[ritzblitz]

EDIT: New Price - $16 shipped for a set of two 50rd 308 blocks. This price is for either poplar or ash. Take your pick.
PM me with your order and I will give you payment info.
Currently I can make 308 blocks. Other calibers might take more time. There also might be a higher price as well. The ash flooring and poplar are the only woods available at this time. Oak and hard maple will be available in the near future.
If paying with Paypal, fees will be added into the price.
Important: When sending payment please include your order and your user name. That way I don't get stuff mixed up.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
I would love to make blocks for all calibers. Although, I only shoot 308. In order to make the other calibers, I will need a deprimed case to properly design the blocks. If you would like to donate one, I would gladly accept! PM me if you are interested! If it isnt possible for me to make the block, I will return the case immediately. Otherwise, I will buy the case from the donor to use for future reference.

Current Product Information:
I am experimenting with waterproofing the blocks. They may or may not be waterproofed in the end. It could end up being an additional fee since it might be time consuming to seal the holes.
I will be offering a 50pc count block as well as a 60pc count block. The 60pc block will be an extra dollar per set of two.
100pc blocks are on the horizon as a couple people have already expressed interest.
I am thinking about using a Flat Rate Priority Mail envelope. The shipping price will be $4.60. That will make a set $16 shipped. I should know soon if I can use these envelopes. Then I can start taking payments.
The idea of drilling a primer pocket hole all the way through came up. I'm currently considering this. It might also be an additional fee for time consumption. Hopefully not.





Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and I know this is kind of a bad first post since it looks like I'm just here to try and make some money, but, I plan to contribute to this forum. I post mostly on Snipers Hide.

I'm starting to get into reloading and am currently purchasing all of the equipment. I looked at the price of loading blocks and thought they were kind of expensive. So... I decided to make my own. I assume this has been done before since its fairly easy to do with a drill press.

Here are some pictures:

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6879/minis6302040hf9.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9959/minis6302039ag9.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1555/minis6302044or4.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/399/minis6302045up3.jpg

The cases are 308 Winchester.

The block on the right is poplar, and the block on the left is a left over piece of ash flooring. I just used paste wax for the finish. I plan to waterproof them in the future so they would be easy to clean in the sink. The blocks measure 4" x 7.75" x .75" They hold 50 cases each.

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in buying some of these blocks since I really enjoyed making this set. If made from poplar or other inexpensive wood, I think I would charge like $16 shipped for a set of two like the ones pictured.

I could make some from light colored exotic woods so spilled powder is easily visible. Zebra wood, canary wood, and yellowheart come to mind. Common hardwoods such as maple and oak would be easy as well.

I could also mill a groove in the sides to provide better grip when moving them around the reloading bench.

In addition, custom sizes and case counts would be no problem. Making them for different cartridges would also be no problem.

Let me know what you think!!

Alex Kern

[Walkalong]

Very nice. I think you would sell some at that price.

[siglite]

My problem with loading blocks is that they never hold enough cases for me. I tend to load .308 in lots of 100 or 200.

I'd pay ~$15 or so for 100 hole blocks. Helluva lot cheaper than buying a drill press.

[scrat]

heck ya thats a good price. put them on the reloading classified section

[tasco 74]

i bought some just like that a gun show several years ago... i like the way a guy can look into the cases to make sure the primers are all out and clear... that is a good price on em!

[strat81]

I don't think you'll become a millionaire, but it looks like a cool way to make some extra $$$ with a hobby and the price seems reasonable. However, I don't use reloading blocks.

Come out with some quality presentation cases that don't cost a fortune. That'd be nice!

[siglite]

Come out with some quality presentation cases that don't cost a fortune. That'd be nice!

Is there a market void for that? My wife would probably really enjoy making those. Custom molded presentation cases for specific firearms... I think she'd have fun with that.

[skinewmexico]

I'd take some.

[bogie]

VERY nice. I'd be happy to sell some on my site.

You may also want to check the guys at benchrest.com.

[docgary]

I was planning to order wooden blocks for .223 from Sinclair this week...

I'll hold off and e-mail you...

thanks
docgary
docgary@optonline.net

[ArchAngelCD]

Nice clean work... I would consider buying a few.
I would like them in Hickory or Hard Maple if that's a possibility.

[Ala Dan]

Very nice indeed, my friend. You probably will do well with sales here at THR~! ;)

[Bowfishrp]

I like em and would be happy to take them unfinished and I will finish it myself.

[strat81]

Is there a market void for that? My wife would probably really enjoy making those. Custom molded presentation cases for specific firearms... I think she'd have fun with that.
I think so. CHecking gun broker and such yields lots of questionable and/or expensive items.

I think something in the $20-$50 range would be nice. 1/4" wood, and maybe a generic fit. A small block for ammo 1-2 mags worth, depending on model.

Actually it might be possible to do the gun area with a pillow or bean bag fill. Pad the sides/edges, and the gun will sink into the bottom a certain amount.

[Dirtypacman]

Tagged for future -

I like those alot - I may have interest in some for .45 and .223 100 round blocks.

[rcmodel]

I've already made all the wood loading blocks I need, but would certainly consider buying yours if I hadn't.

My only suggestion would be to make them longer and drill them with 60 holes instead of 50.

I start out charging cases with all of them mouth down in the block.

As I charge them, I move them to the far end of the block.

The 60 hole blocks I use leaves two rows of empty holes between charged & empty cases.
That makes room to pick them up and set them down without all 50 charged & empty being in such close contact with each other.

Years ago, Herters plastic blocks were made that way, and they worked so well, I'm surprised some other company hasn't picked up on the idea.

rcmodel

[Walkalong]

Ditto on 60, more versaltile. Looks like you could do either equally easily.

[ritzblitz]

I will offer them in 60 as well. Great suggestion. Thanks!

Sadly, I have to raise the price to $13 plus shipping instead of $13 shipped. Turns out I'm going to have to buy more wood and tools than I thought.

[Afy]

Would you be willing to ship overseas? Check PM

[scrat]

Well when you get more made pm me too. i will take two of them

[ritzblitz]

PMs sent/replied to.

Thanks guys

[PotatoJudge]

The easiest way to completely waterproof, including down in the holes, would be to mix polyurethane with some mineral spirits. The mineral spirits will make for a thinner finish that flows more readily, doesn't leave air bubbles in the finish no matter how you apply it, and waterproofs as well as anything. The mineral spirits slow drying time. Depending on the weather where you live, it may take about 24 hours to dry.

Spray lacquer would work, but may not coat the inside of the holes as well and is more expensive. It dries very quickly and application would be easier. Just prop up a line of blocks, spray, flip about an hour later, spray, wait an hour, box them up.

The blocks look nice, good luck with them.

[TexasSkyhawk]

My only suggestion would be to make them longer and drill them with 60 holes instead of 50.

+1

I make my own on my drill press and add at least one extra row for whichever configuration I'm making so that I can space out my work in progress.

Nice looking stuff. You do good work.

Jeff

[ritzblitz]

Up, just updated price to $16 shipped. See first post.

[ritzblitz]

Up for tonight.

[mek42]

I feel like an idiot for not thinking to do this myself (making my own not selling - no competition from me here). This will be a good project to see if the 4/4 maple in the backyard is dry enough to make stuff since last year.

Thanks and good luck!

FWIW, I think that 308 and 45 have similar ODs at the primer end.

[ritzblitz]

mmm 4/4 maple :)

Good luck with making yours.

[ritzblitz]

Update: I found a way to waterproof them pretty well. Today (Sunday, April 6) I started working on them. I made a new, more precise jig and it's hard to tell if the holes were made on a drill press like I am doing, or a cnc mill. I am pretty pleased.

I priced out what maple or oak would cost and as long as they arent 3/4oz heavier per block, they will be $18 shipped for a set in maple or oak.

[ritzblitz]

oops double posted.

[mek42]

A coworker let me harvest a storm felled tree last year. Another friend let me use his band mill. The 8/4 and 10/4 stuff will probably need another year or two to dry, but the 4/4 stuff should be just about ready to come inside for final drying.

Hmmm... maybe I'll try my hand at some 1911 grips with this maple too.

[ritzblitz]

Good call. Any burl/figure in it?

[mek42]

No, it is just ordinary soft maple. But it is FREE ordinary soft maple - and a goodly amount of it too!

I even grabbed some upper trunk / large branch bits in hopes of ripping them down and getting enough usable wood to make a laminated workbench top.

It is plentiful enough that I can ruin quite a few attempts at grips and then hopefully know what I am doing if I ever buy some exotic species for grips.

[Ala Dan]

I've got six (60 rounders) that an ole' friend made me FREE of charge. :cool:
He is in the cabinet making business, and used left over scrap wood and his
tools too turn 'em out. Its mighty damn nice of him, don't U think~? ;) :D