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Messages - rbwillnj

976
Star Reloaders / Powder Drain Block
« on: November 03, 2005, 07:43:51 am »
I have no idea where you could find one.  I have one that came on one of my machines, but I stopped using it.  I found it was easier to just remove the tool head and flip it over to empty the powder magazine.

I use a "hairpin cotter pin" to retain the lower link pin.  Just unhook the tool head spring, press out the taper pin, and pull out the lower link pin, and you can pull of the crank shaft assembly and tool head in seconds.

While you have it apart, its not a bad idea to remove the thrust nut and clean up the floor base and primer assembly.

977
Star Reloaders / Powder Drain Block
« on: November 02, 2005, 09:54:20 pm »
What information are you looking for?  I have one that came on one of my Star Reloaders.   It says Pat. Pend. on it, but doesn't have a company name on it.

978
Star Reloaders / New Star owner needs help getting started
« on: October 29, 2005, 05:44:24 pm »
There is another member of the fourm, Richard Daniels who makes adjustable charge bars.  Its probably better than trying to gather an assortment of charge bars via ebay auctions.   You can contact Richard via Private Message, or email.  Just look for him on the member list.  

John Paul Jones used to have a stock of powder slides and may still.  He often sells things on ebay under the name star0reloader0mentors.  He includes his email address in his listings.

979
Star History / Star Shell Plates and Dies Catalog?
« on: October 28, 2005, 12:42:34 am »
OK, so lets add to the list

1.)   32 Long, 32 Mangnum
2.)   32 ACP
3.)   30 Carbine (same as 32 ACP)
4.)   .380, .223 (also the same as 38 Super Comp.)
5.)   9mm, 38 ACP, 38 Super, 40 S&W
6.)   38 Special, 357 Magnum
7.)   41 Magnum
8.)   44 Special, 44 Magunm
9.)   45 ACP
10.)  45 Auto Rim
11.)  45 Long Colt

Any More?  How about the Super Star 223? Was that a separate shell plate or did it use one of the others.  Was there a 380 Auto Shell Plate?

980
Star History / Star Shell Plates and Dies Catalog?
« on: October 26, 2005, 09:17:48 am »
Does anyone have a complete listing of the dies and shell plates that were offered by Star?

I'm also looking for information on interchangeability of Star Shell Plates.  I don't know if interchangeability is the right word, but basically, what I want to know is what calibers can be loaded with which shell plates.  Here is what I have so far.

1.)   9mm, 38 ACP, 38 Super, 40 S&W
2.)   38 Special, 357 Magnum
3.)   41 Magnum
4.)   44 Special, 44 Magunm
5.)   45 ACP
6.)   45 Long Colt

What other shell plates were offered?  Can the above shell plates be used to load any additional calibers?

981
Star History / Powder Slide Cam
« on: October 09, 2005, 11:27:04 pm »
On early models of the Star Reloader, the powder slide cam was attached directly to the base.  Later, the powder slide cam was attached to a seperate aluminum support that was attached to the base with three screws.  

Does anyone know when and why this change was made?

982
Star History / Shell Plates and Dies
« on: September 05, 2005, 12:43:41 am »
EagleMike,

Since you have the experiance, and also have a machine shop, have you ever considered making Shell Plates and Dies for Star Reloaders.  We could really use a reliable source.

983
Star Reloaders / How does it work?
« on: August 17, 2005, 05:38:07 pm »
There were, and are auto indexing attachments available, but I have never used one.  I'm right handed, so I simply hook the shell thats in the sizing station with my thumb, and flip it to the priming station.  That's all there is to it.  Its just as fast, and a lot more dependable than the auto indexing on my Lee Loadmaster.

I have seen mixed reviews on the auto indexers, but if you are going to buy a machine, I would definately look for one with a Hulme Case Feeder.  It's a very worthwhile addition, and they are hard to come by if you don't get one with the reloader.

984
Star Reloaders / Instructions for Hulme autofeed and indexer
« on: July 26, 2005, 11:54:05 am »
You can find the original instructions for the Hulme Automatic Case Feeder in the Photo Album on Star Reloaders.com  http://forum.starreloaders.com/album_cat.php?cat_id=8

985
Star Lubricator & Resizers / Loading the lubrizer
« on: July 10, 2005, 01:58:54 pm »
You do not need lube sticks with holes down the center for Star Lubrisizers.  Unlike the Lyman, RCBS and others, the pressure screw does not go through the lube on the Star.  Put the lube stick in first, then put the pressure spring assembly in over the lube stick, and push it down.

I don't think it will hurt if you use sticks with holes, but I have never tried it.

Remember, if you use one of the newer hard wax lubes, you will need a heated base, and even with the older lubes it helps to heat the base a little to get things moving.  Most of the oldtimers just use a light bulb.

986
Survey Says... / What caliber do you reload most?
« on: July 10, 2005, 09:03:17 am »
I currently load 45 ACP, 38 Special and 357 (with seperate heads) and 40 S&W.

I recently came into a Berdan tool head and I am in the process of setting it up for 9mm using standard 7/8-14 dies.  In the same deal, I purchased a Star shell plate and dies for 41 Magnum.  Now I need a gun.  

I'm still looking for a 45 Colt changeover.

987
Star Lubricator & Resizers / Loading the lubrizer
« on: July 10, 2005, 08:51:05 am »
After you remove the pressure screw, unscrew the small rod (pressure screw handle) that is used to turn the pressure screw, flip the pressure screw over and insert it upsidedown into the lube chamber.  Then thread the top end to the pressure screw onto the pressure spring piston rod, and use the pressure screw nut (the cap) as a handle to pull the pressure spring assembly out of the the lube chamber.

988
Star Lubricator & Resizers / Lubrisizer drawing
« on: April 15, 2005, 02:33:46 am »
Stars went through several slight design changes over the years.  I have what must be one of their earliest, as well as one that must be one of their latest.  The latter one seems to be almost identical to the Magma machine.  The only change I can see in the Magma Machine is the addition of an O Ring at the bottom of the die chamber.  In any case, you can find a parts diagram for the original Star at http://www.starreloaders.com/manuals/Star%20Illustration%20and%20Parts%20List.pdf which is part of this site.

I have used Magma parts on one of my Stars.

989
Star History / Star Price History
« on: March 18, 2005, 10:44:33 pm »
Actually, I have two price lists, one from 1958 and one from 1979.

As mentioned above, in 1958, a Universal with Lifetyme Carbide die was $190.00.  In 1979, the same press was $710.  

Interestingly, in 1979, the lead time for a press was 24 months.  While that says something about the demand for a Star, it also explains why it was so easy for Dillon to enter the business.

990
Star History / Star Price History
« on: March 01, 2005, 11:26:25 am »
I recently aquired a December 1958 catalog/price list for Star Machine Works.  It shows the price of a Star Universal with Lifetyme Carbide Die to be $190.   An Extra Tool Head with Carbide die was $70.  The Lubricator Sizer was $40.

What I really found interesting was the inclusion of prices for 4, 6, and 10 cavity Hensley Gibbs bullet molds.  Does anyone know the relationship between Hensley Gibbs and Star?