Neck Turning

[Hammerhead]

Anyone care to lead me in the right direction on a neck turning tool?

Best brand, best buy.

Tim

 

[fdshuster]

Tim: I started out in 1998 with the Sinclair NT-1000, their basic outside neck turner. Struggled with it, and found the biggest shortcoming was the inability to set repeatable depth's of cut. it was all trial and error, mostly error with the $$$$ Lapua brass. Lost several cases because they were cut too thin. Against the advice of others tried the Forster that mounts in the case length trimmer. Worthless! Then bought the K&M and was generally satisfied with it, and you can control the depth of cut to .0001", as advertised. Had some minor problems with it, then broke down and bought the newly available (when it first came on the market) Sinclair NT-4000. It is the best I've yet to use, with none of the problems of the NT-1000 and the K&M. Don't want to create another long post, so if any questions about the three tools feel free to send a PM.

 

[Hammerhead]

Thanks Fdshuster.
That is what I was looking for. I see lots of tooling out there and saw Sinclair has two different types. Just was wondering which way to go.
I was going to do it on my lathe but read some post that I would have to make a new mandrel for each use. Not into that.

Thanks again,

Tim

 

[Dean Slater]

I like the Nielson Pumpkin

 

[Hammerhead]

Which one, or will all work on Ackley cases?

Tim

 

[Steve Blair]

Like Frank, I use the Sinclair NT-4000. The combination of the NT-4000, carbide mandrel, and the Universal Holder and driver powered by an electric drill produces very smooth and uniform cuts. I used a Marquart turner for many years but could no longer obtain parts for it and switched to the Sinclair unit. I am glad that I did.

The standard cutter that comes with the NT-4000 is 30°. I had to buy a 40° cutter for my .284 and 6.5X284, which both have a 35° shoulder. I also bought an extra 30° cutter and I am kicking around the idea of having it reground to match shoulders.

 

[markr]

I use the NT-3000 and have the adjustment fixture for it as well. I'm pretty satisfied with it, I'll probably buy a 4000 next, or a pumpkin for the finish turning What ever you do, buy the expander mandrel that goes with the turner that you have and get the carbide turning mandrel. Cry once and smile everafter...
Mark

 

[Rust]

A neck turner which accurately controls the depth of cut is the first consideration. K&M, the new Sinclair, Don Nielsons Pumpkin etc.

One problem I encountered was the limited cutter angles available to match shoudler angles. Solve that by just ordering a couple of extra cutters and going to the local tool and die guy and having them reground to match the required shoulder angle.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Get the Pumpkin, best money I have ever spent!

-Erik Cortina

 

[kjcpoint]

About four months ago I purchased a gracey outside neck turner. My system is set up for 204 22 250 and 243. This set up if fast and very accurate. I can turn 100 pieces in about 35 to 40 minutes.
A couple of my hunting buddies have been using hand turners for some time, not any more.
If you plan on shooting alot or want to turn for several guns it the perfect machine!

thanks
kyle

 

[mikecr]

Sinclair has the best turning 'systems' really.
Be sure to get one of their thickness mics as well as an expander die/mandrel set.

 

[6BRinNZ]

I bought the Sinclair NT-4000 kit along with the concentricity checker, neck checker and decapping die...all of it is very good....my brass has never been so perfect ;-)

One thing I don't like with the Sinclair NT-4000 (I don't think it is any different to the others in this respect though) is the depth that it cuts into the shoulder is controlled by an allen key, I would have preferred a micrometer type adjustment for this as well.

 

[dreever]

Power neck turners like the Gracey are the bees knees (got that from the Geico commercial) however the cost is way up there. So unless you plan on turning a LOT of cases you'll probably go with one of the hand turning systems.
I use the Sinclair NT3000 with carbide mandrel, the Sinclair case holder for an electric screwdriver and two of the el cheapo Black and Decker rechargable screwdrivers from Wally World. I have two since they are cheap ($12-$15) and one can be on the charger while I use the other. I've played with a lot of lubes also and highly recommend Shooters Choice FP10 for a turning lube.
Don't know what caliber you plan to turn for but on my 6BR's I use a .269 neck chamber this is just enough to clean up the necks all the way in one pass on the neck turner. You don't need .262 necks anymore! Lapua brass is that good.
If I were starting from scratch I'd probably go with the NT4000 since it's easier to set up, however the NT3000 being open and at one end lets you see what's going on better than the others and you can clean chips away easily with an old toothbrush which is a plus.
Ask somebody you know or here on the forum for some old discarded non turned cases to practice on and set up your turner so you don't ruin any of those expensive virgin Lapua cases.

Danny

 

[dukedurham]

For those that have a pumpkin, where did u get it? I'm having trouble finding anything but more search options .

 

[Dean Slater]

Kelbly's and Bruno's carry the Pumpkin.