how to become a gunsmith

[338 Mollett]

Ok!When you set up a barrel and the ind. or range rod indicates .0001 from front to back,and you have a floating reamer holder.What more can a man do?Every thing in the process depends on each other to do their job.My lathe does not leave the factory above .0002 run out on the spindle bore,I have a good one it spins at that tolerance.From there we chase the weakest link,how accurate is the pilot bushing,the range rod, the reamer.Yes chambers can be over sized hence the floating reamer holder if there is something I'm missing I'm all ears. Thank You for helping to improve my skills!

 

[Raythemanroe]

How do you Chuck the barrel up? The copper wire makes sense to me.. A guy could indicate of his rod and use the best floating reamer with a super lathe and all be for not if he is just inputting torque into the barrel.

Ray

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I think you all are getting my point. That being, when claims of .0001-.0002 tolerances are made...question it. Anyone that understands all that's in play, will understand that all we can do is our honest best. If a smith puts pride and care into their work, along with good practices and understanding, the job will be a good one. I have more respect for someone that acknowledges this than someone who claims .0001-.0002 tolerances in their basement garage.

 

[338 Mollett]

I agree Ray,I use a brass bushing with a raised .180 wide ledge in the middle on my 4 jaw the ledge allows me to make adjustments without torquing the barrel.I also use a spider on the back of the head stock.Gunsandgunsmithing it says you are from Kentucky I live in Owensboro.We have a few guys here that know what they are doing aiming a rifle and working on one.You might research that a little before you get too critical.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I agree Ray,I use a brass bushing with a raised .180 wide ledge in the middle on my 4 jaw the ledge allows me to make adjustments without torquing the barrel.I also use a spider on the back of the head stock.Gunsandgunsmithing it says you are from Kentucky I live in Owensboro.We have a few guys here that know what they are doing aiming a rifle and working on one.You might research that a little before you get too critical.

I'm not critical of people that know what they are doing. I'm critical of those that blow smoke. I thought I had made that point. In one post, you throw around .0001" tolerances and in another you admit that your lathe will only hold .0002" That's an example of what I AM critical of.
So, how does one verify .0001" claims in a lathe with .0002" headstock runout? Simple...you can't.

 

[butchlambert]

Mike, now you know why I think it is important for a person to take a machining course before attempting any lathe work. A floating reamer holder does nothing good for you. I'm not jumping 338 Mollett's case, he just needs to understand basic machining a little more.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Mike, now you know why I think it is important for a person to take a machining course before attempting any lathe work. A floating reamer holder does nothing good for you. I'm not jumping 338 Mollett's case, he just needs to understand basic machining a little more.

Yes Butch. I agree. I spent years doing tool and die work, and understand what working in tenths is, and it's not done in someone's basement. Another thing...It's one thing to measure in tenths, but a whole nother thing machining to them. I liken it to cutting with a hacksaw and measuring with a micrometer, as most lathes are incapable of machining to the tolerances some claim. Granted, reaming a hole can be done quite well, but then throw in the fact that the hole that we are shooting for alignment to...wanders around.


I still say that what we do when chambering to the best standards is still just to our best abilities.


Mollett, I'm sorry if I said something that you took as criticism directed at you. If you can verify .0001-.0002 claims, I'll admit that I was wrong, but don't try it in a lathe with 2/10ths runout, as that can't get smaller and will only compound things. That's the point I'm trying to drive home. We can't do better than the machinery will allow. Add tool and machine deflection, heat, both in the machine, the material and the measuring equipment into the equation...and what does that .0002 machine ACTUALLY produce? Even to accurately measure to those tolerances requires properly calibrated equipment and in a lab environment at a controlled 67-69 degrees F.

 

[338 Mollett]

Boy you guys put me to work! I re chucked my proud barrel,dialed it in to .0001 then checked the chamber 3and a half out.I stand corrected and man enough to admit it.Now I gotta figure out why.