Neck turning

[284driver]

I have a Sinclair neck turning tool, but don't like the way it adjusts. you have to use an allen wrench to make all adjustments. I recently saw a k & k neck turning fixture. it looks so much more user friendly as far as adjusting is concerned. any oppinions out there on the two, or another brand that is good. Forster is pretty much like the sinclair from what i see. Also, i use the oversized pilot expand the neck just a hair bigger to get the all the imperfections to the top, also to make the case turn easier on the actual turning pilot. is that a viable option with the k and m as well. thanks for any input.

 

[284driver]

i answered one of my questions by reading a little further on the K and M website. The expandiron pilots push imperfections to the surface and make turning easier. Any other information would be appreciated though.

 

[fdshuster]

skyav8r: I also started w/ the Sinclair neck turner,, NT-1000). Adjusting the depth of cut was trial & error, mostly error with some very $$$ Lapua ruined. Bought the K&M outside neck turner and never regretted it. I am able to make accurate, repeatable adjustments to within .0010", just as Ken Markle advertises. Have not used the Sinclair since: keep it adjusted for the 6ppc, and use the K&M for 6BR & 22BR. Noted your ident: I'm ATP w/ type ratings in Gulfstream, JetStar, Citations, etc. fdshuster@hotmail.com

 

[284driver]

hello fdshuster,
always nice to meet a fellow pilot. i kinda gathered that the k and m is better. probably go ahead and order one. Did yours come with a hole for a dial indicator to measure neck thickness? Where are you based. i'm @ kbcb.

 

[mikecr]

Have you taken it down to a feeler gage?

If you want necks 12thou thick, adjust the cutter against a 13thou feeler to the turning mandrel. Speed, temps, and amount taken on a cut can affect the end results. So there is trial & error & fine tuning still.

Don't give up too quickly with Sinclair's system. I gave away a complete K&M setup because Sinclair's system turned out better overall. Especially w/regard to mandrel sizes, and with the expander die, which have been very useful beyond just neck turning. For example, Sinclair's expanders are useful for necking up brass for wildcats.
Also, the last thing I do before seating bullets is run an expander mandrel through the necks. This reduces runout.
K&Ms expanders are too large for this use, and pulling expanders increases runout.

There is nothing wrong with K&Ms. But there is nothing wrong with Sinclair's system either. Just practice. Work out the bugs.

 

[billmo]

After owning and using both of the tools, there are certain things about both units that I like more than others but I would not toss either one for the other. Bill

 

[fdshuster]

TO "all of the above": skyav8r: agc,pittsburgh). The K&M has the pilot hole for the stem of the dial indicator, but I don't use it. I can get more accurate readings with the tubing mic. mikecr: I've also used feeler gages with the Sinclair & they work ok,,for me) when working w/ whole numbers. But when attempting to cut .0125", as an example) had a lot of problems: too thick, then too thin, etc. billmo: Yes the Sinclair is still usable, once I've stumbled onto the correct depth, but it's a real pain to adjust for the other req'd. thickneses, so I keep it "dedicated" for the 6ppc only. Great "talking" to everyone, and have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

 

[billmo]

Yea, man. It is a bit of a pain to re-set. I do the same as you. I have one dedicated to my 6mm X 47 Shehane. Actually that is the only tight neck rifle I have but I fiddle with cleaning up other brass from time to time. Bill

 

[mikecr]

I agree that dial indicators are worthless for neck thickness measurements. You have to use a thickness mic.

And with a thickness mic, you should cull brass right up front by thickness variance. Brass with high thickness variance is bad anyway. So this is perfect brass for setup of your turning equipment. It'll be tossed anyway.

The object here is to end up with the best brass you can. That's why you're turning right? It doesn't end with turning either. There is still H20 capacity variance..
Cutting corners makes no sense at all.

It's brass, it's cheap, you can wear out any barrel with 50 pieces. So buy a bunch, pick out the best, rake the rest into a trash can.