Gun Friendly Machinists PART 2: METRIC THREAD

[Romeo_alpha01]

Howdy folks.

So in my quest to finish some projects laying around, I need to find a machinist who is capable of cutting metric threads on a chromoly revolver barrel blank. Seems like the recommended pistolsmiths in the NorCal area do not have the lathes capable of turning M18x1.0 threads on a barrel.

I did go to Maraviov and Craig said he would do the work only if I could find someone who could start the threading process on the blank. He could then finish off the chamber work as well as profiling the blank to the right diameter.

So....any recommendations for a machinist who isn't going to freak out at the sight of a gun barrel? I've gone to my local machine shops and immediately I was shot down to do the work. So I'm at a dead end. Comments and advice appreciated!

[dozer wright]

I'd turn to hot rod automotive ,Fab shops , Offroad shops , if you know anyone those areas of Expertise.
And I ' am not talking 4wheel parts or we bolt on stuff shops.

[NATO762]

Do you need a lathe, or could it be done with a die?

[tabascoz28]

Why not send it out to an actual gunsmith pro who may also guarantee their work? I have taken my gun projects to local welders before. One did it for free, and even though they were gun friendly, they didn't want to work on a complete gun so I took it apart of course.

[Dirtlaw]

If it is just a machining operation I am surprised that a decent machine shop couldn't do it. Metric should be no big deal. On the other hand, I can see reluctance if it is obvious that the part is going to be used for a weapon because there is the threat of liability if the part fails and someone is injured as well as the threat of liability from the direction the law may be headed ... manufacturer's liability.

[sonofeugene]

Find a gunsmith.

[G-forceJunkie]

Not all lathes are geared to cut metric threads. Some require actually unbolting and bolting in a set of metric gears, if you have them.

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

If it is just a machining operation I am surprised that a decent machine shop couldn't do it. Metric should be no big deal. On the other hand, I can see reluctance if it is obvious that the part is going to be used for a weapon because there is the threat of liability if the part fails and someone is injured as well as the threat of liability from the direction the law may be headed ... manufacturer's liability.

[Dirtlaw]

Originally Posted by G-forceJunkie

Not all lathes are geared to cut metric threads. Some require actually unbolting and bolting in a set of metric gears, if you have them.

Maybe an issue for a hobbyist, but metric is so widespread that any moderately decent machine shop would not have a problem with it. Think of it this way ... a "full service" gunsmith who can work on 10% of the brands out there -- but not the remaining 90%. That would not be a formula for success. So, I'm not saying that a shop unable to do it is an impossibility ... just saying that it is far more likely they could.

[heidad01]

Originally Posted by Romeo_alpha01

Howdy folks.

So in my quest to finish some projects laying around, I need to find a machinist who is capable of cutting metric threads on a chromoly revolver barrel blank. Seems like the recommended pistolsmiths in the NorCal area do not have the lathes capable of turning M18x1.0 threads on a barrel.

I did go to Maraviov and Craig said he would do the work only if I could find someone who could start the threading process on the blank. He could then finish off the chamber work as well as profiling the blank to the right diameter.

So....any recommendations for a machinist who isn't going to freak out at the sight of a gun barrel? I've gone to my local machine shops and immediately I was shot down to do the work. So I'm at a dead end. Comments and advice appreciated!

Cutting metric threads is no big deal. Problem is most gun smiths you come across are not machinists, nor do they have experience and/or the equipment for turning threads, same as most all car mechanics are not machinist.

Find a machine shop. Any self respecting machinist can cut threads, metric or imperial.
Just google foo machine shop for your area.

Or, if you do not mind shipping it, both "Cifaldi" and "AR15 barrel" who are member calgunners have machine shops and are machinists. You can contact them.

[fish45]

Have you looked at cylinder-slide? What type of revolver are you looking at working on?

The average machine shop is going to associate barrel machining work with an ffl and liability. The average machine shop isn't going to think about dialing in the barrel to the bore, much less have an indicating rod for a barrel.

Unless you have a cylinder without holes in it there is nothing to "chamber". The only thing a gunsmith would need to do once the threads are cut is profile/ time the blank and set the headspace. Im not sure what type of blank you have but it would also need to be crowned.

Unless they have an action wrench for your specific type of revolver its probably not really a job they want and it sounds like they're giving you the run around.

[baih777]

Randall has a lathe setup for metric.
But you will have to drive to Van Nuys.

[pacrat]

Originally Posted by NATO762

Do you need a lathe, or could it be done with a die?

Barrel mounting threads MUST be indexed off of, and cut concentric with the bore of the barrel.

Sure it COULD be done with a die. But no telling where the barrel would POINT once mounted in frame.

[heidad01]

Originally Posted by pacrat

Barrel mounting threads MUST be indexed off of, and cut concentric with the bore of the barrel.

Sure it COULD be done with a die. But no telling where the barrel would POINT once mounted in frame.

Good point^^^
Taps and dies are good for rough stuff (read no need for high precision) like pipes.

Originally Posted by baih777

Randall has a lathe setup for metric.
But you will have to drive to Van Nuys.

It is a pistol barrel. He can put it in a USPS flat rate box for 8 or 9 bucks. No need to drive.

[ar15barrels]

I have not cut m18x1 threads in almost 18 days.
Maybe it's 19 days.
What day is it?

I keep a lathe setup for metric threading so I don't have to reconfigure my other lathe that I leave setup for inch threading.

Here is a Saiga front sight base threaded 18x1 for a Sako muzzle brake:

http://ar15barrels.com/pics/portfolio/saiga18x1.jpg

[NATO762]

Originally Posted by pacrat

Barrel mounting threads MUST be indexed off of, and cut concentric with the bore of the barrel.

Sure it COULD be done with a die. But no telling where the barrel would POINT once mounted in frame.

Thanks. That makes sense.