Neck Turning

[Vmax97]

It's a ball type mic. Added depth stop: I took a section of dowel, drilled a hole in the center just slightly smaller than the narrow anvil shaft diameter, used a razor blade and mallet to split the dowel in half through the hole. Reassembled the dowel halves around the shaft to test fit, took it off and enlarged the hole slightly with a round file. Once it fit nicely on the shaft, I carved the "bite" to clear the conical end of the measurement shaft. Finally I glued the two halves together around the shaft using Tightbond.

The dowel slides up and down a bit on the shaft under the ball end. To adjust the height (control how far the ball enters the neck, with case mouth standing on the dowel) I made a couple of shims out of those plastic tabs that close bread bags. Not shown, I can slip a shim or two under the dowel to raise it, to lower the ball closer to the case mouth.

Note: Factory cases have tapered neck walls - thinner toward the case mouth. So with this depth stop, you are measuring wall at the same distance from the mouth all around the circumference.

Shown are two shims, the pink one in use under the dowel.

View attachment 1154125
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Thank you, I just got my ball micrometer and was thinking that I am not measuring the same depth point on the neck consistently and it is driving me nuts. I have just been thinking about ways to make it more uniform when I saw the picture of your dowel. Thanks for sharing, I will be off to he hardware store for a dowel!

 

[Brians356]

Thank you, I just got my ball micrometer and was thinking that I am not measuring the same depth point on the neck consistently and it is driving me nuts. I have just been thinking about ways to make it more uniform when I saw the picture of your dowel. Thanks for sharing, I will be off to he hardware store for a dowel!

Thanks. There may be a more elegant solution, but I had the dowel to hand and it suggested itself. Mine is 1/2" in diameter. When you go to the store, they will be happy to sell you a 3-foot dowel! So you can modify six dozen or so mics.

I fitted the stop to be snug enough on the shaft to not flop around, not rotate too easily. It will stay in the vertical position I select, but of course when I start measuring cases, not much pressure from the case mouth will dislodge it, hence the shims to prevent that.
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[T-shooter]

Thank you, I just got my ball micrometer and was thinking that I am not measuring the same depth point on the neck consistently and it is driving me nuts. I have just been thinking about ways to make it more uniform when I saw the picture of your dowel. Thanks for sharing, I will be off to he hardware store for a dowel!

Is your mic turned down on the end or square like this. If square, it makes it more difficult to get an accurate reading especially on short necks.

 

[Brians356]

Is your mic turned down on the end or square like this. If square, it makes it more difficult to get an accurate reading especially on short necks.
View attachment 1154244

Mine is turned down (as shown) but not to a rounded end, but a truncated cone (still square on the end.)
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[Ccrider]

Is your mic turned down on the end or square like this. If square, it makes it more difficult to get an accurate reading especially on short necks.
View attachment 1154244

Is there a way to turn the mic down?

 

[T-shooter]

Is there a way to turn the mic down?

Not that I know of. It probably has a hardened tip and would have to be ground.

 

[Longtrain]

My solution to neck turning...reamers designed for Lapua brass aka Lapua No-Turn Necks. I’ll never turn a neck again