New expander for 44 mag

F

freebullet

Guest
How about a floating expander stem? No threads need except on the adjustment stop. The you could just make more floating stems for different cals.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Sorta like what Lee uses? I need to work on that idea. Wouldn't be that bad to make once I get a feel for the internal boring.

Lotsa idears, just need to cogitate on em.
 
F

freebullet

Guest
Have any hornady dies? I'd make one like their seating die.
Drill hole all the way through. Make a flat based bore up the inside. Thread an adjustable stop at the top and use a little c clip just like hornady has on their seater to hold the sliding expander plug in.
Would have self alignment. Be easy to make more plugs in any cal without threading.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I could do that. I am also looking at a design similar to what Sinclair makes for expanding cases for neck turning. A simple flat on the stem and a set screw to hold it in place. The screw only holds it for withdrawl form the case mouth, there is a stop above the spud that keeps in firmly in the case mouth.
 
F

freebullet

Guest
Sounds good. You could put a set screw through the base of the sliding model too. Would probably be more durable and Less frustrating the the c clip.
Kick it around then make 2 of each. You can make mine @312, 454, or 226 if you pirate my idea which I pirated from hornady.
 

oldatheart

Active Member
Brad instead of buying internal thread tooling for this kind of job use a tap.
Bore or drill your hole. Next put the tap in the hole and bring your tail stock with a live center in it up to the end of the tap. Put the lathe in neutral and use the chuck to spin the 3 or 4 jaw by hand while keeping pressure on your tap with the tail stock. This will let you cheat intill You feel the need to spend more money! I know lots of old machinists that use this method for 99% of the time.
I hope this helps
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I have done some tapping that way. I have a few taps with no hole in the top! Drives me nuts. How to keep those centered?
 

oldatheart

Active Member
Sorry to assume you did not know how to thread that way. I was not sure how far you had gotten on your lathe.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Not far enough to think of making a sleeve to fit the tap. Doh!

I know little enough that anything you tell me will be helpful and appreciated.
 

oldatheart

Active Member
If you are ever stuck let me know I have been running these since I was 10. I don't even come close to knowing everything but, More than likely I might be able to help!
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Bob said you are a magician with a lathe, I beleive him. Once you get the new shop set up I may need to stop in for a few lessons.
 

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
Make up a straight bar about 1" diam and 4-5" long with a taper on the back to fit your
tailstock. Then make a sleeve to slide over the straight bar, about 1/8-3/16 wall is good,
and knurl the outside, and thread the front for a drill chuck.

Chuck a tap in the drill chuck. Run the lathe at any speed you like with the sleeve running
on the guide rod in the tailstock with a bit of oil between them. You control the position
and torque with your grip on the knurling. When the tap bottoms, it will spin in your
hand. Stop and reverse the lathe. No need to break a tap this way.

Bill
 

Charles Graff

Moderator Emeritus
001 (640x480).jpg I use a B-Square tap wrench that slide on a guide in the wrench. Put the drill bit in the trailstock chuck and drill the hole. Take out the drill bit and put the tap wrench in the tailstock chuck. Advance the wrench to the hole and turn the wrench by hand to tap the hole. Works like a champ. I don't know whether this wrench is still made or not. I have had this one for 40 years. I also use this wrench is the drill press chuck for taping holes. I have installed many a sight on a rifle with this set up.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Now that is a handy device. I will be looking to see if they still make such a device.

Thanks Charles.