Gunsmithing ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

[hero's machine]

Today I was on my 8th or so cut with a new reamer and about 25 thou into a cut it does a weird snap sound and rips the handle out of my hand (hand held floating type). I pull the reamer out and one flute has a piece about 3/4" that is cleaned off to the body. It doesn't look like there is any inclusion in the steel and its a new reamer that was otherwise cutting like a mofo. I had checked the runout two passes earlier and it was running about 1 tenth......using good oil and smooth feed. Any idears?

I am now looking for advice on reamer holders that don't put my hands at jeopardy as well.

No amount of asking will reveal the maker of the reamer or holder, so let's leave that out.

 

[MarinePMI]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Was this a PTG reamer? (Don't answer, as you stated.) If so, give them a call. It was never publicly noted (what the final problem was), but there was discussion back in March on another board where several gunsmiths received PTG reamers that did this. May have been a bad run of steel or improper heat treating. The solution was never disclosed, as (I assume) it was worked out with PTG privately between them and the gunsmiths (as is appropriate).

 

[300sniper]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

I can't help with the reamer issue but I also hated the idea of holding the reamer by hand. I've been using the jgs holder and couldn't be happier with it.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

I was able to speak to the maker and he thought perhaps a hard spot in the barrel was to blame. I dunno if I buy that as well as it was cutting, but either way a new one is in transit.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 300sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can't help with the reamer issue but I also hated the idea of holding the reamer by hand. I've been using the jgs holder and couldn't be happier with it. </div></div>

I won't use one again. They work great......till a reamer shits the bed. I got lucky that I didn't get hurt.

 

[selfbowhunter]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

i use one barrel manufacturer over others most of the time but i may not in the future. the last several barrels have had noticeable hard spots in them and it is very evident during machining. i wouldnt discount the "hard spot" theory. i have not noticed this in other manufacturers. what counts is that the reamer manufacturer is making it right!

chuck

 

[my human host]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Yep. A 22-250. Nice smooth cut and all of a sudden... Took a chunk about a quarter inch long out of the shoulder area of the reamer. PTG reamer in a Manson floater. I decided to swallow it instead of making a fuss.

Haven't had it happen since and that's been several years ago already.

 

[RBros]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Had the exact thing happen with a 22-250AI reamer a couple months ago. PTG did replace the reamer for me.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

I feel quite a bit better now. I gotta say though....it was kinda spooky. My own complacency nearly taught me a lesson. Never EVER get in the bite and expect the unexpected.

I was told another is in stock and on its way....hopefully not wrapped in a rush shipping invoice....lol.

The bright side to the story is that the divot in the chamber will clean up and its shallow enough that I can bore it smooth.....with a couple thou to spare, and I checked runnout and it didn't budge......bad deal, but coulda been worse.

 

[colchester]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hero's machine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I feel quite a bit better now. I gotta say though....it was kinda spooky. My own complacency nearly taught me a lesson. Never EVER get in the bite and expect the unexpected.

I was told another is in stock and on its way....hopefully not wrapped in a rush shipping invoice....lol.

The bright side to the story is that the divot in the chamber will clean up and its shallow enough that I can bore it smooth.....with a couple thou to spare, and I checked runnout and it didn't budge......bad deal, but coulda been worse.</div></div>

Glad the barrel and your digits survived the experience. Im curious do you drill and prebore or remove the entire chamber with the reamer.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 73 fastback</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hero's machine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I feel quite a bit better now. I gotta say though....it was kinda spooky. My own complacency nearly taught me a lesson. Never EVER get in the bite and expect the unexpected.

I was told another is in stock and on its way....hopefully not wrapped in a rush shipping invoice....lol.

The bright side to the story is that the divot in the chamber will clean up and its shallow enough that I can bore it smooth.....with a couple thou to spare, and I checked runnout and it didn't budge......bad deal, but coulda been worse.</div></div>

Glad the barrel and your digits survived the experience. Im curious do you drill and prebore or remove the entire chamber with the reamer. </div></div>

Normally pre bore. I wanted to measure actual runout on this particular chamber and was going to ream it all and measure it to see how it would compare.

Sniper,
Did you order from jgs or other? I can't find anyone who has one and they are closed.....and I can't download thier catalog. What do they cost and how long did you wait?

Thanks.

 

[300sniper]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hero's machine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Sniper,
Did you order from jgs or other? I can't find anyone who has one and they are closed.....and I can't download thier catalog. What do they cost and how long did you wait?

Thanks. </div></div>

i got it directly from jgs. i want to say it was around $200 but it's been a while so i may be off on that number. they had it in stock when i ordered it so it was just shipping time.

 

[Run N Gun]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

I use a manson floating reamer holder that has worked well so far.

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Some reamers are just grabby when new. They cut aggressively and tend to pull themselves into the steel. There is so much quality control in the process of making steel for the high end barrel makers I doubt there was hard spot. I'm not sure how you would do it even if you wanted to since it is all made in what is called a "heat" or batch. It goes from pot to rod to stress relieved as one unit. Usually tempered twice.

Reamers from different manufacturers have different core diameters and flute widths which affect how they react when cutting.

 

[JJones75]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

How are you guys holding the reamer?

Floating tool head in the tail stock?

tap wrench on reamer and pushing in with dead center?

Ive watched a couple guys do it differant way from using the reamer to cut the whole cmamber , pre drilling , pre boring , using a roughing reamer

 

[hero's machine]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Well jgs is a month out, so I will use a piece of bored aluminum to hold the handle against my top slide till they have some ready.

Sniper, did you get the 7/16 reamer holder or the chuck? I like the idea of versatility of the chuck, but its more weight and runnot to contend with. My tailstock is about a thou and some change high....I imagine the jgs should deal with that nicely.

 

[300sniper]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

I got the 7/16 set screw holder. My tail stock is about .0015 high (depending on temp). This holder easily compensates for it.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

For your viewing pleasure....

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

You got lucky.

Go to the Casino, your hot right now

 

[colchester]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

What about this reamer holder from PTG
PTG Reamer Holder

 

[bohem]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Same thing happened to me in Sept 2010, I sent PTG pics and Dave said "very strange, we will cut you another one. Please ship the broken one back"

The reamer was ground in July 2010 in case that helps.

PTG did treat me really well, the replacement only cost me $6 in shipping to get the old one back.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

To the guys that had them go down, were they new reamers?

 

[my human host]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Pretty much. 2nd chamber with mine. I normally prebore so it didn't see much use before it went. I'm in no way talking shit about PTG, fellas. I'm still buying from them. Just wanted to make that clear.

Your break looks exactly like mine. Just a little longer.

 

[bohem]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Mine was on the first chamber, brand new reamer in use for about 3 mins when it happened.

 

[MarinePMI]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

The guys that I referred to in my post were both using new, never before used reamers.

Let's face it, mistakes happen, by every company. It's good to see PTG is handling it so professionally. BZ to them.

 

[my human host]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MarinePMI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The guys that I referred to in my post were both using new, never before used reamers.

Let's face it, mistakes happen, by every company. It's good to see PTG is handling it so professionally. BZ to them. </div></div>

I work in maufacturing and you're absolutely correct, mistakes happen. No 2 chunks of steel are exactly the same either. It's being able to work through problems without kicking each other in the balls that forms business relationships worth having.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: my human host</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MarinePMI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The guys that I referred to in my post were both using new, never before used reamers.

Let's face it, mistakes happen, by every company. It's good to see PTG is handling it so professionally. BZ to them. </div></div>

I work in maufacturing and you're absolutely correct, mistakes happen. No 2 chunks of steel are exactly the same either. It's being able to work through problems without kicking each other in the balls that forms business relationships worth having. </div></div>

I agree. That's why there are no names to be tossed.....reamer makers can do without 4 or 5 of us, but take out 4 or 5 of them......we'll be be boring chambers with wolf cases and lapping compound.

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Not sure if it has anything to do with it. When I have a new reamer it seems to try to "grab" on occassion since it is razor sharp and feels like it is pulling into the material. After a couple of chambers they are as smooth as silk when cutting.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Drag a solid copper penny (old school penny) along the cutting edge on new reamers. Has to be solid copper, not one of the new multi-metal pennies.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Had a PTG reamer made a little over a year ago. Cracked a flute off at the shoulder on the first cut. Clean break, the piece fit back without any line.

Sent it back to Dave Kiff and they ground another one ASAP.

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Drag a solid copper penny (old school penny) along the cutting edge on new reamers. Has to be solid copper, not one of the new multi-metal pennies. </div></div>
Thanks for the tip

 

[calling4life]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Perhaps something they can attend to when manufacturing the part?

Just not sharpen the damn thing to that point, or is it really something a guy must live with, maybe run it on some throwaway material to hone it in...

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

I use the #3 MT JGS reamer holder. We predrill and single point to just under chamber size. This only leaves a little taper, the shoulder and neck/throat to cut. We also use a high pressure flushing system. If we are on our game we can hit it in 4 cuts. No broken reamers yet but can tell you some brands sing more than others.

I'm thinking the paperwork says it will handle a .040" misalignment. I'll never find out. My next move will be a to a fully rigid design.

 

[D Miller]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Johny B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a manson floating reamer holder that has worked well so far. </div></div>

+1 for the manson.

The bald eagle reamer holder was highly recommended to me but i went with the Manson instead, so my fingers could keep a more comfortable distance.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: *Straight Shooter*</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use the #3 MT JGS reamer holder.
I'm thinking the paperwork says it will handle a .040" misalignment. I'll never find out. My next move will be a to a fully rigid design.
</div></div>

I have pondered building one on a large boring head which would let me creep up on that last bit of vertical that I can't adjust out of my tailstock height.....but I can't believe I can hold sub tenths with the tail ram.

What was your plan, or what tailstock are you going to use?

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: ever have a reamer crack a flute mid cut?

Off the cross slide maybe using an Aloris style tool holder. Then we have the DRO to help watch our alignment and progress. My design is inspired by Chad Dixons method. I'm just looking for more beef. For now it's all pie in the sky. Maybe once the zombie apocalypse actually begins we will have time to work on our own stuff.