Time to make the donuts....

[AlNyhus]

Glad your hand didn't get stuck in the "cookie jar"...lol

That happened enough when I was a kid.....slow learner.

 

[AlNyhus]

While our collet system is being refined, I took time to set the Robinett carbide point die up on a new George Ulrich converted Lee Classic. This uses the traditional punch nut setup to hold the point up punch. At this point, I'm still tweaking the lube amount needed to carry forward what's still on after the core seating operation. I've found the too-high and too-low amounts...so I know where not to go. In the middle of those, the dimensions stabilize, ejection is easy, the pleats settle right down and the metplats look reasonable.

Again, many thanks to Randy and George for all the help and advice. You guys rock.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[JoeDuke]

Very nice setup Al. I am envious.

 

[AlNyhus]

If anyone has some pics of what you're doing for a bullet chute after they eject on the Lee presses, maybe you could post them here. -Al

 

[brcman]

Al, it looks to me that your ejector rod would interfere with where a chute would normally go for a right handed person, can you swing it toward the rear?

 

[D Coots]

My chute slides down over the punch.

I like my press at 35 degrees.

Edit: I haven't "pointed up" my finger since changing the angle. Plus less chance of the bullet hitting the punch on ejection.

Later

Dave

 

[geo.ulrich]

Al, it looks to me that your ejector rod would interfere with where a chute would normally go for a right handed person, can you swing it toward the rear?

Yes it can...

 

[AlNyhus]

This has been working pretty well for a temporary bullet chute. An 'o' ring keeps the tab down on the punch nut. I'd like to figure out more of a hinge for the bottom and if it keeps working well, have something 3D printed.

 

[AlNyhus]

My chute slides down over the punch.

I like my press at 35 degrees.

Edit: I haven't "pointed up" my finger since changing the angle. Plus less chance of the bullet hitting the punch on ejection.

Later

Dave

Dave, I've got a big-azz hunk of aluminum sitting here just begging to be angle milled. The CNC shop has been busy with projects that actually make money so I may have to whittle it myself.

Stay warm! -Al

 

[D Coots]

It is warm here....in Florida.

Storm back home today. Will be testing bullets in my rail when I get home. Can't shoot a bag gun until April.

 

[JoeDuke]

This has been working pretty well for a temporary bullet chute. An 'o' ring keeps the tab down on the punch nut. I'd like to figure out more of a hinge for the bottom and if it keeps working well, have something 3D printed.

Congratulations on the new Grandkid. Holding grandkids is lots more important than making bullets.

A new Grandkiddo has been added to the clan. Julian has this baby thing down pat...eat, sleep, get his diaper changed. Repeat.

 

[liljoe]

Here is what I have been working on. I really need to get them finished.
Joe

 

[Mulligan]

Here is what I have been working on. I really need to get them finished.
Joe

WOW!

CW

 

[steve210]

Here is what I have been working on. I really need to get them finished.
Joe

Nice looking presses, shouldn't be much give in them, they look stout!

 

[AlNyhus]

Here is what I have been working on. I really need to get them finished.
Joe

Double WOW!

 

[D Coots]

Nice Joe

 

[Fuj]

After seeing those, I'll be a bit embarrassed to post up my little
project. I picked an early model RCBS-JR3. Making a new ram
from a piece of shot out barrel. I have a new idea for the knock
out rod. I need to square the casting up first once I locate where
I stashed my long shank carbide mills.

 

[liseo]

What is the preferred method for preparing the cores?
Thoroughly washed, without lanolin residue, or rigorously washed and etched.
I see conflicting opinions on this subject.

 

[AlNyhus]

What is the preferred method for preparing the cores?
Thoroughly washed, without lanolin residue, or rigorously washed and etched.
I see conflicting opinions on this subject.

The Hood cores have a water soluble lube on them. Soaking in hot water with Dawn dish soap does a good job of cleaning them. Then I put them on a towel to dry. I know others people that make bullets with Charlie's cores that don't clean them at all...just cut the box open and go to work.

When making cores with Marvel Mystery Oil as a lube, I get a little more rambunctious with cleaning (boiling water and Cascade dish washing powder followed by rinsing in hot water and an acetone bath). The cores end up with a slightly etched appearance.

The late Ron Hoehn mentioned he had been working with lightly lubed cores so I tested that.

As long as the core seating pressure was adequate, I haven't been able to tell any difference.

Just my 2 cents on it. -Al

 

[jackieschmidt]

Al, I just spread the Hood Cores out on a plate, spray them down with CRC Electric Cleaner, and dry them with paper towel, then a heat gun.

It seems to get the job done.

It seems I read somewhere, (can’t remember), that Sierra does use some type of lube on cores before they seat them.