Force guage for bullet seating
- Thread starter Jennb
- Start date
Im gona grab some pop corn and watch this thread. I've looked for this contraption for years with no success in a trusting manner. I have found an electronic meter such a digital volt meter (DMV) with a pressure pad for about 1000 bucks but i find it hard to believe that it would read as consistent / precise as a hydraulic gauge on an arbor press, which I now use.
Darrin
Darrin
I doubt it The press is
Made for sizing
I know that you are looking for something to use with your existing press, but if you want to measure the amount of force it takes to seat a bullet, get either a 21st Century or a K&M arbor press. Yes I know, you will need to get arbor seating dies but you will achieve two things. Your primary goal and a side benefit of getting VERY straight ammo.
BTW, I have the 21st Century and couldn't be happier.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
BTW, I have the 21st Century and couldn't be happier.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
Quite simple to make if you really want to. Theres 100s of precise strain gauge cells that, can be connected to a controller/plc with a 0-10V or 4-20 ma input. The accuracy you get what you pay for.
You scale it to the controller pr specs, and check it with a certified set of check weight for linearity.
Hardly challenging to do, but there are simple products there already with hydraulic gauges that works just fine, as a standalone seating press with arbor.
On a rockchucker you'd probably not find a good way to make it mount only for bullet seating, witch would be more of a headache. And depending on what you buy it might cost you more anyways.
You scale it to the controller pr specs, and check it with a certified set of check weight for linearity.
Hardly challenging to do, but there are simple products there already with hydraulic gauges that works just fine, as a standalone seating press with arbor.
On a rockchucker you'd probably not find a good way to make it mount only for bullet seating, witch would be more of a headache. And depending on what you buy it might cost you more anyways.
Dave Dohrmann built a few, he was hoping to put them into production before he passed leaving a whole PILE of good products (Tru-Kote, Superfeet, Supertails, Purple Passion, edible case lube, the BEST stock tape, etc etc) on the table. He tried electronic load cells as well as a direct-reading stack-of-washers setup as I recall.
I always thought implementing a small hydraulic load cell like this https://www.noshok.com/force_2000_series.shtml would be fairly simple but when I couldn't get one of Davey's I fashioned a 3/8 square drive on an arbor press and substituted a small lever-style torque wrench for the handle.
Then I chucked the whole idea'r into the trash when my experimentation made it moot.
I always thought implementing a small hydraulic load cell like this https://www.noshok.com/force_2000_series.shtml would be fairly simple but when I couldn't get one of Davey's I fashioned a 3/8 square drive on an arbor press and substituted a small lever-style torque wrench for the handle.
Then I chucked the whole idea'r into the trash when my experimentation made it moot.
farmerjohn
Gold $$ Contributor
+1
It's the force needed to push the bullet out that's important. Seldom the same as seating force when fired. Arsenals have specs for that on small arms ammo. 7.62 M80 ammo, at least 60 pounds; M118, at least 20 pounds
Invert a shell holder in a vise past the edge of your bench, put a bulleted case in, clamp a collet bullet puller on the bullet, hang weights on the puller until the bullet releases.
Weigh everything except the bullet.
Reverse the system by putting the bullet puller in a board off the edge of your bench.
Invert a shell holder in a vise past the edge of your bench, put a bulleted case in, clamp a collet bullet puller on the bullet, hang weights on the puller until the bullet releases.
Weigh everything except the bullet.
Reverse the system by putting the bullet puller in a board off the edge of your bench.
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Shhhhh!!!
last night when I saw this post, Guffey came into my mind. Has anybody heard from him lately, kinda miss his posts.
Darrin
I really like that however I can't help but think that the ram on the press would need to be hydraulically operated using a system with a steady output flow is necessary to get clean data. A flow control valve before the ram and a limit switch and to bypass the ram when it is at full seating extension would complete the system. Noisy data is why I have always shied away from a arbor press with a force gage of any sort. Its impossible to precisely and accurately measure force unless the force is applied is steady and consistent. Inconsistent force will equal inconsistent readings. Too hard to separate the data from the chaff. Your load cell coupled with a small hydraulic system that could clean up 99% of the noise would give some clean data to analyze. It would be moderately pricey so you would have to ask yourself if the results would be worth the cost and effort unless you just like to tinker
Small pump, accumulator, a couple of 3 way valves, pressure control module and flow control valve and a limit switch with someone who has Arduino skills
edit - damn I over complicated that didn't I - a gear motor and a limit switch would be easier. So unless bidding on a government contract keep it simple
edit 2 - instead of a load cell measure the power draw on the gearmotor. I really think someone could manufacture and sell something at that could give some fairly accurate and precise data at a cost effective price. Certainly less than 1000 USD
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memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
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