Want to learn Houston area

[tthomp302]

Howdy!

I am wanting to learn how to operate a lathe and chamber and thread barrels.

I am 25 and in the legal profession, however rifles and shooting has always been a passion of mine. I shoot PRS and hunt and the only thing that I cannot do is spin up my own barrels.

I’m not looking to go into a business with it, but I want to be able to do everything myself and have it as a part of my hobby.

I was wondering if there is anyone in the greater Houston area that would be willing to teach me how to operate a manual lathe and how to do barrel work. I am an easy snd fast learner, I just have no idea where to start with this. I will pay for your time and that is of no concern to me.

Thank you for your time reading this and thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[LVLAaron]

Welcome.


I think Speedy has classes in for this in Texas.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Welcome.


I think Speedy has classes in for this in Texas.

Speedy is 6 hours from him.

To the OP, do you have a basic knowledge of machine work?

 

[LVLAaron]

Speedy is 6 hours from him.

To the OP, do you have a basic knowledge of machine work?

That's a short drive for a Texan.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

To start with basic machine operation, I would look at a nearby Vo-Tech school. They usually have basic machine shop courses and they sometimes have them at night. Once you get the machine basics down, then you can find someone to show you how to chamber.

 

[paperpuncher]

I hope you can find a Mentor. It will greatly ease the learning curve if you can find someone to help you out. If you can’t find a gun specific mentor consider looking on the machining forums Hobby machinist has a mentoring program. Barrel work is pretty straightforward stuff Get the basics down and you can build on that knowledge

 

[DShortt]

To start with basic machine operation, I would look at a nearby Vo-Tech school. They usually have basic machine shop courses and they sometimes have them at night. Once you get the machine basics down, then you can find someone to show you how to chamber.

Best way to get started if you're serious about doing your own work. Also be prepared to do some serious research to find a lathe and it's not going to be inexpensive.

If you want to chamber your own barrels it better be because you enjoy it. If you're trying to save money the math will never pan out.

 

[Clancy]

That's a short drive for a Texan.

That’s no bull. My buddy lives just right up the road, 4 hours away.

@tthomp302 most JuCos have machining classes that can be taken individually. I’m willing to bet they’d accept a lawyer into the local JuCo for some night classes.

 

[LVLAaron]

There's always Gordy. He's in Florida so you'd have to make a little vacation out of it.

 

[tthomp302]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I have been looking at classes at local community colleges to learn the basics. I am still hoping there is someone out there willing to mentor and teach me the barrel work.

 

[TaperPin]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I have been looking at classes at local community colleges to learn the basics. I am still hoping there is someone out there willing to mentor and teach me the barrel work.

Human nature is what it is. Sometimes the idea of doing something is more enjoyable than actually doing it. You will find a mentor after learning the basics - otherwise it’s like showing up for an Olympic training camp when you aren’t even a jogger. There’s no way to fake the basics.

Having said that, you will find it quite easy to fast track training, and the sooner you get things figured out the sooner you’ll be fitting barrels. An eager, fast learner that soaks up information and picks up skills quickly is a treat to teach. There’s no reason to wait until a community college class - many lathe manuals are available online and they often have useful information applicable to any lathe work. The archives here, practical machinist and others are a wealth of knowledge that will help make the most out of your hands on training at the college.

Safety around lathes can’t be over stressed - the dangers aren’t always intuitive. Good safety habits will serve you well, and cutting corners will eventually catch up with you. It will be worth while to look up lathe accidents - a spinning chuck is ideal to pull you in, but cutting metal produces a number of sharp edges and flying chips. Birds nests can take off a finger or pull you in. Simply wrapping sandpaper around a slowly spinning barrel can grab you. Watch out for pinch points, both large and small. Slowly rotating shafts look innocent - Adam Savage could have lost a hand on camera while cleaning a moving lead screw and it began to grab his hand.

Crashing an expensive lathe is quite easy to do, and it’s longevity depends a great deal on your ability to keep it in one piece. Looking up crashed lathes will show some with minor damage on up to some that are totaled - literally totaled.

Since your plan is to get your own lathe it’s worthwhile to look up moving a lathe accidents. More than one lathe has slipped off the forks, or had a lifting strap break causing major damage, if it’s salvageable. The dangers are not always intuitive, so you will need the help of experienced movers. I dropped a surface grinder and it’s something you never forget.

There‘s no reason you can’t begin gathering tools like barrel vices, measuring equipment, machinist handbook, gunsmith reference books, and other basic apprentice stuff. Some you wont know about until you’re more experienced, and some is basic to any new machinist.

Start planning where your new lathe is going - lighting, electrical, work benches, tool storage, tooling storage.

 

[Bat Rastard]

Take the vo-tech class for the fundamentals. Then drive to Speedys, or fly to Gordys. If you are an attorney, you should be able to do Speedys and Gordys class. That would be awesome!