Gunsmithing Lathe 101 - (DFW, N. TX)

[AMG04]

I've really enjoying carving rifle stocks, but I've always wanted to learn how to run a lathe so I can thread and chamber my own barrels.

There are a couple 16+ week courses at local North Texas Colleges, but I was hoping to find something less formal. Im not looking for certifications or careers with this... its a hobby.

Does anyone know of a guild, or club type organization where experienced members are willing to teach others, and have access to the machines & equipment?

Im west of Fort Worth, but will make time to travel in the greater DFW area.

 

[structureaggie]

Do a google search for "maker's spaces." I know of a few around town. One specifically in Carrollton. You pay a fee and get access to all kinds of machines and such. From what I understand, you have to pass some sort of "exam" to be able to use the machines. So, they have classes and such to coach you up on how to use the mills, lathes, saws, welders, etc. HOWEVER, some have rules about making "firearms".

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Take the class at the college. There is ALOT more to machining than just turning the machine on. They will teach you about safety, material types, different type of cutting tools, How to make your own cutting tools, Feeds and speeds, ect. Plus when you fuck up, you are wrecking their machines and tooling....which can get real expensive real quick, so better to make those opsies on school equipment.

Start investing in quality measuring tools. Starret/Mityo Calipers, mics, gauges, indicators, ect. Good measuring tools will last generations. Pick up a Machinerieys Handbook (used is fine, up to 10 editions old). Its going to be your reference bible for alot of stuff.

It will be the CHEAPEST and fastest way to become competent with a lathe. Very few schools even have manual machining courses anymore so consider yourself very lucky you have access to it.

I used the last of my GI bill to take machining classes at a local CC, despite already having a masters. It was great experience and I learned more there then I would have in 20 years playing around teaching myself. They will teach you how to do things the right and safe way. Lathes will maim or kill you incredibly fast, so make sure you respect it.

 

[Makinchips208]

I've really enjoying carving rifle stocks, but I've always wanted to learn how to run a lathe so I can thread and chamber my own barrels.
…
…Im not looking for certifications or careers with this... it’s a hobby….

What is your current experience and access to anything machinery related?
If you carve stocks I assume you are familiar with machinery and sharp things that can cut. Have you ran a lathe before? Or other machine tools?

 

[AMG04]

I can build just about anything with wood and all of my power tools and machines are for wood working. Tablesaw, mitersaw, drill press, routers, etc.

I have not run a lathe or worked with metal, so I'm starting from scratch. I have access to a lathe and mill in my uncle's shop, but his lathe wont hold the tolerances for barrel work. It will be a great place to practice general skills though.

Ive reached out to the local schools for more information.

Not looking for short cuts, this is something I'm passionate about learning. Ideally, I can take the classes, then find someone who has the time and knowledge specific to chambering barrels to learn from as a mentor.

 

[Praeger]

Take the class at the college. There is ALOT more to machining than just turning the machine on. They will teach you about safety, material types, different type of cutting tools, How to make your own cutting tools, Feeds and speeds, ect. Plus when you fuck up, you are wrecking their machines and tooling....which can get real expensive real quick, so better to make those opsies on school equipment.

Start investing in quality measuring tools. Starret/Mityo Calipers, mics, gauges, indicators, ect. Good measuring tools will last generations. Pick up a Machinerieys Handbook (used is fine, up to 10 editions old). Its going to be your reference bible for alot of stuff.

It will be the CHEAPEST and fastest way to become competent with a lathe. Very few schools even have manual machining courses anymore so consider yourself very lucky you have access to it.

I used the last of my GI bill to take machining classes at a local CC, despite already having a masters. It was great experience and I learned more there then I would have in 20 years playing around teaching myself. They will teach you how to do things the right and safe way. Lathes will maim or kill you incredibly fast, so make sure you respect it.

This . . .

Learn metal lathe fundamentals. You'll save yourself a huge amount of time and mistakes. Chambering is the only machining operation that is unique to barrel turning. The rest; turning, facing, threading, boring, are basic machining operations.

 

[spife7980]

I have not run a lathe or worked with metal, so I'm starting from scratch. I have access to a lathe and mill in my uncle's shop, but his lathe wont hold the tolerances for barrel work. It will be a great place to practice general skills though.

Go take old barrel stubs and practice learning to thread a muzzle. It’ll teach you the general aspects of measuring, turning, threading, facing and how to hit the emergency off switch real quick lol
Then it’s just the reaming from there but you can learn 90% of it with uncle buck

 

[Makinchips208]

Roger, well sounds like you for sure have the skills necessary.
A good college class would be worth it.
A bad class is worse than a waste of money.

If you didn’t have access to a good college course then i would say to watch some good videos, read some books, and learn on the uncles machines. Trade him something of value, labor or goods.

But you said you don’t want any short cuts. So I might say to attend a well reviewed college course.

“It’s just lathe work.”
“Making Roundy rounds.”
“It’s only 2 dimensional.”

 

[Makinchips208]

This . . .

Learn metal lathe fundamentals. You'll save yourself a huge amount of time and mistakes. Chambering is the only machining operation that is unique to barrel turning. The rest; turning, facing, threading, boring, are basic machining operations.

I agree, except I think chambering is not unique to barrel turning.
It is form reaming with hole location and concentricity being critical. Pretty basic in principle, and is common in manufacturing.

 

[Praeger]

I agree, except I think chambering is not unique to barrel turning.
It is form reaming with hole location and concentricity being critical. Pretty basic in principle, and is common in manufacturing.

I'd respectfully disagree that it is pretty basic and common. Reaming a hole to size, yes - but lathe reaming with a chamber reamer and its attendant axial and radial indicating, chip management, and depth control for headspace - that I've only seen as part of firearm chambering. Perhaps not unique then, but common and basic - there I'd disagree.

 

[epracmetcon]

I agree, if you can find a place that is still teaching on manual equipment it will save yourself some time. Though if not, I wouldn't say it is a deal breaker. There is a lot of good info out there, especially on youtube. If you're serious about it, get yourself a lathe and some old barrels are start practicing regardless. Go slow, be safe, and get after it. It is pretty rewarding when you chamber your first barrel and it shoots right out of the gate. Just know it is a pretty expensive "hobby", if you want to do it right.

 

[Makinchips208]

I'd respectfully disagree that it is pretty basic and common. Reaming a hole to size, yes - but lathe reaming with a chamber reamer and its attendant axial and radial indicating, chip management, and depth control for headspace - that I've only seen as part of firearm chambering. Perhaps not unique then, but common and basic - there I'd disagree.

Yeah I’ll agree that it probably isn’t common.
However, I believe that the concepts of radial and axial indicating are basic and should be fundamental. As is chip management and holding a depth to a datum.
Think of it as a form reamer, step tool, form tool, or whatever. And back to the op, some of that the self taught might never learn.

But then again I have never attended a formal education on the matter.