What you guys think about a lathe with a 1 3/8 spindle for through head stock chambering. Seems a little snug but interested to see if anyone had any experience with a lathe this size.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Gunsmithing Lathe 1 3/8 spindle bore
- Thread starter stenger
- Start date
It would depend on the distance through the head stock on the lathe. If it is short enough I would be fine with it unless you do a lot of straight 1.25'' barrels.
I do a fair amount of 1.25 straights. It's a close one but a real nice lathe and I need a second lathe.
I run a Rockwell 11" with a L00 spindle nose that has a 1.375" spindle bore. I made a front and rear spider for it and have had no trouble at all doing barrels through the headstock. I can do as short as 20" barrel without the action on and I made a mandrel to fit the barrel extension of AR barrels so I can thread 16" barrels through the headstock. 99% of barrels are 1.2" OD unless you plan on working on Chytacs or BMGs so 1.375" gives you plenty of clearance.
We have Clausing Colchester's with 1.625" and I would not go any shorter. Imagine trying to thread a shorter barrel, you need to make an extension to get proper hold on the barrel, it gets pretty tight and you would have to get creative to make it work with a smaller extension piece.
Mark
Mark
My Atrump 1340 rolls with a 1.375 spindle bore and has served well, I was even able to cut and thread a Bushmaster BA-50 through the headstock.
Also a fan of the double spider set up but I have a collet closer extension on mine, I just drilled and tapped the extension around the circumference for set screws.
Also a fan of the double spider set up but I have a collet closer extension on mine, I just drilled and tapped the extension around the circumference for set screws.
I have a smaller lathe with a 1.2" spindle bore and so far I have not had any issues as soon as the rest of the barrel fits nicely.
Keep in mind that most barrel stock for popular calibers rarely exceeds those dimensions and it will be turned to something below 1.2" for 99% of barrels.
Also there will be some taper and most likely will be using a dialing tool that will put the threads and chamber section (widest)
away from the spindle. I find this is a lot more accurate than a spider for the outside but some lathes with wide headstock when using
short barrels will not even reach the spider anyway.
Unless you are going to turn some full bore calibers or 20mm monsters then 1.3/8 is more than plenty and even for those huge special projects you
might be ok.
Keep in mind that most barrel stock for popular calibers rarely exceeds those dimensions and it will be turned to something below 1.2" for 99% of barrels.
Also there will be some taper and most likely will be using a dialing tool that will put the threads and chamber section (widest)
away from the spindle. I find this is a lot more accurate than a spider for the outside but some lathes with wide headstock when using
short barrels will not even reach the spider anyway.
Unless you are going to turn some full bore calibers or 20mm monsters then 1.3/8 is more than plenty and even for those huge special projects you
might be ok.
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