Anyone gunsmithing with a lathe /w small spindle bore?

[flying pig]

Hey guys, I have a small Clausing lathe, 12x36. It's a nice overall size and perfect for in my home garage and for hobby gunsmithing, except that it has a very small 3/4" spindle bore. Has anyone else been working with a similarly sized lathe and been able to use it for barrel work? I'd really like to see your set ups. I saw on another forum where a fellow adapted half of a headstock with a larger through hole to work on his lathe. He set it up to work on the tail end of his bed and ran it just like it was his normal headstock, still driving from his chuck. What else have you guys been doing?

 

[hunter5425]

I work between centers on barrels too large to fit through the headstock and have not noticed a significant difference in accuracy with those I did through the headstock, but then again I only make light sporters not bench guns. I don't have any pictures but it is pretty self explanatory, John L. Hinnant's book explains the method thoroughly including how too make your own tools for the work.

 

[billdick]

John L Hinnant's book is a very valuable book to have.

 

[mooncoon]

I have a Myford Super 7 with a 5/8" bore. As said by Hunter, work between centers or with a chuck at one end and a center or steady rest at the other end. I do all of my work at the tailstock end and for chambers, I support the breach end with a nylon bushing that is turned concentric to the bore. That is also necessary it the barrel is an octagon barrel

cheers mooncoon

 

[CanAm]

mcmillan chambers between the chuck and steady.

 

[flying pig]

Thank you guys very much. I'm going to see if I can find that book, as well as start buying some tooling and start playing.

 

[hunter5425]

Brownells has it. Its a very good source to begin first rebarrel.