Homemade die spoon cutter

[clarks359]

I would like to swage some bullets for my 8mm Mauser in .323. The dies for this size from CH4D are a custom set. I can't afford to go that route , so I thought about trying to make my own die. I don't have a lathe or a milling machine, but I know people who do.

I remember seeing something about a homemade spoon cutter, and I was wondering how to make one of these and if it could be used to make this die.
If anyone could give me a idea or a link to something about this I would appreciate it. Thanks

[ANeat]

Here is a good one, search for "reamer" brings up a lot of good results.

http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=23305&highlight=reamer

[KTN]

These are some of the spoon cutters I have made from HSS paper cutter blade.

On bottom is cutter blade I start with, about 0.1"x1.75"x5'.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o277/kainiin/IMG_3164.jpg

I cut it to about 5" long pieces and cut those in half lenght wise with angle grinder. After grinding both edges straight on lathe I cut nose shape with bench grinder and cut of exess material from back with angle grinder.

This is for .40 cal and up swaging dies.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o277/kainiin/IMG_3170.jpg

This is for mold making with .459" mold cut with it.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o277/kainiin/IMG_0862.jpg



Kaj

[clarks359]

Thanks to everyone for the help and links.

ANeat : Thanks for the link, thats what I was thinking of when I pictured spoon cutters.

KTN : Thanks for the pictures, they help me understand how these cutters work. I do have some questions if you don't mind answering some. Do you start with a hole close to the finishied diameter then feed the cutter towards the bottom of the hole to cut the contour. Maybe you start with a hole smaller than you want then feed the cutter towards the outside of the hole untill you get the contour you want. Sorry if these questions sound silly but I don't have any machining experience. Thanks for any and all help.

[BT Sniper]

DANG!! Nice work KTN.

BT

[gjb]

I grind off one side of a tile cutter it works fine but they are 6..00 at the local hdwe store. . It looks like a d style cutter

[KTN]

Clarks359,

If making swaging die, I step drill close to final diameter, shape and depth first, then feed cutter to final depth with lots of oil and light cuts, removing chips often. Opening die to correct diameter, remembring to leave few thousands to lap, by moving cutter out.

If making mold, I step drill cavity close to grease groove diameter and boolit shape, feed cutter in to correct depth and start moving cutter out o cut to correct diameter, with lots of oil and removing chips often.

I didn't have any machinig experience either when I started. ;)

Picture from other side of tool.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o277/kainiin/IMG_3178.jpg


BT Sniper,

Thank you,Sir.
You do realize that you are responsible for dragging me and several other forum members into bullet swaging?
Keep up the good work [smilie=w:



Kaj

[clarks359]

KTN,
Thank you for the pictures of those bits. I can see where you cut a relief on the backside and shaped the cutting edge. Thanks for the description of how to use the bits, now I need to spend some time with my buddy and his lathe. Once again thanks for all the help.