Fluted bbl

[grovey]

Can a fluted bbl be turned to thin the contour down a bit?

 

[DaveTooley]

No

 

[Edd]

No

Why not?

 

[DaveTooley]

Interrupted cuts do not work well.
I guess it you wanted to make collars for various locations on the barrel to hold it in a steady rest then use HSS tool and turned it slowly you could get it done. Then you have to polish it and that can be sporty trying to get a good finish that doesn't make the top of the flutes look rounded off.
Just say no is the best course of action.

 

[rwk]

Interrupted cuts do not work well.
I guess it you wanted to make collars for various locations on the barrel to hold it in a steady rest then use HSS tool and turned it slowly you could get it done. Then you have to polish it and that can be sporty trying to get a good finish that doesn't make the top of the flutes look rounded off.
Just say no is the best course of action.

Dave i have a barrel that i would like to lighten can u do it

 

[boltfluter]

I did one for myself. But like Dave said, it is no fun to say the least! I would not do one for a customer, as it literally is an all day job and no one could afford it!

Paul

 

[butchlambert]

When guys on top of the heap say no, I've learned not to question them and go to something else.

 

[LHSmith]

Interrupted cuts do not work well.
I guess it you wanted to make collars for various locations on the barrel to hold it in a steady rest then use HSS tool and turned it slowly you could get it done. Then you have to polish it and that can be sporty trying to get a good finish that doesn't make the top of the flutes look rounded off.
Just say no is the best course of action.

 

[Will Henry]

I've done a few and while it can be done, it IS difficult to get the flutes to finish up right. I have turned the flutes off entirely (on a fluted heavy barrel) and that was easier than trying to go halfway. On the whole, any gunsmith who has nothing to prove should just say "No"; just as Dave has recommended. WH

 

[DaveTooley]

I've done a few and while it can be done, it IS difficult to get the flutes to finish up right. I have turned the flutes off entirely (on a fluted heavy barrel) and that was easier than trying to go halfway. On the whole, any gunsmith who has nothing to prove should just say "No"; just as Dave has recommended. WH

Liked "nothing to prove"

 

[MClark]

I have turned down two fluted barrels. The interrupted cut is an issue but just take very shallow cuts. One the outside contour was even with bottom of the flutes the other the customer wanted the flutes to nearly taper out, actually looked cool.
Using an ancient huge tracer lathe.
If the customer is willing to pay for the time I will do it again.

 

[Stephen Frith]

I have turned down two fluted barrels. The interrupted cut is an issue but just take very shallow cuts. One the outside contour was even with bottom of the flutes the other the customer wanted the flutes to nearly taper out, actually looked cool.
Using an ancient huge tracer lathe.
If the customer is willing to pay for the time I will do it again.

Why could not the areas between the flutes be milled a bit lower? Would make the barrel smaller and turn it into a whatever-a-gon, eh?
Stephen

 

[TAJ45]

Why could not the areas between the flutes be milled a bit lower? Would make the barrel smaller and turn it into a whatever-a-gon, eh?
Stephen

Wellll heck, then why not just go ahead and diamond flute it like a bolt. Reeeeeal eye catching that!