Whatever Happened

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Some fellow bought the rights to make the Star progressives.  Obviously he didn't do much with the uniquie opportunity.  So what, if anything, is he doing with the company?

[CDRT]

If you mean the fellow in Pioneer, Calif; I bought some parts from him a couple years ago.  When I tried to contact him last summer, he never responded to my emails and his phone answering machine was full, so I could not leave a message.  And I even sent him a fax on that number and never rec'd a response.
D.T.

[jasta]

"Some fellow bought the rights to make the Star progressives"

what right the pat. ran out years ago if there were pat. thats why we have the Phelps press!

[CDRT]

Jasta:
He certainly bought the company name, equipment, machine tools, etc which gives him the proprietary right to build "Star Machine Works" presses, whether or not the patent has expired.  If the only requirement were, that the patent had expired, Phelps could have called their presses "Stars" but in the business world it just doesn't work that way.

EDITED: This post was edited to comply with the membership agreement.

[K6TC1]

I thought I sent a post telling of my very nice communications with the new owner of Star Machine works in Pioneer California but I am getting old so who knows??? I needed a #61 Taper pin for the top of one of my Star machines. sent an email to the address I found on the man's web site and received an answer almost overnight.
I requested the complete cost of one (1) pin with the shipping to me here in Southern Oregon. A whopping $9.00 got the pin four days after I sent the postal money order to the man, no problem 1st. class U.S. Mail.
The companies email address is:

I hope this will put to rest the worries about buying new equipment or replacement parts, oh by the way I spoke to the owner by phone just to introduce myself and found him to be a very nice man that is indeed going to try and make a go of Star in the tradition of San Diego.
Good loading to all,
Tom Corso K6TC1

[Star73]

Interesting! Is this a new, like very recently? For an extended period here reorts have all been the same as I have rec'd.....nothing, e-mails, phone calls, recorder full etc.  By the way I guess site policy here is no addresses etc (not a critisism) so nothing recid in this area. Please contact our web admin so we might all have this info if indeed new & viable!

Ron H

[CDRT]

I checked and his website is back up.  I emailed and got a response.  Just waiting to see if the parts I want are in stock and a price plus shipping for them.

[curt]

Over the past couple of weeks I've gotten emails answered from the starmachineworks web site.

[CDRT]

Just sent off a check for some parts.  Will report back when they get here.  Looks like Bill is back in the game...."sorta".  His comment, not mine.

[jasta]

hey sorry about that .but thats just the way it gos. i guess i should have been in school learing something. but no i was at star digging in there scrap bin.and what did that get me ? a foot locker full of parts,a ream of blue prints,loads of bar stock and lots of marketing info going back to the 50's. but the best thing as far as info go's is the leter from remington about there primer's from the 30's see the old rem. primers were not flat on the bottom but round. yep and i got some of the star parts for that to. so now i will get off of my box.to all of you spelling [EDIT] out there heres something to think about theres a lot of us out here that may not be as book smart as you. but one thing i can tell you for shure if i need a part for my star i will do one of two things put i new one in it from all the stuff i got from the folks at star or i will make one. and when i am done with it all i will put it on ebay!


EDITED: The post was modified to comply with the membership agreement.

[CDRT]

Getting back to what we were posting about; I just received the parts I ordered from Bill at Star Machine Works.  Excellent quality and the .38 taper crimp die is already installed on the press and checked out.