What clever little things have you "invented or discovered" that you can share?

[RidgwayCO]

A poster on another forum asked for a light setup to check powder throws on a Lee Classic Cast Turret press. I posted this response, and thought it might be appropriate here as well.

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I use this light (Coast LED Flex Light - #TT7583CP) purchased at Sportsman's Warehouse:

I mount it next to my press like this (using a Forstner bit to drill the shallow hole):

And this is how it works with the light OFF:

and with the light ON:

I like this system because the light doesn't get in the way of my hands, but makes it easy to see the amount of powder in each case. The light runs on a AAA battery which is easy to change, because the light isn't attached to the press in any way. Luckily I had a collection of Forstner bits with one exactly the right size for a snug fit.

 

[Tuckerp229]

I'll play here.

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http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff195/Tuckerp229/JST_5811resam.jpg

I invented the Consistent Crimp. To the best of my knowledge it is the only way that one can first quantify crimp pressure and second return to a specific crimp pressure when reloading.www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf6-ZS74Vj8&feature=player_embedded

Here is a link to a extensive independent product test on the Consistent Crimp:http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/DATA-RUN-CC-TOOLS-t90707.html

 

[Jaybird78]

I reload in my unfinished basement. I got tired of tripping over all my soft gun cases. I found some plastic coated cup hooks (hardware store) and i screwed some into the floor joists and hang my soft cases out of the way. YMMV


I also screwed one in sideways into my wooden comsumables cabinet to hold my cleaning rod (vertical).

 

[osprey176]

i save my old (spent) primers.fill up my sandbags with them.also use old tumbling media for the sandbags.less weight,no leakage,reduce,reuse,recycle right?

 

[Faitmaker]

@osprey176 - The only problem I have with that is the lead that is in the used primers and your old media. I suppose you could wash your media (or the primers) but understand that if you do not, there is lead still in those primers and the media. I personally try to reduce my exposure as much as possible.

 

[GLOOB]

Media separator

I bought a tumbler but made the mistake of cheaping out and forgoing a media separator.

Since Cabela's is 45 minutes away and I wanted it now, I bought some hardware cloth and a plastic bin at ACE, figuring I'd rig up a big sieve. I just had to cut out the bottom of the container and figure out how to attach the steel mesh. Then I fortuitously stopped to buy some groceries and found a round cake pan with a detachable bottom. I popped out the bottom and soldered a piece of the hardware cloth in its place.

 

[TH3180]

I bought a tumbler but made the mistake of cheaping out and forgoing a media separator.

Since Cabela's is 45 minutes away and I wanted it now, I bought some hardware cloth and a plastic bin at ACE, figuring I'd rig up a big sieve. I just had to cut out the bottom of the container and figure out how to attach the steel mesh. Then I fortuitously stopped to buy some groceries and found a round cake pan with a detachable bottom. I popped out the bottom and soldered a piece of the hardware cloth in its place.

Can we see some pictures please.

 

[GLOOB]

Sure. It's nothing fancy. Just a nice size, sturdy sieve made with 1/4" hardware cloth. I used 100 grit sandpaper to remove the finish off the rim of the pan. Then I used solder with a healthy dose of plumber's flux to tack it on.

http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv241/gloob27x/MediaSeparator.jpg
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv241/gloob27x/MediaSeparator1.jpg
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv241/gloob27x/MediaSeparator2.jpg

I have never baked a cake before, but incidentally I have also been using rectangular cake pans for processing my reloads. The nice thing about them is they stack together when empty.

 

[TH3180]

Sure. It's nothing fancy. Just a nice size, sturdy sieve made with 1/4" hardware cloth. I used 100 grit sandpaper to remove the finish off the rim of the pan. Then I used solder with a healthy dose of plumber's flux to tack it on.

http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv241/gloob27x/MediaSeparator.jpg
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv241/gloob27x/MediaSeparator1.jpg
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv241/gloob27x/MediaSeparator2.jpg

I have never baked a cake before, but incidentally I have also been using rectangular cake pans for processing my reloads. The nice thing about them is they stack together when empty.

Interesting thank you.

 

[jcwit]

Why not just go to WallyWorld and buy a metal colander with handle for $2.00? It has the same size mesh.

 

[tabealer]

Why not just go to WallyWorld and buy a metal colander with handle for $2.00? It has the same size mesh.

+1

I got a plastic colander and have issues with static cling sometimes. The wife wasn't too excited about me using one of her "good" ones.

 

[sansone]

if you're out of copper remover; water-based hand lotion with a shot of household ammonia makes good substitute. Follow with dry patches and oil

 

[GLOOB]

Why not a colander?

The thought crossed my mind, but I didn't think they came with holes nearly this big.

I had another idea while sorting brass. Hardware cloth comes in 1/2" size, too. I wonder if you could strain cases through it to make them all stand up on end. Then you could sort out .380 from luger by height. And afterward, you could flip em to sort by headstamp.

 

[wrangler5]

I had another idea while sorting brass. Hardware cloth comes in 1/2" size, too. I wonder if you could strain cases through it to make them all stand up on end. Then you could sort out .380 from luger by height. And afterward, you could flip em to sort by headstamp.

Sorting by height is a great idea. I frequently tumble 9x17 (380), 9x18 (Makarov) and 9x19 (Luger) cases together, since none will stick inside the other. When done I dump 'em in a large flat cardboard box (one of the large Priority Mail boxes with one of the large sides cut off - makes a 3" deep "tray") and just bounce it up and down a few times. Some cases will wind up upright, and it's pretty easy to spot even a 1mm difference that way. Shake, pick, repeat.

But if there were a way to get ALL of 'em upright at once it would be a lot faster.

 

[LiveLife]

Not sure if this has been posted already.

I find coffee can lid to be the perfect primer handler. Dump a new tray of primers and transfer them to your press/hand primer tray by bending the lid. I have a small notch cut on the rim to pour primers through.

Cheap and easy.

 

[LiveLife]

Also, not sure if this has been posted.

Old used/non-working chest/stand-up deep freezer works well as a "good safe" in the garage (you can often find these for "free" in the classified/craigslist). They are well insulated and fairly sturdy for the intended purpose of "safe keeping" of reloading stuff (I install two heavy clasps and pad locks on the door).

If anyone breaks into my garage, they'll find the deep freezer next to the washer/dryer and probably suspect frozen food to be inside, not reloading stuff. If they try to move the deep freezer, it is anchored to the wall studs.

Of course, if the freezer is working, DON"T turn it on (mine is not plugged in, but you can't see that where it is at).

 

[Uniquedot]

i save my old (spent) primers.fill up my sandbags with them.also use old tumbling media for the sandbags.less weight,no leakage,reduce,reuse,recycle right?

As was mentioned, this is a very dangerous practice, and washing the primers/media won't help either. Not trying to be a smart mouth, or know it all, but you really should reconsider this practice. I am sure that if you ask around on any reloading forums out there, you will receive the same advise.

 

[altitude_19]

Buckled casings might be repaired by removing the depriming pin and running the cartridge through a sizing die.

 

[woodsoup]

As was mentioned, this is a very dangerous practice, and washing the primers/media won't help either. Not trying to be a smart mouth, or know it all, but you really should reconsider this practice. I am sure that if you ask around on any reloading forums out there, you will receive the same advise.

But is it really the truth or just an internet fable? Show us proof that this is dangerous. Please.

 

[VonFatman]

It's pretty easy to understand....used primers are contaminated with lead. So is your used media. Probably should not shove that stuff inside your bench bags since your face is right on top of these.

Just my .02

 

[Sabre01]

Innaccurate Powder Measure...

I did'nt invent this, I saw it on an old post here ...I made a Baffle for my RCBS Powder measure out of a piece of aluminum flashing (football shape,with 2 cuts approx. size of 1/2 a bottlecap at each end, Then fold it in the middle and put it in the hopper tube, at the bottom, it takes the Full Hopper weight off the bottom, allowing the Charges, which are small, to be more uniform ). It works much better than before, especially in 9mm and .38/357 cases while using Unique Powder. Dillon has one on their site,for $6.95...but I needed it quick, so i made it. A thank You to the guy who posted it here a while ago. Again, not absolutely perfect, but a Hell of alot better than + or - .5 or .6 grain like before.

Shell Holder pops out?? I put a small O-ring around The Base of the Ram, In it's Groove where the shellholder sits, and it keeps it in there nicely(I'm left handed,so I always had the F+*#ing falling on the floor). They are Cheap at The Auto/ Hardware store, buy a few different sizes..very Handy!!

Cheesy Primer Catcher on RCBS Turret Press?? I "adjusted" the Flap of Stainless in the Ram a bit, put in some dry lube (Teflon Type) and now it works 99% of the time...oh , and I Super Glued the Plastic Bin together, after it came apart when full and dropped spent primers into Heater vent on the Floor:banghead:!!!(since put a piece of screen under that vent).

Work Bench Surface? I used a piece of FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) Lowes/Home Depot $16.00 on top of my bench, it has a "Pebbly" surface that makes picking up primers and small tools easier, It is Un-affected by solvents, it wipes easy, and it made the whole bench brighter which makes it easy to see stuff. Also the cat hates it ,so it doesn't go on there anymore and Steal stuff...

 

[cidirkona]

Purple Drank Adaptor. Allows you to mix red and blue koolaid.



Bottom end is 3/8-24 nut, top is 1/4-20. Bolts to the top of a Dillon 650 Pivot Pin and allows the use of a Lee case feeder and collator to be attached.

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The aluminum washer allows me to bend it like a lock washer to get the exact right angle of attack on the slight slope of the coupler to get the alignment with the dillon case feeder tube. This solution works great, but is just as annoying as it is on a Lee -- turn every 25 cases and refill every 100 -- and get a ski jumping primer when you miss a tube getting empty...

 

[VonFatman]

1SOW...any chance for a pic or two (or six) ? Pretty please?

Bob

 

[Runninshu]

Powder Trickler Issues

Standard powder tricklers are too short to use on an electronic scale. So I first attempted an extension to the stock model. Unfortunately it was too light and I tipped it over. One hour at the lathe with a chunk of steel and a piece of brass and problem solved. 3.5 pounds of powder trickler.

 

[Innovative]

Early version of electric powder dispenser

This is what I use to weigh accurate powder charges quickly. It's as fast as any modern auto powder dispencer, and it has been in use since about 1978 with no problems of any kind.

- MOTORIZED -​

​

Just drop a load that's about half a grain light. Then a few touches of a micro-switch on my bench .... and the load is balanced. It can be quicker than a modern powder dispenser, if you trickle only when the beam scale swings low.