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Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Star Universal spring
« on: January 14, 2012, 12:01:51 pm »
It's not the powder spring, it's the toolhead spring that I have.
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2
Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Star Universal spring
« on: January 13, 2012, 06:45:35 am »
Yup. Looks exactly like the one on the left.
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Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Star Universal spring
« on: January 12, 2012, 10:27:33 pm »
To those that have asked, NOS stands for New Old Stock. In other words, bought it new in the 1980's but never used it. (I had lots of spare parts, but nothing ever broke or wore out!) No packaging for it (if it ever came with any?) and not having my machine anymore I have nothing to compare it to to be sure.
Steve
Steve
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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
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Star Reloaders / Star vs. Phelps differences....or just Star variations?
« on: November 14, 2005, 09:10:25 am »
Ross,
Not rhetorical at all. I was honestly asking if Star outsourced the production of their bases at some point. You see, I have been shopping for Star reloaders recently. I found one that was in beautiful condition, had all the features of a Star, but had the "Phelps type" base. I turned it down thinking it was a copy. Then more recently I came across another, just like it. Hmm I said. Everything else adds up to Star but the base looks like the Phelps photo on the website. But 2 machines from 2 different owners with the same features, too much of a coincidence. So I asked the owner of the second machine if he was the original purchaser. The answer was yes, and that he still had the original receipt and invoice for the press, extra heads, extra parts etc. Sure enough, it's all on the receipt. So, I concluded that it was genuine, but that locater strap cut in the base still knawed at me, so I figured I'd poke arouund the internet some. Came across Tom M's post about buying a machine from Star in 1988 with the same feature. Felt better, but thought I'd ask the experts what this all meant, that's all.
This site has helped me learn a great deal. The photos and descriptions are fantastic. The history of the company I find interesting. I'm trying to contribute in whatever small way I can by adding my experience and information.
Steve
Not rhetorical at all. I was honestly asking if Star outsourced the production of their bases at some point. You see, I have been shopping for Star reloaders recently. I found one that was in beautiful condition, had all the features of a Star, but had the "Phelps type" base. I turned it down thinking it was a copy. Then more recently I came across another, just like it. Hmm I said. Everything else adds up to Star but the base looks like the Phelps photo on the website. But 2 machines from 2 different owners with the same features, too much of a coincidence. So I asked the owner of the second machine if he was the original purchaser. The answer was yes, and that he still had the original receipt and invoice for the press, extra heads, extra parts etc. Sure enough, it's all on the receipt. So, I concluded that it was genuine, but that locater strap cut in the base still knawed at me, so I figured I'd poke arouund the internet some. Came across Tom M's post about buying a machine from Star in 1988 with the same feature. Felt better, but thought I'd ask the experts what this all meant, that's all.
This site has helped me learn a great deal. The photos and descriptions are fantastic. The history of the company I find interesting. I'm trying to contribute in whatever small way I can by adding my experience and information.
Steve
6
Star Reloaders / Star vs. Phelps differences....or just Star variations?
« on: November 12, 2005, 08:22:54 pm »
Aditionally, the old Star has assembly numbers matching the primer feed to the base. The newer Star also has these assembly markings in the same matching locations. I'm pretty convinced that Star simply changed the design of various parts over the years including the base, and perhaps when Phelps copied them, he chos to copy the later version.
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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
:?:
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
:?:
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Star Reloaders / New Star owner needs help getting started
« on: October 28, 2005, 07:09:30 pm »
Thanks for the tip, but I just searched ebay and can't find the item you're referring to. Could you send the link.
Steve
Steve
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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
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
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