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Messages - rbwillnj

661
Star Reloaders / Re: Shell Floor Base plug
« on: March 27, 2011, 07:32:18 pm »
There are three types of plugs used in Universals.   I suspect that you have the one pictured on the right.  If so it is removable, just push it up from the bottom, or hook it with a wire and pull it up.  It may be held in place with dried lubricant, or with rust, so you may have to work on it a bit, but it is removable.

662
Star Reloaders / Re: SCREWS
« on: March 27, 2011, 02:30:15 pm »
Dave is correct, the set screw is a 10-32 X 3/16.   It is the same for both Phelps and Star.   However, the other screw that holds the locator strap to the reloader is an 8-32 x 5/16 fillister head screw.   Both are available from McMaster-Carr, as is the 3/8-16 x 5/8 square head screw.

663
Star Reloaders / Re: SCREWS
« on: March 27, 2011, 08:24:27 am »
Hey Doc,

I have both Screws in stock.   For the handle, I have the square headed screw like Star used.   Phelps sometimes used the square headed screw, and sometimes a set screw, both with the same thread.

664
Star Reloaders / Re: Trying to change tool heads
« on: March 23, 2011, 12:05:43 am »
Gee, those pictures look really familiar

Tool Heads can usually be switched from one machine to another without adjustment, but they cannot be switched between Progressives and Universals without changing the Angle Lever Cam #49/49U

The cam for the Universal and the Progressive are different because the steel base of the Progressive and Universal are different diameters.   49U for the Universal and 49 for the Progressive.   I'm not even sure if you can bend a Progressive Cam enough to work on a Universal.   I have an extra 49U if you need one. 

665
Star Reloaders / Re: So-Mar Indexer
« on: March 21, 2011, 04:23:52 pm »
Never owned one, but I do have an original brochure for the Somar Indexer and Somar E-Z Handle.

I noticed that there was a machine that just sold on eBay that had the Somar Indexer.  I think that might be the only one I've seen.

666
Star Reloaders / Re: Any interest in new star type reloader?
« on: March 16, 2011, 10:08:01 pm »
This is an old thread, but there was an interesting thread on the Cast Boolets forum with some information and a picture of the mythologic 50 BMG Star.  As stated earlier, the author confirmed that it was built by John Powers and thought that only three were built.  He is the owner of one.  He also has a Star Rifle Machine.   How lucky can you get!!!!   I have suggested that he join the forum.   

The picture which was "lifted" from the Cast Boolets forum shows a standard Star Universal, a Star Rifle machine, and the 50 BMG Machine

667
The hole for the Progressive shell base plug is smaller than that for the Universal.  Not all Progressives are the same.  The last one that I made was 1" x .505", and it was made to be an interference fit.   The hole on another machine I measured was 1"x .515".

On a Universal machine, the plug is supported from below by the aluminum base.  On the Progressives that I have seen, the hole in the aluminum base is larger than the hole in the steel base, so you would probably need to add some shim stock between the aluminum and steel bases to support the plug.

668
Star Reloaders / Re: ID Star accessory on fleabay
« on: March 14, 2011, 10:17:30 pm »
I seem to recall hearing that Phelps offered there own indexer.   I don't know if the one on eBay is a Phelps indexer, but I agree with Joatmon that all I have seen like this have been on Phelps machines.

669
Star Reloaders / Re: #74 Thrust Nut Clamping Screw
« on: March 09, 2011, 09:30:06 pm »
I have yet to see a Star with a socket head screw in the thrust nut, but many Phelps have them. 

Even if he didn't change shell plates, one would assume that your fathers friend must have had the machine apart to clean it at some point.   It's easy to loose a part.........................right Doc? ;) ;D

670
Star Reloaders / Re: Modifying 45 ACP seating Dies
« on: March 09, 2011, 01:37:41 pm »
I always leave a little bit of the shoulder above the case mouth, I think they feed better that way.   

Some shooters leave conderably more of the shoulder exposed.  They like the shoulder out far enough to start into the rifling.

671
Star Reloaders / Re: THREAD SIZE of #80 Column Shaft Nut
« on: March 07, 2011, 01:20:15 pm »
OK, I THINK what you need is a 1"-14 Jam Nut.  You might want to check with a thread pitch gauge to confirm the thread on your machine is 14 threads per inch.   I checked two of mine that are apart, and that's what I got.
McMaster Carr has the jam nuts for a little over $13.  McMaster-Carr Part #93839A855

Most Star Column Shaft nuts are 1 7/16" but some are 1 1/2".  I'm pretty sure thread for either size nut is the same because the shaft sizes are obviously the same.   The nut above is 1 1/2" (external size)

Hey Doc...............How do you loose a 1 7/16" nut??    Is it still inside your socket wrench?

672
Star Reloaders / Re: HULME SHELL TUBING
« on: March 05, 2011, 03:30:55 pm »
Dave is referring to the Steel Block of the Hulme Case Feeder I think.   Some early Hulmes did not have the T Slot at the bottom where the rim slides, and as a result, 45 Long Colt and 44 Magnum cases would drop into the casefeeder, but would not slide out to the shell plate.

673
Star Reloaders / Re: ALUMINUM POWDER MEASURE
« on: March 03, 2011, 11:26:04 pm »
YES

674
Star Reloaders / Re: ALUMINUM POWDER MEASURE
« on: March 03, 2011, 11:17:35 pm »
And,,,  anodizing is done in a sulfuric acid bath.  The oxide coating is initially very porous.  When it is in this state it can absorb dies such as the red and gold of some Star powder magazines, but also black and many other colors.  The final step is a hot water bath that seals the oxide coating and makes it hard and corrosion resistant.

675
Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: STRANGE CASE
« on: March 02, 2011, 04:03:15 pm »
TS&W stands for Team Smith & Wesson.

Check out this link   http://www.ammo-one.com/356TWS.html

Bruce