Topics

1

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Star Universal spring

« on: January 12, 2012, 10:05:35 pm »

I have since sold my Star Equipment, but in cleaning out my reloading room I found what i believe is a NOS spring (I had lots of NOS parts) for the press. I would like to offer it here, but want to make sure that that is indeed what it is. Can someone please measure the length end to end on one of your machines for me. I'm 95% sure that this is what it is, but want to be 100% before offering it here. Thanks, Steve

2

Star Reloaders / Star vs. Phelps differences....or just Star variations?

« on: November 12, 2005, 04:45:44 pm »

You may find these references helpful while reading this:

http://forum.starreloaders.com/images/Star-Phelps.html

http://www.starreloaders.com/ (for photos)

http://forum.starreloaders.com/viewtopic.php?t=38&highlight=phelps (see post by Tom M.)



Okay, here?s a question for the Star experts. It regards changes in production, and how they differ (or don?t) from Phelps in regard to this sites ?Phelps vs. Star ? photo section. I own 2 Star Universals. The first is older. It probably dates from the 60?s. It has a one piece cast base, the correct Star handle assembly, the extended rim on the underside of the toolhead, the fully knurled shell plate thrust nut, the tight fitting, sharp angle 79U locating straps, stamped and labeled with star logos where appropriate. It also has a relief cut into the front of the toolhead blue painted housing and that housing has a ridge where it has been shaped to 2 diameters (right below the Star label) This press EXACTLY matches the photos on this site.

The second press is newer. 1984 to be exact. I have the original dealer?s order invoice and receipt from Star. All original, essentially new machine, some parts still stapled in plastic baggies and boxed!

This machine is :

Star labeled.
Tool head has "Star Machine Works San Diego, Calif. Pat. No. 2,031,850" etc.
Has the extended rim on the underside of the toolhead.

Now, where it differs from my older loader:

The base is 2 piece not one. Star actually shows this in the instruction book with that came with the loader. Interestingly, the book shows an exploded parts diagram showing the 1 piece base, but the drawing on the inside cover shows the 2 piece. My guess is, they changed the tooling, but didn?t bother to change the exploded parts diagram.

The thrust nut is fully knurled, like the older star and not just a ribbon of knurling like on the Phelps, but the thrust nut has a different bevel on it and is slightly shorter.than the older one.

The newer toolhead plate itself is thicker by about 1/8 inch compared with the older Star.

The steel tube part of the toolhead is slightly different than the older one also, It doesn?t have the recess cut out of the front beneath the label, nor is it ?stepped?.

The taper crimp die doesn?t have a nut on top as does the older die (both are Lifetyme .45), it?s just threaded in.

All of these seem like minor production variations over the long time between the production of these 2 Stars. This is the one that bothers me?..On this web site, the 79U straps are indicated to be a way of telling a Star from a Phelps. On The older model they are indeed just like the pics. Sharp angled and tight slots. On the newer model, they are wider slots with space between the base and straps. They are also not quite as sharp angled as the old Star, but then again, not as rounded as the Phelps straps. I noticed someone else posted this same observation on his 1988 machine purchased directly from Star, yet no one addressed his concern. See:

http://forum.starreloaders.com/viewtopic.php?t=38&highlight=phelps

So, What do I make of this. The machine has 79u straps like the Phelps photo, but I have the invoice/receipt from Star.

Furthermore, also ordered was another toolhead with dies etc. 9 mos later. Direct from star (still new in the box to this day) Same characteristics as the 84 Star.

Are the web photos misleading or in fact just wrong? If so, someone ought to correct them.
Did Star San Diego ship Phelps units as their own?
Did Star copy Phelps or have the bases outsourced by the same company as Phelps?

Does anybody else have an 80?s or 90?s vintage Star with the wider locating strap slots and other features I?ve noticed. Get ?em out and look. Maybe we can all learn something here.

Steve
 :?:

3

Star Reloaders / New Star owner needs help getting started

« on: October 28, 2005, 04:55:14 pm »

Hi all, I'm brand new to this forum, but not to reloading. I've been shooting and reloading for a long time, but shotgun, not metallic cartridges. A new gun purchase sparked a renewed interest in reloading and, after much research I decided that I wanted a Star Universal. I found and purchased one that is very nice. Now it's time to use it!  The question I have regards the charge bar. The machine was set up for .45 ACP, taper crimp etc. as I received it. The charge bar is in a 00 housing, but the bar itself doesn't have any markings. The bar appears to have a removable bushing (press fit) only I don't know what charge it is, and/or where to buy alternative bushings. I was told that Bonanza or Redding bushings will fit, and I saw one post on this forum refer to Hornady bushings. Well, I have some Hornady bushings, and while they are the correct diameter to fit, they are way too deep (thick) for the charge bar. I supppose I could cut them down, but a better solution would be to find a source for the correct ones. I have searched the catalogs of all 3 manufacturers above, but to no avail. Can anyone help?

 Also, although my Universal came complete to reload .45 ACP, 2 parts are missing. The cam safety, and the case feeder plastic tube. I may not be able to use the cam safety anyway because of the taper crimp station, but a source for either of these parts would be appreciated. Thanks, Steve