Gunsmith lathe

[6XC]

Hi,what would be regarded as a top lathe for gunsmithing ?
Not looking to profile or polish barrels with this lathe just chambering and crowning !
Was thinking of a toolroom lathe .
Opinions on this subject would be great .
Looking to spend 4-6k on one and i am based in Europe .

 

[Preacher]

Most of the tool room lathes don't have a large enough hole in the headstock to do much barrel work....

 

[MDSpencer]

My thought goes to a Rockwell 11" lathe. They aren't made any more but you can find them around the used machinery dealers. Mark

 

[BoydAllen]

Look for big enough hole through the headstock, and as short as you can get through the headstock, if you are planning on chambering that way. A friend has an 11" ( I think) Emco that he likes.

 

[bozo699]

By big enough they mean at least 1.250 through the head stock as that is the size of most barrel blanks, 1.500 would even be better in my opinion. I have a old lathe with a 1" hole through the head stock, you can do barrel work on it but it sure would be nice to be able to run the barrel through the head.
Wayne.

 

[6XC]

Thanks guys , is there many gunsmiths using toolroom lathes ?
Are there any advantages to theses lathes ?
Have found a french toolroom lathe with a 1.5" hole ,is there enough room for adjustment with a 1.25" barrel ?
Thanks for the advice so far ,guys .

 

[BoydAllen]

How does it look as far as headstock length? It has a big enough hole, is short enough, and will cut all the different threads that you anticipate, it sounds like you may have a find. What make and model?

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

I use a tool room lathe as it had tighter tolerances than a standard engine lathe. If you have 1.5 spindle bore you will be fine. 1.25 is cutting it close. Happy chip making.

 

[shortgrass]

Thanks guys , is there many gunsmiths using toolroom lathes ?
Are there any advantages to theses lathes ?
Have found a french toolroom lathe with a 1.5" hole ,is there enough room for adjustment with a 1.25" barrel ?
Thanks for the advice so far ,guys .

1.5" will give all the adjustment you may ever need. The "tool room" lathes I have used have been a Clausings or South Bends, not really much 'special' about them , other than their quality. When it comes to manuel machines, the "skill" is in the machinist not the machine. A good engine lathe is all thats needed (one that's not worn out). Set it up right. Make sure the machine is level and the tail stock 'agrees' with the head stock. You can't cut a chamber smaller (in diameters) than the reamer is. I cut some fine chambers on an old South Bend engine lathe (13" x 40") that was driven by a flat leather belt and had a 'back gear' for slower spindle speeds. It was just as useful as the geared head machine I replaced it with, except the ol' South Bend wasn't metric capable for threading. A lathe with at least a 12" (13" is even better) swing is, IMO, about the best size for barrel work. It allows you to make many other tools and items for your shop that you will discover you "need".

 

[butchlambert]

I'll second the 11" Rockwell. An Emco Meier is an excellent lathe used by Dwight Scott, Southbend H10, and I have a 6913 Clausing. The Clausing needs double catheads to do the 19" barrels.

 

[dksac2]

Look around, I have seen some darn nice 40" lathes free, just pay shipping or for very little money.
They are out there, you just have to look. With so many going to CNC, they are out there.

You need to talk to a lot of machinests, they know of the deals.

John

 

[butchlambert]

OK!
Know lots of machinest and tool and diemakers, my Uncle Bill is in the machinery sales business and I would like to know where these free machines reside.

 

[bozo699]

OK!
Know lots of machinest and tool and diemakers, my Uncle Bill is in the machinery sales business and I would like to know where these free machines reside.

Me Too!!

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

Sign me up for the freebies!

 

[dksac2]

My son and best friend both got free Clausings, both in fantastic condition.
The one my son got was close by, the other cost my friend close to $900. to have shipped, but it was worth every cent. You have to keep looking and asking. Connections help. As said, machinests will be the best source.

My Best, John K

 

[butchlambert]

You know, My friend gave me a Corvette that his MIL died in.

 

[45bpcr]

Mind if I ask a question or 2?

This is something I'm interested in a well.
I fully understand walking into a deal on good used stuff but that is "catch as catch can" so to speak.
I've been casually looking at machine tools like this from Grizzly

http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-x-39-Large-Combo-Lathe-Mill/G4791

And this

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Gunsmith-s-Bench-Top-Lathe-with-Stand/G4003G

I know their "imported" and probably would not stand up to the rigors of production work.
But my space at the shop is taken up with automotive concerns as is most of my tool budget.
I have an area that I could put one of these machines in and could probably pass it off as a business expence

( anyone ever price a dealer level scan tool for european cars? ) I have several, the one for Mercedes and BMW was $28K and $3500.00 a year for up-dates.

I'd use machine tools like this for my own use and mabey for friends. I just don't know anyone who's used them, as machinist friends of mine use much higher end stuff. ( and $49.00 Actron code readers for thier cars )

Thanks,

45Bpcr

 

[butchlambert]

Been in the auto business for over 40yrs. I have my own shop that my Son operates. Been in business for 33yrs. I know a little about scan tools and software and updates. Unfortunately it doesn't help you decide on which machine tools that you can afford. I was lucky enough to buy a complete manual machine shop several years ago at a reasonable cost. It had a lot of tooling, but not a whole lot that I could use for gunsmithing. I have a couple friends with the Grizzlys and they do good work on them. They do not like the D1-6 chuck setup. Too heavy for old men.

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

Waiting on your son for the D1 4 spider invention. You know we all need one sooner than now : )