barrel screw cut
- Thread starter tika.308
- Start date
EMcC
Well-Known Member
Mike, I have not, nor would like to invest in, the kit required to do some of the jobs required but I know of other Engineers and Riflesmiths that do and their quality of work is second to none and their prices vary between them.
You must know other riflesmiths that charge different prices too, they also have the kit and knowledge and have had the training to do the job but still their prices vary.
I am lucky that I know a few and can choose and get the job done properly and cheaper, so I do.
You must know other riflesmiths that charge different prices too, they also have the kit and knowledge and have had the training to do the job but still their prices vary.
I am lucky that I know a few and can choose and get the job done properly and cheaper, so I do.
I don't as a rule get drawn into these rather contentious discussions, but having looked at the videos of "janner" at work, screw cutting a barrel I find myself needing to put in my 2 pennyworth.
I'm a time served precision instrument maker, also a qualified mech. eng. and seeing the way that Mike Norris produces a precision job makes me a little peeved when people less qualified start critisising the cost of his work.
He's pointed out the costs involved in setting up a precision engineering workshop, the equipment and tooling needed don't get bought for peanuts on e.bay. Call out a plumber or electrician or locksmith and see what they'll do for £90.
A friend of mine had his lovely Mannlicher barrel screw cut by a well respected local precision engineer, the result was quite frightening. I was there when he fitted the mod and fired the rifle for the first time. Fortunately the bullets hit the top of the bore on the mod and were deflected down, striking the ground several feet below the targets. The thread had not been cut true to the bore, as shown in the videos of Mike doing the job in the proper manner. Had the bullets gone the other way the results don't bare thinking about!! The barrel was returned to the guy who had done the work and he tried to "true it up" which didn't help at all. Eventually the rifle went away to a qualified riflesmith who had to cut off the end of the barrel in order to do the job properly. The eventual cost was considerably more than £90, plus my mate ended up with a rifle barrel 20mm shorter than it should have been.
We all want the best deal we can get but quality is always worth paying a little extra for.
Mike, keep doing what you're doing. If I ever want work done on my rifle-you're the man.(Shame you're not still in Cornwall
)
Cheers, Pete.
I'm a time served precision instrument maker, also a qualified mech. eng. and seeing the way that Mike Norris produces a precision job makes me a little peeved when people less qualified start critisising the cost of his work.
He's pointed out the costs involved in setting up a precision engineering workshop, the equipment and tooling needed don't get bought for peanuts on e.bay. Call out a plumber or electrician or locksmith and see what they'll do for £90.
A friend of mine had his lovely Mannlicher barrel screw cut by a well respected local precision engineer, the result was quite frightening. I was there when he fitted the mod and fired the rifle for the first time. Fortunately the bullets hit the top of the bore on the mod and were deflected down, striking the ground several feet below the targets. The thread had not been cut true to the bore, as shown in the videos of Mike doing the job in the proper manner. Had the bullets gone the other way the results don't bare thinking about!! The barrel was returned to the guy who had done the work and he tried to "true it up" which didn't help at all. Eventually the rifle went away to a qualified riflesmith who had to cut off the end of the barrel in order to do the job properly. The eventual cost was considerably more than £90, plus my mate ended up with a rifle barrel 20mm shorter than it should have been.
We all want the best deal we can get but quality is always worth paying a little extra for.
Mike, keep doing what you're doing. If I ever want work done on my rifle-you're the man.(Shame you're not still in Cornwall
)Cheers, Pete.
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EMcC
Well-Known Member
So everybody is saying that Mike Norris is the only person able to thread a barrel properly and all these other riflesmiths with, probably the same equipment and training that charge less, are not able to do a proper job.
I don't think so, and that is the point I tried to get across.
There are more than one riflesmith able to do a proper job and there does not seem to be a standard price.
I am lucky to have several near me and have had it done for a lot less than the price quoted by Mike.
That's as plain as I can explain it, so here endeth my contentious posting on the subject.
I don't think so, and that is the point I tried to get across.
There are more than one riflesmith able to do a proper job and there does not seem to be a standard price.
I am lucky to have several near me and have had it done for a lot less than the price quoted by Mike.
That's as plain as I can explain it, so here endeth my contentious posting on the subject.
'nuff said, all the best to you, hope the sun's shining in Amesbury-ish. It's grand down Cornwall and I'm just off out on my bike.
Cheers, Pete.
JabaliHunter
Well-Known Member
Get over yourself! No one has said that. But reputations are hard earned and easily lost. One of my local dealers has switched all of their threadcutting work from another smith to Mike because they feel it is better quality work than what they were getting previously. At the end of the day, price does not just reflect capital costs but supply and demand.
Like I said, supply, demand and reputation. If people travel from all over to get Mike to build them rifles or have work done, there is a reason. Maybe you should name them and their prices. They might thank you for the referral in this climate.
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Bought a second hand Sako in 243 recently and took it to Brock and Norris to get it screwcut this afternoon, I have used Mike in the past to screwcut another of my rifles and have met him a couple of times previous, after measuring and making a thread protector for the rifle he set about threading the rifle, on completion he cleaned out the barrel and on closer inspection noticed a pressure bulge 3" back from the muzzle which he pointed out, not down to me and certainly not Mikes responsibility but the guy is a perfectionist and the newly threaded muzzle was removed and rethreaded and recrowned and a late finish for Mike, the price? Standard screwcut, the guys a star and that's why I shall always use him, a true professional, who takes pride in a job well done, thank you very much!!
Hornet 6
Well-Known Member
Crumpy, glad to hear it all worked out in the end.
Lets hope tomorrow afternoon is not such hard work for Mike, as I'm making the long drive
up from Essex to have my .22 hornet threaded, and maybe my X-Bolt re-threaded.
Mike doesn't know about the second one, Yet
Neil.
Lets hope tomorrow afternoon is not such hard work for Mike, as I'm making the long drive
up from Essex to have my .22 hornet threaded, and maybe my X-Bolt re-threaded.
Mike doesn't know about the second one, Yet
Neil.
I've hav had 2 rifles screwcut by Mike Norris all in the same day
I also thought at first that £90 a rifle was a bit much untill I considered the facts
there are not many places if you don't know anyone in the business of engineering , that you could ring up and be there in an hour
and with-in hours you could be back home and on the range re-zeroing your rifle
I had a thread cut off and then re-cut to fit the moderator I already had and an end cap/thread protector made
I took the moderators with me and Mike also fitted them as I needed a new bush for one and both bush's drilled for size
so I left with everything ready to go and moderators fitted nicely
also the bolts were serviced and I got a trigger adjusted and a few tips on cleaning
2 rifles cut with end caps, 2 mods fitted, bolts serviced & lots of good tips and all done and dusted within 5 hours, including the journey there and back so only one trip needed as I live just over an hour away
Is any other person who screw cuts can offer this sort of service??
Mike is the only one I know of and it was money well spent too
Many thanks Mike
I also thought at first that £90 a rifle was a bit much untill I considered the facts
there are not many places if you don't know anyone in the business of engineering , that you could ring up and be there in an hour
and with-in hours you could be back home and on the range re-zeroing your rifle
I had a thread cut off and then re-cut to fit the moderator I already had and an end cap/thread protector made
I took the moderators with me and Mike also fitted them as I needed a new bush for one and both bush's drilled for size
so I left with everything ready to go and moderators fitted nicely
also the bolts were serviced and I got a trigger adjusted and a few tips on cleaning
2 rifles cut with end caps, 2 mods fitted, bolts serviced & lots of good tips and all done and dusted within 5 hours, including the journey there and back so only one trip needed as I live just over an hour away
Is any other person who screw cuts can offer this sort of service??
Mike is the only one I know of and it was money well spent too
Many thanks Mike
Janner/Mike
How dare you charge fellow stalkers for doing a proper job???? You will soon learn that if you offer anything decent to a certain minority on a stalking forum and expect to be paid at a sensible and worthwhile rate you will be heavily criticised for having the cheek to do so, i invested 75k in a range and got slated, yet I'm still booked every day for tuition, courses and stalking. Let it go, those that know of you and what you do will keep coming back and recommending you.I have seen some absolutely shite work and it just makes me laugh when I find out who has done the work ie. mate of mine with a lathe, well smart it is , bought it of ebay after being made redundant!! Knobbers!! All power to you.
Regards.
How dare you charge fellow stalkers for doing a proper job???? You will soon learn that if you offer anything decent to a certain minority on a stalking forum and expect to be paid at a sensible and worthwhile rate you will be heavily criticised for having the cheek to do so, i invested 75k in a range and got slated, yet I'm still booked every day for tuition, courses and stalking. Let it go, those that know of you and what you do will keep coming back and recommending you.I have seen some absolutely shite work and it just makes me laugh when I find out who has done the work ie. mate of mine with a lathe, well smart it is , bought it of ebay after being made redundant!! Knobbers!! All power to you.
Regards.
buck52
Well-Known Member
Isn't it strange why some people just cant accept that there are excellent Riflesmiths out there.
I had my Sauer threaded about 3 years ago by a recommended engineer, it turned out to be a good job as the rifle is accurate and consistent, it cost me £70.00 and 2 hours to get there and back, so £90 quid for the job (including extras) doesn't sound over the top.
I have seen Brock & Norris's work, a mate had his Tikka done, when he has the thread protector on you cant see the join! I for one prefer to go to recommended craftsmen rather than take a chance that someone might be good at their job.
I had my Sauer threaded about 3 years ago by a recommended engineer, it turned out to be a good job as the rifle is accurate and consistent, it cost me £70.00 and 2 hours to get there and back, so £90 quid for the job (including extras) doesn't sound over the top.
I have seen Brock & Norris's work, a mate had his Tikka done, when he has the thread protector on you cant see the join! I for one prefer to go to recommended craftsmen rather than take a chance that someone might be good at their job.
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over the last few months i have used mike norris for all my work he is not only efficient but a master of what he does i went up today with one rifle for screw cutting and another to sort out as point of impact kept changing when mod was took off and put back on . he first sorted out the point of impact by sawing of the old screw thread that was done by another so called rifle smith HA HA and re-cut a new one , stripped and cleaned the whole rifle and done a thorough job as i am not the best at cleaning rifles as some of you may know he adgusted the trigger and the rifle was tranformed from its old tired state to as near new as possible . he screw cut the second one and done exactly the same on this one first class job ,i had a 270 done a couple of months ago and the difference is amazing it completely transformed the beast in to a pussy cat no more teeth shuddering shots any more i am also having another rifle re barreled by him and cant wait for the finished job on that one . i paid £90 for the screw thread that was crap done by some one else so its better to pay ONCE and get it done properly than scrimp . when you consider gararges over £100 an hour to service your car what he charges is value for money in my oppinion and as he always says you are only as good as your last job stalkers are a small comunity and personal recomendations go a long way and i for one would gladly pay what ever he asked to get the job done right as i have paid out twice for one screw cut and numerous bullets to re zero the rifle up until now . i most certainly would recommend mike to any body with a problem with a rifle or screw cut wanted hes the man . I know there are other good people out there but you can only speak as you find TOP MAN -TOP JOB- AT THE RIGHT PRICE cheers muddy
Gentleman, thank you very much for your words of encouragement and support. I find it humbleing to have such praise bestowed apon me. Those that have been to the work shop will notice on the wall a sign that says ANY TASK , NO MATTER HOW HUMBLE IT MAY BE , IF DONE TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD THATONE CAN ACHEIVE, BY THAT VERY ACT IT BECOMES NOBLE. Henry Royce co founder of Rolls Royce said that and I try my very best to adhere to that philosophy. I also fimly beleive the most valuable person involved in the buisness is You..... THE CLIENT!!!!. because without your good grace and favour I would not be in buisness. I firmly beleive this and do every thing in my power to ensure that the client is king. Yes it means very long hours on occaisions and it can be demanding on your personal time. However I find it deeply rewarding to be able to work in this trade . Once again gents my most sincere and humble thanks. Mike Norris Brock and Norris Riflesmiths
Mike
It's what we do, what we live for. We shouldn't have to justify ourselves to an ungrateful minority. It's what happened to me here a few months ago, a few choice words from satisfied customers and the knockers crawl away, interestingly one of your main critics was mine as well! Tells a story me thinks. You stick your head above the parapet and wait for it, sadly it comes with the territory. As you know only too well, proper riflesmiths are hard to come by, the only one near me is extremely well known but don't expect a screw cut within several months or for under a couple of hundred quid. Perhaps you should charge more!
Kind regards
It's what we do, what we live for. We shouldn't have to justify ourselves to an ungrateful minority. It's what happened to me here a few months ago, a few choice words from satisfied customers and the knockers crawl away, interestingly one of your main critics was mine as well! Tells a story me thinks. You stick your head above the parapet and wait for it, sadly it comes with the territory. As you know only too well, proper riflesmiths are hard to come by, the only one near me is extremely well known but don't expect a screw cut within several months or for under a couple of hundred quid. Perhaps you should charge more!
Kind regards
Hornet 6
Well-Known Member
Crumpy, The journey was Ok, 380 mile round trip on about £25 of diesel
Left at 6.20 am, nice steady pace and with a half hour stop was there about 10.15.
Just intime to watch Mike do two thread jobs for some body else, then it was time for my 2.
Yep had them both done 1/2 x 20, and thanks for leaving your threaded off cut behind, made a nice
mandrel to enable Mike to make my hidden thread protector for the Hornet.
Muddy, nice to have met you yesterday, hope your as happy with Mikes works as I am with mine.
Mike, pleasure to have met you, I will be back as soon as possible to have my HMR and moderator re-threaded.
Just got to sort out a moderator for this pair first.
I have to add the work is top quality, and that is coming from someone who has earned his living in a tool romm for over 20 years.
Mike spares nothing on tooling, he would put many tool rooms to shame.
Very happy with the whole job from start to finish.
Of to bed now as I have just got home, had a slight delay after the rifles were finished, fish and chips a beer and several cups of tea at a mates who lives about 6 miles from Brock & Norris, made a nice break before the trip home.
Neil.
Left at 6.20 am, nice steady pace and with a half hour stop was there about 10.15.
Just intime to watch Mike do two thread jobs for some body else, then it was time for my 2.
Yep had them both done 1/2 x 20, and thanks for leaving your threaded off cut behind, made a nice
mandrel to enable Mike to make my hidden thread protector for the Hornet.
Muddy, nice to have met you yesterday, hope your as happy with Mikes works as I am with mine.
Mike, pleasure to have met you, I will be back as soon as possible to have my HMR and moderator re-threaded.
Just got to sort out a moderator for this pair first.
I have to add the work is top quality, and that is coming from someone who has earned his living in a tool romm for over 20 years.
Mike spares nothing on tooling, he would put many tool rooms to shame.
Very happy with the whole job from start to finish.
Of to bed now as I have just got home, had a slight delay after the rifles were finished, fish and chips a beer and several cups of tea at a mates who lives about 6 miles from Brock & Norris, made a nice break before the trip home.
Neil.
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Doubtless this Mike Norris carries a good reputation for quality workmanship.... however I have never paid more than £30 to have a rifle shortened and screwcut. Local engineering firm with hundreds of thousands invested in CNC tooling, one of the staff is a mate and rifle shooter and I give him barrelled action he threads it . Not every lathe and operator outside of South Wales came off e-bay and is operated by an ex-leyland apprentice you met down the pub!
That said thread cutting with a lathe is o'level metalwork task.
That said thread cutting with a lathe is o'level metalwork task.
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