neck turning made a little bit easier?

[lpreddick]

i really don't like neck turning..a little bit boring. i chanced upon a process that speeded things up a bit. after neck sizing i push the open neck down into a thin, 1/8 in, layer of case lube. i make my own with melted anhydrous lanolin mixed with automatic transmission fluid and 10w-30 synthetic oil with a little of stp oil treatment. i then put the case thru the wilson neck expander (really slick). some lube is now inside the neck and a small ring forms a collar at the opening of the neck. put the case on my variable speed drill, turn slowly and insert neck trimmer mandrel into lubed neck and the cutter goes down the neck slick as you can imagine. the sound of the brass being cut is softer, not grindy( not a real word). i used to put a drop of oil on the mandrel and case neck using a q-tip...a lot of manipulations not necessary with this latest change.

 

[284driver]

Nice concoction. Care to share the mixture details.

 

[lpreddick]

i like to cook also and usually do it freehand. the "recipe" is really trial and not much error. the lanolin can be obtained from many pharmacies. melting it is usually done in a double boiler type apparatus. i have done this using a microwave but it's slow since there is no water in "anhydrous" lanolin which is what absorbes energy...be careful as the lanolin get hot, the double boiler is safer. once melted, add "some" automatic transmission fluid until pink (the stuff is red), stir in some 10w-30 synthetic, stir, then add some stp oil treatment(not sure if this is needed). it should be thickish...let cool and has the consistency of softened butter. used as a case lube a little bit goes a long way, and it is very slippery, albeit a bit messy...i don't like stuck cases! also, leave out the lanolin and mix 2 parts atfluid, 1 part 10w-30 and 1 part stp and you have a great gun oil that does not run. some add marvel's mystery oil and hoppe's no 9 to this for whatever reason...probably helps dull the smell of the atfluid,since marvel's and the no 9 smell great. enjoy.

 

[fdshuster]

I also got tired of outside neck turning by hand, using the Sinclair NT-4000. Main problem was sore finger joints & hands.

Got the bright idea of using my drill press with the Lapua case(s) held in the chuck with the Sinclair shellholder(s).

Drill speed adjusted to the slowest available, 600 rpm, & it works fine. getting perfect cuts in 1/4 the time required when hand turning. I'm using CLP BreakFree applied to the case necks with a cotton q-tip.

 

[DennisH]

I use RCBS liquid case lube, put a little in a cap, I dip the case neck in the lube and trim. Works perfect as well! And not that messy!

 

[Bulseyetom]

I use a 50/50 blend of STP and Synthetic motor oil with an eyedropper to lube my mandrel and case neck. I have a motorized neck turning outfit for a PPC case and haven't bothered to buy another shellholder for the .470 cases. One of these days I will probably sell the motor as I no longer shoot benchrest so 40 cases last me several years on my hunting rifles. My present tight neck chambers don't require more than one cut so doing it by hand keeps me occupied for an hour or so! Tom

 

[amlevin]

By no means original but I use Hornady Unique lube for all my lube requirements when sizing or neck turning. Works great for sizing, expanding, turning and I don't have to have more than ONE lube sitting around.

Having worked in the "lube" industry for a time in my life, there aren't really high pressure/temps involved so just about any lube from motor oil to bearing grease will work. One thing to consider is how hard it will be to remove whatever you use before the final steps of loading.

 

[trental]

"Worked in the lube industry"... is that what they call it these days?? ;D

 

[amlevin]

"Worked in the lube industry"... is that what they call it these days?? ;D

I don't know what they call it today but I worked there back when "Service Stations" actually provided Service. I worked with commercial lubes and fuel for one of the "Biggies".

Nowdays all the Oil Companies seem to provide is "Gas". One is fuel for your car and the other is the hot air they give out when defending their profits.

 

[lngrnge]

I use Crisco. My grandfather always used it when he cut brass on his lathes. Works great on mandrel and OD. very smooth cuts.

 

[jlow]

I think the problem with Crisco is that it is vegetable-based oil which means it can spoil and go rancid which would not be good.

 

[trental]

Crisco, once opened has a shelf life of 1-year... according to Crisco. That is for cooking with it. I would imagine it would be quite a while longer before it goes rancid.