No a screw is always a screw up. Regardless the size . Larry
Chamber my own barrels???
- Thread starter 58weasel
- Start date
Not sure what you mean by that statement?
I'm glad to hear that. I was beginning to wonder if I was losing it.
I rarely understand Larry but I can usually follow most of the other regulars.
shortgrass
Silver $$ Contributor
It means you can 'screw-up' on a big heavy lathe just like you can 'screw-up' on a smaller one! See, just like you can 'screw-up' when posting.
Jonathan Zimmerman
Silver $$ Contributor
I think it is a good idea. You can buy a lathe (new grizzly or used southbend heavy 10 etc) and minimal tooling to do the job. If you learn to grind high speed steel blanks, you don't need to buy expensive tooling. Obviously the more you get into, the more you will spend on tooling...but to learn you don't. Use the tool post and holders it comes with, you don't need aloris when you start. As others have said, learning from someone who is knowledgeable will save you time and money. The satisfaction from building your own is value enough to me. It is a lot of fun to not be limited by what machines you don't have. I hope that makes sense.
Many thanks for the many comments. I think Rustystud about tossed me over the hurdle.
Maybe pick me up a basic Tiwain lathe and put the breech over the steady rest, and give it a go.
Am thinking of an extremely heavy oak table (DYI) to set the thing on. Is that another bad idea?
Seems like the wood would dampen the vibes of the beast, but you always see metal stands in the
lathe catalogs.
Maybe pick me up a basic Tiwain lathe and put the breech over the steady rest, and give it a go.
Am thinking of an extremely heavy oak table (DYI) to set the thing on. Is that another bad idea?
Seems like the wood would dampen the vibes of the beast, but you always see metal stands in the
lathe catalogs.
shortgrass
Silver $$ Contributor
A wood stand is not a good idea.
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
Yeah ^^^ About any decent size lathe you get will come with the metal stands. The heavier the better when you are looking. If the stands are options and you wanna make your own make them of steel.
There is a reason why most serious tool room lathes have cast iron bases, for rigidity. The heavy base helps dampen vibrations. During WWII small shops used concrete for the bases of small light duty lathes like the South Bend 9" to make small parts for the war effort. They could not match the long heavy saddles and ground lead screws of the Rivett and Monarch but they could get the best performance out of their lightly constructed machines with a heavy vibration dampening base.
The thin sheet metal bases that come with the cheaper oriental lathes are not too rigid. Whatever you make the base out of should be designed with rigidity in mind.
Joe
The thin sheet metal bases that come with the cheaper oriental lathes are not too rigid. Whatever you make the base out of should be designed with rigidity in mind.
Joe
billlarson
"Hold Into The Wind"
shortgrass
Silver $$ Contributor
With the prerequisite of successful completion of "Basic Machine Shop" or equivalent experience or instruction. These classes are offered at all the schools that participate in the NRA Summer Gunsmithing programs. If you are thinking of attending any of these classes, don't hesitate when notified they are 'available', 'cause they fill-up quickly.
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If you have the time and the money I say do it. It is the most frustrating and rewarding thing I have ever done.
Be sure to put your builds up against rifles built by the big names, even if it is in an informal atmosphere.
Be sure to put your builds up against rifles built by the big names, even if it is in an informal atmosphere.
I have been thinking about doing barrel work myself, and have a better feel for what is needed after spending time with a tool and die maker, and two others with lathes and mills. It WILL be costly, if you wish to use quality equipment of sufficient size to do the job well. A good friend has a 14" 3500 lb. Goodway lathe and it can handle barrel work easily. Big enough, heavy enough. I think experience is critical. Nothing like feeling the cut through your hands, so you know what is happening. Robert Gradous Rifles will let you build your own rifle (one of his standard builds) at about $4,500), by enrolling in his 3 - 4 day class while you build your own rifle. According to those who have attended, Robert may put you through 25 dry runs on the lathe with barrel chambering and has two barrels on hand in the event one gets screwed up.
Go here to see what is involved. http://shortactioncustoms.com/videos-2/
This stuff is not trivial or for a novice. I surely would want a scrap barrel to practice on, but reamers do not last forever and will need sharpening, another cost. Some gunsmiths sell specialty tools to improve the process. For instance,
http://www.straightshotgunsmithing.com/page25
With lots of lathe time, excellent equipment, you could do a top notch job I think. Chamber a quality barrel, screw into a good-to-go action and stock, and see how she shoots. There are people out there with quality barrels, but with shot out throats, that you could set back and try to rechamber. You can learn threading on any piece of bar stock, but best on same material as barrel. You can try crowning.
Lots to learn for sure, but others have. So can you.
Phil
Go here to see what is involved. http://shortactioncustoms.com/videos-2/
This stuff is not trivial or for a novice. I surely would want a scrap barrel to practice on, but reamers do not last forever and will need sharpening, another cost. Some gunsmiths sell specialty tools to improve the process. For instance,
http://www.straightshotgunsmithing.com/page25
With lots of lathe time, excellent equipment, you could do a top notch job I think. Chamber a quality barrel, screw into a good-to-go action and stock, and see how she shoots. There are people out there with quality barrels, but with shot out throats, that you could set back and try to rechamber. You can learn threading on any piece of bar stock, but best on same material as barrel. You can try crowning.
Lots to learn for sure, but others have. So can you.
Phil
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Phil,
A lot going on about Robert Gradous on the 24hr Campfire forum http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11157818/1
I've only visited with him by phone a few years ago and he was pleasant.
A Goodway is a good heavy lathe. Some are too short to chamber in the steady and the headstock is too long to do them in the headstock.
Butch,
Thanks for the link. Sure is "a lot going on". I really want to learn about weapons accuracy and am a novice machinist (at best), and wanted to learn from him and get a new rifle. But, sounds like he is got his hands full right now. Thank you again for the news.
Phil
Edward Manning
Silver $$ Contributor
What tools do you need?
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