What is the perfect lathe for gunsmithing?

[HMF]

Here is a basic question to kick off this forum.

Which make and model of lathe do you consider to be perfect for gunsmithing use and WHY?

I await your opinions.

Best,


Nelson

 

[Tony Wells]

The machinery to do gunsmithing work is no place to "just get by". Of course, doing for a living is one thing and for yourself and friends is another, but if you want to do it as well as possible and as trouble free as possible, buy as much machine as you can. This doesn't mean as large as possible, but as heavy and accurate as possible. After all, gun parts are expensive, difficult to make at times, and certainly require a serious investment of time. Not to mention critical for safety. Smithing is a specialty, so be prepared to spend lots of time figuring out unique methods and approaches to making parts.

On lathes, think about the longest part: the barrel. Turning long slender parts like barrels is not as simple as some think. Rigidity is hard to get out of a piece of material with that high a l:d ratio. So, a quality setup will include a good follower rest, along with a conventional steady rest. Many prefer ball bearing rests, myself included.

For short tapers and long bevels, a smooth, tight compound is a must. Single point threading is not an option in gun parts. This assures proper alignment between mating parts. Dies and taps should be last resort, or reserved for non critical components.

Grizzly offers a lathe package specifically for gunsmiths. I have no affiliation with them, nor have I seen this lathe in person. As far as an imported lathe goes these days, it looks very promising.

http://grizzly.com/products/g4003g

That said, there are always compromises, so a perfect lathe nay not exist.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

That indeed is a loaded question. Gunsmithing has kinda gone the way of doctors, you have general practicioners and specialists. Each useing/needing different sized lathes. I have been a general repair smith for over 32 years and have got by quite well with a 6x18 atlas. Now since my son has joined me in the shop and wanting to provide rifle building/rebarreling services we are going to add a larger lathe to handle barrel work. My choice was a South Bend 10L.
Bobby

 

[rmsflorida]

35 years as a class II Manf....55 years as a machinist
A Jet 13"X40" with collets is about a the best size..not too pricey for gun work and work in general
98% of the work is within 10" of the chuck with any lathe..
Grizzly are the lesser quality then the Jet.

If you need a Mill for gun work seek out a Hardinge TM or UM with a Bridgeport"M"head..
dosen't take up much floor space.

Regards
Robbie

 

[Tony Wells]

Welcome to the forum, Robbie. Thanks for your experienced insight.

 

[JB Enterprise]

I to agree 13x40 is a good size you can generally barrel through the headstock or between centers if u have to, I perfer through the headstock for rigidity in turning, threading and chambering in one setup. I would personally like a hardinge type with a 2 inch spindle bore that uses 16C collets

Justin Bowerman
JB Enterprise
07 FFL IN Central CA.

 

[BSF350]

I recently took up gunsmithing and checked with a friend (with years of smithing). I watched him thread and chamber a barrel stuck through the head stock. He said "I used to do this between center and through the head is much less work with setup". So I sold my worn out atlas and found a lathe that will fit a barrel through the head. A Clausing 15x50. Yes the barrel will fit in a head spindle of 2-1/8" but it is 16" from reaching the spider on the other end. I am just trying to say don't buy too big a lathe. :nuts: I like my Clausing; it came with quality tooling, and has brought me a few more projects to build.

 

[flatbelter]

The local gunsmith runs a 13" Southbend lathe and a nice bridgeport. I don't know if there is a truly perfect gunsmith lathe but something with about 14" of swing and at least 60 " of bed seems close. Something with CNC seems even better yet, but falls outside of my play money range.

 

[Big Bore Builder]

This one has threaded/chambered over 200 barrels:










This one does a fair job:





There is even a place for an old South Bend 9 inch:




Keep looking at them until you find one or more that you like!