So I have been using a fixture and it works OK. I know a lot of guys use the 4 jaw chuck are you using shims of some sort or soft jaws? I really do not want to use my outboard spider I do not like the way it puts stress on the barrel. Anyone see any issues I am missing with just using the 4 jaw with shims for action truing and barrel work ? Some where on here someone made a fixture that uses collet's but I am not able to find the post but that might be something I might think about using beside the 4 jaw. I guess I am just looking for something more and I really do not want to buy a True Bore alignment system at this point.
Gunsmithing Thinking about Losing the Fixture and Just using the 4 Jaw
- Thread starter dakor
- Start date
An outboard spider puts no stress on the barrel as long as you don't induce it with wide contact points at the chuck side. Don't use pennies like I see a lot using, then you will be bending the barrel. You're likely inducing more stress with the fixture as most have large surface area on the Jack screws. I hear a lot have good luck with large copper wire, I'm using these chunks of brass rod for now.
Don't let anyone tell you surface finish will suffer with less rigidity. Sure you can't take .050" depth cuts, but you can still get an excellent finish.
There's no need for heavy cuts. It's a barrel and precision is the goal. My surface finish has always been excellent and I don't run turn high speed.
I just bought a heavy ten that came with a six jaw and didnt think I could make a fixture without extending out it so far. Killswitch I need to link up with you and scott next time you do a barrel to learn. I just bought a new house so it's a few months till I get the lather up and running.
Thanks guys for the setup photo's I appreciate it! I do not take heavy cuts I get the best finish on my lathe at .020 with HSS and .030 with carbide. I know Killswitch does not like to true actions but what are you guys using for that? I wish I could find that collet style chuck that someone posted on here a few months ago.
i true actions merely because it's what people want. I use my viper fixture for that. Never had any issues.
Those would work but forgive me for my ignorance when you are using that type of collet holder what are you adjusting to dial in the action or barrel? Killswitch I have that vipers Fixture and it works OK but I find I spend a lot of time just trying to get the back fixture screws just right on the back part of the receiver and short actions really suck.
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