K&M neck turner Q's

[robbor]

I have a few questions, I am interested in getting a neck turner and would like to buy the right equipment the first time.
My main question stems around the doughnut cutter. I have never encountered a doughnut nor do I normally seat in far enough to hit it if I did but if I ever did I would like to be able to remedy.

1.Is the doughnut cutter needed?
I was just thinking that if you use the expanderiorn on the neck wont it either semi flatten the doughnut or push it to the outside???

2.Do you recomend getting a normal pilot along with the doughnut pilot?

3.Is the pilot jack needed or usefull?

4. Does the K&M neck tool come with a carbide cutter? I have herd that they are avail but an not sure.

5. Does the neck tool have enough clearance for remington ultra mag cartridges?

6. Anybody use the 50cal neck turner? Would there be any benefit to using it for 30 cal or whould the larger size just allow for addition pressure to vary the cutting.

I plan on calling Ken tomarrow, I just wanted to get some outside input on the doughnut cutter.
Thanks, Rob

 

[vmthtr]

Carbide is availible, but only on the doghnut cutter style, which I recommend you get.

Mike

 

[anyrange]

Rob,
1. Donut cutter mandrel is a good thing. I use my in a different way to remove any donuts I get.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jesse99/6XC_DonutCutter.html

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jesse99/15MOA_Taper.html

2. Pilot jack helps make the depth adjustments or setting easier. After setting, I place the pilot jack on the end of the cutter and it helps my hand hold the tool or counter the torque while cutting.

 

[chuckw2]

Larry,
Very interesting post.


Chuck

 

[JamesnTN]

This is my take on the K&M and as a dealer I have sold and advised many on there needs.

unless you are necking down a case to a smaller bore dia you do not need the carbide mandrel with the donut cutter with exception of 6.5-284 they seem to always get a donut.

The pilot jack I don't see a use for as if you have a set of calipers or mics you set the depth of the pilot from this and be precise to .001 or less if you have handled mics in the past.

You will need to expand iron to go with the neck turner

The fulted mandrel for the turner has it's place for sure and I have yet to see where it is needed on cases that are not being necked down and I have 8 of them sitting here setup for various calibers ready at anytime to turn necks with only one with the donut cutter out of the 8.

 

[Forum Boss]

I agree with James, though I would add that if you're shooting a Rem 260, you WILL get doughnuts if you neck-up from .243. So for that, get a carbide mandrel. But for other calibers, it's too easy to score the inside of the necks with that cutter tip. I think Jason got Ken to make him a Carbide NT mandrel with a plain end--no cutter tip. That would be the ticket for normal neck-turning duties when no inside reaming is required.

 

[Preacher]

Those pesky doughnuts will form on many different cases if you use bushings like the Reddings that will neck all the way to the bottom.
The carbide fluted cutters are a plus for that reason and are worth the extra money.
The doughnuts may not contact the bullet base but you better believe that they will cause a problem with ignition.
Think about a restrictor plate on a NASCAR carb they will restrict the fuel air flow just like the doughnut will restrict combustion of the burning powder in the case.
The K&M tool is the best in my opinion for whatever thats worth........

 

[robbor]

Hello all, thank for the reply's.
For Larry, I have read your articles in the past and have to say the it semi confuses, as I have heard that I should be using the doughnut cutter while neck turning in 1 step. Your article states using a slopppy neck on the mandral to create your 15 moa bevel, why add another step and not just simply use the cutter with a tight neck and remove the doughnut straight. The only reason I can think of is you are worried about more brass flowing into the neck area.. In another area or article you state that the cutter doesnt even contact the doughnut. All that said I probably did not read it close enogh either.

No one touched on have a normal mandrel also, but scoring was mentioned, so I take that as a yes.

as for the cutter avail in carbide, I am referring to the actual outside cutter itself, not the the doughnut cutter mandrel, nor a normal mandrel in carbide. I have heard thet they can be had but for $40.

I guess I will answer my question when I get one.

I just got off the phone with Ken, "No Answer" oh well.

To James, I received your quote on the turners last week via email, Im waiting for some $$$ to come in.

Just got a call from Ken. He said no carbide cutters are avail but had some made in the past and no differance was seen for cutter life. All cutters come normally with 40 deg angle.

He mentioned that that he uses the doughnut cutter mandrel for everything and that the scoring would be from improper use.

He says the new neck turners have enough clearance for Rem Ultra Mag cartridges.

 

[Preacher]

I'll go along with Ken on the improper use of the tool if your having problems with scoreing the insides of the necks.
Keep em straight and go slow and there will be no problems there.

 

[jb1000br]

I think Jason got Ken to make him a Carbide NT mandrel with a plain end--no cutter tip. That would be the ticket for normal neck-turning duties when no inside reaming is required.

Nope -- I use a Hart NT Tool

JB