Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Dave Manson reamers rant

I needed a 270 WSM reamer for a customers rebarreling job. I called PTG first, they were out. Called JGS next, they were out. Manson reamers had one in stock, but it would need to be modified to accept JGS/PTG rotating bushings first. I was installing a Shilen #3 Stainless barrel on a CRPF Model 70 action. This reamer started chattering the moment it was deep enough to start the shoulder. So I borrowed a PTG reamer from another local Smith used the same bushing from the Manson reamer and the barrel then chambered normally. This is my first Manson reamer and probably is the last.

Wanna sell that chattering Manson?

Uuummm... OK.

What is your offer?

PM sent.

LMAO..

First barrel you chambered??? You'll be out of reamer manufacturers pretty soon once you actually get some experience..

Once watched a 'smith in San Antonio, TX, deal with reamer chatter. His 'trick' was to cut an "X" in an oiled cleaning patch and slip it over the reamer at the chamber shoulder and proceed. Didn't stick around long enough to get the full explanation, but when I saw him a few days later I asked how the chambering ended he said 'just fine.'

Redneck You need to read it again. No where did I say this is my first barrel job. I have been chambering barrels for 28 years and this is the first POS reamer I ever received. I have reamers made by Keith Francis, JGS, and PTG never a problem before now. One more thing I use a floating reamer holder.

I chambered my 7x57 with a Manson and didn't really care for the solid pilot, but the chamber came out fine using the Bald Eagle Reamer Holder. I really prefer the PTG reamers with bushing over the Manson and use them whenever i have a choice. Dustylongshot, just wondering what speed you run your lathe when cutting your chambers .

I have a variable speed so it is not exact setting, but it is 190 to 200 rpm's.

As in anything, there is no substitute for experience. If you have been chambering barrels long enough, you'll end up with an occasional reamer that chatters. It's knowing how to deal with and make corrections on the fly that sets the pro's apart from the amateurs. Most of the chatter problems I've experienced, yes, even on new reamers, could be solved with about a 5 minute workout with a stone. Imagine a working gunsmith having a barrel mounted up and dialed in, having to stop operations, effectively tying up the machine while waiting for another reamer to be made or corrected. Gunsmiths have to be able to solve problems on their feet. Of course if you break a reamer, midstream, and it happens, that's a whole other story.

Malm
Not a gunsmith or machinist so go easy on me, but what typically causes reamer chatter? I would guess rpm, sharpness or maybe feedrate.

Speed, feed and sharpness all play a role, but on 99 percent of the reamers I have that exhibit a tendency to chatter, I find if I alter the lead angle slightly on the shoulder portion of the reamer, the chatter disappears. I have done everything from wrapping the reamer in pork soaked corn husks, to hopping on one leg while pissing into a Mason jar, but for me, nothing works faster than altering the attack angle of the cutter. And usually by reducing the angle a touch so it isn't as aggressive. Sometimes the other way. There's no hard and fast rule.

Once chatter is present, you sometimes have to carefully hand feed the reamer to get past the damage. But it works provided you caught it in time.

And for what it's worth, I have Dave Manson's reamers, and if one produced a little chatter, I certainly would not be ready to throw it away, or, publicly trash the company on an internet forum. I would contact Dave and talk with him. He's as anxious for your success as you are.

Malm That is some funny [bleep]. I can and probably will stone the reamer to bring it chatter less. I made a rant because the maker should use better QC then me finding out. I know what your talking about having a lathe tied up. Luckily I have two lathes but i do like the variable one for chambering. Further info. I have 38-40 and 44-40 barrel reamers for relining the old lever guns. Both are Manson reamers and they both cut fine.

I chamber at a speed of 115 RPM's and have never had a problem . I have only chambered my own rifles and i don't do it for a living, so don't claim to be a Professional Smith, just someone cableable of doing his own work.

I can certainly see your frustration, but I have never been one to b!tch about a companies product without visiting with them first. I guess that you have never made a mistake and don't understand that it can happen.
I am sorry you had a problem and hopefully you can fix it. A couple times that I've had reamer chatter I wrapped wax paper around the flutes and changed my feed and speed. The same reamer didn't chatter on the next chamber for whatever reason.
Dave is a great guy and I know he will bend over backward for you.
Good Luck with it.

I have bought a number of reamers from Manson and they all seem perfect by my standards.


What kills me is how business like he is on the phone.

I am an amateur gunsmith building guns I do not really need, just doing it for fun.
So when i order a reamer, it is like I am ordering a case of Champagne, I expect a little levity.

Exactly.. And part of the reason a reamer can chatter is simply the selected chambering.. The .300H&H is famous for chattering reamers.. And yet the .375 rarely does..

I never go higher than 60 rpm when chambering..

In 28 years this is your FIRST chattering experience??? Wow.. You should buy Lotto tix every week..

Ok, so you've done this a while. Fine, but I find it amazing you've never had one chatter before.... Nearly unheard of.

I gave up on any floating reamer holder.. I've got one - and used it from time to time early on in this biz but haven't touched it in 6-7 years.. If the barrel's set up properly in the lathe a floater's not needed. (IMVHO, of course)...

I remember talking to Dave Manson about the .300HH a couple years ago and asked him why this particular round is such a pita to chamber.. I asked what he might be doing differently and he said he did the .300HH only if he had to - his experience was that it was a pita also... I got a good laugh outta that one..

Seems to be quite a difference.

I'm not a machinist, but I do trust Redneck's knowledge and abilities.

The only time I've had issues with reamer chatter was quite a few years back on an Atlas lathe and working between center. Later after aquiring a much heavier Clausing and chambering in the headstock I have experienced chatter one time and I found the barrel steel at fault.