Neck turning pm

[vano]

What rpm's is optimum
Thanks vano

 

[jimcasey01]

vano,
I think most say around 180 rpm, but that is just a suggestion. Many of the folks on here are running 300-500-800 rpm or maybe more. Keep the mandrel lubricated, and you should be OK if you are not generating too much heat and have no symptoms of galling. You will get a good finish quicker, with more rpm. I am certain that I will get flamed from someone for my response. Some of the machinists on the forum can give the best advice. I would give their answers a bit more weight.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

You can cut brass very fast. The issue is heat build up in the neck and the tool needing to float. Go as fast as you can while giving good results. 180 rpm is good advice.

 

[ridgeway]

Also depends on how much you are taking off. If you hog a bunch off at a time, the cutter pushes the brass tight against the mandrel. I turn my Dasher brass in two steps to arrive at .009" thickness. First cutter is set to take off .0095" and the other cutter is taking off the last .0005". I lube, expand and lube again for the first pass at lower RPM's. The neck comes off the mandrel a little tight. Tight enough not to take another pass. Expand again for the second cutting operation which is done at high speeds with no heat or tightness. I run a Dewalt drill on setting 3. Comes out a mirror finish and holds under a tenth. I do them in lots of 5 to keep the first neck turner from getting too warm.

Point is, if you are taking off very little, high speeds will work great. Experiment and see what works best for you...50 thousand ways to do it, LOL

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I drop my cutter in a tray of ice water between pieces. That way the cutter is at the same temp for every case.