Anyone with a metal lathe willing to help a fellow reloader?

[flashhole]

I ordered the Lyman E-ZEE trim system that requires use of different pilots - very similar to the Lee Case Length Gage and Cutter system only (I hope) more robust.

I load for 221 Fireball but the Lyman system does not make a pilot for it.

Is anyone with a metal lathe willing to cut down a 223 pilot to 221 dimensions so I can use it with this system?

[Steve Steven]

I just made one today. It is easier to make one from scratch than to cut one down. Can you provide ACCURATE dimensions of what you need, with a sketch showing them? I don't have a Lyman pilot to work from.

Steve

[baogongmeo]

Can you spin it in a drill press and use a strip of fine aluminum oxide sand paper?

[tigweldit]

For .002" you might be able to put the pilot in a drill press or even a hand held drill take some emery cloth to it. Starting with some 220 or 320 and finish off with some 1000-1500 grit has worked for me in the past. Be careful. 220 grit can cut fast.

[flashhole]

Wow, quick responses. It's not the diameter that is the issue, it's the length. Same neck opening as a 223 or any other 22 caliber cartridge but the length of the pilot needs to be shorter.

Steve - any special considerations to the steel? Yes, I can provide dimensions and if it is easier to just make one from a rod I'm all in. I will have to wait to get the Trimmer to see if there are any special considerations needed for the pilot but I'm thinking dimensions will be very similar to the Lee system indexing off the face of the cutter to the end of the pin.

[flashhole]

This is what a 223 pilot looks like. I need it to be shortened to 221 Fireball length. My thinking was to get it in a lathe and cut it back keeping the same pin diameter and shaft angle, just make it shorter.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/GuideGun/pilot_zpsc5soxfnc.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/GuideGun/media/pilot_zpsc5soxfnc.jpeg.html)

[bangerjim]

Well.......you can't do THAT with a hand drill and sand paper!!!!! You need to have someone make a new one to correct length on a metal lathe. I would, but I am in the middle of a $6M project right now. Mabe some of the retired guys will help you out.

banger

[flashhole]

Seems to be some confusion on cartridges.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/GuideGun/22calcartridges.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/GuideGun/media/22calcartridges.jpg.html)

221 Fireball is third from left. 223 is fifth from left. These are all 22 caliber cartridges that shoot the same diameter bullet (.224").

I make 221 Fireball cases from 223 Remington cases.

I want the pilot that will allow me to trim the 221 cases.

[flashhole]

From left to right,

22 Hornet
218 Bee
221 Fireball
222 Remington
223 Remington
222 Remington Magnum
22-250

[bangerjim]

That is why I said you need a lathe.....not a hand drill and sandpaper! Your pilot will be quite a bit shorter than the 223. Length is ultra critical! Correct length is the key to that system working right.

banger

[flashhole]

Yeah, I get that, that's why I'm asking if anyone with a lathe can turn one down for me. I don't have a lathe. I will send one to somebody to turn.

[lightman]

I think the confusion is that a lot of us did not know that Lyman started making a trimmer like that. We were thinking about the pilots that go in the lathe type trimmer. I made one like yours from a 35 Remington to use on 357 Herrett cases and used hand tools, but a lathe would make a nicer looking tool!

[bedbugbilly]

flashhole - I know there are several on this site that do machining - mold work, etc. . . . but "senioritis" is keeping me from remembering their ID names. Try posting a "Looking for someone with a lathe to do a quick job" or similar on the WTB forum under Swapping/Selling and see if someone doesn't come up with the names. Or the "gunsmithng tips" section might be a good place to post as well?

[tja6435]

Ask Buckshot if he can make it for you. He makes lee/lyman sizing dies, would think an easy project for such a guy.

[flashhole]

Thanks guys, not looking for anyone to make one from scratch, I will send them a 223 pilot to be shortened.

[flashhole]

Here's a pic of the Lee equivalent tools. I put ball handles on all the cutters. Easy on the hands.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/GuideGun/cutters%202_zpstucwk6lc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/GuideGun/media/cutters%202_zpstucwk6lc.jpg.html)

[onefunzr2]

144777

I've got a mini-lathe I use to make 357 SIG cases into 8mm Nambu.
PM me your needs.

[flashhole]

PM sent

[country gent]

Done right from scratch would be easier and faster. A .060 drill blank and 1/4" round stock. center end and turn body between centers, chuck up and drill ream .049 hole for pin. press pin into end with a little red locktite. Cut and finsih pin end to length and your done. turning one from existing will need to be chucke and no means of supporting other end easily.

[flashhole]

Do I hear a volunteer?

[country gent]

After 35 years of tool and die making it would e a simple project if I had access to a lathe.

[flashhole]

That is my thinking too. This is not that demanding. I don't have a lathe else I would not be asking for help.

[Steve Steven]

Flashhole, I'll make it for you. From 1/4 drill rod, with a piece of needle bearing stock pressed into the body. Will need dimensions, I don't have either a Lee or Lyman to work from.

Steve
PS thanks for the Lee photo, it helps a lot.

[anotherred]

If steve steven isn't able to make one for what ever reason, pm me, I'll volunteer. No machinist here, but I got a cheap Chinese lathe and would try to help if needed.

[onefunzr2]

Since I PM'd you my name and address 2 weeks ago and the pilot you wished modified never arrived, I'll assume you found help elsewhere. I withdraw my offer.

[flashhole]

Sorry for the delay in responses, I've been away on business travel.

onefunzr2 - I will get the 223 pilot out to you early next week to be shortened. I will include a drawing showing the needed dimensions.

[onefunzr2]

onefunzr2 - I will get the 223 pilot out to you early next week to be shortened. I will include a drawing showing the needed dimensions.

Don't bother. I have no time now. Find someone else.

[flashhole]

Ok, thanks for the offer.

[gloob]

Well.......you can't do THAT with a hand drill and sand paper!!!!!
No. But you can do it with a hand drill and a dremel tool.

Clamp the drill to your bench and lock the button down. Using a cutting disc, use the Dremel to bring the shoulder back, lengthening the pin but leaving it slightly fat. Use a stone or a sanding block to true up the pin. Then cut it down to length. BTDT. If you have a drill press, so much the better. At the time, I didn't.

If your drill has any detectable runout, you will have a hard time. You might be able to stick the end of the pin into a bearing, say a hole drilled into a piece of brass that is clamped in place. And put a few wraps of tape around the end that you chuck up and rig the trigger of the drill to spin at a low speed. My own corded hand drill cost almost 4 times as much as my drill press, and it makes a great mini lathe.