Cleaning primer pockets on a lathe?

[rr2030]

Before I wreck some brass I thought I would ask here if anyone has cleaned primer pockets on a mini lathe? My intentions were to chuck my Sinclare primer pocket uniformer in my lathe, run the lathe as slow as I could, around 300 rpm and insert the case onto the uniformer. I have tried this with some cases that I was going to discard, it seamed to work OK. I have an RCBS case prep station but it is not compatible with the Sinclare uniformer. I prefer the Sinclare as it has a wide base and I feel I am more likely to get a square cut than with the RCBS.

So, is this a good idea or not?

 

[DennisH]

Maybe overkill.

I have a sinclair uniformer. I use a 4v low RPM small hand drill and only hit the brass for two seconds with light pressure. Goes very quick. I keep the uniformer clean as needed, just spray with a cleaner and it's gets all loose brass shavings and powder off. Brass shavings are "minimal" small slivers.

If you get too wild, you "will" ruin the brass. I always stick the uniformer in the pocket, make sure it's flat on the head, then start the drill. Having the drill running and sticking it in the primer pocket will tear up the brass. You will never hit it even while the drill is running.

JMO, Dennis

 

[Erik Cortina]

It will work just fine. I have a motor that turns the uniformer to 1,000 + RPM and that works really nice and fast. The trick is to insert case into the uniformer before you turn the lathe on. You will feel when it's done. Make sure you wear a leather glove because if the uniformer bites into the case it will make it spin in your hand and the neck will cut you.

 

[ReedG]

No reason it won't work, but with caution. I have a mini-lathe and have used it to turn necks but never primer pockets. For primer pockets I prefer to sit at my bench with a hand-held cordless drill, still with a glove as Dennis recommends because every now and then a case will bite you.

 

[fredhorace77]

Before I wreck some brass I thought I would ask here if anyone has cleaned primer pockets on a mini lathe? My intentions were to chuck my Sinclare primer pocket uniformer in my lathe, run the lathe as slow as I could, around 300 rpm and insert the case onto the uniformer. I have tried this with some cases that I was going to discard, it seamed to work OK. I have an RCBS case prep station but it is not compatible with the Sinclare uniformer. I prefer the Sinclare as it has a wide base and I feel I am more likely to get a square cut than with the RCBS.

So, is this a good idea or not?

are you cleaning primer pockets or uniforming them...if cleaning i personally just use ultra sonic cleaning....for uniforming i use a table top mounted drill press that i found at an farm store that goes down to 220 rpm

 

[rr2030]

I use the uniformer to clean the pockets, have been for years. Thinking the lathe will give my carpal tunnel a brake.

 

[nosualc]

On brand new brass, during my initial brass prep, I use a k&m pocket uniformer (they call it a correction tool) chucked up in my mini lathe.

Like Erik says, I put the case onto the uniformer before I turn it on making sure I get it all the way in and flat. I turn the lathe on, and let it turn until I feel that it's not cutting anymore, then turn it off, and then remove the case. I don't want the uniformer cutting up the edges of my primer pockets while being inserted due to being out of square with the cutter, I feel this can lead to premature pocket loosening/inconsistency.

After I've shot the brass, I use a pocket cleaner by hand to knock any chunks out. The pockets don't need to be spotless. A few twists and a tap on the edge of my trash can is all it takes. After they've been uniformed, I don't want to run anything into the pockets that will cut them any further. A bonus is that it doesn't take much time

-nosualc

 

[dmickey]

I also use a Black and Decker electric screw driver to power the case uniformer. But I also use the same uniformer to clean the pockets after firing. Don't need a separate pocket cleaning tool.

 

[jsthntn247]

I use my RCBS case prep center to uniform the pockets and also clean them after firing. I use the same primer pocket uniformer for both applications.