Input on High pressure flush system.

[Rustystud]

When I started building rifles 42 years ago, it took me about 3 hours to set up, dial in, turn, thread, pre drill, bore, ream, chamber/headspace a barrel. I was lucky to do 3 barrels in a weekend. In 2005 I built my first high pressure flush system. From 2005-2009 I was doing 300 plus barrels per year. I have reduced my volume to about 100 barrels per year. It takes me more time to set up and dial in +/- .0001" than to chamber a rifle barrel now. It cost me about $1,200.00 to build my first high pressure flush system, it paid for itself in a month. I taught a NRA Short course at TSJC about 5 years ago all my students helped build the system. Many of them went home and built their own system. It works so well that the engineers and gunsmiths Picatinny, NJ arsenal built and use daily a high pressure flush system.
There are many pictures and threads about this subject on Accurate Shooter, Benchrest Central, Practical Machinist, Home Shop Machinist etc.
Nat Lambeth

 

[Erik Cortina]

Erik, one of the biggest reason's for me building this was so i could reduce my chambering times. After you telling me how long it takes for you to chamber without a flush system i'm a little embarrassed to say how long it was taking me. Keep in mind i don't do this for a living, just for myself. So do you pre-drill, bore and then finish ream? Do you use the MARS system?

I chamber in the headstock using a 3 jaw Buck set tru or 4 jaw chuck and an outboard spider. I drill and prebore, so the actual reaming time is very short. Some guys swear by them, some don't, so again, it's about preference. If you think it will help you ream a better chamber, by all means, build it.

Good luck with build.

 

[tac284]

There are many pictures and threads about this subject on Accurate Shooter, Benchrest Central, Practical Machinist, Home Shop Machinist etc.
Nat Lambeth

Ya, i saw several but never found one that was that informative. Maybe i missed those, I did see some that use to have pictures but they were from 2005 and the pictures where no longer. I thought there might be a few folks that might injoy a build thread that had the numbers and where I bought everything, so far i think i was wrong, probably just delete this thread.

 

[Erik Cortina]

There are many pictures and threads about this subject on Accurate Shooter, Benchrest Central, Practical Machinist, Home Shop Machinist etc.
Nat Lambeth

Ya, i saw several but never found one that was that informative. Maybe i missed those, I did see some that use to have pictures but they were from 2005 and the pictures where no longer. I thought there might be a few folks that might injoy a build thread that had the numbers and where I bought everything, so far i think i was wrong, probably just delete this thread.

You are not wrong. Just because some of us don't use them does not mean there won't be another guy like you wanting to build his own some time. Information is a great thing to obtain and provide. Post your build and have fun!

 

[JohnMill]

I'm with tac284 in that I've never chambered very fast though I've used the GTR through the barrel flush system. I've given up trying for speed. I took Gordy's class and he did not emphasize speed and I took lessons from Viper and that was slower still but he taught me to use Nat Lambeth's micrometer reamer stop(and a few more tricks). It is still not fast. I did dial in like Erik (and Nat and Gordie) but now I use Viper's chambering fixture and method. I do not use the flush system because anything that places the emphasis on speed rather than precision is the wrong direction.
Show me a high pressure high speed automatic wind reading fixture and you got something.
John

 

[shortgrass]

You loose no precision by increasing speeds and feeds. As a matter of fact, you're no longer "rubbing your reamer to death". As a job shop machinist, I calculate speeds and feeds many times every day. More accurate tolerances are held and better finishes are achieved by running at the proper speeds and feeds. It takes me an hour or less to chamber with the flush system, never longer than 1 1/2hrs. and that's if the set-up is being a pain . I've had the opportunity to compare the chambers I cut to those cut by many other gunsmiths. Mine are just as good or better. There's no voodoo to cutting a good chamber, only those who would like you to think there is! When I can figure out how to reduce the file size of the pics I have of my pumping system, I'll post 'um.

 

[JohnMill]

Well, I guess that settles it, don't it.
John

 

[tac284]

A picture of my High Pressure Flush system.

There are no numbers between your

 

[Rustystud]

 

[tac284]

Update,

Getting close to finishing up. Had to take a break from it while i waited for some parts to show up. Still have to build the tube to get the oil to the barrel and an outboard spider to hold it. One other thing is the return pan, still need to build that to.

 

[jkohler]

Nice looking set up tac284. What is the lathe in the back there?

 

[tac284]

Nice looking set up tac284. What is the lathe in the back there?

Thanks jkohler.

The lathe in the picture is my new to me, WEBB (exact copy of a Mori Seiki) 16x40.

 

[jkohler]

That is a very nice looking lathe. Wouldn't mind one to add to the collection. What is the length threw the head stock on that one.

 

[tac284]

I'm gone right now, home for thanksgiving. Off the top of my head. 28-1/4" Spindle nose to rear of headstock. With the true bore alignment system and chuck, 35-1/2 i think. I will get some exacts if you would like them. The tolerances on them are very high. Wish i had the specs on it but never got the book for it.

Here is a better picture, This is when i first went to look at it.

 

[jkohler]

That's long for barrel work. The true bore set up takes care of that problem i would imagine. It is a very nice looking machine for sure.

 

[bibsmachine]

Very nice heavy lathe!! You bought a good one there for sure tac284.
Loren.

 

[tac284]

Thanks Loran! I use to run a Mori MH-3000 at an old job shop i worked at years ago, was very accurate and could remove metal at a high rate. This one is just of a smaller scale. I would consider these one a dimond in the ruff, it didnt have any of the typical crash markings you find on them. I was happy i found it within 5 hrs of where i leaved and for a great price. I just couldnt let it go to someone else! ;D

 

[DickE]

Well I like it very much, and think you are on the right track. Looks like you do excellent work, on and off the lathe. Most of us are in continual search for something better, or time saving, until we are happy enough with the way we eventually achieve our goals. A search for precision, is really what this whole website is about isn't it? BE PROUD.