floating reamer holders

[shatthatkilledelvis]

I'm looking to buy a floating reamer holder. Do you guys have any recommendations or preferences? Looking at Brownells and saw the Dave Manson's version - looks good, but I usually buy from PTG and could get theirs with my other order. I'd like to get some opinions from fellow CGN'ers.

thanks!

 

[guntech]

Very easy to make a good 'holder'.. The best holders don't... they just push...

I copied this off the Benchrest gunsmithing forum a few years ago. It works very well.

 

[flick]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dial_indicator#Dial_test_indicator

 

[winchester_070]

PM Sent

 

[shatthatkilledelvis]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dial_indicator#Dial_test_indicator

uuhhhh...thanks. I think i've got dti's figured out

 

[flick]

So then what's the floating holder for? It's an honest question, I must be missing something.

 

[sdeering]

If your tailstock isnt "dead nuts true" as it sometimes referred, will cut a larger OD hole.
The holder allows the tool to move to where it wants to be. Its good for runout as well although ther should be any on the barrel.....
I have seen that design gunteck. What are the two surfaces like that come into contact in the holder? Just too true polished faces? Or is one the actual back of the reamer?

 

[flick]

Fair enough. In my little pea brain it makes more sense to fix the tailstock, or hold the reamer in the toolpost.

Lot of ways to skin a cat though

 

[lejarretnoir]

I use something similar to what guntech illustrates.
I know a good smith who uses the Manson holder and I've modified a Clymer to just push the reamer only.

 

[sdeering]

I guess it all depends on how accurate you want the chamber. I have looked at a .0005 dial when just tightening my tailstock it moves too much to say its goodenough.

I have tried a piece of hardened round stock in the tailstock to push with, greese on the end of the reamer sticking a ball brg. to it. This alows the reamer to follow the bore of the barrel. The ball slides around on the hardend stock whithought puting any sidways or up and down force on the reamer.

I have also tied a center/edge-finder in the tailstock. The end of the finder has a spring that holds it centered but will alow "wobble" movement. It works good too.

Both ways I hold the reamer from turning by hand. You aquire a feel after a while. You can feel if you are advancing the reamer too fast or just right.

 

[A&Shuntr]

I use PTG Bald Eagle floating holder, works great, but not for the un-skilled.