Need a name for this part

[Tincamp67]

I have seen small cones, made from aluminum or brass, that slip on the end of a lathe center. The purpose is to protect the bore of a work piece. I believe they are used in gunsmithing to avoid damage to the barrel crown, probably have other uses as well.
I haven’t been able to find any as I don’t know what they are called. Does anybody know?

 

[WobblyHand]

Ramrod guide or bore protector? Muzzle guard? Bore guard or guide?

 

[WobblyHand]

If you have a lathe, you can make one.

 

[GeneT45]

Brownell's calls them "Crown Savers".

GsT

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[WobblyHand]

Brownell's calls them "Crown Savers".

GsT

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Brownell's doesn't seem to have any, at least the brass one's I found. Seems to me that anyone who is doing lathe work on a barrel would just make one of their own if they needed one? Or is there a special need for these? They would be time savers, but they wouldn't take that long to make.

 

[GeneT45]

I have usually just re-crowned the barrel after work, and that's only when I can't work through the headstock, but these are nice when that's not a good option. Making them is a trickier work-holding proposition than it might seem at first - the trick is to make the inside center first, then 'part off' by / while making the outside cone. Note that the outside cone only needs to be accurate down to the diameter of the bore you're working with. They've gone up in price since I bought any (lo these many years...), but that's probably still cheap if you're going to use them regularly.

GsT

 

[WobblyHand]

I have usually just re-crowned the barrel after work, and that's only when I can't work through the headstock, but these are nice when that's not a good option. Making them is a trickier work-holding proposition than it might seem at first - the trick is to make the inside center first, then 'part off' by / while making the outside cone. Note that the outside cone only needs to be accurate down to the diameter of the bore you're working with. They've gone up in price since I bought any (lo these many years...), but that's probably still cheap if you're going to use them regularly.

GsT

As soon as I saw the picture I started thinking about how to make it!

 

[Tincamp67]

I’m hoping to get the job done without re crowning. Since it’s a contender barrel, I haven’t figured out how to hold it on the back end with barrel pivot lug in the way. It won’t fit the spider that I use. I would like to run it between center, to cut threads for a brake.

I appreciate all the quick replies.

 

[GeneT45]

I have frequently considered adding features to my chucks to do this! The only issue is driving the workpiece. I usually end up making a dog that will engage a chuck jaw. Once done you can chuck up a piece of brass / bronze and cut a custom tip with a center (that will be 'perfect') and your headstock issues are over. But it's all down to the lathe dog.

If you're a Contender buff and will be doing this several times it might be worth making a piece that 'grabs' the barrel lug for drive.

GsT

ETA: All this assumes that your spindle bore won't swallow the barrel lug - if it will things get much easier...

 

[Tincamp67]

I use a late 1930’s south bend 9” lathe. The spindle bore will barely take the barrel. I could make a spider with a cut out to accommodate the barrel lug, for the outboard side. But that would be another project to add to the list.