How to hold chamber reamer?

Clark · February 12, 2001, 11:53 PM

When the barrel is groove centered at both ends in the lathe, and a full chamber is to be cut, how does one hold the chamber reamer?

I am inferring that one doesn't just put it in the chuck in the tailstock, it somehow must float. TIA Clark

Badger Arms · February 13, 2001, 01:56 AM

Wow, that's a deep question. Always been to cheap to get a lathe. What are you going and making me feel jealous for?

Jim V · February 13, 2001, 08:50 AM

floating reamer holders that fit in the tailstock. MSC Industrial Supply Co. http://www.mscdirect.com should have them in stock. Heck, it is worth getting their catalog for any industrial supplies. Get enough of the catalogs and you can armor your walls, the catalogs are that big.

George Stringer · February 13, 2001, 08:56 AM

Clark, Clymer sells a floating reamer holder like JimV mentioned just for holding reamers. I use one when I can but a lot of smiths hold the reamer with a tap wrench. The tap wrench is either held by the left hand or allowed to rest on the compound rest. No matter how you do it the most important thing is that the bore is running true. The easiest way to get it running true is to use a barrel centering bar and your dial indicator. Brownells http://www.brownells.com sells the bar for around $65. They also sell the floating holder. George

Wallew · February 14, 2001, 01:44 PM

I concur with George. I hold mine by hand AND use the tail stock to gauge depth. Double control and careful slow cuts are the key to a good chamber.

February 13, 2001, 01:56 AM	#2
Badger Arms Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2000 Location: Harnett County, NC Posts: 1,700	A Real Gunsmithing question? Wow, that's a deep question. Always been to cheap to get a lathe. What are you going and making me feel jealous for?

February 13, 2001, 08:50 AM	#3
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	There are....... floating reamer holders that fit in the tailstock. MSC Industrial Supply Co. http://www.mscdirect.com *should* have them in stock. Heck, it is worth getting their catalog for any industrial supplies. Get enough of the catalogs and you can armor your walls, the catalogs are that big. __________________ *MOLON LABE* If it ain't metal, single stack & single action, it ain't a 1911 no matter what it looks like. 1911 Forum THE TUBBY CURMUDGEON

February 12, 2001, 11:53 PM	#1
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	When the barrel is groove centered at both ends in the lathe, and a full chamber is to be cut, how does one hold the chamber reamer? I am inferring that one doesn't just put it in the chuck in the tailstock, it somehow must float. TIA Clark

February 13, 2001, 08:56 AM	#4
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Clark, Clymer sells a floating reamer holder like JimV mentioned just for holding reamers. I use one when I can but a lot of smiths hold the reamer with a tap wrench. The tap wrench is either held by the left hand or allowed to rest on the compound rest. No matter how you do it the most important thing is that the bore is running true. The easiest way to get it running true is to use a barrel centering bar and your dial indicator. Brownells http://www.brownells.com sells the bar for around $65. They also sell the floating holder. George

February 14, 2001, 01:44 PM	#5
Wallew Junior member Join Date: October 3, 1999 Posts: 910	I concur with George. I hold mine by hand AND use the tail stock to gauge depth. Double control and careful slow cuts are the key to a good chamber.