Barrel fluting

[killswitch505]

You don't need a rotary table or an indexer to flute a barrel. I made up some hex nuts for both ends of the barrel and use them for indexing. Clamp the barrel down directly to the mill table, use a coupla 5/8" dowels pressed snuggly into the T slots for a locating stops, and another positive stop on the end of the barrel.
Don't use a ball endmill....it will walk. Use a horizontal type cutter.

Pretty interesting I've seen a few YouTube videos with it done similar. I'm wanting to pick up rotary table for other projects. Im definitely leaning towards the saw style cutter

 

[Reeltor]

You don't need a rotary table or an indexer to flute a barrel. I made up some hex nuts for both ends of the barrel and use them for indexing. Clamp the barrel down directly to the mill table, use a coupla 5/8" dowels pressed snuggly into the T slots for a locating stops, and another positive stop on the end of the barrel.
Don't use a ball endmill....it will walk. Use a horizontal type cutter.

I agree, use a horizontal cutter to get a glass smooth flute in the barrel. As a bonus the flute will taper at each end, I like the look.

 

[Gilbh]

You don't need a rotary table or an indexer to flute a barrel. I made up some hex nuts for both ends of the barrel and use them for indexing. Clamp the barrel down directly to the mill table, use a coupla 5/8" dowels pressed snuggly into the T slots for a locating stops, and another positive stop on the end of the barrel.
Don't use a ball endmill....it will walk. Use a horizontal type cutter.

Do you have any pictures of your setup I would love to see how you did it

 

[derf]

 

[killswitch505]

Dref, thanks for the pictures!!! How are you attaching the hex nut on the muzzle end?

 

[derf]

On that particular barrel the muzzle is threaded. For non threaded muzzles, I use a nut with a 1" through hole and a delrin bushing machined to fit the muzzle snug. I have many nuts in different threads for different jobs. I have one for AR's that slips on the barrel extension and has a slot for the alignment pin and is then held with a set screw.

 

[killswitch505]

Got her done!!!!

 

[Winegrower]

Is there a functional reason for fluting? I know next to nothing about this.

 

[killswitch505]

Is there a functional reason for fluting? I know next to nothing about this.

Some say to save weight I removed 13 1/2 ounces on a 8 pound barrel. Some say it stiffens the barrel most I think do it for looks. I’m probably going to only carry it from the safe to the truck and the truck to the bench. I think I did it more to see if I could and the coolness factor was part of the reason.

 

[derf]

It will dissipate heat quicker because of the larger surface area.