Wm Cook
03-16-2021, 09:43 PM
Can a lathe that’s set up to cut molds cut a metplat as small as .090”?
I know nothing about custom molds. I do know that if you send a sample to a craftsman that cuts molds on a CNC lathe he’ll work from what you’ve given him. And if you send a sketch or doodle on a computer the person may even point out problems and offer suggestions.
A group buy is a long shot and it should be because for a manufacturer to take on the cost it has to be worth while. Folks like MP, NOE and others have to stay in business so we can buy molds from them ten years from now. And I’m not knocking Lee but I would prefer a single cavity iron mold. And besides Lee is shut down for who knows how long. 2nd best to iron would be a single cavity brass mold.
So the only path forward is to find someone who takes on one off projects and cuts the mold on a CNC lathe.
The problem is that the mold needs a .090 metplat. That may be a deal breaker since Accurate Mold’s minimum metplat is .18. Doubling the size of the metplat will change the geometry and balance and besides I have sample bullets thanks to a friend on the site and the design has already proven itself to be accurate.
The mold would be a reproduction of an old NEI design.
Thanks, Bill.
I know nothing about custom molds. I do know that if you send a sample to a craftsman that cuts molds on a CNC lathe he’ll work from what you’ve given him. And if you send a sketch or doodle on a computer the person may even point out problems and offer suggestions.
A group buy is a long shot and it should be because for a manufacturer to take on the cost it has to be worth while. Folks like MP, NOE and others have to stay in business so we can buy molds from them ten years from now. And I’m not knocking Lee but I would prefer a single cavity iron mold. And besides Lee is shut down for who knows how long. 2nd best to iron would be a single cavity brass mold.
So the only path forward is to find someone who takes on one off projects and cuts the mold on a CNC lathe.
The problem is that the mold needs a .090 metplat. That may be a deal breaker since Accurate Mold’s minimum metplat is .18. Doubling the size of the metplat will change the geometry and balance and besides I have sample bullets thanks to a friend on the site and the design has already proven itself to be accurate.
The mold would be a reproduction of an old NEI design.
Thanks, Bill.