Good Sources for Metal Barrels?

I like RB,big selection and very reasonable,even the shipping

rbmodel.com/index.php

Sprue-ce Goose

there's obtaining software for CADD as well as software to convert a CADD drawing into G code

The CAD is cheap.  Learning 3D modeling in a way that translates into "machinable" form, can take some time.

However, it's that last bit--the CAM software that is dear.  Sort of.  AlphaCAM is free; the hardware dongle can run to $10 grand though.

Which is why stereo-lithography is cheaper on the software side (no G-code); but more spendy for the casting machine (cheaper than a decade ago, smaller, too--about the size of an undercounter fridge, and $15-20K not including resin).  Whether the entry-level 3D "printers" will solve the resolution issues for very small radii remains to be seen.

Yupp all that Sprue-ce Goose and CapnMac have said is true. Ideally if you are going to turn out tapered gun barrels in quantity you would use a turret lathe or automatic screw machine. Not exactly the kind of tool you find in the average small shop. Assuming you have the right equipment how many gun barrels can you really expect to sell? How many of a particular kit have been made and how many of the people building that kit care enough to go the extra step and expense to buy a gun barrel? That's why the cost is so high.

I have thus far resisted buying metal barrels for armour kits.

I would prefer to modify my old 3 inch swing lathe for CAM with steppers or stepper servos , controller circuitry and ball screws but don't have the time to do it and spending the several hundred to $1,000 necessary to obtain quality components only to let them sit and wait.............

............then I'd need to make a traveling steady rest to support that thin barrel as it is being turned......

.then there's obtaining software for CADD as well as software to convert a CADD drawing into G code so the controllers know what to tell the Stepper motors.........

....well, by now you probably get the picture...............

I've ordered a bunch of metal barrels. 2 x Tiger, 1 x Panther, 2 x King Tiger, 1 x Elefant, 2 x Jagdtiger and 1 x Panzer IV.  The barrels of these tanks are so long that I'd have to spend a ton of time to remove the seam without metal barrels.  Now I know I'll spend my limited modeling time on more enjoyable things like assembly and painting.  

Yeah, I always look at one of those little bags of Aber barrels and think, jeez $ 25 got me 12 big ones, 15 medium ones and 10 small ones. I coulda done better! Start up the Unimat!

Yeah, right.

The product is usually really nice.

One thing I've learned. Don't ever get a jones on at the computer and credit card off all of the PE, barrels and such when you buy the kit.

Be quiet, Wyatt.

Wait until the kit comes, pour yourself a dram of Glenmorrison, look it through and decide rationally what you need..

I'll just buy metal barrels to save time.  I'm building a Tamiya Panther G and have spent more than an hour to fill the seam of the two piece barrel.  But it's not still perfect.  Because the gun is perhaps the most conspicuous part of a tank, I think spending $15-20 on a metal barrel is worth the money.

Why are they expensive?  

Two reasons, really.  

One is that making those barrels is not easy.  You need a lathe.  You need to know how to use a lathe (which is much more expensive than the tool).  You need stock to turn.  Then, you need the most expensive bit of all--research data.   Like not merely the dimensions of the "real" thing (remember that the barrels have some taper, and ofter a curved or stepped taper).  But, you also need to know what the average diameter of the mantlet or gun base in the Trumpy, Tamiya, or whatever kit you are making it for, too.  (Probably a real good idea to know if you ought recommend to the buyers to epoxy or PVA a bunch of shot into the gun breach in the kit to balance the tube you are selling.)   Then there's the whole tiny-business economy expenses just to run a cottage biz, too.  Wret5ched devilish things like taxes, fees, overhead, advertizing and the like.

The other thing is your personal economy.  We only have nn hours to devote to hobby time.  At what point is the time expense in puttying, sanding, seam-filling, etc. not a good use of those hours?  

Chrisk-K,

Almost all of the online vendors will carry metal barrels.  To start, look at Sprue Bros. or Squadron.  The Barrel Store is another good option.  Or Ebay.  Shop around for the best price; and remember, Google is your friend. 

Don