Wanting to Learn

[Bully]

I am chambering barrels a few days a week. If you want to stop by and watch I dont have a problem with that, assuming I have a barrel to do that day. You wont get any hands on, but you can see how I do it.

I was just gonna swing by and say hello. No need for a lesson. Just meet someone cool from across the country.

 

[Bully]

Out of curiosity, I checked out the NRA Summer Gunsmithing Schools web sites. Mongomery would be closest to you, but basic machining and barrel fitting/chambering are full. Same at Trinadad. Murry State might still have some openings. Everyone wants to 'chamber their own barrel'. You'll get "hands on" at any of these where you can find 'space' for far less than about anywhere, and they're taught by those who have the credentials to be "instructors". Your local community college with a manual machining program (really a thing of the past) might frown on doing any "gun work", depending on school policies. Those in New Jersey are probably "Gun Free Zones".

Thank you.

Being in the northern part of the state of New Jersey, especially the northern part, means that manual machining is a dying art. And the CNC classes aren't far behind. You can't pay for a 7 million dollar home by running a lathe. Nor are you cool driving daddy's G-Wagon to trade school. So, for someone in my shoes the "traditional" route of learning some of a trade are extremely limited. That's why I'm on here looking for alternative options.

I'm not a kid. Closer to 50 than 40. Wife, kids, dogs, mortgage. So pulling up and going to gunsmith school to learn a hobby isn't a possibility and those that are snarky enough to suggest it are obviously not reading.

I'm looking for a fulfilling hobby. Maybe something that can take me into my retirement years but most likely not even that.

Thank you to those that have been positive. To those that just want to be negative, well, thanks as well. I'm always learning. Sometimes I learn what I want to do, and sometimes I learn what I don't want to do.

 

[jkohler]

I am chambering barrels a few days a week. If you want to stop by and watch I dont have a problem with that, assuming I have a barrel to do that day. You wont get any hands on, but you can see how I do it.

Alex your a good guy for sure. Always willing to share info with others and help a guy.

 

[navyrad8r]

PM sent
cheers,
Doc

 

[hogpatrol]

For precisely some of the reasons the OP has mentioned, once the boomers are gone, one will be hard pressed to learn the machinist trade. Ironic that some industries are crying they don't have enough skilled tradespeople.

 

[hpshooter]

There are a number of hobbyist machining web sites on the net. You may search under Home shop Machinist or Machinist
Workshop for leads. In some areas of the country there are groups of hobbyist and retired machinist that get together on a regular basis to share knowledge.

Finding one of these groups in your area may be a long shot but it may help you find a willing mentor who would be willing to help you along.

There is a two volume set of books entitled the Gunsmith Machinist by a guy named Steve Acker that may be useful for you. I have never seen these books and cannot vouch for the information contained therein. Do your own research and members here with more knowledge may well chime in on these references.

Don't get discouraged and pay close attention to the safety aspects of operating rotating equipment.

 

[perry42]

I am chambering barrels a few days a week. If you want to stop by and watch I dont have a problem with that, assuming I have a barrel to do that day. You wont get any hands on, but you can see how I do it.

That's a great offer from Alex. A very good friend of mine in Copperas Cove, TX trued a Mauser (Bruno) for me and then proceeded to chamber the barrel and then machine and thread the barrel to the action. I watched intently and asked questions but did not operate the lathe. His shop / tooling did not need a tyro/amateur working on the equipment. Seeing how a 4 jaw chuck is used and trued with a spider to properly align the barrel for chambering and threading has allowed me to use my own small lathe from Harbor Freight to make reloading items and modify dies to meet my requirements. JR is an individual that learned to use a lathe and milling machine on his own. He has added a NC 5 axis lathe that he programs. His background is electronics and computer programming. I think of him as a renaissance man and count myself lucky to know him as a friend and mentor. The tooling for the above mentioned equipment is equal in cost to the machines so you can see why skilled operators are loath to let anyone use their equipment. Watching someone set up and machine steel is a treat for the eyes. I can carve, sand, glass bed a stock, work on triggers but, will leave the barrel/action work to a pro every time.

perry42

 

[Bully]

Just a follow up...

I did a good bit more looking around and shockingly the CC that is just a couple of miles away from my home has intro to machining classes, a level 1 and 2. I'll be signing up for a spring class I believe. Just got to see if I can make it work with my job. I'm also going to grab copy of "The Machinist Handbook" to start familiarizing myself with it all.

Thanks to those that were encouraging.

 

[msalm]

Sometimes the local CC may have evening classes too. That's how I got my feet wet. Really you just need to learn the theory and operation of the lathe and possibly mill. Check out Richard Franklin's video on metalworking for the riflesmith, it's well worth the $40 or so he charges, along with the pillar bedding video. Great information. And then go ahead and take the NRA summer course on re-barreling a rifle and you'll have a barreled action and the know how to finish it up.

 

[Intheshop]

I'm a little confused....no biggy.You want to learn how to do "some" metal machining?Just sayin,gun plumbing is only part of a much bigger picture.

Here's an idea,it may work for you.Go do some research,legwork on small lathes.You're in a good area for finding used equipment.Snag a small "hobby" lathe.There's a metric ton of "stuff" you can turn to support a shooting/reloading interest.Learn by practicing on making reloading widgets.

It should be evident after awhile whether or not this is something you are willing to invest in.Then sell the lathe.Used equipment will teach you a lot.And not just about machining.Or keep it and continue on until it's obviously time to step up the equipment....

It takes a little money,a little time,patience,and a boatload of initiative.There are some nice smaller lathes around going for about 1k$ used.Use it for a year or two and send it down the rd.

Good luck.

 

[RemingtonAI]

I say you do it, learn it, and build it! I will also however warn you that this is a rabbit hole with no end. You start this thing and you will be dragging old heavy machines into your garage in no time, as well as selling everything non machine related to buy more tooling. A lathe is a huge component but its all the other stuff that really costs. Tool holders, thread gauges, micrometers, thread wires, dial indicators, magnetic bases, layout tools, special oils, work holding devices and plenty more. Not to mention How to Run a Lathe, and The Machinery's Handbook, and many others. If you want to start this process I would highly recommend going through "That Lazy Machinist" beginners machine course. Its a free course from a great machinist Mark L'ecuyer who taught at a university in Canada for a very long time and is a wonderful resource for learning the correct way. The other great resource already mentioned is Tubalcain on youtube (Mrpete22). From those two, you will know what the next step is and the right direction to go in. I couldn't imagine doing the operations you mentioned without knowing a hell of a lot more about metrology in general, materials, cutting tool geometry, and some basic Trigonometry and whatnot. I'm about a year into learning manual machining and my house and garage looks a lot different than it did when I started! I also don't sleep, and am always VERY busy but that's kinda what it takes to acquire the knowledge necessary. I'm not so interested in gunsmithing however, so your journey might not be as intensive, but probably will be. You wont need my help with the sources listed above but if you do have any unanswered questions at any point you are more than welcome to send me a message and I'll happily share whatever I know. Good luck making chips and be safe! Jesse

 

[Bully]

^^^ Thank you. ^^^

 

[hogpatrol]

An apprentice machinist needs 8000 hours on a variety of machines to obtain a state certified journeyman's card. The idea that one can buy a couple machines, some tooling, a couple books and view some videos and do PRECISION work, is not valid.

 

[RemingtonAI]

I agree with the above statement in MOST cases. However, this really depends on the individual. Myself, I'm an obsessive self learner (INTJ) who has taught myself classical piano and guitar and the art of counterpoint composition ( now 20 years in), as well as teaching myself to sight read music for both. In addition to that I am a retired tattoo artist that specialized in photo realism and now I do lithograph style realism stippling with pen and ink. Used to do alot of woodworking with Japanese hand tools and hand cut japanese joinery (which takes a lot of math). I wont go on and don't mean to boast but I also get into a lot of physics and inventing like things. I'm kind of relentless and have mastered many other things in my short 30 years on this earth so I'm not really the prime example of what is likely but I am for what is possible. That being said, I will indeed be doing a LOT of PRECISION work in my life, and I am well on my way. I do have a dedicated metrology room, and about to bring in an optical comparator which will fit nicely next to my good sized Starrett surface plate ( which I just had refinished and certified to grade A). The only reason I am stating this is because I do not want the above to be discouraging to the new learner, although I agree with 98% of that statement, and it was a valuable and realistic statement to make. YOU are the only limiting factor in what you want to accomplish. The idea of calculating thread pitches, dialing in a setup within .0005 concentricity, and accurately cutting a beautiful 60 degree thread is WELL within realistic aspirations. That's really just the surface. It is a hell of an undertaking though. Im purposely not going to school because I have no interest in CNC and wish to acquire all of the old school skills of layout, calculating, and problem solving that is a dying art. Plus I work on CAD programs all day doing architectural design for work and computers are a pain in the ass.

 

[LHSmith]

Bob White in Lopatcong owns the Shooters Corner http://theshooterscorner.com/ which sells used BR equipment. He may be able to recommend a nearby smith who could help.

 

[Intheshop]

Dang man,that's some good stuff above!

Cpl things....given my Sata sprayguns,and what machine technologies have provided,I can spray epoxy finishes,yes EPOXY...in your living room,and you'd never know we were there.Yeah,transfer rates...yeah,800$ Sata's.

The point is,I could live with a nice 50's Monarch in my living room.Beats the snot out of some BS, IKEA nonsense.Make the commitment....pay your dues,learn by mistakes.You can talk chit,or do chit.It's up to you.

 

[RemingtonAI]

• I was going to put my 68 South Bend Heavy 10 in my house but once I realized it was 3 phase and I needed to set up a VFD that was pretty much that. Now with the chips flyin, it's a good thing its in the garage! I still track chips in the house and trying to figure out how to avoid it. If anyone has a recommendations please speak up. I've made way covers and clean up pretty meticulously and they still stick to the bottom of my shoes and end up inside! I guess shop shoes is the answer, but I'm always back and fourth. Plus maybe you'll get into it and realize that you like working with metal but don't have the means for the level of accuracy that chambering requires. So what, there are so many other things to make for the hobby if you are interested. I just love running old machines. Just restored a 60's South Bend Precision Floor stand drill press. If you want to see something really cool, check out the video of Tom Lipton from Oxtoolco giving a tour of the machine shop at Berkeley. Amazing stuff! Jesse

 

[hogpatrol]

• I was going to put my 68 South Bend Heavy 10 in my house but once I realized it was 3 phase and I needed to set up a VFD that was pretty much that. Now with the chips flyin, it's a good thing its in the garage! I still track chips in the house and trying to figure out how to avoid it. If anyone has a recommendations please speak up. I've made way covers and clean up pretty meticulously and they still stick to the bottom of my shoes and end up inside! I guess shop shoes is the answer, but I'm always back and fourth. Plus maybe you'll get into it and realize that you like working with metal but don't have the means for the level of accuracy that chambering requires. So what, there are so many other things to make for the hobby if you are interested. I just love running old machines. Just restored a 60's South Bend Precision Floor stand drill press. If you want to see something really cool, check out the video of Tom Lipton from Oxtoolco giving a tour of the machine shop at Berkeley. Amazing stuff! Jesse

Trying to keep chips where they belong is a never ending task. Metal clinging to clothes negates even changing shoes. Working in shops the better part of my life, I found the only way to keep from bringing chips home was a total change of clothing and shoes.

 

[martin22250]

I say go for it, I started chambering my own benchrest barrels about this time last year, I had never touched a lathe. I watched about every YouTube video I could find and then went and bought a new grizzly lathe and some basic tooling. I feel I can make one shoot about as good as anyone can. Watch Mr Pete (tubal cain )for basic lathe operations and then the viper for barrel chambering. Take your time and be careful

 

[nakneker]

As I recall, Gordy Gritters holds in-person/hands on classes on chambering barrels and that sort of stuff. They're like 4 or 5 days. Might be worth checking out.

http://www.extremeaccuracyinstitute.com/classesschools.html

Gordy offers classes, long or short, advanced or beginner. Very nice guy with the patience and knowledge to help you out. If you buy the equipment he will even fly to you and help you set it up for a fee.