Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide? Clarified the Question

[muddy72]

Whoa! I really didn't expect to get so much talk on the subject but I really appreciate everybody's attention!

My net access has been limited today and it looks like I need to clarify my question:

I use a PMA Model A Neck Turner with their carbide neck turning mandrels and prefer the carbide for the turning process.

I've got stainless neck expanding mandrels from PMA and they serve their purpose. I'm about to order my 2 mandrels for a new caliber and I'm considering the carbide neck expanding mandrel from PMA. I'd like to make 1 order and upgrade my few neck expanding mandrels to carbide. My question: For the neck expanding process is it worth spending the money on carbide?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Stainless is fine

 

[savagedasher]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Tool steel Larry

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Yea- the non carbide mandrel they offer

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Once you use carbide you wont go back. It will leave a much better finish inside the neck, wont gall the brass, and requires less or no lube. It will also create less heat which will keep your necks from getting thicker. Set it in ice water or on a cool pad to regulate the temp or by the time your done the necks will be .0001-.0002" thicker than when you began.

 

[JRS]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Always being the experimenter, I have a method to cool and lubricate in one step.

 

[Scott Harris]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Once you use carbide you wont go back. It will leave a much better finish inside the neck, wont gall the brass, and requires less or no lube. It will also create less heat which will keep your necks from getting thicker. Set it in ice water or on a cool pad to regulate the temp or by the time your done the necks will be .0001-.0002" thicker than when you began.

+1
you can get it done with regular steel, but carbide is so much better to work with.

 

[joshb]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Always being the experimenter, I have a method to cool and lubricate in one step.

Ok. I'm curious. Do ya turn IN the bucket of ice water?

 

[Mr.Spradlin]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Always being the experimenter, I have a method to cool and lubricate in one step.

Ok. I'm curious. Do ya turn IN the bucket of ice water?

I have found a bowl of rubbing alcohol works for this

 

[ShootDots]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Personally, I think carbide should be the ONLY turning mandrels ever made. AND after you have tried a carbide EXPANDER mandrel, you will NEVER want to ever use a Stainless Steel one again! Talk to any mechanic or machinist>>> they will tell you to use the right tool for the job at hand! Not only is it EASIER it ends up creating a much better finished product.

 

[noload]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

I have a couple carbide turning mandrels they are as nice as their price. But I'm fortunate and have a lathe to make my own from SS to the exact size I need to get the best fit to turn. This is what I do and have no heat or galling problems.

 

[JRS]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Always being the experimenter, I have a method to cool and lubricate in one step.

Ok. I'm curious. Do ya turn IN the bucket of ice water?

No ice water, no alcohol.

 

[joshb]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Always being the experimenter, I have a method to cool and lubricate in one step.

Ok. I'm curious. Do ya turn IN the bucket of ice water?

No ice water, no alcohol.

OK. Still curious! Gonna keep me guessing? Liquid nitrogen? Why do these posts ALWAYS pop up the minute after I buy stuff? I ordered the stainless.

 

[JRS]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

No liquid nitrogen. SS mandrels work just fine.

 

[AckleymanII]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

type of lube and turning speed is paramount.

I found Lee Sizing wax to be better than any petroleum based product, used it as a lube on bullet jackets also when making bullets. I turned thousands of cases using a slow speed drill press, and It is hard to find a slow speed drill press below 170 rpm. The Lee Sizing lube is a water based product also.

I have never used a carbide mandrel, but would opt for it if the option were available for the turner I am using for high volume applications, otherwise, SS would suffice as long as your mandrel fits properly. If your case neck is too tight on your mandrel, then gauling will be more apt to build up. Tight cases on mandrels will work better with carbide.

As this subject of mandrel quality is discussed, the number of cases you will be turning is very important to consider, also if you are going to be using a power adapter of some sort. The subject of heat and mandrel gauling go hand in hand. As the mandrel gets warm, gauling will start and get worse.

A varmint hunter trying to prep 1000's of cases for various rifles has very different needs than a bench rest shooter that is turning 50 cases to wear out a rifle barrel with. For a Varmint hunter, he should only consider the Carbide Mandrel, you only have to cry once on the price, then pass it down to your kids and grand kids because it will never wear out or rust.

Take a look at the drill here listed on ebay. This drill has the speed control in the trigger, will get down to 15 rpm if you need slow speed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-Electric-IMPACT-HAMMER-DRILL-Variable-Speed-and-Reversible-with-Level-NEW-/141749008716?hash=item2100e6394c

This type of drill will do a fantastic job on turning necks, cheap and very fast in turning necks. I mention using a drill because many of my fellow shooters have arthritis in their fingers and hands which results in a lot of pain from turning case necks. You can check the pawn shops if you have those near you for adjustable speed drills.

Discussions of mandrels types should also include sizing/expansion mandrels and mandrel lubrication.

 

[amlevin]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Take a look at the drill here listed on ebay. This drill has the speed control in the trigger, will get down to 15 rpm if you need slow speed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-Electric-IMPACT-HAMMER-DRILL-Variable-Speed-and-Reversible-with-Level-NEW-/141749008716?hash=item2100e6394c

This type of drill will do a fantastic job on turning necks, cheap and very fast in turning necks. I mention using a drill because many of my fellow shooters have arthritis in their fingers and hands which results in a lot of pain from turning case necks. You can check the pawn shops if you have those near you for adjustable speed drills.

No doubt this is a nice inexpensive drill. Size wise it's over-kill unless neck turning 20mm cannon brass 8)


Cordless screwdrivers are the ticket with their gear recuction, compact size, and longevity if you get a good one.

 

[jsthntn247]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Put this on it after every other one.

 

[JRS]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Put this on it after every other one.

There it is Coolant and lubricant in one step 8)

 

[LHSmith]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Getting into another caliber and upgrading some equipment. Are carbide expanders for turning the only way to go now? Is stainless still sufficient?

What's everybody's thoughts!

Pretty sure the question was about expander mandrels, not turning mandels. Who spins to expand the necks? IMO stn.stl. is OK for expanding mandrels / for turning mandrels carbide is a must for producing neck walls with-in 1/1000"

 

[JRS]

Re: Expander Mandrels: Stainless or Carbide?

Getting into another caliber and upgrading some equipment. Are carbide expanders for turning the only way to go now? Is stainless still sufficient?

What's everybody's thoughts!

Pretty sure the question was about expander mandrels, not turning mandels. Who spins to expand the necks? IMO stn.stl. is OK for expanding mandrels / for turning mandrels carbide is a must for producing neck walls with-in 1/1000"

The question could be a bit misleading. The OP asked: "Are carbide expanders for turning the only way to go now?"