Impressed with FreeChex

[Sagebrush7]

I have four Air-Mite presses. What I have found is the two major types to consider. The AP and DAP models. The AP have spring return shafts and the DAP have air return shafts. I get more miles out of the air return before problems crop up. The DAP7-2 for small calibers and DAP12-2 for .0167 material up. The DAP12 takes a lot of air. The four inch cylinder will cycle an 80 gallon 220 volt air compressor every 6-10 minutes. The hand operated 4-way switches work best for me. The mounting shaft is ajustable. You must set your FCIII up where it will not bottom out the spring and shatter the die. I will try to answer anybodys questions James

[Sonnypie]

Air Mite Presses.

Like some of these, James?

[edsmith]

I think that will be my next project. air powered check maker. I think the cylinder will be not too hard to make.I am thinking that pvc pipe may make the cyl. body. I will want to keep it as simple as possible.I will fool around to get the smallest dia. as I can.I am open to any and all ideas.

[JKH]

Hi James!

I'm a bit tardy with your pics but it seems that at least for a few there is no need, there are a lot of very good minds lurking around here who have already visualised what you have accomplished (no disparagement to those who wish to see pics! The folks who had an inkling as to James equipment work with machinery and knowy what will do what. There are a great dealy of smart people here from many fields that gives our community a well rounded collective mind akin to cloud computing so we all benefit and grow in knowledge, an awesomet thing to behold!).

They greater my physical issues become the more I am interested in devices to assist in completing tasks that were once easy, I am very intrigued by your Idea Ed of a homemade air actuator that could be built from simple materials in anyones garage withy modest tools how about a piston siimilar iny design to a Coleman lantern pump with an oil soaked dense felt skirt/ring to effect a good seal in the. Bore? Sandwhich the felt between 2 fender washers of appropriate size captured with opposing nuts. Yon a bolt which would act as the piston rod, etc? Just a thought

[edsmith]

JKH, that is a great idea, easy to make,cheap to make.the more off the shelf parts the better. I want something that can be made without a lathe. I have two lathes and a milling machine, but not every one has one.

[perotter]

Hi James!

how about a piston siimilar iny design to a Coleman lantern pump with an oil soaked dense felt skirt/ring to effect a good seal in the. Bore? Sandwhich the felt between 2 fender washers of appropriate size captured with opposing nuts. Yon a bolt which would act as the piston rod, etc? Just a thought

I'd try using leather instead of felt. That is what was used in the pneumatics I've worked with that existed before modern seals were used.

The leather covered the face & the sides of the piston. The leather was of course oiled.

[JKH]

Hey Ed,

I do construction management for housing rehab on typically 100 + year old homes so there is a lot of "creative" adaptation I delve in to So I tend to look at problems in a different manner.

Of course Ed I don't think you really need my ideas, you have amply exhibited a very deep talent and I appreciate a complement from a man like you!

So please keep us posted on your progress

[melter68]

Not got a freechex yet but going to order one, this is a great thread and very intresting, cheers guys

[truckmsl]

Has anyone had success with the 30 cal FreeChex 3 using .014" aluminum?

[edsmith]

I use .014 in my homemade single stroke 30 cal. it works great.

[truckmsl]

I just received a Freechex III from Charlie. 3 day delivery! I set it up in a drill press and using .014 aluminum (30 caliber) I cranked out 500 in just a few minutes. What a fabulous tool! If anybody wants a used Pat Marlin checkmaker in 30 caliber, I've got one on ebay for sale, under gas check maker 30 cal.

[Sagebrush7]

I have made in excess of 100,000 30 caliber checks. Disgusted with that tool , I sent it back to Charlie to sharpen it a touch!

[arjacobson]

Yeah I have no idea how you could make a better designed checkmaker. I have made 5-6 sets for myself and did make a custom one for a guy who needed an oddball for a different bullet mold and couldn't get one anywhere else. Charlie has one heck of a design there and I would love to meet the man!! I have made around 15k checks with my homemade dies and they are still going strong with just good steel.. great design that cannot be beat

[JeffinNZ]

I have made in excess of 100,000 30 caliber checks. Disgusted with that tool , I sent it back to Charlie to sharpen it a touch!

I think that is the tool Charlie measured and found it had worn a whole 1/2 thou inch.