Lets talk neck turners ?

[Gman]

First, I don't have any tight neck chambers & have never turned necks. But I would like to purchase a neck turner to "clean up" the necks for my .271 6BR chamber, and my .308 Win "match" chamber. I want to turn these by hand. (no machine or lathe) Now my question is, "Why is Don Nielsons "Pumpkin" neck turner considered the best ? Also, is the 21st Century as good as the Pumpkin ? And finaly, why are there differences in the mandrel materials such as titanium, nitrided, carbide, & stainless steel ? (what are the advantages of 1 material over the other ?) Please forgive my ignorance on this topic.

 

[vern]

Don's is good. But as far as best that is just a matter of opinion and you will probably get a lot of them.
I have used Don's but I prefer the K&M set up.
I got a whole new set up from them a couple or 3 years ago.
You can go to their sight and look at the whole enchilada.
Be sure to look at the ergo holder its great. Better than the big round of the pumpkin.
It adjusts easier too.

The new 21st centry setup looks good but I have not tried it.

 

[dreever]

www.pmatool.com You could buy the model B set up by PMA to your specs and save a lot of money since you just want to clean up a no turn neck.

Danny

 

[shooter63]

21st century for me thanks shooter63

 

[ridgeway]

I just received a PMA. I haven't used it yet, but by messing with it, its one nice precision tool! Extremely high quality and looks very promising.

I've always used K&M and have a couple units which work well.

 

[jkohler]

I like the PMA tool so far the best out of the ones I have used. It is so easy to adjust and change form cal to cal and get the same result as the last time you used it. I would buy another one form Pat in a heart beat. For the guy turning lots of cases the carbide is the way to go. But if your not in a hurry good old stainless steel works just fine to. You just have to let it cool more often. Look on PMA's site and he has a explanation of the difference of the two materials.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

I have used all of the neck turners mentioned here. I now use the PMA tool. Simply put; it's very easy touse and COMFORTABLE!! Don't think I'll be buying another neck turner.

 

[bozo699]

I have used all of the neck turners mentioned here. I now use the PMA tool. Simply put; it's very easy touse and COMFORTABLE!! Don't think I'll be buying another neck turner.

A big plus one on Barry's post for me.
Wayne.

 

[brian427cobra]

I use a 21st Century turner, I have nothing to compare it to, it was easy to set up, comfortable in my hand, and it flat out works great.

 

[lurcher]

Just looked at the PMA site, Just when I thought I had every tool I needed... I have a K&M and for me it can be fiddly to set up and the cutters are only available with 1 angle (as far as I know).

one question about that PMA turner, how easy is it to adjust the length of cut (as opposed to the depth). Also I'm guessing the K&M mandrels are not 3/8inch shank as it states that 21st century and sinclair mandrels will fit it but no mention of K&M?

 

[bozo699]

Just looked at the PMA site, Just when I thought I had every tool I needed... I have a K&M and for me it can be fiddly to set up and the cutters are only available with 1 angle (as far as I know).

one question about that PMA turner, how easy is it to adjust the length of cut (as opposed to the depth). Also I'm guessing the K&M mandrels are not 3/8inch shank as it states that 21st century and sinclair mandrels will fit it but no mention of K&M?

The depth of cut is of course a little easier as it has a micro adjust knob but the length is quite easy, loosen one set screw and adjust another one and then tighten the first one back down, just about like most others do
Wayne

 

[lurcher]

Thanks Wayne I also measured the diameter of a K&M mandrel and it is narrower than 3/8 of an inch

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

Thanks Wayne I also measured the diameter of a K&M mandrel and it is narrower than 3/8 of an inch

I tested an adapter for Pat so that the PMA tool will accept K&M madrels... and it works PERFECTLY....
This allows you to keep your K&M expanders and the cutting mandrels and still use his cutters.

FYI... I now have switched over to using PMA neck turners exclusively. I own 2, and will be buying 2 more soon. The cutters are just more smooth.

 

[lurcher]

Dang I wish I knew that a couple of hours ago.... Just ordered a mandrel and a turner.......

I know the diameter of the K&M and Sinclair expander mandrels are slightly different anyone know if the PMA expander diameters are the same as the sinclair?

 

[nra-for-life]

Dang I wish I knew that a couple of hours ago.... Just ordered a mandrel and a turner.......

I know the diameter of the K&M and Sinclair expander mandrels are slightly different anyone know if the PMA expander diameters are the same as the sinclair?

from the pma website..."Accepts 3/8" shank stainless or carbide mandrels made by PMA Tool, Sinclair International or 21st Century Shooting.
Mandrels sold separately."

 

[Leaddog]

My current lot of Lapua .308 brass shows a variance from .0145 to .01525. I skim turn my new brass to .0145 for my no turn chamber. I only do it once (when new) and use a 21st Century and lathe. The results are perfect and highly recommend this setup. I use the Titanium mandrels. They don't burnish like the steel ones do.

 

[ridgeway]

I used the PMA and the adjustability is second to none. Very nice. The only thing I don't care for is their mandrel. It is. 001" smaller than my K&M's. I simply ordered the PMA adapter so I can use the K&M mandrels. That way it works with my K&M expander.