AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Shop Made Tools => Topic started by: Bert on April 19, 2011, 06:59:41 PM

Title: Radius cutter
Post by: Bert on April 19, 2011, 06:59:41 PM
Hi all
This is my first post. What a great web site. My question is: Has anyone out there ever tried to make or use this radius cutter
http://www.jerry-howell.com/Radius.html
I am thinking about getting the plans. I want to make round ball molds for my Potsdam and H&P smoothie.
I wonder how small a radius can be cut with this.
Thanks
Bert
Title: Re: Radius cutter
Post by: Dphariss on April 19, 2011, 07:11:35 PM
Hi all
This is my first post. What a great web site. My question is: Has anyone out there ever tried to make or use this radius cutter
http://www.jerry-howell.com/Radius.html
I am thinking about getting the plans. I want to make round ball molds for my Potsdam and H&P smoothie.
I wonder how small a radius can be cut with this.
Thanks
Bert

If you have the machinery to make it I am sure it will work as advertised.
These guys might know http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/

Making stuff is a lot of fun but good RB moulds in any caliber can be obtained from
http://www.jt-bullet-moulds.co.uk/moulds.htm
Delivery was quick and payment was sent to the US when I bought mine.

If you want to make moulds and cherries by all means do so. But there are alternatives.

Dan
Title: Re: Radius cutter
Post by: shortbarrel on May 19, 2011, 01:54:15 AM
Bert: I have made molds for all the rifle and pistols I have built. You have lathe I presume. That radius cutter would speed things up, but just simple tools will do the work. Molds are two duplicate pieces, I have made then from cast brass, and also forged them from wrought iron. There is info in books that might help you. I used an old cherry years ago  to make my first one. After you have the round ball,setting out there on a a stem, thats then the filing begins. A triangle file with one side ground smooth, is the filing tool. I love this web site, but you get to many negative post on somethings that you might want to do. Do it --- Mail me if you are interested and i'll tell you how to make a round cherry using a lathe, there are two ways. PS I've also made the ball end in a electric hand drill clamped in a padded vice. Don't ever be denied. Regards Dick
Title: Re: Radius cutter
Post by: Bert on June 05, 2011, 02:53:06 PM
Hi again. Sorry for the delay in writing, so much end of the year stuff where I teach....
I have found an old gunsmithing book, The Modern Gunsmith by Howe 1934. He discusses making both round ball and conical cherries. I have a lathe and mill and may try both but the filing of the round ball cherry seems to be very difficult to get it right. I will just have to try. I am interested in making molds from .68 to .72 for various smoothbores I've got. I shoot with the N-SSA and can't use a patch and the balls need to fit tight. I knurl them between files and all to tighten them up. Shrinkage of the lead is a problem and maybe I can tweak the molds a bit if I made the radius cutter. Just thoughts...
I would be interested in your ideas on mold making. I have brass, aluminum and steel bar stock.