Okay, I'm a nub but I do have some machining experience. I'm transfering out to Pearl Harbor to another submarine and getting a big reenlistment bonus and am trying to figure out how to spend it. I love guns, machining and technical assembly and want to get into gunsmithing but I don't know how big or small to go on the mill and the lathe. i imagine that since I won' be doing a barrel greater than 30 inches that a 36 should be good enough and a mill with 12" of travel should be fine. And by the way I (and probably my wife0 blame this all on you 300sniper.
Gunsmithing Machines and tooling
- Thread starter MM1SS
- Start date
Re: Machines and tooling
Rule #1 with equipment.
Buy the biggest you can afford. There will always be days your saying, "if I only had a couple more inches of this/that."
Your in the Pacific. That works for you. Lots of machine shops going south in CA. Scour the used equipment ads. Deals are everywhere!
Good luck.
Rule #1 with equipment.
Buy the biggest you can afford. There will always be days your saying, "if I only had a couple more inches of this/that."
Your in the Pacific. That works for you. Lots of machine shops going south in CA. Scour the used equipment ads. Deals are everywhere!
Good luck.
Re: Machines and tooling
A 40" bed will be enough as well as a 1-1/2 to 2" diameter bore thru the headstock. Happy chip making.
A 40" bed will be enough as well as a 1-1/2 to 2" diameter bore thru the headstock. Happy chip making.
Re: Machines and tooling
Well, I think the #1 thing to look for in a lathe is the distance from the rear spindle to the end of the chuck. This isn't commonly measured in most descriptions, but if you plan to do chamber work through the headstock, then you will want something that isn't enormous. A good size spindle bore would be my next requirement. Then I would want as much as I could afford for accuracy, weight and stability. But if you ask enough quality gunsmiths what equipment they are using, it will vary vastly. A good machinist will be able to do good gunsmithing on a lot of different equipment.
Well, I think the #1 thing to look for in a lathe is the distance from the rear spindle to the end of the chuck. This isn't commonly measured in most descriptions, but if you plan to do chamber work through the headstock, then you will want something that isn't enormous. A good size spindle bore would be my next requirement. Then I would want as much as I could afford for accuracy, weight and stability. But if you ask enough quality gunsmiths what equipment they are using, it will vary vastly. A good machinist will be able to do good gunsmithing on a lot of different equipment.
Re: Machines and tooling
I really prefer good used US machinery compared to the new Chinese or Taiwan machine.
For chambering i like the Hardinge HLV-H lathe. You can find all kinds of manual equipment on ebay and craigslist.
I really prefer good used US machinery compared to the new Chinese or Taiwan machine.
For chambering i like the Hardinge HLV-H lathe. You can find all kinds of manual equipment on ebay and craigslist.
Re: Machines and tooling
You need to make some chips on someone else's equipment first. Machinetools are hard enough to buy when you know something about them and how to run them. Going in with no experience is asking for trouble. Can you get some exposure to manufacturing prior to committing your money, perhaps by getting a part time job? If you're willing to work cheap and tell the owner that your intent is primarily academic in nature, you'll likely be well received. And who knows, this may become an enjoyable career path for you if and when you leave the Navy.
You need to make some chips on someone else's equipment first. Machinetools are hard enough to buy when you know something about them and how to run them. Going in with no experience is asking for trouble. Can you get some exposure to manufacturing prior to committing your money, perhaps by getting a part time job? If you're willing to work cheap and tell the owner that your intent is primarily academic in nature, you'll likely be well received. And who knows, this may become an enjoyable career path for you if and when you leave the Navy.
Re: Machines and tooling
Listen to what C. Dixon said, and you will only cry once. Good luck, and be careful, it can be addicting.
Listen to what C. Dixon said, and you will only cry once. Good luck, and be careful, it can be addicting.
Re: Machines and tooling
Glen
Have you had to make any changes on the hardinge to account for lack of spindle thru and are you using tailstock to chamber? I've got 2HLV-H and one turret that looks almost a capstan, big dovetail but seems to be a tad bid longer in bed then the 2nd op lathes..Want to clean them up and give them a whirl..
Glen
Have you had to make any changes on the hardinge to account for lack of spindle thru and are you using tailstock to chamber? I've got 2HLV-H and one turret that looks almost a capstan, big dovetail but seems to be a tad bid longer in bed then the 2nd op lathes..Want to clean them up and give them a whirl..
Re: Machines and tooling
I would recommend that whatever you purchase allow for the installation of a DRO on both machines! It will make your life easier and your time at the machines more enjoyable not to mention repeatable accuracy is more attainable.
Happy chip making, it's what I love to do!
Howard Mahute
Rumble Wepnz
Milton, FL.
I would recommend that whatever you purchase allow for the installation of a DRO on both machines! It will make your life easier and your time at the machines more enjoyable not to mention repeatable accuracy is more attainable.
Happy chip making, it's what I love to do!
Howard Mahute
Rumble Wepnz
Milton, FL.
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