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[honos-et-virtus]

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[honos-et-virtus]

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[jericho89]

I think the problem that you will find is that you need a fairly large lathe to fit a rifle barrel. Most home lathes do not have a large enough throat behind the chuck to fit the barrel.

[Mountain Max]

Looking or a Hobbyist/Machinest in the SF Bay Area

Need someone with a lathe that can do some minor turning on a rifle barrel.
No critical tolerances. Simple change in the profile of a small section.

The finished project isn't worth all that much so I don't want to spend a lot to get this accomplished.

Best to PM if interested.

I've got a nice old school lathe but my grandfather passed before he could show me the ropes. I'd offer help since I could probably learn something, but I'd probably dick up your barrel!

[honos-et-virtus]

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[Mountain Max]

Had a chance to get out to the barn today and uncover all the junk covering the lathe. It definitely makes me miss my grandpa seeing this thing. My grandma purchased it for him as a present at some point in the past. South Bend 14.5 inch

Not sure where he kept the cutting tools or if they're even in good enough shape to use. We have 3 phase power so I know we can run it.
2016-12-13 20.58.33.jpg

[jericho89]

Nice machine, With a little clean up it should be a great workhorse. What is the measurement of the opening on the left side of the machine? The side that the barrel would feed into. From what I can see it looks like that machine will do what the OP is looking to do.

[Mountain Max]

I took some calipers and measured the inside diameter of the opening: 1.15 inches

While I was out there I also found the cabinet with about every tool/accessory that comes with this machine. I have to say, I'm a super busy person lately, but I'd really enjoy firing this thing up and doing some projects.

[liber]

Before you get all excited, you should consider a few things.

1) That machine needs to cleaned in a bad way (hey, a lathe pun )

2) Not sure what type of barrel work you're doing, but the run out on that chuck will most likely not meet the desired accuracy.

3) Be careful, a machine like that can hurt you badly.

That said, not trying to talk you out of using the machine, but what about just cleaning it up before you jump into working on someone's barrel?

OTOH, the OP was probably destined to find someone that doesn't know how to use the machine they have, given his comments. The OP should read 3).

[Mountain Max]

Before you get all excited, you should consider a few things.

1) That machine needs to cleaned in a bad way (hey, a lathe pun )

2) Not sure what type of barrel work you're doing, but the run out on that chuck will most likely not meet the desired accuracy.

3) Be careful, a machine like that can hurt you badly.

That said, not trying to talk you out of using the machine, but what about just cleaning it up before you jump into working on someone's barrel?

OTOH, the OP was probably destined to find someone that doesn't know how to use the machine they have, given his comments. The OP should read 3).

Sound advice. My father told me the story last night about how he almost lost his finger on a lathe.

I think it will take me a while to get this machine cleaned up, lubed and checked. It was always in the back of my head to do it, I guess I just needed a thread like this to get motivated. Thanks OP!

I have a friend with over 30 years of machine experience who can get me up and running. I'm just so busy right now that I don't think I can realistically help the OP in a reasonable amount of time. I guess its wishful thinking on my part that I could help immediately.

I will say that the OP will have better luck on http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/

Much more machinists/hobbyists with free time on that site!

[liber]

Sound advice. My father told me the story last night about how he almost lost his finger on a lathe.

I think it will take me a while to get this machine cleaned up, lubed and checked. It was always in the back of my head to do it, I guess I just needed a thread like this to get motivated. Thanks OP!

That is actually not a bad approach, but first and foremost, get the machine cleaned up and operating again. Learn how to do the basics on it, and that machine is a good one to do gunsmithing on, IMO, and can do much more.

I have a friend with over 30 years of machine experience who can get me up and running. I'm just so busy right now that I don't think I can realistically help the OP in a reasonable amount of time. I guess its wishful thinking on my part that I could help immediately.

That would be very helpful for you. Take the time and have him teach you the ropes, then after you learn you might be in a better position to help someone.

The OP has a detailed drawing of what he wants the barrel to be like, and if he was smart he would get a professional to do the work for him.

I will say that the OP will have better luck on http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/

Much more machinists/hobbyists with free time on that site!

I disagree. That site is not focused towards hobby machinists, and the work the OP is looking to have done is not something that should be trusted to a hobbyist. A hobbyist could do the work for themselves, but to hope you can save a few pennies and have a hobbyist do the work for you is wishful. A hobbyist can destroy the barrel entirely with little effort.

[Alex$]

Wow, we went from looking for skilled labor for cheap, to moderators ending 3/4 of this thread, to then discussing hobby help that might be dangerous, (no offense to Mountain Max - that looks like hella lot of fun you inhereted) to then OP taking his ball and going home in tears... sad.

It is one thing to ask for help with a small job in exchange for beer and social interaction, versus asking for work for cheap then attacking anyone who points out that this might be insulting. (no matter the delivery)

It makes me sad when posters bring up a subject and get an answer they don't like and then try to hide the question, for whatever reason.

You asked a stupid question, get offended by the obvious answers and then cry to momma and run home with your ball?

Really?

Grow up.

[Alex$]

P.S. Mountain Mike, I hope you get that lathe up and running safely, it would be an awesome tool.

(I say safely because I would likely lose body parts learning how to turn things on it)

[jericho89]

P.S. Mountain Mike, I hope you get that lathe up and running safely, it would be an awesome tool.

(I say safely because I would likely lose body parts learning how to turn things on it)

I know of one person who was killed on a lathe. It was not pretty... Be safe, no loose clothes, and know your limits.

[kalibeltfeeder]

I know of one person who was killed on a lathe. It was not pretty... Be safe, no loose clothes, and know your limits.

No kidding. They can be deadly..

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ec6_1465918395

This guy got lucky