Brownells sells a "Barrel Spinner" from Clymer. Have any of you made a similar fixture yourself? I am thinking about it, but I don't want to reinvent the wheel, and I am not sure how to mount the centers and what kind of bearings to use.

Clemson

I considered making my own, but decided to take a chance on the Clymer and I'm glad I did. It is very well made and it works very, very well. I use it with my Beaumont Metal Works 2x72 belt grinder to quickly finish the roughest barrels. IMO well worth the $100.

I bought one, and am also very happy with it, but to answer your question:

1) I'd look at trying to use skateboard wheel bearings.
2) I'd ream a hole in the support arms a little undersize and press the bearings in.
3) I'd drill and tap the bearings' centers for the cones that are the "center" the barrel turns on. You could use the same size and thread as the replacement centers to save time later when they wear out.

Steve

can someone explain this fixture.....I'm still filing and using five grits of emery cloth on the lathe.....I cover the ways well and turn about 1,500 RPM....

Vapo,

I got to use the barrel spinner at Trinidad this summer. It's less painful than polishing on the lathe. You mount the barrel between two plastic centers, and you push the barrel into the belt sander at a place where the belt isn't backed. The barrel will start spinning, and you need to control the spin a little with a gloved thumb. By varying the angle of the barrel relative to the belt, you can get a little different finish.

It comes out great. Barrel mounted recoil lugs and silver soldered sights produce the same challenges as on the lathe, and you have to try to blend them out by hand-polishing or with the Dremel tool.

Neat tool, though.

I made my own. 1" square tubing and a couple of 3/4" by 2" by 4" bearing holders. Use a couple of old bearing (that's not a very smart thing to do) and bought the inserts. That reminds me, I need to get new bearings. Bill