Oohrah!
Member
Having seen the mention of a new tap-o-cap available here, I jumped in and purchased the tool along with the Prime-All kit. Here is the result of my efforts.
Bottom line: Disappointed in results so far, as the primer powder does not set, and falls out of the cap.
First, I made a test batch, about 20 caps.
1. I tried to maximize the yield from the aluminum strips, big mistake. This results in more deformed caps. About 30-40% were unusable.
2. The little suckers do not have a flat bottom and rolled around on a little plate, making it difficult to prop them up and load them. Found a solution for that.
3. Mixed up the primer, loaded up, and after drying, popped them off in my garage. All the caps fired, even the ones with scant powder, tho I doubt they would've ignited the Pyrodex.
4. The smoke is much more acrid than commercial, and the residue appears more corrosive.
So, with this success, off to production.
1. I made a wooden stand to fit between my legs to support the tool.
2. Cut the aluminum strips wider. This made it easier to keep flush in the tool, and I also left plenty of edge distance. Have not found a correlation between force of the hammer and a good cap, but with trying to be consistent, only had to throw away about 10-15%.
3. My Piettas really like #10 caps, and these are supposed to be #11. But the tool leaves a serrated edge, like a tooth washer. These act like little grips, and I had no problem keeping them on the nipples.
4. Made a wood block tool to hold the caps (see pic). This was my original idea, then I saw a similar tool on a youtube video. It holds 50 caps. When you load it up, it gives you an opportunity to check each cap.
5. Mixed up the primer powder, loaded each cap, then added a drop of 100% acetone. After 5 minutes, tamped down each cap with a stick, and let dry for 24 hours. All this per the provided instructions. The acetone is supposed to catalyze a binder to set the powder.
5.. After picking them out of the wood block, I put them in an Altoids can and headed to the range.
When I opened the Altoids can at the range, the can was full of loose powder, and most of the caps were empty. This of course does not happen with commercial caps. Apparently whatever binder there is did not take. I got maybe 8-10 usable caps out of the 50.
Those that did fire ignited the Pyrodex just fine, but not all of them ignited. Probably too much powder fell out.
Going to try 90% isopropyl, and maybe clear fingernail polish. Any other ideas or experiences?
Bottom line: Disappointed in results so far, as the primer powder does not set, and falls out of the cap.
First, I made a test batch, about 20 caps.
1. I tried to maximize the yield from the aluminum strips, big mistake. This results in more deformed caps. About 30-40% were unusable.
2. The little suckers do not have a flat bottom and rolled around on a little plate, making it difficult to prop them up and load them. Found a solution for that.
3. Mixed up the primer, loaded up, and after drying, popped them off in my garage. All the caps fired, even the ones with scant powder, tho I doubt they would've ignited the Pyrodex.
4. The smoke is much more acrid than commercial, and the residue appears more corrosive.
So, with this success, off to production.
1. I made a wooden stand to fit between my legs to support the tool.
2. Cut the aluminum strips wider. This made it easier to keep flush in the tool, and I also left plenty of edge distance. Have not found a correlation between force of the hammer and a good cap, but with trying to be consistent, only had to throw away about 10-15%.
3. My Piettas really like #10 caps, and these are supposed to be #11. But the tool leaves a serrated edge, like a tooth washer. These act like little grips, and I had no problem keeping them on the nipples.
4. Made a wood block tool to hold the caps (see pic). This was my original idea, then I saw a similar tool on a youtube video. It holds 50 caps. When you load it up, it gives you an opportunity to check each cap.
5. Mixed up the primer powder, loaded each cap, then added a drop of 100% acetone. After 5 minutes, tamped down each cap with a stick, and let dry for 24 hours. All this per the provided instructions. The acetone is supposed to catalyze a binder to set the powder.
5.. After picking them out of the wood block, I put them in an Altoids can and headed to the range.
When I opened the Altoids can at the range, the can was full of loose powder, and most of the caps were empty. This of course does not happen with commercial caps. Apparently whatever binder there is did not take. I got maybe 8-10 usable caps out of the 50.
Those that did fire ignited the Pyrodex just fine, but not all of them ignited. Probably too much powder fell out.
Going to try 90% isopropyl, and maybe clear fingernail polish. Any other ideas or experiences?
