21 st. Century neck turner

[kshan]

Any one with experience with the 21 st. century neck turner, they look nice for the money.
Do they use Sinclair mandrels?
How do they compare to Sinclair NT1000 or NT1500.

Thanks for your help,
K

 

[gtbc82]

I got one with their lathe setup when I first got into benchrest a year ago. The lathe made it really simple and all the cases I turned came out to within .0001. I had tried a few on a friend's hand turner before with an electric screw drive and had trouble letting it float consistently and got some inconsistent results. Their lathe took this variable out of the equation. I used their expander mandrel and turning arbors. I would recommend it.

 

[KT]

I have one as well. I use their expander and turning mandrel's.

The lathe has proven to be very consistant and the shell holder works very well. It is very easy to use as well.

The only point of concern is that when you adjust the depth of the cut with the wheel. Turn it just a little itty bit at a time. Otherwise you will take a big cut when you didn't mean to.

If I had to do it over again I would definitly buy another 21st lathe.

KT

 

[johara1]

If you run a tight neck chamber, you will find the mandrel is too small to turn the second time after fire forming the Dasher and i had to go to the K&M mandrel and expanding set up to turn. I use a .266 neck and turn the neck wall to .0102, i tried to size it down first with a Forster die but that didn't work right. Other wise the tool is good ......... jim

 

[Forum Boss]

I use the 21st century lathe with a titanium nitride coated mandrel. It works great -- and the system is very fast. You do have to have a couple different hex wrenchs to set all the stops and settings. But once you get it dialed in everything stays right. With the cutting depth, yes you do want to work in small cuts, using old brass that you can afford to cut.

I take .003 total off my 6BRDX necks (.0015 per side) and the mandrel works great.

 

[johara1]

How many times do you turn? Once it is fired it's too big for the mandrel and the factory die won't pull it down enough to expand it again........ jim

 

[rocketron]

If you run a tight neck chamber, you will find the mandrel is too small to turn the second time after fire forming the Dasher and i had to go to the K&M mandrel and expanding set up to turn. I use a .266 neck and turn the neck wall to .0102, i tried to size it down first with a Forster die but that didn't work right. Other wise the tool is good ......... jim

i had to remove the expander button from my die for the 21 st. century mandrels to work on a second cut after fire forming.

 

[Nodak7mm]

I just got Lathe Combo from 21st Century and love the thing... I sold a Pumpkin to get mine.

The worksmanship on it is top notch.. Now if we can exert "peer pressure" on John for a trimmer attachement to fit the lathe.... That would be a Big Schwingaroo!!!!

 

[johara1]

I have never used a expander button. On a .266 neck the fired case is larger than the expander, on the inside of the necks, the case is too loose to turn. The K&M mandrel is larger and it will work.
The other problem i found is the cutter chatters on the shoulder........ jim

 

[bozo699]

Jim,
I had the same issues so I had my machinist build me a couple different mandrels, my cutter works great on the 21st century, maybe we should tell John I bet he would build some mandrels if he knew, he is very good to deal with, the only problem I have with the 21st century turner is the back lash on the adjustment wheel, I metioned it and John told me to send it back, I never did I don't know why but I have been using my PMA turner the most anyway and think I will start having pat make me the model B series for every different rifle I turn for and use the model A for new projects until I figure out exactly the amount I want then order a model B
Wayne.

 

[Blaster-37]

Jim,
I use one for my 269 Dasher necks. It works great to 0.0005 max cutting them to 120-125 consistently after inside reaming, with a custom 242, following the fireforming and sizing. I strongly recommend checking them often as settings on the 21st can come loose. John has been great with replacement parts and mandrels.
For tighter necks the Jet lathe works better. This is all on gold/brown box brass.
Greg

 

[johara1]

The K&M worked with out any problems, so i used the K&M expand iron and the K&M mandrel in the Century 21 and it worked but i get chatter when i cut in the shoulder...... jim

 

[MTlager]

Seconds on the backlash on the adjustment wheel. Very difficult to fine tune . Got mine the same time Wayne got his. Sounds like mine has the same issue's

 

[timeout]

Mine has a lot of backlash also. If I follow what Wayne said correctly, there is a fix for that?

 

[bozo699]

Mine has a lot of backlash also. If I follow what Wayne said correctly, there is a fix for that?

I am not sure John just saw what I wrote and gave me a email to send it back, his customer service is very good I think he is a very honest man, give him a call about it.
Wayne.

 

[johara1]

After you run a n old lathe back lash is not an issue. the chatter and the mandrel size is........ jim

 

[timeout]

After you run a n old lathe back lash is not an issue. the chatter and the mandrel size is........ jim

I agree that it is not a big issue and can be dealt with, just a little inconvenient on a new piece of equipment. I imagine to keep the price where the merchandise is saleable at a small profit, some sacrifices must be made. I think these are a good value for the price.

 

[bozo699]

After you run a n old lathe back lash is not an issue. the chatter and the mandrel size is........ jim

Back lash is always a big deal to me, I would be tightening up those ways or something, the chatter is definitely a big deal however mine hasn't done that yet, mandrel size when your taking off as much as you are to me is understandable I am not sure why the K&M works, I think Johns turner is way easier to set up then a pumpkin but not as easy as a PMA.
Wayne.

 

[johara1]

The K&M mandrel is larger, when i set up to turn the second time i will use the K&M. I size the case with a Forster FL.die and run the K&M neck iron in and turn with K&M mandrel installed in the 21 century turner... perfect. I like to cut into the shoulder a little but with the chatter, it limits this....... jim