DIY case kicker

[daviscustom]

I’m going to start working on building a case kicker, it’ll take a little bit of reverse engineering to figure out the dimensions of all the parts… But I think there’s enough information online it shouldn’t be too complicated. If anybody would be willing to take a few measurements along the way to speed up the process it will be appreciated. Planning to make something similar to the RayVin version, Since they have retired I’m assuming I’m on my own, unless I can get one of you fine folks to take a few measurements here-n-there along the way.

Does anyone have any suggestions of other designs that work equally well?

[daviscustom]

Well the first step in the process appears to be creating a rigid mounting point for the kicker arm to pivot on.  After looking things over, I decided to try and create a design that uses the existing post and screw that the safety gizmo is mounted with instead of making a new post. I also thought if the end of the bracket tucks into the notch on the side of the case feeder that it might help stabilize everything too. I’m not concerned with making a copy of RayVins case kicker, just working with the design concept and trying to make something that will work. It’s going to be a trial and error and modification process that hopefully will result in a functional case kicker. So here is the first iteration of the first part.

https://i.imgur.com/QYUuvp1.jpg

[varmintpopper]

https://imgur.com/RhC0IJk
Check out the system I use for all My Stars.
No moving parts, works without fail.

Good shooting

Lindy

[daviscustom]

Looks easy enough, do you not use a taper crimp die on any of your presses? This press was originally set up with a hole for the finished round to drop out and didn’t have a taper crimp die for 38 special, but since my 45 tool head has the taper crimp die I was trying to get it set up for it to work.

Nice bullet feeder by the way… Who makes it?

[varmintpopper]

You can use a taper crimp die in the last station if desired but it must clear the wire that cams the finished cartridge off the base plate. The bullet feeder was made by "M-A Systems Inc." Located in Pryor Oklahoma. They are still an active Manufacturer But no longer make the bullet feeder.

Good Shooting

Lindy

[daviscustom]

I made a spring loaded kicker “leg” today. Thinking about activating it in similar fashion to the RayVin version, but I’m thinking the arm that comes down will pivot to clear the stud on the kicker leg.... haven’t decided yet how I want to try to do it.

https://i.imgur.com/S9UI19j.mp4

[daviscustom]

Design is working, I just have to make the arm that actuates the kicker leg a little longer so that it gives more time for the tool head to raise before it tries to kick the shell out (it won’t clear with a bullet in the cartridge yet ) and I probably would like to make a little heavier duty kicker leg as well… But it seems to work good.

https://i.imgur.com/q63LxCr.mp4

[daviscustom]

There are lots of ways to skin this cat, and I see now why the RayVin design uses a kicker with a prong on both sides of the case....It keeps the case from trying to slide out of the slot when you rotate it around.  And there are advantages in his design of only having one part moving. I hate to move back more in the direction of mimicking his design, but I think it probably is a better design than what I’ve come up with so far.

[rbwillnj]

Actually, I like your system because it doesn't interfere with a taper crimp die.   You might consider a thin wire like used on the MA Systems Eject-Ease to push the case back in.   It doesn't interfere with the ejection.   Picture attached, let me know if you need a better one.  This is what I had handy.

One note:   Not all Shell Plate Thrust Nuts are the same size.  Yours looks like a late model which is the smallest.  Earlier ones tended to have a bigger diameter.

Bruce Williams

[daviscustom]

Thanks for the input! Yeah that looks like a simple solution for keeping the case in the pocket.  I think the big things I want to do next are make the kicker leg a little stouter on the outside end.... it’s a little fragile,  and I need to make the trip lever that hangs down a little longer so the press can raise high enough for a loaded cartridge to clear the die before it ejects. I never thought about how much the press would have to raise before the cartridge would be free of the crimp die until I started bending that kicker arm.  It was a good thing I was trying to video it’s function to post online.... it would have take a little head scratching to figure out what was happening.

[FOR_Star]

.............You might consider a thin wire like used on the MA Systems Eject-Ease to push the case back in.   It doesn't interfere with the ejection.   Picture attached, let me know if you need a better one.  This is what I had handy.

Bruce Williams

Bruce, how does the thin spring wire ("whisker") attach to the "L" bracket in that setup?

[rbwillnj]

It goes through a hole in the "L bracket"    The wire is .015 Hard Brite Spring wire, or at least that's the closest replacement I have found.

[brian_a_mcmillen]

Your design looks great!  Would you be willing to share the dimensions and materials so I can build one too? 

Brian