barrel alingment jig for lathe?

[brian923]

hey guys, been doing some research for an upcoming chambering job and ran across this youtube video. I was wondering if anyone knows what type of jig he is using to keep the rifle barrel alinged. would this work any easier than just alingning it it the chuck? I currently have a three jaw chuck, would this be an alternative to purchasing a 4 jaw chuck right now, or would it be better to just get a 4 jaw chuck? thanks guys, brian.
(I want to appologize if I am using the wrong lingo here. im just getting started In machining)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d989VrW_70

 

[jesker]

The jig that he is using trues the barrels bore to the lathe. It can adjust where the chamber reamer cuts the lands and also align the bore to the chamber. No rifle barrel is strait so adjustment in two locations is needed. I made a jig similar to the one in the video except mine uses the D4 camlocks instead of the 4 jaw chuck. Sorry my explanation is not better

 

[brian923]

is there a name for this contraption?

 

[sdean]

Google Viper Rests and look under products. There it is.

 

[shortgrass]

I couldn't stand to watch the whole thing. Looks like the chuck is the junky one that came with the lathe. Buy a quality made FLAT BACK 4 jaw and a back plate. "Witness mark" the back plate to the spindle nose. Square the back plate and mount that quality made chuck. Problem solved, no tricks, just 'straight forward' machining principals.

 

[brian923]

thanks guys. I know that the proper tools eliminate the need for rigs and jigs like this, but just starting up with a used machine and no real money to out towards quality tooling right now, j can get the raw materials to big that jig for a lot cheaper than a new quality 4 jaw chuck right now. again, thanks so much for all the I fo guys!

 

[Preacher]

Gre-Tan Rifles sell a jig like that for doing receiver work, and it can also be used to dial in a barrel..

 

[The Viper]

I couldn't stand to watch the whole thing. Looks like the chuck is the junky one that came with the lathe. Buy a quality made FLAT BACK 4 jaw and a back plate. "Witness mark" the back plate to the spindle nose. Square the back plate and mount that quality made chuck. Problem solved, no tricks, just 'straight forward' machining principals.

Hi Short grass, I'm the guy that made that chambering fixture and video. I can assure you that the chuck in the video is not the one that came with the lathe. Secondly, I don't care how good a chuck is. If you indicate it in at the chuck and the barrel is tapered, you can not do it only using the chuck. I'm sorry if you couldn't stand watching the video. It wasn't made for guys like you. It was made for the home hobbyist, but I would be more than happy to watch your chambering video.

Bob Pastor

 

[GNERGY]

Bob,
Thanks for making those chambering videos. The step by step instructions made it really easy for any machinist to chamber a barrel.
I have been a maintenance machinist for a long time and your video helped make me comfortable to chamber a custom barrel and not worry about turning it into a tomato stake. I made the truing fixture and my own floating reamer holder, also a barrel vice and an action wrench.
My first chambering job was a 6.5 WSM on a 31 in. Krieger barrel and it turned out perfect. It will be my long range hunting rifle. Just a month ago I did a 308 for shooting F/TR class, and now a friend of mine wants me to do a 338 Ultra mag for him. I purchased the Arthur r Warner threading tool and it worked great. This could turn into a side profession for myself.
Thanks again for the Great videos.
Tarey

 

[Tozguy]

Bob,

I would also thank you for the video. Just the kind of demonstration I need to see before doing my first barrel fitting (soon).

 

[shortgrass]

I couldn't stand to watch the whole thing. Looks like the chuck is the junky one that came with the lathe. Buy a quality made FLAT BACK 4 jaw and a back plate. "Witness mark" the back plate to the spindle nose. Square the back plate and mount that quality made chuck. Problem solved, no tricks, just 'straight forward' machining principals.

Hi Short grass, I'm the guy that made that chambering fixture and video. I can assure you that the chuck in the video is not the one that came with the lathe. Secondly, I don't care how good a chuck is. If you indicate it in at the chuck and the barrel is tapered, you can not do it only using the chuck. I'm sorry if you couldn't stand watching the video. It wasn't made for guys like you. It was made for the home hobbyist, but I would be more than happy to watch your chambering video.

Bob Pastor

Ya' Bob, for guys like me,,,, who've been machining (for living) since 1974 and fitting barrels for 20+ years. I haven't the time or the inclination to make a "video" for anyone. Just call me old and cranky, I guess. You're wrong if you think you have to have a 'jig' and the work can't be done accurately from a properly fit, quality made 4 jaw chuck. My chambers are the same size as the reamer that cut them! They wouldn't be if there was any misalignment. I've done pleanty of "zero tolerance" work (other than barrel fitting) out of a 4 jaw chuck, over the years. Your setup with the 'jig' is weak, it invites slippage, especially with a novice at the handles. It (the jig) also limits barrel length. Keep makin' videos, Bob,,, I'll keep doin' the work (and still learn something new, or a better way, daily!).

 

[The Viper]

Hi Shortgrass,

I like the "Old and Cranky" for a handle.

In reading your last post I realized that perhaps you don't realize just how the chambering fixture really works. There is no slippage with 12 brass capped screws holding the barrel. You can chamber any length barrel, because you are holding the barrel at the chambering end only. That is the only end you need concentric with the bore during chambering. How would you chamber a tapered pistol barrel in your four jaw chuck?

Now, I've never seen your set up but I'm just guessing here, that you use an outboard spider. If so, then yes you can chamber with a four jaw chuck and do exceptional work. What do you do if the barrell is to short to reach thru the head stock?

If you had watched the entire video , especially at the beginning, you would have heard me say" That there is only one way to correctly chamber a barrel. There may be many different techniques a craftsman may use but the end result must be the same. A concentric chamber that is concentric with the bore. Any way that is achieved, Is The Right Way"

Bob Pastor (Not so old and cranky yet. Ok, maybe old!!!)

Don't let my wife see that I admitted to that!

 

[The Viper]

Bob,

I would also thank you for the video. Just the kind of demonstration I need to see before doing my first barrel fitting (soon).

Thank You for the kind words. You guys are the ones I was trying to help by making the video.

 

[Preacher]

Bob--
I've been chambering barrel's for 40 years, and still enjoy your videos, when I'm not working that is ...

Note to self---- Order more Vipers Venom....

 

[jscandale]

In my opinion the best stress free way to hold a barrel and/or action (or any work) in a chuck concentrically is with SSG's new "True-Bore Alignment System".
http://www.tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=ssgcustomrifles&page=25
They are simply a work of art......

Donovan Moran

+1. They really are.

JS

 

[brian923]

well, i would have never guessed that i would actually hear from the guy that made the product that i was looking to learn about. Thank you for chiming in. i am just starting to get into home hobby barrel making. i have a brother in law and a father in law that are both professional engineers/machinist, so i am learning a great deal from them as well. as an electrical tradesman who is currently working in CAD design, i do know there are many ways to skin a cat. i appreciate everyone who has chimed in to help me out. thank you!

 

[jscandale]

Bob,

I would also thank you for the video. Just the kind of demonstration I need to see before doing my first barrel fitting (soon).

Thank You for the kind words. You guys are the ones I was trying to help by making the video.

Bob,

You should have kept those chicken bones man!

JS