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Star Reloaders Discussion Forums => Star History => Topic started by: rbwillnj on November 16, 2014, 04:42:39 pm

Title: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: rbwillnj on November 16, 2014, 04:42:39 pm
Dear  Star Enthusiast:

I am pleased to announce that Star Machine Works is under new management.   I have completed the purchase Star Machine Works from Bill Cunningham and everything, parts, jigs, fixtures etc. have been moved east to New Jersey.  We have nearly completed the process of unpacking and organizing the tons (literally) of “New Old Stock” parts and look forward to serving fellow Star enthusiasts for years to come.

My goal is to provide all of the parts needed to keep these fine machines operating.   As mentioned above, I have tons of original Star parts in inventory.  Unfortunately, some parts are sold out, so I will be working to replenish stocks of those parts as quickly as possible.
 
I currently have no plans to produce “New” Star Universals or Progressives, but I will continue to rebuild/refurbish/refinish Star reloaders into like new condition.  The many original Star jigs and fixtures I have acquired will enhance my efforts in this area.   I generally have fully rebuilt Star Progressives and Star Universals in a variety of calibers available for purchase.

Sincerely,
R. Bruce Williams
Aka “rbwillnj” on the Star Reloaders Forum
(908) 750-6312
StarMachineWorks at ptd dot net
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: johnfreeman on November 16, 2014, 05:29:37 pm
This is fantastic news for the Star community.

I can think of nobody else whose interest, experience and craftsmanship matches that of the original Star shop than yours do Bruce.  Congratulations and I look forward to trading with you in the future.

John
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: joe3320 on November 16, 2014, 07:21:53 pm
All the best to you Bruce "rbwillnj" in the quest to keep the "Star" machines alive and well!!

This news is more than welcome.

God's speed,

Joe
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: Joatmon on November 16, 2014, 08:57:09 pm
This is great news for all Star owners!  Congrats on your new endeavor Bruce, I wish you the best and I think the Star "brand" is in the best of hands.  I have always appreciated your input and knowledge to this forum, you have been a big help to me.  You will have to elaborate a bit if you are doing this as a hobby by yourself, or if you have larger plans (hiring additional help, etc).  I know you said that you will not manufacture new machines, do you also plan to produce accessories (aftermarket) that are difficult to find? 
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: varmintpopper on November 16, 2014, 09:46:40 pm
Bruce
You had the knowledge, the drive, and now the parts, I'm sure You will succeed ! Congrats !

Good Shooting

Lindy
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: 333OKH on November 17, 2014, 12:55:45 am
To all that do not knew Bruce, his Craftsmanship is of the highest caliber, he is a pleasure to do businesss with, George.
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: johnfreeman on November 17, 2014, 06:53:22 am
Now hurry up and develop that update kit to allow Progressives to load multiple calibers!!

 ;)
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: Hugh Tyer on November 17, 2014, 08:14:49 am
Congratulations Bruce
 Nothing better could have happened for the tool we love. I wish you the best of success with this new level of support for the finest progressive loader ever built.
Hugh Tyer
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: Pappy on November 17, 2014, 10:05:02 am
This is Outstanding News for anyone with Star Tooling. Congratulations Bruce.
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: gilmarc1974 on November 17, 2014, 03:26:57 pm
congrats bruce i am sure you will do very well hope to see some sort of list of parts so we can all keep our machines running for a long time to come

 gilamrc1974
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: fng on November 17, 2014, 09:11:18 pm
Congratulations Bruce,
New guy here... been reading Lots of past posts, without reply yet, but felt Compelled to reply to this Great news with Best Wishes, and express gratitude for your commitment and dedication. Your experience, knowledge, and attitude are of great benefit to all Star Reloaders.
-fred, new guy
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: Green Frog on November 18, 2014, 09:44:41 am
Let me add my voice to the chorus of joy here.  My limited dealings with Bruce have been uniformly positive and the info in his numerous posts has always been spot on.  I feel like this will be a very positive development in the Star World, and hope to see a big upsurge in the overall use of these fine reloaders.  I know mine is likely to get cranked up more often! 

Congratulations Bruce, and may you have great and lasting success in this endeavor!

Regards,
Charlie Shaeff
aka Green frog
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: rbwillnj on November 18, 2014, 06:08:00 pm
Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement.  I will do my best to not disappoint.


Bruce
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: tony barone on November 19, 2014, 01:33:47 pm
Bruce makes superb products and all Star owners should be elated.
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: Buckhunter on December 20, 2014, 01:28:44 pm
Bruce's news is fantastic, Now we can e-mail someone who will answer and
fill the Star replacement parts that we may need. I tried a number of times
to get in touch with Bill Cunningham numerous times and never did get an
answer from him. I have bought and sold many parts with Bruce and he has
always been fair and always answers e-mail's. If you need parts Bruce is the
man to contact. Also the Star parts that he makes are first rate. We are lucky
to have a man of this caliber to supply our Star part needs. 

 Buckhunter
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: Kenneth L. Walters on January 18, 2015, 02:08:28 pm
It is amazing to me how long it sometimes takes me to think of the obvious.

When you unpack the Star stuff that you have just bought it would be interesting to know if you find any of their prototype machines.  From the ones I've seen pictures of they would look pretty much like a basic star but altered in some pretty obvious ways.  If you do find any, I hope you'll post pictures.

Also I can not help to wonder if you will find any of the straightlines.  I think that they made about 20.  Three are known, maybe four.  Again pictures would be nice.

And Star also made a bench mounted bullet casting machine with, I think, 100 cavities.  I'd love to know how that worked and I hope you find one of them as well.
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: rbwillnj on January 18, 2015, 06:01:13 pm
No Prototype machines....That would have been nice.   I did get a some rifle machine parts and a box of straight-line parts.

However, I went out to take a look at a collection of Star and Phelps reloaders a couple weeks back and was shocked to find two Straight-line machines among the collection.   They managed to come home with me along with half a dozen Universals.   Both are in 30-06 and both are incomplete but I think I have most of the parts to make them whole again.
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: Joatmon on January 18, 2015, 09:00:29 pm
Very nice!  I would like to see the progress/result if you get a chance to work on these and get them back together.  Pics are always great, especially for restorations of loaders that I am unlikely to see in person in my lifetime.  I keep looking however, so far my best score was a rifle machine that was left in a barn. 
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: 824tsv on January 19, 2015, 01:50:01 pm
Hello,
New member here from Canada.
I just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful website and a big thank you for keeping the Star Machine legacy going. I got into the reloading hobby late in life, but i'm quite fascinated by the Star Machines and with any luck I'll be able to acquire one so I can experience the ownership aspect instead of looking in from the outside. :)
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: johnfreeman on January 19, 2015, 08:59:57 pm
Hello,
New member here from Canada.
I just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful website and a big thank you for keeping the Star Machine legacy going. I got into the reloading hobby late in life, but i'm quite fascinated by the Star Machines and with any luck I'll be able to acquire one so I can experience the ownership aspect instead of looking in from the outside. :)

Welcome to the forum .... and I'm and old guy who's new to Stars as well. I'm enjoying the ones I have now, and use them often.
Title: Re: Star Machine Works, the Next Chapter
Post by: John Wayne on July 22, 2015, 09:55:30 am
THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER!  Many of us have had the pleasure of working with Bruce and his long track record of fine craftsmanship and dependability is well documented.   Shouldn't there be some mention of this news on the homepage so that someone new to Star equipment can find parts & know how fast without searching threads?   A sticky at the minimum?   An announcement on the homepage?