The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

To day I got to examine the contents of a package I received from the USA with some moulds a batch of expander buttons and some case overall length buttons I ordered in January of this year. On examination I realized I had missed out ordering a expander in a particular size that I was looking forward to using for a rifle I cast for and I also neglected to order one of the case overall length buttons I needed. I could add them on to my next order but if they take as long as the last order I can expect them to arrive in probably December. So having the real thing as a template and nothing else to do to day I spent the day on the lathe and made a expander button and a case overall length button. It proved a bit of a challenge the dimensions are really tight the whole thing is not a inch long but I got there in the end. Obviously the Guy in the States is using a CNC lathe or mill as it his living. I enjoyed the challenge I would definitely have another go. My biggest problem was getting a good finish and as usual parting off. I still have huge problems parting off stainless.
I'm going to have another go to morrow I have one more expander I need.

Come on Dave, you know we need machining porn!

Get those pictures posted!

Expander buttons and mandrels are fun to make, I use a particularly tough tool steel for mine, the interesting part is building them accurately especially when people ask for them in 0.0005" increments. I use a new uncoated 0,2mm radius insert for the finishing cut and you can get a mirror like finish with some care.

Ill post pics later I'm off out now. Ovenpaa what sort of speeds do you run the lathe at when machining expanders. I ended up using a high speed steel cutter for finishing I could not get a satisfactory finish with carbide. I had to scrap the first attempt it looked like it had been threaded.

Not that fast, around 950 r/min with the finest feed on the machine.

Pictures the three on the left are NOE supplied in sizes .313 .315 .316 for some reason I did not order one in .314 so I made the one on the right in the picture to .314. Not up to NOE standards but it will do for what I want. This is a case overall length button I ordered one in .308 when it arrived I thought it would be nice to have one in 6.5x55 as well.
The buttons are aluminium.

While we are here. This when its finished will be a bushing push through sizing die for my tumble lubed boolits.

While we are on a roll. This is a tail stock die holder it also serves as a centre height gauge for centring my carbide cutting tools etc.
The knurling did not turn out well. I also struggled to get a decent internal finish but it will do for now its all part of the learning curve. All in all I enjoyed having a play and that's all that counts.

Very well done mate!

Looks like you have the screw cutting side of things covered, did you grind your own tool or use indexable?