Messages

931

Star Reloaders / Re: Star Machines & Parts Auction

« on: August 27, 2007, 04:57:24 pm »

Actually, the new policy says nothing about reloading equipment, and there is still a fair amount of it on eBay.  The new policy prohibits reloading components like bullets and brass, but says nothing about reloaders and sizers.   The policy specifically permits bullet molds.   Sellers have to be careful not to include a picture of a prohibited item (like a bullet or a brass case) in their listing, but otherwise it should be business as usual for reloading equipment.

eBay's new policy while broader than before is no where near as onerous as has been reported on various forums.

I think a few erroneous posts on various forums which declared that eBay was prohibiting all "Gun Related Items" have scared people into not listing reloading equipment they otherwise would have.  They seem to be holding onto it for now however since there does not seem to be any increase in reloading equipment on GunBroker or Auction Arms, and the volume of reloading and casting equipment on eBay seems to be ever so slightly greater this week.

932

Star Reloaders / Re: Shell plates

« on: August 10, 2007, 12:19:21 pm »

There was a discussion on this some time back.

These are the ones that I know about.  (Actually, I have all of them)

45 Colt
45 ACP
45 Auto Rim
44 Magnum,  44 Special
41 Magnum
38 Special, 357 Magnum
40 S&W, 9mm, 38 Super, 38 Auto
380 Auto, .223
32 S&W, 32 S&W Long
32 ACP
30 Carbine

All of these were produced by Star.  I also heard of a 25 ACP machine, but don't know if it was offered by Star or if someone had the dies and shell plate made. 

933

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Re: Lube Mess

« on: August 07, 2007, 01:07:52 pm »

This is a common problem caused by too much pressue.  With a Star, you only need enough pressure to keep the lube pump primmed.  The lube pump provides the pressure to force lube into the bullet lube groves during the final part of the stroke.

If you are using a lube heater on your Star, you can get the lube so hot that even with virtually no pressure you will get the problem you are experiencing. Cut back on the heat.  You need only enough heat to allow lube to flow into the lube pump when pressure is applied by the pressure screw.

934

Star Reloaders / Re: Star Machine Works web page

« on: June 19, 2007, 08:40:28 pm »

Some time ago, (maybe a year) I offered to buy him out.  No response to that either.

935

Star Reloaders / Re: Star Machine Works web page

« on: May 16, 2007, 09:26:07 pm »

It doesn't load for me.  Try hitting refresh.  You probably have the page saved so you can access if off line.

936

Star History / Re: star tooling

« on: March 24, 2007, 02:21:12 pm »

My guestimate is that he purchased the spare parts inventory from Star, but not the tooling.   I know that he used C-H to manufacture quite a few die sets at one time, but has not been back in contact with them for several years (according to C-H).

Bill Cunnignham has not answered any of my phone calls, or emails in about a year.   Others I have talked to have said pretty much the same thing.   Is he still in business?  Who knows.

937

Star Reloaders / Re: Change 38 SPL to 357

« on: March 19, 2007, 08:33:33 am »

I have a number of original Star Powder Spouts.   If interested, send me a Private Message.

938

Star History / Re: Winchester Patent

« on: March 11, 2007, 02:20:50 pm »

Are you sure about that Ken?   I did a Google patent search for Winchester reloading machines using just about every key work I could think of (Case, Cartridge, Reload, Reloader, Bullet, etc) and couldn't find anything that looked like a Star, or any sort of progressive press.   I did find a lot of Winchester patents in the 1890s for reloading impliments, but they were all single stage devices.

I did find the original Star patent 2,031850 by Clarence R. Peterson, and found it very interesting.  The patent contains virtually all of the Star Reloader features found on later machines, but the drawings in the patent differ in many (mostly cosmetic) ways from the Star Reloaders I am familiar with.   I would love to see one of his original machines from the early 30's. 

If anyone is interested, here is a Link to the Star Patent.   
http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT2031850&id=7qdLAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=2031850#PPA25,M1

Ken,  In Google Patent Search, you can search for just about every patent written.  Maybe you can think of some Key Words I missed.
http://www.google.com/patents

939

Star Reloaders / Re: Pricing help on a Universal

« on: February 15, 2007, 06:44:20 pm »

Prices for Stars are highly variable.  A 45 ACP machine with no case feeder sold on ebay last week for over $800.  A 38 Special (Universal) with a case feeder sold a couple days earlier for $320.  The same day the 45 ACP machine sold, a 38 Special tool head and shell plate sold for $400.

Personally, if it was mine to sell, I would want $400 for a 45 ACP Universal  without a case feeder, $550 with a case feeder.  A tool head with 38 special dies and shell plate should be worth about $300.  Powder slides should go for about $25 each.  Of course this assumes that everything is in good condition.   I typically don't worry about a little surface rust, Stars usually clean up very well.   You should get a look at the base below the shell plate.  Machines that have been heavily used can develop a groove, and should be avoided.   This is most common on machines that have been used with an indexer.   Most Stars do not have this problem, but I have seen some that do.

940

Star History / Re: A historical enquiry about George Hensley & Star Machine Works

« on: February 05, 2007, 08:24:33 am »

The link below is the best I have found concerning Hensly & Gibbs molds, and the History of the company.   Sounds like you have done some research alreeady, and may have seen this website already

http://hgmould.gunloads.com/casting/hgmoldchart.htm   

941

Star Reloaders / Re: Universal vs Progessive Identification

« on: January 11, 2007, 10:32:40 pm »

Universals have shell locating Straps, Progressives do not.   The attached picture is a Universal base with a shell locating strap clearly visable in front.

942

Star Reloaders / Re: Powder Measure Question

« on: November 30, 2006, 10:31:24 pm »

I just couldn't imagine how the powder slide cam could be interfering with the powder magazine.  Now I understand.  Thanks for you post.

943

Star Reloaders / Re: Freeloader

« on: November 22, 2006, 03:54:48 pm »

I sold one recently for $25.? Don't know if that's high or low.? ?You don't see them around much except on machines.? ?However, I believe there is one on ebay right now.? ?I converted all my machines to use a Lee case feeder and collator.? I like it better than a FreeLoader because it holds about 100 45 ACPs.

944

Star Reloaders / Re: Any ideas what this is?

« on: November 12, 2006, 03:55:42 pm »

The description says it will use a Star powder charge assembly, but I sure can't see where you would attach it.   I was hoping Ken was going to say this was the misterious Star In-line machine.   I'm still waiting to see a picture of that!

945

Star History / Re: Star Price History

« on: October 09, 2006, 04:52:19 pm »

Thanks Jet22,

I edited the list to include your data.