Author Topic: Radius cutter  (Read 6630 times)

Bert

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Radius cutter
« 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

Offline Dphariss

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Re: Radius cutter
« Reply #1 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
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. Thomas Paine

Offline shortbarrel

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Re: Radius cutter
« Reply #2 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

Bert

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Re: Radius cutter
« Reply #3 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.