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Gunsmithing Bandsaw?

picone

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 26, 2006
75
7
So Cal
Why did my barrel come in and say to bandsaw the end of the barrel and not use a cut-off tool? What possible difference could it make if one used a cutoff tool or a bandsaw?
 
Re: Bandsaw?

That's odd. I'm wondering if by using the term "cut off" tool that they were refering to an abrasive cut off saw?

I don't see where putting the barrel in a lathe and using a parting tool with coolant would do any more harm than a band saw. The surface feet per minute of both tools should be about the same.

Interesting.
 
Re: Bandsaw?

I read a thread a while back on a benchrest forum on this topic. I do believe the manufacturer is refering to a lathe cutoff tool although I woulndt use an abrasive cutoff wheel either. The concern is that removing a portion of the barrel with lathe parting tool might alter the bore dimensions near the cut. I have never tested it so I could not say one way or the other but I generally band saw to lenght and then machine. I use two spider chucks to hold the barrel and Im not comfortable parting a section off from that setup anyway,so for me the bandsaw makes sense.

Here is a link to the thread I read cutting vs parting
 
Re: Bandsaw?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Killer Spade 13</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's odd. I'm wondering if by using the term "cut off" tool that they were refering to an abrasive cut off saw?

I don't see where putting the barrel in a lathe and using a parting tool with coolant would do any more harm than a band saw. The surface feet per minute of both tools should be about the same.

Interesting. </div></div>
Nobody would use a cut-off "wheel", right...but then again. I can see a material change on the surface from using a lathe vs. bandsaw. But nothing the crowning wouldn't trim off. I can't see It affecting the material any further than .1".
 
Re: Bandsaw?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DOMINIC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why did my barrel come in and say to bandsaw the end of the barrel and not use a cut-off tool? What possible difference could it make if one used a cutoff tool or a bandsaw? </div></div>


i'm assuming the cut-off tool they are referring to is also known as a parting tool for a lathe. i remember years ago reading about someone looking at the grain structure of the barrel with a microscope before and after cutting with a parting tool and a band saw. going purely off of memory of what i read, apparently the pressure applied using the parting tool rearranges the grain structure of the steel near the muzzle. since i usually part the barrel about .050" proud of where it will finish at, face to final finish length and then recess another .090", i'm not too worried about it. i have yet to have a rifle that wouldn't shoot to my standards using this method.

now i would certainly love to re-read that article if someone could locate it.

i while back i was searching for this article so i could re-read it but i haven't been able to find it again.
 
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