Gunsmithing Please explain how spiral fluting is done.

Re: Please explain how spiral fluting is done.

the way I have seen it done was with an auto indexing head. The barrel is setup in the indexing head and tailstock on the mill table just like normal only as the table travels cutting the flute long ways the head slowly turns. I suppose depending on the setup the head speed could be adjusted in relation to the table feed or vise versa
 
Re: Please explain how spiral fluting is done.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Palegroe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i'm sure it can be done on a manual machine with an indexer but not by my hand.

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+1.... I have seen a larger cincinatti mill with gear drive attachment at one end of the table so that an indexing head could be run in time with the table feed..... I think it was 50's-60's vintage.....
 
Re: Please explain how spiral fluting is done.

That would be something to see its hard to believe everything used to be made by hand when all you see these days is employees feeding the monkey and watching it S&*%. I have mad respect for some of the ToolMakers I have worked with and taught me everything I know and could do more in there sleep with a manual machine than i every could with a cnc.
 
Re: Please explain how spiral fluting is done.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1.... I have seen a larger cincinatti mill with gear drive attachment at one end of the table so that an indexing head could be run in time with the table feed..... I think it was 50's-60's vintage..... </div></div>

When I went through my apprenticeship we ran a pair of Browne&Sharpe Vertical mills that weren't much bigger than a Bridgeport. You had to calculate the gear ratio for the helix angle you intended to cut. The mills were built in the early 40's.

CNC is sooooo much easier...
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