EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS

In the introduction, I listed a few machines that are needed, to make what you need. What is needed will
allow you to make gun barrels, but I am not considering speed, number of operations, or number of
barrels produced.

LATHE

Your lathe should have at least a 3-foot bed. If you are planning to make muzzle loading barrels, a 4 ft.
bed is preferable. The hole through the head stock should be at least 1 1/2 inch, as you will need to
center the barrel blank in the head stock.

There will need to be a collar on each end of the head stock so the blank can be centered. The collars
will need to be tapped for 4 -1/4 inch set screws, which will be used to center the blank.

The lathe should be able to turn at least 2000 rpm or higher. It should have tapered bearings in the head
stock spindle.

You will have to get extra gears for your lathe so you can slow the feed to give you the minimum of.
inch of feed per revolution. This will be needed when you drill barrels for 17-22 caliber. Any higher feed
will cause the deep-hole drill to plug up and possible twist off.

OIL PAN

There should be some type of oil pan under the ways to catch the returning cutting oil, so it can be
strained before it is returned to the oil reservoir. This tray should extend full length of the lathe.

For drilling barrels, you will need a pump that will turn out at least 400 lbs. of oil pressure. This pressure
is needed to clear the chips. More on this later.

TOOL POST GRINDER

If you are going to make your tools, such as reamers, rifling buttons, and other special tools or cutters, a
tool post grinder is necessary. With a tool post grinder you can cut your expenses down to a very small
percent of what it would be if you had to buy them or have them special made.

You will be able to grind your own reamers, deep hole drills, make your rifling buttons, make your own
chambering reamers. In general, be able to make any caliber of barrel with any desired chambering.

MILLING MACHINE

You will need a milling machine with an indexing attachment for making rifling buttons, and reamers. A