I'm a bit confused the outboard spider on the lathe is that just to support the barrel or does it need to be dialled in. I get that the inboard spider needs clocking but I'm not sure about the out board.
I have got some 6mm L.E.Wilson stainless bushings I'm tempted to try and open them up for a project I'm working on any one know if they are likely to be hardened. If so how difficult is it to machine/ream them out.
Machining + Barrel spider question
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Re: Machining + Barrel spider question
I use spiders at both ends of the headstock and if machining a barrel I dial in both ends. If the barrel length is too short to be picked up in the outboard spider I use a simple bushing at the back to prevent any potential whip (Should not happen) I then use an inboard spider that has 3X4 sets of screws to centre and square the barrel.
Picture of the inboard spider in this link. I have brass caps on the screws and you will see that I use grub screws as opposed to machine screws. The reason is easier to dial in with a hex key plus less to snap on if I am dim enough to get an arm near it when it is rotating. This one is on a camlock system
http://shootingshed.co.uk/wp/2015/02/la ... ad-spider/
You can machine bushings, use the carbide micro boring bars you have and take care when aligning them, a standard collet chuck system is probably not going to manage the job to the accuracy that is needed.
Picture of the inboard spider in this link. I have brass caps on the screws and you will see that I use grub screws as opposed to machine screws. The reason is easier to dial in with a hex key plus less to snap on if I am dim enough to get an arm near it when it is rotating. This one is on a camlock system
http://shootingshed.co.uk/wp/2015/02/la ... ad-spider/
You can machine bushings, use the carbide micro boring bars you have and take care when aligning them, a standard collet chuck system is probably not going to manage the job to the accuracy that is needed.
Re: Machining + Barrel spider question
Needs to be dialled in at both ends. First of all to ensure the bore axis is lined up with that of whatever operation you are performing at the other end. Secondly to eliminate vibration resulting from having a rotating off-centre mass. Thirdly is necessary if you are connecting any through bore coolant delivery system.
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Re: Machining + Barrel spider question
Ok thanks for the info.
Having a collet chuck and access to a lathe is definitely a big plus. I wanted to mount a bipod on the rail of my latest project rifle. It took me literally ten minutes to adapt a fitting to go on the rail and mount a bipod.
That's a interesting set up you have David. I need to spend more time reading your blog.
Having a collet chuck and access to a lathe is definitely a big plus. I wanted to mount a bipod on the rail of my latest project rifle. It took me literally ten minutes to adapt a fitting to go on the rail and mount a bipod.
That's a interesting set up you have David. I need to spend more time reading your blog.
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