In my opinion the star machine works progressive and universal reloading presses are the epitome of quality and have became tombstones of what American manufacturing as a whole once was.
With the above stated there seems to be a great lacking of information regarding basic use of the press as well as preventive maintenance. I do not intent this post as a jab at any company or individual associated with star products as much of what I have learned has came directly from their willingness to share info with me.
This is my attempt, no matter how poorly to provide instruction in the form of pictures to help someone who may be scratching their heads going what does that mean?
The press used in this presentation is a star machine works progressive in 38 special. It looks rough as its life has been filled with abuse and neglect due to being left in a wet basement for quiten sometime.
The press can be sub divided into 3 sections left to right as follows
1. Head
2. Base
3. Tool head assembly
I will address lubrication in this order
The head can lubricated using a suitable oil , I use way oil intwnded for use with machine tools as it has properties which ensures adequate lube is provided too all parts in motion.
There are two holes as refrenced above by the pointer which will be used to apply lube. Simply use a few drops of oil in each hole each reloading session and wipe away excess oil as it appears. Your head is now properly lubricated.
The base assembly will be further subdivided in 4 pripotary locations.
1. Colum
2. Shell plate bearing
3. Thrust nut
4. Priming assembly
The colum will have a key way running the entirety and white lithium grease should be applied to the key way using a toothpick as a applicator. No gobs are required just a light even coating.
The shell plate bearing should have white lithium grease applied as shown.
The thrust nut should have the face which contacts the shell plate coated generously with white lithium grease.
Primming assembly has the rocker arm pin, rocker arm cam faces, and primer punch base which requires lubrication with white lithium grease. With the primer slide required dry graphite lube.
Extreme caution should be exercised while re assembling the primmer assembly to ensure no grease or oil is introduced to the primer pins body , retaining nut, nor primmer slide slot as this will cause dead primers.
The tool head is simple to lubricate as you can run a lightly saturated patch with oil through the bore and lightly apply white lithium grease to the key which protrudes from the bore.
With everything stated I will also state rather leavenit to the knowledge of the end user that grease is both a blessing and a curse. The grease provides the greatest lubrication over the expose areas however it will also pickup and contamination which could be abrasive to the parts of the press during operation. Total cleaning of the press and re lubrication should be done every 1000 rounds, however in real life with our busy schedules once a year cleaning will most likely be good enough. Everyone's milage will vary
With the above stated there seems to be a great lacking of information regarding basic use of the press as well as preventive maintenance. I do not intent this post as a jab at any company or individual associated with star products as much of what I have learned has came directly from their willingness to share info with me.
This is my attempt, no matter how poorly to provide instruction in the form of pictures to help someone who may be scratching their heads going what does that mean?
The press used in this presentation is a star machine works progressive in 38 special. It looks rough as its life has been filled with abuse and neglect due to being left in a wet basement for quiten sometime.
The press can be sub divided into 3 sections left to right as follows
1. Head
2. Base
3. Tool head assembly
I will address lubrication in this order
The head can lubricated using a suitable oil , I use way oil intwnded for use with machine tools as it has properties which ensures adequate lube is provided too all parts in motion.
There are two holes as refrenced above by the pointer which will be used to apply lube. Simply use a few drops of oil in each hole each reloading session and wipe away excess oil as it appears. Your head is now properly lubricated.
The base assembly will be further subdivided in 4 pripotary locations.
1. Colum
2. Shell plate bearing
3. Thrust nut
4. Priming assembly
The colum will have a key way running the entirety and white lithium grease should be applied to the key way using a toothpick as a applicator. No gobs are required just a light even coating.
The shell plate bearing should have white lithium grease applied as shown.
The thrust nut should have the face which contacts the shell plate coated generously with white lithium grease.
Primming assembly has the rocker arm pin, rocker arm cam faces, and primer punch base which requires lubrication with white lithium grease. With the primer slide required dry graphite lube.
Extreme caution should be exercised while re assembling the primmer assembly to ensure no grease or oil is introduced to the primer pins body , retaining nut, nor primmer slide slot as this will cause dead primers.
The tool head is simple to lubricate as you can run a lightly saturated patch with oil through the bore and lightly apply white lithium grease to the key which protrudes from the bore.
With everything stated I will also state rather leavenit to the knowledge of the end user that grease is both a blessing and a curse. The grease provides the greatest lubrication over the expose areas however it will also pickup and contamination which could be abrasive to the parts of the press during operation. Total cleaning of the press and re lubrication should be done every 1000 rounds, however in real life with our busy schedules once a year cleaning will most likely be good enough. Everyone's milage will vary
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