steady rest or a follower rest becomes important. With a follower rest, you will be able to cut the outside
of the barrel with no taper, which is caused by springing.
The tool must cut clean, for if it drags, or it is slightly dull it will cause the barrel to heat as it is turned.
When the bit is sharpened right you will get some heat build up, but not much. Watch the chips, as they
are coming off the barrel. If they turn a dark blue, you are taking too much a cut, or the tool is dull.
Set the dial indicator on the carriage of the lathe, set it to 000, and set the tail stock over a bit. Crank the
carriage down towards the head stock to where the mark is on the barrel. Check the reading on the dial
indicator, and if it is not right, reset the tail stock and repeat the process until you get 0.0104.
Having found the correct angle, set the barrel blank between the centers, and clamp a lathe dog on the
head stock end. The tail stock center, I have found over the years work better if it is carbide. If you are
careful, you can use the standard high-speed center. Put a little grease on it that contains MolyKote Z
before setting it up.
What you have to watch for is that the cut is not heavy enough that it will cause the barrel to spring,
especially on the barrel that is halfway turned down. This springing causes stress. The tool must cut
clean, for if it drags, or it is slightly dull it will cause the barrel to heat as it is turned. When the bit is
sharpened right you will get some heat build up, but not much. Watch the chips, as they are coming off
the barrel. If they turn a dark blue, you are taking too much a cut, or the tool is dull.
Keep close of the pressure on the tail stock. It must be snug on the barrel, but not tight. As the barrel
heats its lengthens, and the tail stock must be loosened. If the tail stock center loosens too much, the
tool bit will chatter. After the contour is turned up to where the shoulder will end, you will need to remove
the barrel. You will then check to see if the bore is straight, and straighten if necessary.
If you have kept a sharp tool and a light feed, it should be straight. You must, after ever pass from now
on the barrel should be checked to see if it is straight. If the barrel has warped, take a lighter pass after
it is straighten.
Keep close watch on the pressure on the tail stock. It must be snug on the barrel, but not tight. As the
barrel heats its lengthens, and the tail stock must be loosened. If the tail stock center loosens too much,