Messages

46

Star Reloaders / Re: Rocker Arm Screw - Removal - Question

« on: January 18, 2011, 01:59:09 pm »

Hi Dave:
Thanks for the guidance.... I followed it and was able to get it out.  Frankly, it was a waste of effort.  It was clean, greasy but clean.
So I just used some moly lube and it is now all back together.
Again, thanks.
Art

47

Star Reloaders / Rocker Arm Screw - Removal - Question

« on: January 18, 2011, 07:23:17 am »

Hi Guys:
I am cleaning up one of my Stars, got it all pretty much stripped so I figured I would remove the #45 Rocker Arm and clean and lube things up.
I backed out the #47 Rocker Arm Screw thinking it would simply leave the base.
However it backs out only so far and then seems to stop.
How do you remove it to free up the Rocker Arm?
Pull it out with pliers?  Or am I missing something..??
Your Thoughts...

Thanks
Art

48

Star Reloaders / Re: The "Un-Numbered Part" - Brass Primer Base?

« on: January 17, 2011, 04:45:40 pm »

RBwillnj:

That is really great information.  You are correct.  Each base has the same number stamped in it as well.  So it seems that the bases and "that Part" were fitted, stamped, and then separated, probably when the base was blued.

So what is that part called?  Does it have a name.

49

Survey Says... / Re: 2011 Values and Prices

« on: January 17, 2011, 02:56:57 pm »

Kudos to NYKenn and keep up the great work....
I wish we could make the topic a STICKY and pin it to the top or perhaps make a sub forum for it.
Thanks Ken,
Art

50

Star Reloaders / The "Un-Numbered Part" - Brass Primer Base?

« on: January 17, 2011, 02:52:07 pm »

Hi Guys:
I was just looking over the Star Parts List and noticed that one of the key parts of the base has no identification number, thus no name.

This is the brass primer base that is both pinned and is bolted to the #12/12U Steel Floor Base.
To this part, the #36 Primer Magazine Socket is screwed and the #22 Large or Small Primer Slide resides along with the #48/49 Primer Slide Angle Lever.

So what is the name of this brass part? (look up at the STARreloaders.com logo and it is pictured in the lower right corner of the logo...)

Also, when I inspect the end of this part, (I have 4 Universals), I noticed a very interesting thing.  
Each has a different 2 digit number punched into the end....  Mine are.... 38, 46, 81 and 95 respectively.

So, who has the name for this part?  Why is it not numbered in the parts list? and what do those punched numbers mean?

51

Star Reloaders / Re: REFINISH

« on: January 17, 2011, 09:54:22 am »

I have had excellent results using a wet SOS or Brillo pad on the base then followed by
a metal polish like Wenol Red, then Weno Blue.  The result is quite brilliant and
highly polished.

52

Star Reloaders / Re: Where can I get a replacement Hulme feeder tube?

« on: January 14, 2011, 10:16:56 am »

A while back rbwillnj gave me the same tip regarding the McMaster source.
I ordered a length and it works really REALLY well.
The walls are a bit thicker.
The material is stronger and does not seem to discolor or scratch like the original tubes.
I think you will be happy with that McMaster sourced tube material.
One thing to note however, the McMaster tube is just a bit too tight for .44 Magnum and .44 Special cases.
45 ACP will pass thru.

Also if you have an old Freeloader funnel, you may have to build up the outside diameter with some
electric tape to stop excessive wobble and provide a good fit.

53

Star Reloaders / Re: Auto indexers

« on: January 13, 2011, 04:48:03 pm »

I have FOUR Moon Indexers and Case Flippers....
I would have no other brand as far as I am concerned.
Ray Brandes does a great job with these and they have stood the test of time.
The one on my .45 ACP has now probably run upwards of 13,000 rounds and
there is not a single bit of wear on the indexer or the tool head.

I use just a smidgen of powdered graphite on the sliding mechanism when
I break down the STAR for its annual cleaning.

A great device.... 5 STARS for the MOON UNIT.

54

Star Reloaders / Re: Shell plate removal

« on: January 13, 2011, 04:43:27 pm »

One last thought here....

You must move the shell plate such so that the tip of the primer slide angle lever (Part #48) is positioned
over a case hole in the shell plate.  If NOT, the primer slide angle lever's TIP may stop you from lifting
the shell plate up.

I use two tiny flat screwdrivers, one on each side of the shell plate to get under and lift the shell plate
once I have positioned it correctly.

I hope this helps you?

55

Star Reloaders / Re: What are the down sides

« on: January 13, 2011, 04:37:13 pm »

I now have 6 tool heads.... all have the original die threadings and size.
(.45 ACP,  .38 Special, .357 Super Magnum, 9MM, .38 Super/Comp, and soon .44 Magnum)

If you look at the tool head, the two issues you may have with "normal" dies are as follows....

1) the Decapping and Full Length sizing station is right in front of the cross pin gusset.
Thus a large die may not fit in there.  Some of my tool heads (later) have a recess machined
in them for die entry and removal... Some do not.

2) You will still need appropriate BELLING die made for station #2 unless you totally skip that station.

I think we should all try to preserve our Stars for future reloaders and thus my inclination is to
keep it as original as possible.

56

Star Reloaders / Re: Altering a Star Head

« on: January 13, 2011, 04:29:01 pm »

Just to let you guys know....
As I type, Dave is making me a set of .44 Magnum dies and also
drilling and tapping the taper crimp hole in a spare Machine Head I will
devote to .44 Magnum.  I will seat with the seater and then crimp with
the tapercrimp die.

Likewise, I did pick up a .44 Magnum shell plate on my last visit to
Richy Daniels.  He makes a fine shell plate and it is perfect and HARD.
Rich also outfitted me with a special M3A (TALL) case tube top for my HULME
case feeder.  This is necessary as the .44 Magnum is a REALLY tall case.

Both of these two fine gents are a credit to the STAR community for their
craft, skills and willingness to help and do it right.

Lastly, had MA Lewis fashion me one of his fine powder magazine drops or drains
that will be used to drop the powder from that .44 tool head's powder magazine.  A great device.

57

Star Reloaders / Re: new owner ... lots to learn

« on: November 02, 2010, 01:02:11 pm »

It is great when it all comes together! 

In regards to the follower, I guess you are talking about the primer rod.  The long plastic or nylon tip essentially STOPS the press in an out of primer condition as it jams the primer hole in the primer slide.  Is that what you are talking about?

58

Star Reloaders / Re: new owner ... lots to learn

« on: October 22, 2010, 04:29:00 pm »

Hi Kirk,
Glad all is working out for you and you devoted some new space for reloading!  Indeed the 5th station seater die needs to be shortened to clear the case kicker from Moon Unit (Brandes).  Dave Wilson can perhaps make you a seater profiled for your bullets.

You will find the Star to be a wonderful machine with the indexer and case kicker.  Have you added an L shaped handle to yours yet?

How about an adjustable charge bar from Rich Daniels?  It has the allen head screw adjustable charge oriface which is superior to all others I have tried.

Ah.. ha... you found out that all case feeders are not the same....  glad you had two.

Cheers,

59

Star Reloaders / Re: Star Press Mounting Solutions

« on: September 27, 2010, 09:00:06 am »

Tony:
What pray tell is that large tube thing over on the RIGHT hand side of the star in the background?
What does it do?

60

Star Reloaders / Re: new owner ... lots to learn

« on: September 27, 2010, 07:21:03 am »

My favorite add ons are the Moon Unit Indexer and Case Flipper...  Just super craftsmanship and the darn things work perfectly.  These are made by Ray Brandes (his userid) here on the board.  Ray is a really nice guy, gunsmith, and makes small batch runs of his indexers.  He has a website which shows the products in action.  Go for it, you will NOT regret having done so...

Second would be the powder drainer upper bar assembly hand made by a fine shooter and craftsman, MA Lewis,  Maurilew (his userid) here on the board.  Again a simple and wonderful add on.  This replaces the top of the powder bar assembly, has a sliding piece that moves the powder magazine
to the right and allows the contents to dump into you powder bottle.  Kudos to MA for this elegant and well made device!

Third would be the totally adjustable powder bar from Rich Daniels (he makes these bars in a few sizes (thickness 0 00 000) and they are essentially
perfect.  BTW, Rich makes all kinds of hardened shell plates and other things for the Star.  Rich also made me a set of hardened connector bars that attach the tool head to the upper assembly as an old Star I purchased was running with elongated holes.  Rich is a wonderful resource and an excellent bullseye gunsmith to boot.  (Rich's forum ID is Barreltester). 

Fourth would the the long new plastic Powder Magazine as made by a few folks here on the board.  ( I have them from Rich Daniels as well as from RBWILLNJ and both magazines are complete with knurned tops, funnel baffle and correct adapter, they are perfect in every sense.).

Fifth, would be Dave Wilson... yes a talented Human who has a lathe and can make you dies, die nuts and any other things machine head oriented for your Star.  Dave is a pureist in the best sense.  He recently made me a set of .38 Super Dies for the Star and let me tell you that the ammo that is running off of the Star is nearly one hole worthy at 25 yards in my Brazos .38 SuperComp BCG Pro Sx. I also have a few of his replacement die nuts for the Star.   Dave's forum id is FS60.

The Hulme (or variants) Case Feeder is probably #1 on the hit parade of essential add ons for the STAR Universal.  BTW quite a few years ago, Rich Daniels made a limited run of solid brass Hulme-Like case feeders which are works of art.  I have one of these NIB.  If you ever see one of these you will WANT IT...

Lastly, I like the L shaped handle (with delrin? handle material) vs the wooden original handle.  These L shaped handles have been made by various folks over the years. There is a nice guy on Ebay who sells them on occasion and they are very nice, he also makes them for the STAR Lubrisizer and they work swell.

Art