GRACEY NECK SHAVER

[jonbearman]

I was wondering if anyone has one and can comment on how good it works and how hard it is to set up?Thanks to all who reply.

 

[ronemus]

I have a Gracey neck shaver, and really like it; however, it's only really useful if you're doing a lot of brass. I've found that's it's critical to have the mandrel ~0.001" smaller than the ID of your case necks, otherwise the cutters swage the neck down and the cut is uneven. The good news is that Sinclair expander/neck turning mandrels fit, and can be reduced a few thousandths by chucking them up and polishing with fine Emery paper. Setting up the cutters is fussy, but basically involve setting the first for the thickness you want, then adjusting the others until they cut a bit too much and backing off; this means you'll spoil at least two cases.

The neck should be lubricated inside and out (I use Imperial Die Wax) or else the mandrel and cutters will wear quickly. The cutting head must be kept clear of trimmings for good results, but the rim of the cutting head traps a wad of brass wool that eventually interferes with the cutters, producing a loud screech. To avoid that the cuttings must be removed every 50 rounds or so. I got tired of doing that, so I did a Dremel job to remove most of the rim, leaving a ring at the front. Now I can do ~1000 cases before I have to clean the cuttings out.

The Gracey Neck Shaver does a good job (<0.00025" runout vs. <0.0001" for a hand tool) and is very fast, but the cost and effort arent worth it unless you're doing a lot of brass. For 50-100 cases, I'd use a hand tool with a Sinclair case driver in a power drill.

 

[jonbearman]

Thanks,that is what I wanted to know.

 

[Baer45]

Same here

 

[jlshaw]

I have a Gracey neck shaver, and really like it; however, it's only really useful if you're doing a lot of brass. I've found that's it's critical to have the mandrel ~0.001" smaller than the ID of your case necks, otherwise the cutters swage the neck down and the cut is uneven. The good news is that Sinclair expander/neck turning mandrels fit, and can be reduced a few thousandths by chucking them up and polishing with fine Emery paper. Setting up the cutters is fussy, but basically involve setting the first for the thickness you want, then adjusting the others until they cut a bit too much and backing off; this means you'll spoil at least two cases.

The neck should be lubricated inside and out (I use Imperial Die Wax) or else the mandrel and cutters will wear quickly. The cutting head must be kept clear of trimmings for good results, but the rim of the cutting head traps a wad of brass wool that eventually interferes with the cutters, producing a loud screech. To avoid that the cuttings must be removed every 50 rounds or so. I got tired of doing that, so I did a Dremel job to remove most of the rim, leaving a ring at the front. Now I can do ~1000 cases before I have to clean the cuttings out.

The Gracey Neck Shaver does a good job (<0.00025" runout vs. <0.0001" for a hand tool) and is very fast, but the cost and effort arent worth it unless you're doing a lot of brass. For 50-100 cases, I'd use a hand tool with a Sinclair case driver in a power drill.

Agree 100%. I bought one several years go and have been happy with it. It's a PITA to set up but once it's set, it runs.