Gunsmithing Will a clausing 4901 work?
- Thread starter airborne6.8
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Metric is usually not available on those Clausings whuch for many is not an issue. Most 'smiths do the bulk of their barrel through the headstock if you want to do that you need a through hole diameter of 1.375 or better.
One thing I like about the Clausings is the operate via a clutch on the carriage that disengages the drive very rapidly as fast as I use my brake on my lathe, this is a nice feature for threading from right to left up to a barrel's shoulder.
Parts are available as Clausing is still in business, but pricey.
One thing I like about the Clausings is the operate via a clutch on the carriage that disengages the drive very rapidly as fast as I use my brake on my lathe, this is a nice feature for threading from right to left up to a barrel's shoulder.
Parts are available as Clausing is still in business, but pricey.
That lathe looks like it’s spindle bore is too small and the bed is too short. I have a 40mm spindle bore and it’s limited to 1.5” barrels. If you’re willing to chamber using a steady rest; get a 40” bed.
The only time I switch to metric gears is for AI rifles.
Cheers,
The only time I switch to metric gears is for AI rifles.
Cheers,
One time I switch is for Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguards same rifle. for the most part just different name, but then I have built 3 or 4 rifles on Howa 1500s for myself I think they are great actions especially for the money.
If you're doing work through the spindle you'll almost never need a long bed. I think a 20-30 in bed is way more than enough for barrel work. I almost never use more than the first 6" or so from the headstock out. There are many work arounds to a long spindle bore and still chambering through the headstock.
Completely unrelated, but I learned to use a lathe just like that in High School. Those were the days.
I meant that purely from the stand point of having a spindle bore large enough to put a barrel through.
Does it have change gears? Changing gears to change speeds and threading absolutely sucks.
Old steel is usualy not worth it when you can get a new Grizz for $5K with all the features you could want including DRO.
Old steel is usualy not worth it when you can get a new Grizz for $5K with all the features you could want including DRO.
Not sure if you bought this, but you won't be able to do anything other than a sporter barrel or a short barrel on this lathe. Spindle bow on these is close to 1", not larger. No clutch or brake on these smaller clausings.
I have owned one of these, a 12" version and currently a 14x48" 6913. The 12" 5900 series will work and are relatively plentiful, but hard to find one in good shape. 6900 series are harder to find, and harder yet in good shape. 5900 and 6900 have both a 1-3/8" spindle bore, 5c capability, and a brake/clutch.
If you are looking to do barrel work, I would pass on this unless it's cheap. Then get it, learn a little, and sell it to buy something you can do barrel work with.
I have owned one of these, a 12" version and currently a 14x48" 6913. The 12" 5900 series will work and are relatively plentiful, but hard to find one in good shape. 6900 series are harder to find, and harder yet in good shape. 5900 and 6900 have both a 1-3/8" spindle bore, 5c capability, and a brake/clutch.
If you are looking to do barrel work, I would pass on this unless it's cheap. Then get it, learn a little, and sell it to buy something you can do barrel work with.
If it's got a spindle bore large enough to allow doing bbl work through the spindle (and it sounds like it doesn't), one of the first things you're going to need is to replace the latern-style tool post with an Aloris-type quick change post, then buy a bunch of tool holders for that new post.
Dad bought a little used Atlas with a whole bunch of attachments almost 60yrs ago. It was OK for hobby stuff, like turning ashtrays out of aluminum ingots, but spindle bore is too small for through the spindle bbl work, and it's just not rigid enough for any thing but very light cuts on steel. I bought an AXA-size wedge-type QC tool post for it, which required some work on the compound top on my mill to fit. I still use this little lathe quite a bit, but it's mostly for stuff like cartridge case prep, spinning bbls for polishing, and an occasional job making something out of aluminum. I'd hate to be without it, but no more than I'd hate trying to use it for bbl work.
Dad bought a little used Atlas with a whole bunch of attachments almost 60yrs ago. It was OK for hobby stuff, like turning ashtrays out of aluminum ingots, but spindle bore is too small for through the spindle bbl work, and it's just not rigid enough for any thing but very light cuts on steel. I bought an AXA-size wedge-type QC tool post for it, which required some work on the compound top on my mill to fit. I still use this little lathe quite a bit, but it's mostly for stuff like cartridge case prep, spinning bbls for polishing, and an occasional job making something out of aluminum. I'd hate to be without it, but no more than I'd hate trying to use it for bbl work.
