Options for getting custom carbide or nitrided mandrels

[KnowNothing256]

Hey all, are there any options other than SAC that provide custom diameter expanding mandrels that are nitrided, carbide, or TiN coated? Wanting to play with neck tension, but I'm preferring to avoid lubing case necks.

So far I've checked out:
- SAC, I'm aware they offer what I'm after
- 21st Century, they only offer nitrided surfaces on their preset expanding mandrel and turning arbor
- Sinclair, I'm not sure that they do custom sizes at all
- K&M, nothing other than hardened steel offered

I'm considering picking up a 21st or K&M and having it nitrided, if I can't find something off the shelf. Any options out there other than SAC? Thanks for any info y'all have.

 

[Hammerdown22]

Call k&m they will grind custom carbide.

 

[KnowNothing256]

Call k&m they will grind custom carbide.

Will they? I called them last week and that wasn’t an option they mentioned, and we talked for more than a bit

 

[Pav67]

Try PMA TOOL or 21st Century

 

[918v]

Why don’t you want to lube case necks? Imperial graphite is fast and easy. And cheap.

 

[918v]

Also, even if you use a carbide mandrel you’ll still get brass deposits that gall the neck. I use both carbide and stainless and like the carbide better but still lube the necks.

 

[spife7980]

Not lubing your necks is just asking to make it more difficult on yourself.

 

[Hammerdown22]

Will they? I called them last week and that wasn’t an option they mentioned, and we talked for more than a bit

They just ground me a carbide turning mandrel. Maybe they don't do expanding mandrels?

 

[KnowNothing256]

Try PMA TOOL or 21st Century

21st Century only offers custom sizes in their base stainless, but good call on PMA! They can do custom carbide (Pat, the very nice gentleman over there, said he’s tried all the other options and nothing beats carbide), so I think I might go that route after experimenting with some standard steel ones to pick a size.

For any who are curious, they charge $120 for a custom carbide.

 

[KnowNothing256]

They just ground me a carbide turning mandrel. Maybe they don't do expanding mandrels?

Thanks for the info! I’ll call them back tomorrow and see what they can do.

 

[4O6shootist]

Carbide is the shit. As far as brass gauling to the carbide, I've only had it happen upon expanding virgin brass necks. After one firing enough carbon residue is left in the neck, no lube is needed. I do not clean my brass more than enough needed to remove sizing lube however.

 

[KnowNothing256]

Carbide is the shit. As far as brass gauling to the carbide, I've only had it happen upon expanding virgin brass necks. After one firing enough carbon residue is left in the neck, no lube is needed. I do not clean my brass more than enough needed to remove sizing lube however.

Yep that’s where I’m at also. I used to wet tumble, and will again if I see a particular need, but nowadays I just lube the fired brass and go.