More Gas Checks

[ph4570]

My goodness -- Gas check die wars! What's next? Sprue plate lube wars?

[StarMetal]

Originally Posted by ph4570

My goodness -- Gas check die wars! What's next? Sprue plate lube wars?

No it's not a gas check war. Why do people post stuff like that? To start one?

Pat mistaken another die for the ones I don't care for, not his. I was talking about the dies that use a bunch layers of pop can or beer can aluminum. That's too tedious. Pat's dies give you a good one piece check.

Pat, you have a pm on this.

Joe

[lwknight]

I know how to do it, I know how to mass produce at a marketable cost as well.
I need a machine shop somewhere that is within reasonable distance to Weatherford TX.

[JIMinPHX]

I know good shops in Phoenix, NJ & Ontario Canada. I don't know any in Texas, but I am sure that there are some there somewhere.

[mrbill2]

Originally Posted by StarMetal

Bill,

So what's more time consuming to make, cutter and dies, or a single complete die? You know what's involved in making the tool and making one that's not interchangeable. I see it like reloading dies..why hasn't someone make a reloading die with interchangeable internals? Is one way better then the other? I think where the problem lies with our tools is ejection of the completed gas check. I noticed you asked me for a picture of the other part of my tool. That shows me some concern in that area.

I'm working on a tool where the ejection of the completed check is out through the top of the tool much like Lee's push through sizer. Have a cup container on top just like Lee uses to catch the bullets. I chose this method I used here because at the time it's easier. My next series will be just that. If you have nothing but time on your hands and don't put a dollar figure to you time, you could make them for sell. I wouldn't make them unless I had CNC machinery.

Joe

Joe
Sorry for the late response to your question. I agree that the cutter and die needs to be just right and they are the hardest parts to make. But to make reloading die with interchangable parts would be a hell of alot harder than making the three little parts in the picture.

To the left is the cutter and the middle is the die. the part to the right is nothing more than a altered 5/16" bolt. How long it takes me to make those, I'd have to guess two to three hrs. At 66 I don't go so fast anymore.

If I could turn back the clock I'd invest in one of those fancy CNC machines. When I go to some of the trade shows those things are amazing just to watch. For a number of years I made floating reamer tools and sold them on Ebay. Made enough too pay for all my shooting hobby and a little extra. But I found that I spent more time making tools than shooting so I quite. Got tired of making the same thing over and over again.
Mr. Bill

[StarMetal]

Originally Posted by mrbill2

Joe
Sorry for the late response to your question. I agree that the cutter and die needs to be just right and they are the hardest parts to make. But to make reloading die with interchangable parts would be a hell of alot harder than making the three little parts in the picture.

To the left is the cutter and the middle is the die. the part to the right is nothing more than a altered 5/16" bolt. How long it takes me to make those, I'd have to guess two to three hrs. At 66 I don't go so fast anymore.

If I could turn back the clock I'd invest in one of those fancy CNC machines. When I go to some of the trade shows those things are amazing just to watch. For a number of years I made floating reamer tools and sold them on Ebay. Made enough too pay for all my shooting hobby and a little extra. But I found that I spent more time making tools than shooting so I quite. Got tired of making the same thing over and over again.
Mr. Bill

Mr Bill,

Thanks for the pictures. Yeah at our age we don't go fast as we use too. Tell what Bill, standing in front of my lathe for hours...on concrete, tears my body up big time and fast.

A career counselor told me that when you make a hobby your work, then it's no fun anymore. So I know what you mean about making those tools and having no time.

Joe

[45 2.1]

I see it like reloading dies..why hasn't someone make a reloading die with interchangeable internals?

Herters did back in the 70's. I had two sets which were stolen. They produced very accurate rifle ammo.

[mrbill2]

"Mr Bill,

Thanks for the pictures. Yeah at our age we don't go fast as we use too. Tell what Bill, standing in front of my lathe for hours...on concrete, tears my body up big time and fast.

A career counselor told me that when you make a hobby your work, then it's no fun anymore. So I know what you mean about making those tools and having no time.

Joe "


Joe your right again. I don't know why but I can not run my lathe sitting on a stool. I have to have my nose in there watching everything. The milling machine I can give my a-- a rest.
The courselor was right.
It's alot more fun to go shoot than spend to day working. Till next time.

[StarMetal]

Originally Posted by mrbill2

"Mr Bill,

Thanks for the pictures. Yeah at our age we don't go fast as we use too. Tell what Bill, standing in front of my lathe for hours...on concrete, tears my body up big time and fast.

A career counselor told me that when you make a hobby your work, then it's no fun anymore. So I know what you mean about making those tools and having no time.

Joe "


Joe your right again. I don't know why but I can not run my lathe sitting on a stool. I have to have my nose in there watching everything. The milling machine I can give my a-- a rest.
The courselor was right.
It's alot more fun to go shoot than spend to day working. Till next time.

Bill,

Funny you mentioned that stool. I was complaining to my wife how standing over that lathe just tears your body up. She said why don't you use a stool. Well you explained why.

Joe

[JIMinPHX]

Rubber mats on the floor do help.

[luke777]

I found the biggest help was duck-boards. even better than spongy rubber mats in front of the lathe. Use some springy hardwood slats and lay them accross a couple of battons. Move the spacing in and out until you find just the right amount of "give" for your weight and preference then nail or screw them together. I'm only 35 but quite tall and have some trouble with arthritis already. Duck-boards (well that's what the fellas in the machine shop I worked at called them) have helped me a hell of a lot.

I have drawn up some plans for a one stage process gas check maker too but am thinking maybe I need to know what diameter bullet shanks my moulds are going to produce are so I can make checks to suit??? Never used GC'd boolets before so it's all new to me. LOVE casting and shooting. Sometimes I wish I lived over in the U.S. where so many people are casting but then I think.... nah just get to educating and recruiting more peole over here!!!

All the best and I'm gonna keep watching with interest.

Luke

[luke777]

Learned colleagues...

How much clearance would you advise I allow between the gas check forming die and punch? When cutting the disks out I will make the components with minimal clearance but because I have never made a tool for swaging a thin material like this before so I'd really value your experiences and help.
I plan on using 0.015" material, probably Copper
Kind regards and many thanks .

[Ricky P]

I would like to say this it great guys and I say thumbs up to all the fellows making tools to help those of us who are unable to. Looks to me everone has some good ideals. But I have to tip my hat to Pat for making them and putting them up for sell. His design may or may not be the best but you can get one of your own. And also thank the others for shareing their ideals I feel in away that is helpful to keep moving forward.

[JIMinPHX]

Originally Posted by luke777

Learned colleagues...

How much clearance would you advise I allow between the gas check forming die and punch?

Less than .002", but more than the total combined TIR of your parts. The less the better.