"Mesa Winds" cartridge former review and comparison

.38 Special · May 16, 2021

A while back, #arcticap posted a thread linking to this new former available from an Etsy seller. I ordered one and promised a review. Two things interfered. First, with component scarcity still a major issue, I have been focusing on archery, and guns have taken a back seat. Two, and more importantly, it took the seller weeks to ship. I don't know if he makes them to order or what, but after I paid, nothing at all happened, and there never was any contact from the seller. I'd honestly forgotten about the whole thing until the package arrived in the mail.

.38 Special · May 16, 2021

At any rate, here is what showed up.

Mesa Winds on left, compared with my old Capandball.com version on right. It is obviously a simple thing, but it appears well made and finished. It came with nothing else - no instructions, templates, etc. so be prepared to view some YouTube videos if you've never done this before.

.38 Special · May 16, 2021

Here is everything laid out to begin.

I cut out a bunch of pieces from end paper using a template which was included with the Capandball.com form. End caps are cut out with a Harbor Freight punch. I run a light seam of stick glue on one end of a long paper and roll it around the mandrel. Then more glue is applied to the end and a cap pressed into place. The mandrel is then placed into the form and carefully removed, leaving a tube of paper in the form.

.38 Special · May 16, 2021

Here is the only significant difference between the Mesa Winds and Capandball.com tools.

The Mesa Winds form is quite a bit taller. With the Capandball tool a little bit of the paper cone sticks out of the form. With the Mesa Winds it is flush with the top. That makes it harder to get the bullet into the paper evenly, without crushing one edge and ruining the cartridge. I may make some taller papers, but cartridge length already can be an issue with certain guns.

.38 Special · May 16, 2021

Finished cartridges.

Mesa Winds left, Capandball right. Note the overall length of the Mesa Winds cartridge. Also note the extra paper sticking up around the bullet on the Capandball cartridge. I usually trim this before dip lubing, though it's mostly a cosmetic thing. It's nice not to need to with the Mesa Winds tool, but again, it is harder to properly seat the bullet with the Mesa Winds.

.38 Special · May 16, 2021

Bottom line: the Mesa Winds tool is well made, does the job, and should last forever. It may take a while to get, but then, so does the foreign made Capandball tool. It does come without any instructions or accessories, whereas the information and templates included with the Capandball tool are very helpful. So far I prefer the Capandball tool, finding it easier to use and producing a better cartridge, but that may be due to familiarity. If the Mesa Winds version was the only such tool I owned, it would do the job, and thanks to #arcticat for bringing it to our attention.

hrt4me · May 16, 2021

thank you for your good, as well as timely, review and comparison

44 Dave · May 17, 2021

When I load .36s for my pocket pistols I put a spacer in the former and tape across the bottom. I cut the papers shorter for these loads.

paul harm · May 17, 2021

Excellent write up - thank you.

Rebel Dave · May 17, 2021

I have a Mesa Winds cart maker in .44 Also. I go along with what 38 Special said, It too quite a while to get, and comunication with them is not easy, and when you can get in touch with him, he is very curt about the wait.
It is a real good quality cart maker.
Dave

Malachi Leviticus Blue · May 17, 2021

Has anyone on The High Road done a write up on how to use these jigs?
I've never used one or made paper cartridges at all.
I'm only partially following how they work.
Is the hole tapered too?

Lyle · May 17, 2021

He has been selling these for almost a year. Good video.

this is his website

https://gunsoftheweststore.com/

.38 Special · May 17, 2021

One of my all-time favorite YouTube videos. Making cartridges (this is essentially the way I do it) and shooting them in an original gun.

DocRock · May 17, 2021

My Home Depot cartridge forming system....

Tim Shaner · May 25, 2021

This is Tim at Mesa Winds. I appreciate your comments and review. Let me address a couple of things.

My formers are indeed made to order. At the time, I was filling orders once a week and had a 2 week back log. It takes a minute to make these as they are solid machined aluminum. I understand the wait time is an issue and am always working to improve that. I have left my 2nd job and am able to devote more time to Mesa Winds. I also work 60 hours a week at my main job (OT due to staff shortages) and I apologize about the communication and wait. If you message me, I do try to get back to you the same day.

In terms of the paper fit, the paper can certainly be made longer to leave some exposed above the top of the base. I may go ahead and make my templates and the 'cut guide' on the new mandrels a bit taller to make things easier. I appreciate the feedback on that.

As to the size of the cartridge; I optimize each caliber former for the gun / projectile combination. They are made so that they seat just below the cylinder face. This maximized powder charge. I also use a shallow taper for the same reason. I make formers for all calibers and was the first to make one specific for the Walker. I do realize that they can be a little harder to seat but it's a trade off. Feedback I've gotten so far is the desire for the bigger powder charge. I can make them shorter if desired.

I also realize the lack of instructions is an issue. I'm not good at writing instructions, but there is a video on my facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/mesawindsbpa). I also have a website at http://www.mesawinds.net.

There have been a few changes in the design since this former was made. You can see the details on my page but here is a pic..

Tim Shaner · May 25, 2021

Malachi Leviticus Blue said:
Has anyone on The High Road done a write up on how to use these jigs?
I've never used one or made paper cartridges at all.
I'm only partially following how they work.
Is the hole tapered too?

The hole is indeed tapered and the mandrel on mine is a precise fit. They are made to use .003 thick paper (coffee filter paper or equiv.)
There is a bit of engineering believe it or not to make these. The mandrel has to bottom out when the paper is on it, so it is just a bit smaller than the hole. The mandrel will stick out a bit from the bottom when installed without paper.

Tim @ Mesa Winds

Tim Shaner · May 25, 2021

Rebel Dave said:
I have a Mesa Winds cart maker in .44 Also. I go along with what 38 Special said, It too quite a while to get, and comunication with them is not easy, and when you can get in touch with him, he is very curt about the wait.
It is a real good quality cart maker.
Dave

I'm sorry if I come across as curt, don't mean to be. I hate to have people wait and I'm always looking at ways to speed things up. I don't want to affect quality though. I'm frustrated by my lead times and am usually very tired. I do respond to messages as fast as I can, usually the same day. Please, if anyone has an issue reach out to me. I'll always do my best for you. [email protected] or even better, message me via my web page.

Thanks,

TIm @ Mesa Winds

.38 Special · May 25, 2021

Welcome, Tim, and thank you for the updates. It is a good product and I hope the business is successful for you.

Tim Shaner · May 25, 2021

Lyle said:
He has been selling these for almost a year. Good video.

this is his website

https://gunsoftheweststore.com/

He does make good videos. I've been selling my formers for about 3 years now. My first prototype around 2017 looked remarkably like the ones he is selling, but I wasn't happy with the plastic one for a production model. If you have a 3D printer, there are several versions on Thingiverse you can print though. I can't say how well they work. I know my prototype worked pretty well, but it just didn't feel like a tool to me. I like the 'heft' of mine.

I'd make a much better profit if I sold 3D ones though. They cost about 10 cents in material and you just hit 'Print'. Mine have a higher material cost; I buy aluminum in bulk wholesale but they still have about 6 Dollars in material cost alone. Takes me about an hour to make 1 former counting the finishing work.

Tim Shaner · May 25, 2021

.38 Special said:
Finished cartridges.
View attachment 998961

Mesa Winds left, Capandball right. Note the overall length of the Mesa Winds cartridge. Also note the extra paper sticking up around the bullet on the Capandball cartridge. I usually trim this before dip lubing, though it's mostly a cosmetic thing. It's nice not to need to with the Mesa Winds tool, but again, it is harder to properly seat the bullet with the Mesa Winds.

What paper did you use? It doesn't look quite right to me. Mine are designed for coffee filter paper; I use the natural paper for a more period correct look.

.38 Special · May 25, 2021

Tim Shaner said:
What paper did you use? It doesn't look quite right to me. Mine are designed for coffee filter paper; I use the natural paper for a more period correct look.

It is curling paper, which works better for me than coffee filters in the Capandball.com mold. The next time I use yours I will try coffee filters.

"Mesa Winds" cartridge former review and comparison

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