Smith tube cutter

[MR. GADGET]

I have a repop Smith, tried several brass tubes for it and it would never close.
So got to thinking about using my barrel crowning tools..

I have some crown cutters, 90 deg and 11 deg. 3/4" and 1"
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...ER-BRASS-PILOT

They use a brass or steel pilot like this.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...t/BRASS-PILOTS
On end fits the tool one in the barrel.
Or in this case fits the brass case.

Was thinking if can make it to fit inside the case, give it a few turns and trim the tube to length needed. It would keep the cutting true and good for a gas seal.
May only take 1/2 to one turn then try in the gun.

I will get the spec but I'm thinking it is around 1/8" and the big side to fit the tube would be 516 and 1/2" long with a taper on the very end to make it easy to fit in or bullet head.

Let me know what you think, anyone have a way they trim their tubes other then a belt sander or file.

Other tools have to much set up time and would add to the cost of brass tubes to much.

Also having seen several people at last nationals that did their tubes and still have some fit problems due to not being true on the end.

One guy filed the back side of his, What works best?

Thanks.

[Lou Lou Lou]

Many years ago, a fella had the same problem. He gave me 150 Brass tubes that wouldnt fit in his original Smith.
Took me less than a half hour with a file to take 2-3 swipes off each tube. Low tech, but I am still shooting thos tubes.

My mind wanders

[Gary Van Kauwenbergh, 101]

I had the same problem. I use the black plastic, reduced load cartridges.

I made a jig to hold the plastic cartridges in place on my drill press. Then I filed a metal cartridge down until it was short enough to let the breach close. Then I chucked up a router bit in the drill press and used the metal cartridge to set the depth of cut nuts on the drill press. After that, you just run all your plastic cartridges through the drill press. Check your length occasionally to make sure nothing has wandered...