Top Punch Questions

[Hyperion]

A number of years ago, I bought a Star Universal and a box of parts. I no longer have the press, but I have a number of parts that I think include top punches (it's hard to tell from the diagrams). Since the Star sizer/lubricater processes the bullet nose down, why would the top punch be anything other than a flat surface (since it presses against the flat bullet base)? My top punches are round nose, flat, round nose flat point, flat point, etc. I'd appreciate any information you could share and photos (if possible) to explain. Thanks,


Dave

[rbwillnj]

When Star produced the Lubricator Sizer they manufactured bullet punches that matched the bullet nose.   When Magma too over the business, even though they got the tooling from Star to make Nose Punches, they elected to only produce flat punches for nose first sizing

[Hyperion]

Thank you for your helpful response. It also helps me determine Star-manufactured vs Magma-manufactured since I could not find any markings to indicate manufacturer. Another question: How do I determine what Top Punch goes with which die? I see no indication on how to make this determination. This next question is regarding the attached photo: What is the purpose of the drilled holes in some top punches? Was this a factory job or aftermarket alteration, or?

[rbwillnj]

To determine which Lubesizer die the punch is for, you just need to measure it.   Punches are typically a few thousandths smaller than the die it's intended for.

As for the holes, never seen them before probably made by a past user for what purpose I can't say.

Actually, I really don't think those punches were made by Star.   Attached is a picture of various Star nose punches for comparison.

[Hyperion]

Thank you so much for clarifying things for me. I really appreciate it!