In order to fabricate rifle barrels from solid bars of steel, the machinist must employ tools that are dimensionally precise and razor-sharp. Without the proper tools for the job, the project will be doomed from the start. Chapter 6 provides an extremely detailed look at the tools that are required and the methods used to fabricate these tools in the home shop. Because the tools provide the direct interface between barrel maker and barrel blank, this is unquestionably the most important chapter of the entire book.

             Chapter 6 provides a clear description of what the tools are and how they function. This level of understanding is required if the riflesmith is to fabricate his own tooling to create custom rifle barrels. I buy my deep-hole drills from a commercial source for reasons explained in the book. However, all of the other tooling necessary to fabricate rifle barrels from solid bars of steel is made from scratch right here in my own shop. Steel Helix holds nothing back and explains, in minute detail, how to fabricate your own barrel tooling. Chapter 6 will provide you with the know-how to fabricate, to tolerances measured in ten-thousandths of an inch, your own:

 

· Deep-hole drill guide bushings

· Reamers

· Reamer drivers

· Rifling cutter boxes

· Rifling hook cutters

· Rifling cylinders

 

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