[submin]

Hi gang.
I’m going to take the plunge and buy some machine tools for gun smithing. I’ve been checking out some lathes and milling machines and some of the prices seem very good. Sellers seem willing to negotiate on the price of used equipment. I was wondering what brand and models would be suitable for the hobbyist level and what I can expect as far as price is concerned. What are the machine tools that you feel are mandatary for a smithy?

[P95Carry]

Haven't really gotten up to speed on current market (I'm old!!) ..... but in terms of types etc ...

Lathe .. 3 1/2 will do for small jobs and with vertical table can even do small milling op's.

5 1/2 will about allow you to handle a barrel if threading muzzle etc.

For big jobs maybe a 7 1/2 can be useful.

Milling .. well most milling op's quite small for most part . so a smallish vertical mill, but one with a good table (and travel) will serve well.

Plus of course ... plenty of good quality cutting tools and lube set up.

However! Much extends beyond these ..... a drill press, of course! But also, many odds and ends tools .. some I made myself way back like .... thread tapping starter . works in lathe or drill press. Filing jigs. BTW . worth learning to ''draw file'' well . it is a very good way to do some types of hand work.

Taps and dies of course ... in usual gun sizes .... screw sets .... specialist file sets, naturally, a good set of drivers etc.

The list is long . and should also include facilities for heat treatment ......

However ... it is surprising still how much can be done, with care .. using almost all hand tools and the famous Dremel ... CARE is the watchword.

Just a short 0.02!

[gsp]

For lathes I would recomend one that is at least 36" between centers
I use a South Bend 9" x 36"

For mills, a mill/ drill works but a knee mill is better
I use a jet 15 mill/drill

A 3in1 will work but not recomended, long set up time between mill and lathe, accuracy is also not up to par.

If you by new machines expect to spend as much for tooling as the machine cost.

It just so happens my lathe is up for sale with everything you will need to thread barrels, just threaded a 98 barrel 2 days ago.
I live in Ky . If interested email me at acillo@alltel.net, I will send pics and list everything that is included and more than welcome to try it out.

[4 eyed six shooter]

I have a Grizzly 36" lathe. For the price it is a great value (about $2,300.00 with stand). Buying used equipment can be risky if you don't know what to look for. A bench top mill works well for most projects. Harbor Freight has a geared head bench top mill for $999.99 that is a good value. The knee mill will do more but the cost and size factor must be considered. With the mill you can get by without a drill press as it is more accurite. A 12' disk sander is a great tool also. $120.00 gets you a nice one from Harbor Freight. Be ready to spend some big bucks on tooling. It seems you always need more and more. Buy what you need as you need it after getting the basics.
Check out the Grizzly lathe, it has done a good job for me and being new, you know how it has been treated as you are the only one using it. I might have gone with a 40" lathe except it had to go down in the basement and weight was a factor. Whatever lathe you get make sure it goes down to at least 60 RPM in back gear. 40 or 50 RPM is even better. Some lathes will not go that slow and for barrel threading will not work well.
Let us know what you find, John K
Good shooting, John K

[P95Carry]

Whatever lathe you get make sure it goes down to at least 60 RPM in back gear. 40 or 50 RPM is even better. Some lathes will not go that slow and for barrel threading will not work well. 4 eyed six shooter -- my ancient 5 1/2 does have good slow speeds . in fact it uses two cone pullies and gives me an almost infinite speed range between max and min. Often tho I want lower speedas than it gives.

However .. one of the best extras I made for it is a handle to go into spindle. The spindle ID is 1 1/64" .. so it accepts 1" stock ...... I drilled end bearing outer cap ring to accept two opposing pairs of short roll pins .. and then in the handle (the inserted piece being a fine fit piece of bar I turned down to suit) set two roll pins such they can engage in the others for rotating spindle by hand.

This is something I do for demanding thread work ..... gives me a load of ''feel'' ... and also helps with use of half nuts such that there is no risk of over-run etc.

It can be quite hard work using this but the level of control is incredible.

[Jim K]

Don't overlook a GOOD drill press. Get one that is as rigid as possible with good bearings and it will allow you to so some minor milling jobs as well as normal drilling.

A drill press is worth its weight just in removing stubborn screws and rusted in nipples on muzzle loaders.

Jim