Barrel polishing?

[DaveTooley]

I've always used paper and an old wood lathe I modified. Of interest to me was the use of scotchbrite to finish. I'm going to try that on the next barrel. I don't like high gloss but I do want a smooth surface, even if it's going to get bead blasted.

I hit chambers with it on a wooden dowel. Just blends everything together for a nice look.

 

[AntietamGW]

I hit chambers with it on a wooden dowel. Just blends everything together for a nice look.

I'll try that as well. I've always used some 400 grit paper on a split dowel with a little dark oil, staying away from the throat. Might I ask what "color" scotchbrite you like?

 

[urbanrifleman]

I built a buffer attachment for 2"x72" variable speed belt grinder but for barrels, lathe works better.

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Where would you stand?

 

[urbanrifleman]

I've always used paper and an old wood lathe I modified. Of interest to me was the use of scotchbrite to finish. I'm going to try that on the next barrel. I don't like high gloss but I do want a smooth surface, even if it's going to get bead blasted.

Scotch bright won't bridge the machine marks.

 

[AlNyhus]

This was at Stan Ware's shop. Right after he took this picture, he bellowed: "Push those f-ing sleeves up, Nyhus!"

He said he was going hang that picture up in the shop and write on it : "Don't be stupid around a lathe". A week later, he called me an told me the chuck grabbed the cuff of his shop coat as it was winding down and wrenched the crap out of his wrist. I told him he couldn't hang that pic of me up when he did the same thing. A few days later, I stopped in and there was that picture. But he hung a pic of himself right next to it.

 

[ISS]

Urban,

That mirror like finish, as they say up in Montana; shines like a diamond in a bull's aZZ.

ISS

 

[DaveTooley]

I'll try that as well. I've always used some 400 grit paper on a split dowel with a little dark oil, staying away from the throat. Might I ask what "color" scotchbrite you like?

Grey

 

[urbanrifleman]

Urban,

That mirror like finish, as they say up in Montana; shines like a diamond in a bull's aZZ.

ISS

My Dad used to say that, but it was not complimentary.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Here are a few on the guns with polished actions.

 

[urbanrifleman]

My friend Lucas with his Savage large shank we did.

 

[Sniperhandle]

This guy on Ebay sells these barrel spinners, Actually looks decent. You could make one pretty easy, But in all reality I'm probably just going to buy one from him. It doesn't include the 1 inch square tubing, But That's something I have lot's of laying around.

Barrel Spinner Tubing/Pipe Polishing Sanding Jig Fixture Gunsmithing Tool | eBay

Barrel Spinner Tubing Pipe Polishing jig. Made in USA from 6061 aluminum. - 2 6061 Aluminum fixture blocks with installed and replaceable bearings and square hole for 1" tubing.

www.ebay.com

 

[xr650rRider]

You better learn to keep one hand acting as a brake, those barrels can really get to humming on a spinner.

 

[Will Henry]

Scotch bright won't bridge the machine marks.

There shouldn't be any marks that need bridging. If there are, you need a hone. WH

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I use a old enco 12x36 lathe to do all my barrel polishing and i also use the Tooley Method of Scotch brite!


I know several rimfire smiths that use the scotch brite in the chamber and lead on a 22 Long Rifle as well!

 

[urbanrifleman]

There shouldn't be any marks that need bridging. If there are, you need a hone. WH

If you have ripples in the steel from machining and you polish them up you can see them from across the room. You better darn well get them flat. I have no idea what a hone has to do with anything.

It's the same principle as painting a car. Each sanding flattens the previous one at a courser grit. If you don't sand out the the scratches from rougher paper you will just buff scratches.

Scotch lBrite absolutely doesn't not flatten anything. It conforms in a very soft way. Great for chambers and for softening all the edges. Totally ineffective for flattening over a long flat surface.

 

[urbanrifleman]

This guy on Ebay sells these barrel spinners, Actually looks decent. You could make one pretty easy, But in all reality I'm probably just going to buy one from him. It doesn't include the 1 inch square tubing, But That's something I have lot's of laying around.

Barrel Spinner Tubing/Pipe Polishing Sanding Jig Fixture Gunsmithing Tool | eBay

Barrel Spinner Tubing Pipe Polishing jig. Made in USA from 6061 aluminum. - 2 6061 Aluminum fixture blocks with installed and replaceable bearings and square hole for 1" tubing.

www.ebay.com

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Those are pretty expensive.

My only comment is that the delrin cones are super short. They should be an inch longer so you can re turn them several times

 

[Dave in WI]

Those are pretty expensive.

My only comment is that the delrin cones are super short. They should be an inch longer so you can re turn them several times

Also, try not to get them hot when blending a brake…

 

[alintx]

I won't even wear a long sleeve shirt while running the lathe. I skeered!

 

[urbanrifleman]

I won't even wear a long sleeve shirt while running the lathe. I skeered!

I use a tight sleeved cotton shirt when contouring. I got tired of the burns on my arms.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I use a tight sleeved cotton shirt when contouring. I got tired of the burns on my arms.

Lol!
I looked like I got shot with bird shot last time I contoured a barrel