PMA Carbide Mandrels

[dreever]

Yep, the long awaited Carbide Mandrels are here and I'm currently testing. All I can say is they make a great tool (PMA Model A) even better.
Talk about quality control Pat Reagin told me he mic'd all the 6mm expander mandrels that they have in stock (.2414) and all the carbide turning mandrels (.2407) and they all came in exactly the same! WOW! You can't ask for more perfection than that. That's +/- .0000 ten thousandths!
I'm also testing the pre-set Model B neck turner and must say for $45.95 it works great. Add a carbide mandrel for another $33.00 and for the guy that only turns one caliber, or who just has to have a seperate neck turner for each caliber and dosen't want to mess with adjustments this might just be the way to go.
For me the Model A remains the "Cats A**" of neck turners and now with carbide mandrels I'd rather fight than switch!
I'll let you kow how things are progressing with my testing but for now just let me say I'm sold on PMA products.

Danny

 

[dreever]

Well, I'm wrapping up my testing mainly because I'm running out of brass to turn! As I said before in my initial test which can be found in the Daily Bulletin archives http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/05/gear-review-pma-neck-turning-tool/ the PMA Model A makes the worry and aggrivation of setting up neck turners a thing of the past. If you have a Staples "Easy Button" hit it now. I keep switching back and forth between turning 6BR and .308 brass switching mandrels and adjusting depth of cut without a hitch.

The new Carbide mandrels make this tool even better. A friend e-mailed me asking me to mic the PMA carbide mandrels all the way to the stop. Seems like his current carbide mandrels get larger right at the stop and he wondered if this was just a carbide issue. I did as he asked and I can tell you the PMA mandrels mic'd exactly the same from tip to stop so I suggested he call the well known manufacturer of his mandrels and talk to them about the problem he's encountered with thier mandrels.

The model B neck turner as I said before is a viable alternative for those who still insist on seperate neck turners. It works fine without a hitch. The one I tested was for 30 caliber with the standard stainless steel mandrel. Add the carbide and you have a nice turner for around eighty bucks.

PMA makes some nice toys for the reloader so do yourself a favor and check out thier website. The $5.95 shipping is pretty easy to live with too! www.pmatool.com

Danny

 

[Zia Hunter]

Will PMA mandrels fit in a Sinclair 4000?

 

[dreever]

Don't know the answer to that. Call Pat at PMA and ask him.

Danny

 

[bozo699]

Will PMA mandrels fit in a Sinclair 4000?

I believe the answer is yes as I have his model A and a expander mandrel, the expander will fit my sinclair expander die, so I assume they will fit the Nt-4000 as well, I have a nt-4000 but it is down at the reloading room and it is raining cats and dogs out so it will have to wait until tomorrow.
Wayne.

 

[jeffreybehr]

CARBIDE NECK EXPANDERS--where have you been for my 50-year reloading career???????????

PMA Tool's Expander Die Body and Expanding Mandrel was mentioned in a recent thread that I now can't find.. I ordered one, it arrived today, and I used it for the first time.. Holy Smokes--what a difference from using a standard resizing die's neck expander! And it's saving my damaged right-shoulder joint from the pain of pulling cases across the resizer's button!

Sorry for my gushing, but this is as important a reloading-tool progress as automated, electronic powder dispensers for me. THANK YOU whoever you are for mentioning this tool.

And TYVM, Mr. PMA, for making a fine reloading tool.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Looks like this is the 10th year for pma making them, others made them before that. I prefer the steel but im glad its easier on your shoulder. You never know whats out there thatll make your life easier!