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Star History / Re: CPM vs. Star
« on: June 12, 2006, 03:05:22 pm »All right, thanks for the info!
Not sure I can add much hard info to this but, I knew the originator of CPM, Bill Detloff, and have several friends who continue using the machines. They were all obtained from early production. They are all satisfied w/ the machines. Bill started producing them as the result of the long wait for the Star. He also said they could be made & sold for a better price. As I recall when his 1st machines were offered they were something like $30 less than the Star Universal, not significant when spending $360, which I paid for my Star at about the same time. CPM's all used std 7/8-14 dies and had a larger powder reservoir.
The purchasers of CPM machines whom I knew all worked for Bill part time and paid for their loaders, at least in part, through their workfor him. One of those, who used the CPM from the very 1st, bought a used Star from an estate a few yrs ago. His intent was to ensure it was operating ok and to sell it possibly making a few bucks. After using the star he said there was no comparison and sold the CPM.
This individual had an extensive amount of Bill's personal leftovers (after sale of CPM business). He disposed of all this at Bill's direction. The remaining CPM parts were just disposed of a few months ago when the individual retired from shooting. He had enough parts to put together 1 or 2 loaders and also had sev shell plates and misc parts.
Quite a few yrs ago I tried to obtain a vital replacement part for one of the CPM owners mentioned above whose machine was damaged when moving. I made several phone calls and a couple of trips to the new owners residence to no avail. The last trip I spoke w/ the owner's sister, w/ whom he lived and she advised I was wasting my time trying to get in touch w/ him. ?As I recall this was the immediate successor to Detloff. A hobbyist machninst friend duplicated the needed part.
The CPM is a good machine but replacement parts would have to be manufactured! Understatement!!
Star73