Help; smith with lathe spindle of at least 60mm bore?

[tjm160]

Is there anyone who might know of a smith with a lathe spindle of at least 60mm bore?

I've purchased a Merkel K3 in the expectation Neil McKillop would be able to screw cut for me. However, he's tried on all the setup's he has and doesn't have a lathe that will take.

I imagine if he can't help, the hope that any smith out there might have a lathe big enough is rather a slim one but I have to try or move the rifle straight on again




lathe spindle at least 60mm bore.

 

[scotch_egg]

Try Mik at Dolphin Guns

Just an edit, Neil knows Mik well so may have already been considered and ruled out.

 

[tjm160]

Thanks @scotch_egg I've asked Neil

 

[Bavarianbrit]

My Ferlach trained smith in Germany uses a normal tapping die held in a fixture that is held in the headstock/chuck and he feeds the barrel in from the tailstock direction, it did a good job on my .270 win.

 

[wytonpjs]

Brock & Norris?

 

[Ronin]

Speak to Pete Walker

He has a DSG lathe which may have sufficient spindle bore

 

[Ronin]

I made a fixture for a Baikal break action rifle once to thread it - holding in 6 jaw using a dog drive and threading using steady rest and sacrificial collar - so there are alternate ways of skinning the cat

 

[tjm160]

Thanks gents and @Ronin whom Mik of Dolphin rifles also suggested. I've dropped him a note. Here's hoping

 

[Tim.243]

Is there anyone who might know of a smith with a lathe spindle of at least 60mm bore?

I've purchased a Merkel K3 in the expectation Neil McKillop would be able to screw cut for me. However, he's tried on all the setup's he has and doesn't have a lathe that will take.

I imagine if he can't help, the hope that any smith out there might have a lathe big enough is rather a slim one but I have to try or move the rifle straight on again


View attachment 483831

lathe spindle at least 60mm bore.

7" spout would give you enough clearance Tim

 

[tjm160]

Mik of Dolphin has semi retired and so sold his big machine. He suggested Peter Walker of walker Rifles but although he has a big lathe, the bore isn't big enough. Peter however has also kindly suggested Callum Ferguson of PRS, so have written to Callum......

 

[JRF Creedbro]

Try Wildcat (the sound mod guys), they do rifle work as well and may have a lathe to suit.

 

[tjm160]

Thanks for the continued suggestions gents

Brock & Norris & Wildcat in the back pocket.....

 

[Hornet 6]

Why not insert barrel from the left side so it comes out the chuck, spider in the rear and clock the barrel.

Neil.

 

[Ronin]

Why not insert barrel from the left side so it comes out the chuck, spider in the rear and clock the barrel.

Neil.

Depends how long the spindle bore is and chuck length with regards the available length to thread

I’m sure Neil and Mik will have thought of this

 

[takbok]

No need to set it up through the spindle. Suitable fixtures and a steady is more than adequate for the job.

I have a feeling MW Guns would do this as I saw a Browning BLR he'd threaded recently without removing barrel.

 

[Tim.243]

Depends how long the spindle bore is and chuck length with regards the available length to thread

I’m sure Neil and Mik will have thought of this

Quite, a lathe with a short head stock then there is a good chance it could poke out enough. The key part is think ahead before buying.
my .270 came after the .243 with a 1/2" unf, the .270 has the same barrel profile also 1/2" unf so both T8's will fit.

 

[Dickie]

Is Steve Bowers still going he might be worth a try.

 

[Reddish]

No need to set it up through the spindle. Suitable fixtures and a steady is more than adequate for the job.

I have a feeling MW Guns would do this as I saw a Browning BLR he'd threaded recently without removing barrel.

I have threaded dozens of Browning BLR/Miroku rifles.....easiest way for me was to remove the barrel in our shop press, either alloy receiver or steel no problems at all doing this.I don't care for removing the bolt from the action on these rifles as re-assembly can be tricky to get everything in exactly the right spot.As far as the original question no large spindle bore is required to thread a muzzle just diss-assemble the rifle and get the action/breech end of the barrel dialled in on a 4 jaw chuck, if need be just make up a fixture to hold the receiver/barrel we had many where I worked.This is the easiest method on a lathe with a decent length bed.

 

[tjm160]

HUGE relief, Arthur Smith of Colchester is going to cut for me along with my Marlin 336.

I just have to wait until end of the holiday season towards end of August.

Thanks gents