Messages

991

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.

992

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?

993

Star Reloaders / Current state of manufacturer

« on: January 18, 2005, 04:27:57 pm »

Maybe I was lucky, but I got a hold of Bill the first time I tried to call him, and got my sizing die just a few days after he got my payment.  Its true that he didn't answer my emails, but given the current landscape where ebay or fellow Star owners are the only other alternative, I'm not complaining.

Sure, it would be nice if we could do online shopping, talk to someone on the phone whenever we wanted, and get quick email responses, but hey, Star went out of business more that 10 years ago.  The fact that there is anybody still making parts let alone full machines is kind of amazing.

I have no idea what other work Bill Cunningham does, but I doubt if he could support himself on Star parts and machines alone.  After all, they don't need to many replacment parts.  For my part, I'm happy he is out there, and I hope he keeps doing what he's doing.

994

Star Reloaders / Tubes for Hulme case feeder and Freeloader parts/schematic

« on: January 12, 2005, 02:30:14 pm »

The entire Freeloader Patent, including all of the drawings are captured in the www.starreloaders.com photo album at http://forum.starreloaders.com/album_cat.php?cat_id=7

995

Star Reloaders / Different Saftey Cam

« on: January 10, 2005, 12:17:59 pm »

Never mind, I figured it out.  The extra spring is an auto case ejector.  The piston on the Hulme Case Feeder pushes on one end of the spring on the down stroke, and the other end of the spring kicks the loaded round out of the last station.

996

Star Reloaders / Different Saftey Cam

« on: January 10, 2005, 01:43:51 am »

I recently aquired my second Star Universal Press.  This one came set up for 38 Special.  Along with this press came a Saftey Cam that is a different shape than that on my other machine, and different than those pictured in the parts list.  I wish I could post a picture, because it is difficult to discribe.  It has sort of a hook on it, and it has a second spring.  For the life of me, I have not been able to figure out the second spring.  It doesn't look like a home made part, but it does have 38 scribed on it.  I was wondering if this was a replacement safety cam that came with either the Hulme case feeder, or with the taper crimp die.

Does anybody know what I'm talking about?

997

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Heater Base

« on: December 09, 2004, 03:21:11 pm »

That's what I do.   I have used the Lyman Orange Lube with the heater and it works fine.   I have switched to the Magma Research Lube because its a lot cheaper.   I believe it's $10.00/lb, which is equivalent to about 9 sticks of the Lyman Lube.  

The Lyman heater base heats up very slowly.   Plug it in and walk away for 30-40 minutes.   After a while it may get too hot, especially if your not sizing a lot of bullets.  In that case, just unplug it and let it cool a bit.

Magma Research also offers a Heater for the Star sizer, but it's about $100.  It has an adjustable thermostat.  The Lyman heater is good enough for me.

As for how it will work with your loads, I can't say.   It works very well with my 45 loads.

998

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Heater Base

« on: December 08, 2004, 11:26:56 pm »

Just in case you haven't tried one yet, Lyman makes a heating base that you can use with your Star Lubrisizer.   It's drilled and tapped for a number of popular sizers, including the Star.   At Midway, it goes for about $35.  It's not as sophisticated as the Magama heater, but a lot more economical.   It allows you to use the hard wax lubes in a Star, or use it on a cold day to add a little heat to your soft lubes.

999

Star Lubricator & Resizers / New owner of Star Lubrisizers, have some questions.

« on: December 05, 2004, 07:21:36 pm »

Ross's list is a good starting point, but to be sure, you should slug your barrel.   I have a Smith & Wesson Model 52 which shoots 38 Special.  When I first started casting, I sized my wadcutters to .358.  I got a 5 inch group at 25 yards from a Ransom Rest.  Then someone told me that Model 52's usually have a barrel that measure around .356.  I sized some more wadcutters at .357 and got a 1" group.   My Smith & Wesson 686 shoots best with bullets sized to .358