Turn Your FX-120i into a Prometheus

[adamjmac]

In case you'd like to see what the production room looks like:

http://imgur.com/a/USbGJ

 

[sparky123321]

Seems like an optional wired start button would be the easiest and most flexible way to go.

 

[zipollini]

Any videos of the unit for the Sartorius Entris yet ?

 

[adamjmac]

Any videos of the unit for the Sartorius Entris yet ?

Videos... hmm no. I finished the design and shipped the scales back to their owners and did not take a video. New instructions with photos will be posted on the website this weekend.

Crap I forgot to take a video.

Here's a picture. I am wiring the electronics into the boxes as we speak.

 

[jlow]

Hi Adam, I was wondering about your rationale for building that small 3-D printed shelf that the weighting pan sits on.

It looks like you are trying to get the pan closer to the trickler so that powder does not accidentally come out of the pan during fast trickling. The reason I ask is I have not notice powder any problem without the shelf even when I am trickling fast. On the other hand, I have noticed that because of the close proximity of the pan to the trickler arm when it is sitting on the shelf, I sometime accidentally hit the arm with the pan when I am removing it (with a finished trickle), knocking some powder loose from the arm into the pan and this is why I have been not using the shelf. Would be interested to hear other people's experience.

Not complaining, but just wondering if it would help you reduce one item you need to make for the package.

 

[adamjmac]

Hi Adam, I was wondering about your rationale for building that small 3-D printed shelf that the weighting pan sits on.

It looks like you are trying to get the pan closer to the trickler so that powder does not accidentally come out of the pan during fast trickling. The reason I ask is I have not notice powder any problem without the shelf even when I am trickling fast. On the other hand, I have noticed that because of the close proximity of the pan to the trickler arm when it is sitting on the shelf, I sometime accidentally hit the arm with the pan when I am removing it (with a finished trickle), knocking some powder loose from the arm into the pan and this is why I have been not using the shelf. Would be interested to hear other people's experience.

Not complaining, but just wondering if it would help you reduce one item you need to make for the package.

The purpose is to be able to put the pan back in exactly the same place by simply dropping it quickly. It's not strictly necessary but I can print 10 in 2 hours so it's not a big deal and I like to use it so I figured others would. The height of the mount was designed based on using the tray with the FX, but either the scale or the mount could be raised up to compensate for any preference.

 

[jlow]

Thanks Adam!

 

[Kiba]

Order placed... thanks Adam!

Also ordered a bunch of parts to convert my Redding 3BR powder measure to arduino controlled servo drive to drop the bulk charge. Plan for now is to have a manual momentary switch cycle the servo on the powder measure and drop the bulk charge. Envisioned work flow is to place the empty pan onto the scale and as soon as Adam's trickler starts driving you push the momentary button to drop the bulk charge from the automatic powder measure, then the trickler would finish the charge. Of course much like the current scoop method, depending on the bulk charge being thrown from the measure you would need to push the momentary switch within the first couple of seconds of trickler operation or it will probably overcharge.

Long term plan, if Adam is willing, would be to integrate it with Adam's trickler controller for a total "all in one" solution. Ideally the plan would be that when the empty pan is placed back on the scale Adam's controller will automatically cycle the powder measure for the bulk charge and then after registering the bulk charge in the pan it could then drive the trickler to final weight.

I'm planning on using an RCBS advanced powder measure stand to transfer the bulk charge from the powder measure to the pan since it incorporates an adjustable drop chute and the shape of the stand also lends itself to mounting the servo on the stand behind the powder measure. Won't need the manual trickler on the chute, but that's not a problem and it could be left in place or removed.

Hopefully I can post updates and a video in a month or so when it's up and running.

 

[Jdne5b]

For those without powder scoops, a 1/2 teaspoon from the kitchen will get you around 40gr of Varget. Even has a long reach, and no my wife hasnt come looking for it yet.

 

[jlow]

For those without powder scoops, a 1/2 teaspoon from the kitchen will get you around 40gr of Varget. Even has a long reach, and no my wife hasnt come looking for it yet.

One can of course always improvise if necessary, but the "Lee Improved Powder Measure" is so cheap and it gives you so much more flexibility in terms of finding just the right measure which is just below the amount you need that it's hard to not find it a perfect match for the autotrickler?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/943305/lee-improved-powder-measure-kit

 

[BR7.62]

well this thread cost me some coin... actually really glad I came across this. wish I would have a few months ago.
tried out the hornady digital hopper dispenser and what a turd, overcharged on even slow setting most of the time. picked up a gempro 250 because of all the god reviews. it worked great for 50 rounds for a match now it seems to be all over the place.
anxious to try this out w/ the fx120.

 

[Alexander-M]

I received Adam's marvel Friday and set it up yesterday. The instructions were very clear, and everything went together nicely, as well as setting up the FX-120i. I didn’t have anything that I needed to reload, so I tested it to trickle up to a charge weight of 44.40gr of Varget.

When I say this is a marvel of a product, I am not exaggerating. I used a Hornady LNL Powder Measure set to dispense 42.5 – 43.0 gr of Varget onto a Lyman Powder Pal Funnel Pan, placed the pan on the FX-120i, Adam's marvel ‘thinks’ for a second, then promptly completes the charge of 44.40 gr. Of 10 charges I tried, two went over to 44.42, and the rest were 44.40. That is as good as I could do with the Omega trickler, but much faster.

Thank you, Adam!

Alex

 

[jlow]

Adam's autotrickler IMHO is second to none....

 

[flatlander]

Don't know why it took me so long to pull the trigger - I've had my FX-120i since August of '13 - but I finally placed an order a couple of days ago. Anyone know how long it's currently taking to get one from Adam?

I think part of the reason I finally decided to order Adam's auto-trickler is that a couple of my good friends who have Prometheus units have been badgering me to lease one for years, and it finally got to me. Besides, I'm only a few months from medicare, and have gotten tired of standing there trickling charges by hand. I get along pretty well when trickling most of the extruded powders I use, but N550 in LR 223 loads is a PITA. Hope the auto trickler handles it better than I do....lol

 

[spclark]

I get along pretty well when trickling most of the extruded powders I use, but N550 in LR 223 loads is a PITA. Hope the auto trickler handles it better than I do....lol

Oh I think it will Dennis, I think you'll be very pleased with the 'upgrade.'

I just ordered one for an A&D FX120i also just ordered.

(Natchez Shooters Supplies has a really low price for the Sartorious Entris64-1 - $1,009.00 - yet I couldn't convince myself its four-decimal accuracy's needed for reloading; rather use $$$ saved for consumables.)

My MXX-123 scale + Omega still works fine after five seasons BUT this thread has convinced me I can significantly improve things on my reloading bench.

 

[flatlander]

You know, I was still fairly satisfied with my MX-123, but when I read about the FX-120i - especially how its price compared to the GD-503 - I figured I'd never find a better balance at a better price. And after using mine for over 3yrs, I'm pretty darned sure I made the right choice. Am really looking forward to getting Adam's device in hand & getting it set up.

 

[jkl]

You can't go wrong with both products The trickler is a great add on to the FX-120.

John

 

[Jefferson]

Is it possible to set Adams machine up to drop the EXACT charge weight to the kernal?

Yes I wish the powder charge to be exact,

So are the specs plus one kernal. Or plus or minus one kernal?
I weigh now with a charge master and carpet just under and place kernal sin by hand between the thumb and forefinger

Even if the settings have to be slowed a bit I am looking for exact weight and yes the windows are closed,blinds are pulled,a towel over the bottom of the door, load only in below 72 farieheit and so on

Jeff

 

[jlow]

Is it possible to set Adams machine up to drop the EXACT charge weight to the kernal?

Yes I wish the powder charge to be exact,

So are the specs plus one kernal. Or plus or minus one kernal?
I weigh now with a charge master and carpet just under and place kernal sin by hand between the thumb and forefinger

Even if the settings have to be slowed a bit I am looking for exact weight and yes the windows are closed,blinds are pulled,a towel over the bottom of the door, load only in below 72 farieheit and so on

Jeff

It’s not possible for any trickler automatic or manual to drop the EXACT charge 100% of the time.

The reason being is because if two kernals sticks together, or two separate kernels end up arriving at the edge of the trickler at the same time, they are both going to go over the edge. It’s really the odds thing which is if enough kernals are processed, this will happen sometime – its really that simple. Do a test running a trickler manually and you will see this happen.

In the end, the way to deal with this is to put the dipper in, scoop out a small handful of kernals, drop them back on the trickler and it will automatically try again.

 

[wolfman]

I have found that finished charges are often 1 kernel light. I have set up my Omega on the opposite side of the scale as the Autotrickler, and use it to top up any charge as needed. Using a lee powder measure to drop the initial charge 0.5 gr light, I am averaging 120 charges per hour.