Messages

1

Star Reloaders / Re: What Plastic Was Used on the Casefeeder Tubes?

« on: November 12, 2014, 03:23:58 pm »

Hmmm....interesting alternative approach.

It takes me so long to fill the tubes even when using all my tricks to minimize movements, that I have considered timing 100-150 rounds loaded just dropping cases from a bin into the top of the casefeeder to see whether that increases my NET production rate.

An honest production rate, where I start the timer when I pick up the package of primers, fill the primer tubes, then include loading the case tubes, is between 300 and 400 rounds per hour. I also include the time spend swapping out the case tubes.  Takes me 2 minutes per 50 cases, so there you have .2 of an hour at 300 rounds spent just feeding the Hulme case feeder, and 16 minutes to get 400 done.

I'm pretty sure that everyone who ever got a full 600 rounds per hour of of a Star had a second person filling case tubes and primer tubes for them. Even if you have the kids doing it for you, that doesn't quite count in my book.

2

Star Reloaders / Re: Anyone know what flavor of feeder this is?

« on: November 03, 2014, 11:04:10 pm »

Back from the dead...did you sell it???

I'm curious as to how it was attached. From the pics I suspect the main body was bolted to the tool head, that steel stuff is a seater/crimper die, and the part that cammed the bullet feed inwards screwed to the backside of the powder measure cam???

But I don't see how there would have been room for the lower tube think which looks like it would have enclosed the case, to get out of the way for the rest of the down/seating stroke...

3

Star Reloaders / What Plastic Was Used on the Casefeeder Tubes?

« on: November 03, 2014, 10:47:28 pm »

Hmmm...since it was used with the Hulme case feeder, maybe those tube were from Hulme too???

Anyway, I am quite impressed that the 51 year old tubes I am using remain pliable, stiff enough to stay upright when full of cases, and are still reasonably impact-resistant.

I had a 1986 Audi that had its ball and socket plastics in the gearshift lever under that nice leather shift boot completely fall apart after only 11 years of USA heat. Don't ask about the Mercedes I bought more than a decade later. [Edit: "They"...] know NOTHING about either heat or UV from ordinary sunlight at only 2,000 feet above sea level, as far as plastics go...

So, what was/is it? Are equivalent tubes available anywhere? I would kind of like to get a few long enough to hold a full 50 .38 Special cases. Just no junk that's going to crack and disintegrate in only 10 years!

4

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Howdy Ya'll I would like to buy some dies...

« on: June 29, 2013, 09:57:12 pm »

I have a .45 ACP sizer that's not making my WCC cases small enough for jacketed bullets.

Can get you some readings on the OD of sized cases if you want.

Anyway, interested in selling it to finance its replacement. I'm just not interested in seeing if it works for the pile of R-P type cases I have stashed away. Want to wear out this W series first...