Please just do what you have done for a year then I will pitch it to the big companies and make you rich. Aka butchers bore shine
Then let them worry about it. Jeff
Turn Your FX-120i into a Prometheus
- Thread starter Sheldon N
- Start date
Then let them worry about it. Jeff
Part of my reasoning for building an automated powder measure for the initial bulk charge is I do a lot of high volume varmint shooting... and that means a lot of high volume reloading sessions. Even if the automatic measure for the bulk throw only shaves a few seconds per round over using the dippers that adds up-- and not having to use the dippers is one less repetitive motion for my hands and fingers to do.
I can see how using two scale pans adjusted for identical weight can speed things up. However, by using two pans and placing them back onto the scale with a light charge already on them means you aren't taking advantage of the FX120i's automatic zero drift compensation-- so you should occasionally place an empty pan back on to check that the zero is still true. With an automatic dispenser and the process flow I have in mind you're always placing an empty pan back on the scale and the automatic zero drift compensation will work every charge. Since I don't have my FX120i yet I can't say how big of an issue zero drift over a reloading session is-- but my inner OCD voice is telling me that if you're trying to load to 1-2 kernel accuracy then placing an empty pan back on the scale every time so the scale can check and compensate for drift isn't a bad idea.
Finally, I like silly side projects that allow me to play with new things... so that's really all the motivation I needed.
Kiba – no sweat, I was only commenting from my own perspective. I can certainly understand wanting to shave seconds if you do a lot of reloading. I also cannot say that I don’t occasionally have silly side projects but we won’t go there.
I am pretty anal when it comes to reloading, both in terms of accuracy and safety mostly because I know how easy it is to throw and unintended charge especially when dealing with multiple charge weights like for an OCW. I basically have a spreadsheet with all the charge weights, I weight the case with primer first, enter data, take weighted powder and put in case, weight case with powder, enter data and look for the confirmation that I am +/- 0.02 grain or less off the value on the spreadsheet. As you can imagine when you put all of this together, the auto-trickler is flying and mostly waiting for me, so that little second gain does not put a dent in anything.
In the end, it’s all a matter of perspective but hey if it makes you happy, I would definitely say go for it!
As for not taking advantage of the FX-120A auto-zero, I am as mentioned above actually double checking ALL the powder weights with an GemPro 250 and I have yet found a problem. The auto-trickler does occasionally over and under charge but I never take a charge unless the number on the display is OK.
No sweat at all. I can see where some might not like the complication of an automatic measure or are low volume loaders that don't see it as necessary, while others are high volume shooters or just like "toys" and it might be very appealing to them. I saw potential time savings and less stress on my fingers for high volume reloading along with it being a fun project so I started ordering parts.
I consider doing OCW and load development as fun, and I don't mind spending extra time there... but once the loads are figured out and I have to sit down and load 600-1000 rounds for each rifle for a 5-7 day ground squirrel blasting trip that fun quickly becomes "work"-- especially since it's not just loading for my own rifles but usually loading for one and often two other friends going on the same trip. Now repeat that for 2-3 trips every spring and early summer... at that stage I want to get it done with minimal effort as quickly as possible but without sacrificing accuracy.
I blame Adam for all of this, I was ready to order a Prometheus and getting my buddies to help with the cost, but then I saw Adam's trickler and the wheels in my head started turning.
I consider doing OCW and load development as fun, and I don't mind spending extra time there... but once the loads are figured out and I have to sit down and load 600-1000 rounds for each rifle for a 5-7 day ground squirrel blasting trip that fun quickly becomes "work"-- especially since it's not just loading for my own rifles but usually loading for one and often two other friends going on the same trip. Now repeat that for 2-3 trips every spring and early summer... at that stage I want to get it done with minimal effort as quickly as possible but without sacrificing accuracy.
I blame Adam for all of this, I was ready to order a Prometheus and getting my buddies to help with the cost, but then I saw Adam's trickler and the wheels in my head started turning.
jkl
Silver $$ Contributor
If it stops short just grab the trickler knob and turn it to hit the target weight. I have an omega and it wasn't perfect either it would gift an extra kernel from time to time. The stepper motor is not hurt if you turn it. As Adam says if it is over just dip some out don't pull out a kernel or 2 the motor re-starts and hits the target weight again. You can be as OCD as you want.
John
John
Compared to lesser digital scales, the FX120i does take up a lot of prime real estate to operate . . . more so with Adam's Trickler. Then there's the issue of (old) hands threading the needle to deliver scoops of powder through the shields to prime the pan without spilling any or all of it.
Sure it may not work for everyone, but a 15" storage cube (and perhaps some strip LED lights) can make the scale + trickler et al easy to set up, keep it protected from the wind without using the factory shields at all, and at the same time return some or all of the bench space the kluge takes up.
1st photo is the scale in storage position, though the lights are on; 2nd photo in the "use" position. Adjust the latter to suit left hand or right, and the direction of the prevailing wind in your reloading room
The cube will also hold quite a fair amount of weight on its top.
Sure it may not work for everyone, but a 15" storage cube (and perhaps some strip LED lights) can make the scale + trickler et al easy to set up, keep it protected from the wind without using the factory shields at all, and at the same time return some or all of the bench space the kluge takes up.
1st photo is the scale in storage position, though the lights are on; 2nd photo in the "use" position. Adjust the latter to suit left hand or right, and the direction of the prevailing wind in your reloading room
The cube will also hold quite a fair amount of weight on its top.
Yes, build it.
I'm in.
Probably, assuming it would be superior to a chargemaster/trickler combo which can be had for $225 after rebate right now.
Yes ,build it.
S'what I was thinking too. With that 3D printer thing you (Adam) have it oughta be a nice exercise!
I'll have to wait'n'see whether what you come up with is a significant-enough advance over my Harrell's to justify my putting IT up for sale though.
a bit off topic so sorry,i sold a lot of gear that i could do without recently to fund this trickler and the a&d 300i.
one of this unnecessary items was the harrel classic culver powder measure. i had an old symplex powder measure laying around that i bought at a garage sale 30 years ago and it does twice the job as the harrells.
Compared to lesser digital scales, the FX120i does take up a lot of prime real estate to operate . . . more so with Adam's Trickler. Then there's the issue of (old) hands threading the needle to deliver scoops of powder through the shields to prime the pan without spilling any or all of it.
Sure it may not work for everyone, but a 15" storage cube (and perhaps some strip LED lights) can make the scale + trickler et al easy to set up, keep it protected from the wind without using the factory shields at all, and at the same time return some or all of the bench space the kluge takes up.
1st photo is the scale in storage position, though the lights are on; 2nd photo in the "use" position. Adjust the latter to suit left hand or right, and the direction of the prevailing wind in your reloading room
This looks like a good idea. What are you using for the led light? Thanks
QUOTE="Mark Johnson, post: 36797651, member: 1298084"]This looks like a good idea. What are you using for the led light? Thanks[/QUOTE]
A small section of this LED Light Kit. Just cut about 18" off the roll, peeled the backing off and stuck it to the inside top. Passed the power cable through a hole in the back.
I used a second kit plus the leftover from this to make a hanging 5' long overhead fixture to light the rest of the bench.
The remotes are all identical and miscellaneous parts are available if you want to connect smaller cut sections together to form one continuous strip in the shape you need. Or just fold and bend the strips as I did
A small section of this LED Light Kit. Just cut about 18" off the roll, peeled the backing off and stuck it to the inside top. Passed the power cable through a hole in the back.
I used a second kit plus the leftover from this to make a hanging 5' long overhead fixture to light the rest of the bench.
The remotes are all identical and miscellaneous parts are available if you want to connect smaller cut sections together to form one continuous strip in the shape you need. Or just fold and bend the strips as I did
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