either.

Exactly. The reason for my explanation was for the guys that do not have an old barrel to use for fire forming. I don't like shooting a lot of Bullseye in a good barrel.

 

[Ray123]

Chuckle chuckle, the last thing I would recommend to a young person would be a career as a gunsmith. They need a job to put a roof over their head and food on the table.

Absolutely true, and I didn't say anything about a gunsmith...I personally wouldn't be one, because I don't like dealing with the public or the government.. I was talking about machinist, where you can make a living and do their own gun work if so desired ....and for those "mechanical minded" for an "individual hobby" for making your own rifles, and taking some classes at a community College, and investing in a few machine tools instead of a fancy pickup... then as an individual can do all his or her own work. Quite a few do chambering and building of their rifles and they are neither machinist or gunsmiths. I am a machinist and do all my own gun work, never hired a gunsmith in my life or returned any factory rifle for repair or recall. I don't have the patience waiting for someoneto get around to it and delivery times...and it's a nice skill to have in a time when parts are not available, or need modified, or remade. Plus it's a nice skill in other hobbies like motorcycles....but being a gunsmith nope...working on guns or parts for somone else or machining something I'm not interested in is boring, and more like work...a job...but I'll work long hours for free on an experiment, or a rifle I'm interesting in building...for me. And I'll let ya know if it's worth the trouble...for free.

 

[butchlambert]

Absolutely true, and I didn't say anything about a gunsmith...I personally wouldn't be one, because I don't like dealing with the public or the government.. I was talking about machinist, where you can make a living and do their own gun work if so desired ....and for those "mechanical minded" for an "individual hobby" for making your own rifles, and taking some classes at a community College, and investing in a few machine tools instead of a fancy pickup... then as an individual can do all his or her own work. Quite a few do chambering and building of their rifles and they are neither machinist or gunsmiths. I am a machinist and do all my own gun work, never hired a gunsmith in my life or returned any factory rifle for repair or recall. I don't have the patience waiting for someoneto get around to it and delivery times...and it's a nice skill to have in a time when parts are not available, or need modified, or remade. Plus it's a nice skill in other hobbies like motorcycles....but being a gunsmith nope...working on guns or parts for somone else or machining something I'm not interested in is boring, and more like work...a job...but I'll work long hours for free on an experiment, or a rifle I'm interesting in building...for me. And I'll let ya know if it's worth the trouble...for free.

Chuckle chuckle, I'm glad that you can do it all and don't need skilled help. We, RAMS, ragged ass masses, just have to trudge through and throw it together as best we can.

 

[Rich S]

I made a few mods to my set up.
I cut a relief on the cutter to only contact the shoulder the wursts I wanted
I cut a nub on the pusher anlittle under the primer pocket diameter. This allows the pusher to push flat on the base.

I think both mods made it more consistent

Also just take 1 pass with a faster feed rate.

 

[Rich S]

I have seen some very interesting post on this subject, but my main concern is why.

1. No heat. The cutting action doesn’t generate enough heat to affect the mandrel
2. No lube needed. Just graphite the ID of prepped brass and push them on.
3. I use the same size mandrel as I use to expand the necks for reloading.
4. After cutting, my brass is ready to load. I used a set straight off the lathe in the Nationals last year
5. For me it’s quicker than using my KM by about 50%. That’s for the cutting. Factor in they are ready to load - no lube clean up or resizing it’s even more of a time saver
6. Very consistent results. Since the brass to mandrel is an interference fit the diameter is spot on every case. Not sure but assume the interference also pushes any excess to the OD to be cut. The mandrel doesn’t heat up changing the diameter either

The only downside I can think of is I’m starting a 5HP motor for each case. A bit overkill for sure. But heck how practical is most of what we do?

 

[Ray123]

Chuckle chuckle, I'm glad that you can do it all and don't need skilled help. We, RAMS, ragged ass masses, just have to trudge through and throw it together as best we can.

Wow, sounds like a personal attack....
Realize this has nothing to do with me, gunsmithing, or machinist trades...but encouraging those shooters and gun owners who want to work on their personal firearms to the level they feel comfortable with and want to improve those skills as they go..., by buying tools, taking gunsmithing classes, machining classes, buying "how to" books and videis, and help and encouragement from others how to do their own gun work, how ever shallow or indepth that may be. Take the AR 15 for example very modular, with tons of accessories. Why buy a complete gun, unless you want to. Teach a friend, or a girl how to build or assemble his or her AR 15. Pink parts and all while she torques the barrel down. It's hers personally and she will gain knowledge on how it all works allowing her to fix many problems with her own gun. American ingenuity and perseverance is what made this country, doing it yourself. The attitude comes in handy in scarce times. You can reload any primer with a kit for $20 which is supposed to reload 2000 primers... as an example. I haven't tried it ...but the opportunity to is there and I discussed it with a few interested individuals, and did not ridicule them. I'm always learning, and exploring ideas, not superior to any individual. If a person wants to they can acquire the skills they need for these various tasks, so they don't seem so daunting. I spent 35 years machining in nuclear, aerospace, and computer industries competing US & world wide for contracts. So some things are easy for me but difficult for others...I get that...but ya need to start your self reliance education somewhere, and pass it on to those wanting to learn...everyone starts at zero knowledge. It's more enjoyable to teach a kid to ride a bicycle than ridicule them for not knowing how.

 

[Larry Koch]

Just bought this used locally the other day for neck turning and small hobby stuff like RC and rockets or whatever. I‘m aware of it’s limitations but for these purposes, and with space being precious, it will work for me. I have the option to use my family’s Sheldon 13” if needed. I’m no machinist by any means but have played on lathes since I was tall enough to do so. I use a shell holder and a K&M turning tool FWIW. I don’t think I could bring myself to pay the retail price that they charge for these mini-lathes when new.

View attachment 1363676

Precsion! great for really small and light duty stuff etc. instead of using the large lathe.

 

[butchlambert]

Wow, sounds like a personal attack....
Realize this has nothing to do with me, gunsmithing, or machinist trades...but encouraging those shooters and gun owners who want to work on their personal firearms to the level they feel comfortable with and want to improve those skills as they go..., by buying tools, taking gunsmithing classes, machining classes, buying "how to" books and videis, and help and encouragement from others how to do their own gun work, how ever shallow or indepth that may be. Take the AR 15 for example very modular, with tons of accessories. Why buy a complete gun, unless you want to. Teach a friend, or a girl how to build or assemble his or her AR 15. Pink parts and all while she torques the barrel down. It's hers personally and she will gain knowledge on how it all works allowing her to fix many problems with her own gun. American ingenuity and perseverance is what made this country, doing it yourself. The attitude comes in handy in scarce times. You can reload any primer with a kit for $20 which is supposed to reload 2000 primers... as an example. I haven't tried it ...but the opportunity to is there and I discussed it with a few interested individuals, and did not ridicule them. I'm always learning, and exploring ideas, not superior to any individual. If a person wants to they can acquire the skills they need for these various tasks, so they don't seem so daunting. I spent 35 years machining in nuclear, aerospace, and computer industries competing US & world wide for contracts. So some things are easy for me but difficult for others...I get that...but ya need to start your self reliance education somewhere, and pass it on to those wanting to learn...everyone starts at zero knowledge. It's more enjoyable to teach a kid to ride a bicycle than ridicule them for not knowing how.

Ray, I have a grand daughter that shoots service rifle. She said a pink rifle, especially her AR, would make her puke. After reading your posts, you are way advanced above all of us.
Good luck in getting to Mars.

 

[snoopy001]

How many discussions here for NOTHING,neck turning makes only sense if simultaneously cutted on in and outside ,all other methods are wasting time
and money for amateur equipment. IDOD ,al the rest is real bullshit

 

[rwj]

How may discussions here for NOTHING,neck turning makes only sense if simultaneously cutted on in and outside ,all other methods are wasting time
and money for amateur equipment. IDOD ,al the rest is real bullshit

Curious why you waste your time on this forum?

 

[butchlambert]

How may discussions here for NOTHING,neck turning makes only sense if simultaneously cutted on in and outside ,all other methods are wasting time
and money for amateur equipment. IDOD ,al the rest is real bullshit

Do you have spell check?

 

[jackieschmidt]

How may discussions here for NOTHING,neck turning makes only sense if simultaneously cutted on in and outside ,all other methods are wasting time
and money for amateur equipment. IDOD ,al the rest is real bullshit

I don’t even need to explain why this is so untrue.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Well this thread certainly went sideways.

Back on topic. I neck turn with my 14-40 lathe. K&M cutter in the head stock, K&M shell holder in the tail stock. Had the K&M components and decided to use them. Works like a champ. Can't imagine not using the lathe. Right tool for the job in my view.

 

[snoopy001]

Curious why you waste your time on this forum?

be sure i don't do it anymore,here are to many amateurs

 

[butchlambert]

be sure i don't do it anymore,here are to many amateurs

And you are??

 

[Dusty Stevens]

And you are??

Thats snoopy butch- thought you knew.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

How many discussions here for NOTHING,neck turning makes only sense if simultaneously cutted on in and outside ,all other methods are wasting time
and money for amateur equipment. IDOD ,al the rest is real bullshit

Thats funny. Most ive seen got sold pretty quickly.