Brass Monkeys, brass turning motors, Why so expensive?

[Bat Rastard]

A sale for a Holland Brass Monkey in the classifieds triggers my question.

He wants 5 or $600, I looked them up new, and they are $900.
Other companies are charging $500 for the motors for neck turning.

They don't look terribly complicated, so: Why are they so expensive? What am I missing here?

 

[Rick300]

I too have wondered why brass turning motors are so expensive. I really wish I could find a similar setup as a DIY project.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I setup a standalone Giraud Tri Way Trimmer for 223 brass, I used a free oil burner
motor but they are like $90 new.

 

[memilanuk]

I too have wondered why brass turning motors are so expensive. I really wish I could find a similar setup as a DIY project.

Probably because most of them have gear boxes to reduce the RPM and increase the torque. Plus being designed for an end-user to be basically interacting directly with the spinning output shaft of said gearbox - can't imagine what that does for product liability.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I popped for one of these from Benchrite some years ago when I had a few extra bucks and have never regretted it one bit. Makes brass prep a bit more enjoyable.....This " Buy Once Cry Once " was worth it.

Regards
Rick

 

[SSL]

My method is maybe a little unorthodox, but I'm cheap. I have an old Lyman bench-mounted trimmer with the neck-turning heads. I bought an inexpensive variable-speed electric drill with the trigger locked on the appropriate speed and clamped under my loading bench to run a flex-shaft attached to the trimmer and controlled by a foot-switch for off and on. Locking the trigger involved the judicious use of a cable tie. Kind of 'shade-tree', but it works for me with a minimum of outlay.

 

[JohnW...ski]

A recharable screw driver works fine.

 

[SSL]

A recharable screw driver works fine.

View attachment 1419131

Tried that but couldn't find one that turned fast enough for me. Nice set-up though.

 

[Greyfox]

A few years back I picked up a used Sherline mini lathe for $200 here locally. I set it up with a holder from either 21st Century or K&M and use the K&M neck turners I already had. Works great and I use it for all kinds of small jobs. It will go as fast or as slow as you need.

Rick