Messages

691

Star Reloaders / Re: POWDER CUT-OFF by Maurice Lewis

« on: February 10, 2011, 06:52:03 pm »

So I'm guessing MA is Maurice Lewis right?

I don't think I have ever seen a picture of his Powder Shut Off/Drain

692

Star Reloaders / Re: About What Year?

« on: February 09, 2011, 11:53:56 am »

Good information Dave.   Interesting that the 1973 Star parts list doesn't list an 18T taper crimp die of any kind, though apparently they were offering both styles at that time.

I have a 1969 Gil Hebard catalog and it does not mention taper crimp dies of any kind in the Star section.

693

Star Reloaders / Re: BREWSTER

« on: February 05, 2011, 11:50:57 am »

Contact Ray Brandes on this forum.

See it in action here:  http://www.bullybarrel.ray-vin.com/frindexer.htm

694

Star Reloaders / Re: About What Year?

« on: February 05, 2011, 11:48:23 am »

I got to thinking about the vintage of the threaded taper crimp die, so I went back to do a little "Price List" research.   I have price lists from 1945, 1958, 1960, 1966, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1993.   The price lists prior to 1978 list part #18 Crimping Die, but do not list part #18T Taper Crimp Die.  The price lists for 1978 and 1979 list Taper Crimp Dies for both the unthreaded 3/8" hole, and a 11/16-24 threaded hole.  Price lists after 1979 only list #18T for a 11/16-24 threaded hole.

My price list collection has big gap between 1973 and 1978, so I can't say when Star started to offer an 11/16"-24 threaded taper crimp die, but I think it is safe to say that by 1978 they had converted to the threaded hole for the taper crimp die.   Keep in mind that many old style tool heads have been drilled and tapped for 11/16"-24 taper crimp dies, so the existence of a threaded hole for the taper crimp die cannot be used to date the tool head much less the reloader.

Maybe some other members have price lists for 1974-1977 to help us better nail down the date for the transition.

I have never seen a Star tool head that did not have a hole of some sort for a taper crimp die, so I'm assuming that it was offered even though it was not listed on the earlier price lists.

695

Star Reloaders / Re: About What Year?

« on: February 05, 2011, 08:46:57 am »

From what I have been able to determine, Star started factory drilling and tapping for the Hulme case feeder in about 1959.   So if you find a machine without the hole, it's a sure bet it's older than 1959.   However, Hulme offered a kit to locate, drill and tap the hole for the case feeder on older models.  I have drilled and tapped a couple of them myself.   The Hulme case feeder is such a popular accessory that there seems to be very few machines out there that don't have the hole for a Hulme case feeder, so if the machine has the hole, you can't assume it is newer than 1959.   The change in the Powder slide cam happened in late in 64 or 65.   Star changed their instruction sheet in 65 to picture the new style powder slide cam.   

I would love to know when Star changed from the unthreaded 3/8" hole to the 11/16"-24 threaded hole for the taper crimp die.   Is there anyone out there who bought a machine new from Star with the 3/8" taper crimp die hole??

696

Star Reloaders / Re: About What Year?

« on: February 05, 2011, 12:35:29 am »

So was your Dad or the previous owner left handed?  Your star is the only one I have seen with the handle on the left side.  (I have seen one that was ambidextrous).

My guess would be early 60's.

697

Star Reloaders / Re: DIE COMPANY

« on: February 02, 2011, 09:40:58 pm »

It would be great if you guys could post pictures, or scan the old brochures and post PDFs.

698

Survey Says... / Re: 2011 Values and Prices

« on: February 02, 2011, 10:45:03 am »

Sounds like you have a nice collection of Star equipment.   If you are looking to buy or sell something, its best if you post your request in the Stars Want to Buy/Want to Sell Section.

Rich Daniels (barreltester) on this forum makes adjustable powder slides.  You can send him a Private Message via the forum.   Magma Engineering still makes the Star Lubesizer as well as new sizing dies.  You can buy directly from them.   If you are looking for a particular sizing die, you can post you request in the Want to Buy/Want to Sell area and maybe another member will have what you are looking for.

I hope you have many years of Star usage ahead of you.

699

Star Reloaders / Re: HOW TO POST PICTURES

« on: February 02, 2011, 10:34:49 am »

When you post a message,  below and to the left of the text entry box you will see +Additional Options.  Click on Additional Options and some "Additional Options" will appear.   One of those options is Attach:  You will notice the Browse button to the right of the text box.  Click on the Browse button and it will allow you to select a file on your computer to include in your post. If you want to add additional pictures or files, click where it says (more attachments) and another text box and Browse button will appear.  

IMPORTANT:  There is a limit on the file size you can attach.   No one file, nor the combination of all files can exceed 196 KB.  If the sum of your attachments exceed 196 KB when you go to post your message, you will lose everything.  If I am doing a post and I'm not sure if I will exceed the file size limit, I will copy my text entry before hitting the Post button.  That way if the file size is to large, I can start a new post and paste in the copied text so I don't have to start over.

If your picture files are too large, you will need to re-size them.  You can generally do this in photo editing software.  I use Photoshop Elements There is a menu option for Image/Re-size.   I change the resolution from 180 to 72 and then save as a medium quality Jpg file and that usually does the trick.   Another thing you can do is to crop the picture to include only what you want to include.  That will cut down on the file size as well.

While many forums require you to post your pictures on a picture hosting site, this one does not.  Personally I don't like the pictures posted on a hosting site because when those pictures eventually get deleted, they also disappear from this site.  Then all we will see is little boxes with red Xs.

700

Star Reloaders / Re: STAR LABELS

« on: January 28, 2011, 09:01:35 am »

Are they the water slide variety?

701

Star Reloaders / Re: Star and WCC, RA, etc., in GI brass that used crimped primers

« on: January 27, 2011, 10:32:20 am »

If it's once fired military brass, I'm quite certain that you need to swag or ream the primer pockets.   I think all of the reloading equipment manufactures offer a hand tool for reaming primer pockets.  Dillon offers a dedicated tool for swagging primer pockets, but it costs $100...but if you have a lot to do, it might be worth while. 

I always hand reamed my military 45 ACP brass, but I recently purchased the Dillon tool to swag a mountain of military .223 brass.   If makes the job go a lot faster.

702

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: .38 Spec Cases

« on: January 26, 2011, 07:56:32 am »

Nope, I was wrong, memory failed me again.   I went back and found my old eBay listing and it said Semi-Rimless, but the cases were marked AMU

703

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: .38 Spec Cases

« on: January 25, 2011, 09:36:55 pm »

I thought the 38 AMU cases were rimless and marked 38 AMU   I had a bunch of them a while back and sold them for a bunch on eBay.......before the current restrictions of course.

704

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: How to set dies

« on: January 24, 2011, 08:50:37 pm »

The tool head reaches it's lowest point a little before the handle travels it's furthest.  The sizing die should be set with the tool head in it's lowest position, and as NYKenn says, it should not touch the shell locater strap at any time.   The shell locater straps are very hard. and if you start flexing them, they will break.

705

Star Reloaders / Re: CCI Large Pistol Primers getting sideways

« on: January 23, 2011, 10:46:44 pm »

Salty, 

I'll send you an email.