Case Lathe & feedback

[Buzzbee]

Hi,
I’m in the market for a new case lathe for neck turning, I’ve seen pictures and read up on some of the obtainable units by Bruno, Sinclair and Hammond. I would like hear the pros & cons from the guys that have used them or if there is better unit thats worth a closer look, please feel free pointing me in the right direction.

Buzz

 

[tightneck]

Well, I have never used a case lathe but I have seen Clarence's up close and while it is nicely put together, there is no way I could throw $350-$400 for a lathe that can only be used to turn necks. Check out Grizzly.com and others like Harbor Frieght for their mini lathes that will do so much more like making all kinds of gadgets and tools and only cost $500-$600 shipped.

 

[Buzzbee]

I thought about the mini lathe setup. But in reality, with one of those it will be at least $700~$800 by the time it’s up and running.

 

[memilanuk]

Buzz,

I hear ya about the hidden cost of the tooling and all the stuff. It adds up in a hurry. FWIW, the Cummings version of the little 7x12 is somewhat cheaper, and the Homier is even more so,when they have a shipment in, which can be hit or miss)... as low as $300.

I've been looking at some along these lines myself because one, I'd like to learn a little bit about machining metals,and whether I enjoy it enough) before committing the $$$ for a big lathe for doing barrels and such,years down the road, at any rate). Two, I've been looking for some way to relieve the tedium of turning necks as well.

Anybody tried using a Sherline or Taig lathe for this kind of project?

 

[tightneck]

Actually, to get up and running all you need is the mini-lathe, neck turner and a caseholder to be held by the 3 jaw chuck,I use a Sinclair holder). Now if you want to do more stuff, you will need to add tooling and measuring equipment and that does add up. You can add this stuff to your set-up down the road sometime later if you wish. If you get a case-lathe, thats all you will have with no possibility of doing anything but turning necks. How many necks do you turn in a year?

 

[steveyrock]

I have two Hart neck turners and along with a power screwdriver two hundred cases a year is not a problem.

 

[Buzzbee]

I usually turn about 150 ~ 200 cases a year. Even though I already own most of the gadgets need for neck turning,less the lathe of course) I end up buying my brass turned from Speedy this year, for some reason neck turning is not as fun as used to be.
You are absolute right; I guess I am having a compulsive moment Thanks for talking me out of one or should I say thank you for talking me in to a more practical solution.

 

[StephenPerry]

Buzzbee
Ok I waited to see what came up on this Thread. The one I would recommend is the Don Nielson. This is his second model and it seems to be the best period. I have seen it in action. There is a video of Don operating his tool in 6mmBr article archive under BR School. It was demonstrated at our San Gabriel BR School last April.
Stephen Perry

 

[memilanuk]

Yep. Amazingly enough, on that same page is another video that seems to indicate that powder throwers ain't the way to go... go figure.

 

[StephenPerry]

MMan
You don't read too well. The guy Lawrence in the video uses a powder thrower and pinches powder till he gets what he wants. He preloads at home and at the Motel. Been with him done that. He's one of our top shooters. He was a top shooter before he preloaded. Next.
Stephen Perry

 

[memilanuk]

Stephen,

I posted a reply, but came back and edited it. Not fair to the OP for me to drag this off topic like this, so for now I'm letting this go.

But I do read just fine, FYI.

Monte

 

[StephenPerry]

Monte
Actually the way Lawrence started preloading was that he tried it for practice a couple times and had a good feel for it. He found a place that sold the vessels and put together a box to keep them separated. He then goes about establishing barrel nodes that shoot well at different pressure/temp points. For San Gabriel his home range he had the most tests based on his previous shoots. This would help him to pick loads for Ranges like Ben Avery that he could only shoot a couple times a year.

Lawrence adjusts powder by density not volume. Thus for him the powder thrower is the beginning he weighs each load then has a jar lid of powder that he pinches powder into the tray until he gets his weight. He now uses this method preloading before each day of any long er Shoot like the Nationals. Then he walks around with a smile on his face while most everybody else goes through the reloading chore.
But like I also said earlier Lawrence is a natural shooter with abilities that few of us only dream about. He was a winning shooter with a powder thrower before he started preloading. Actually he liked it because he is our Stat person at our Shoots and felt preloading allowed him more time to help run the Stays and relieve me once in a while from running 2nd Relay. Good reading M.
Stephen Perry

 

[dreever]

Case Lathes: You've got to turn a LOT of cases every year to justify the cost, or have unlimited money to throw away on gadgets. No doubt they are nice, but probably one of the least necessary additions for most of us.
My Wally World $14 power screw driver works good enough for me.

Stephen, I've noticed in this and other threads that you get your hackles up pretty fast. You may need to take a chill pill, lifes too short.

Danny

 

[memilanuk]

Danny,

I agree, this sort of thing falls somewhere between 'luxury item' and 'just something to tinker with'. But there'd be a lot less stuff in my gun safe and reloading room if I only had what I absolutely needed!

This is kind of one for the people who *have* used the mini-lathes... do you feel the finish and consistency is superior to what can be obtained w/ a hand-held cutter like the K&M, Sinclair, or Nielsen tools? Why?

And for the people who use the dedicated case lathes such as the ones from Sinclair, Holland, or Nielsen... what made you choose the one that you did? Would you choose it again? Why or why not?

Monte