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

Speaking of pesky primers, I have an RCBS rock chucker and the primers come out the front half the time and go all over the floor. Is there a piece that can be installed to cover the slot on the front side of the piston, for lack of a better word? You guys that have a rock chucker will know the slot I'm talking about.
 
I'm thinking of trying bds's solution with the piece cut from an aluminum can and rolled on a coat hanger. See two posts ago.
 
I can't post a picture of this ... but here's what I did with my Rockchucker.

I saw a photo where a reloader cut a piece of a soda straw and pushed it into the ram slot. It's just short of the top where the shell holder slips into the ram and ends just where the ram slot begins to taper out at the bottom. You may have to do a couple with different sized straws ... but they're cheap and easy to get.

Then I took a 357 Max case, drilled it out so it was a "flanged tube" and drilled a hole in the center of the plastic primer catcher tray. I made it a TIGHT fit for the 357 case and once it was in place, I pushed a piece of clear 3/8" tubing up tight against the bottom of the primer catcher tray. The case rim holds it tight on the inside and the o.d. of the tubing holds it tight from the outside.

I ran the length of tubing into a plastic quart milk jug under my bench. I used some plastic, nailin cable clamps and copper pipe straps to position the tubing and keep it stationary.

Works like a champ and haven't picked up a primer since!
 
I will be going to buy a dozen of those!!

The RCBS and Reddings use that little locking shot/tab behind the screws and I hate taking the die all the way off the press to loosen the rings. If I am setting them the Hornady style like these are much easier for me to use. Making the minute adjustments for setting shoulder height when I only need that extra 0.002 to make it just right is a pain with the RCBS style IMHO if the dies were set up previously and locked down.

Greg
 
TH3180 said:
What was wrong with the rings from RCBS?
Click to expand...
The RCBS rings like these http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=baVuTpzNGO6nsAKQw9zbCQ&ved=0CCAQ8gIwAQ#
it's very easy to strip out the brass set screw. The resizing/decap die & the expander die isn't that big of a deal. Once You have them set you hardly ever need to adjust the lock ring. With the seater/crimp die I ended up having to make a few (too many) adjustments and the set screw wouldn't hold any longer against thre die threads. While attempting to make it stay one last time I stripped out the allen head of the set screw. Also, now that I'm loading lead I like to seat and then crimp. It's just a personal preference.
 
I went in the local Fastenal for some screws for some old spanish rings for my Sako. They matched out the screws and said 'how many you need?' 4 I said. 'We sell them by the thousand.' He gave me the screws but I understood not to come back. Actually a very nice man.
The gunsmith who sent me there got a call.
 
I was worried about that at first, but I've been in to get a few different items at mine and never had any problem. Don't know if it's just the guys working there or just that store. Maybe I'm just lucky. At least I hope it stays that way!
 
The RCBS rings . . . it's very easy to strip out the brass set screw.
Click to expand...

Put a small lead shot under the set screw; it will give the set screw more bite on the die threads and you won't have as much tendency to strip the set screw.
 
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Anyone can do this one . . . .

Here's an easy improvement you can do to your chronograph.
In fact, I wrote a whole article on how to make your chronograph operate more reliably.


This shows a drawer handle that I screwed to the bottom of the main unit.
It allows your chronograph to tilt upward, so you can now read the LED without bending over.
 
M1Amen said:
Switch to a thumler's tumbler with stainless steel media. No more reloading dust and completely cleans the primer pockets and cleans the brass inside and out to a mirror finish.

Chargemaster 1500. Now I can seat a bullet while the machine weighs out the next charge. Super time saver.

Giraud Trimmer. Haven't used it yet, but it will be a huge time saver in the next week or two.

Next up is the DIY case lube using 99% isopropyl and lanolin nipple cream from the drugstore.
Click to expand...
Isopropyl Alcohol + Bees Wax works very well, too.
 
ClayinAR said:
I went in the local Fastenal for some screws for some old spanish rings for my Sako. They matched out the screws and said 'how many you need?' 4 I said. 'We sell them by the thousand.' He gave me the screws but I understood not to come back.
Click to expand...

My experience has been similar. The local store doesn't stock much, which means special order. It comes on their truck, and I have to pay s&h just like the UPS truck left it at my door. Most of the time I can buy the same items from McMaster-Carr, without the hassle and for less money. It just takes a couple more days.
 
Not really an invention, but a solution to getting the press higher... some other members' pics inspired me:

lnlmount.jpg

Simple oak board, sanding, with some good screws and brackets - cost was around $18 for the board, $3 for the brackets, and whatever the screws themselves were. I plan to mount a bracket on the left side, so that I can hang a couple more bins for bullets and shells. I'm no wood craftsman, but am pleased with the results... much less back strain from leaving over, or sitting weird on a barstool.

thorn
 
When I do my load work up from start to max load data, I used to put the notes with targets in a binder. I am transitioning from paper to a table on my computer desktop to make the range data more accessible (I take pictures of targets now).

Once I find a very reliable, consistent and accurate load, I make a load recipe card and hang it above my press to use when I am reloading. My eyesight is waning (I finally got bi-focals this year :fire:) and the larger letters on the load recipe card help me prevent cross reading lines on the published load data (which is tiny ... like 6-8 pt font! :cuss:). Can't have enough of "safety precautions" :D

Here's a sample. I triple check with load data before I print out the card and triple check with powder bottle/scale before I start reloading.

attachment.php
 
Lower your Lock n Load case feeder about 4" (or more) ?

Sure...I'll add pics later, here's the engineering schematic:

I guess a .pdf isn't a .jpg so, here's the link: http://members.cox.net/ned946/bracket.pdf

For me, it was critical - limited space.

You'll need some 1" square tube and access to a welder

As an aside: a dead on color match for the Lock n Load is "Colonial Red" gloss from Rust-Oleum "Painters Touch" rattle can paint.

rustoleum-12oz-gloss-colonial-red-painters-touch-2x-ultra-cover-spray~t_18786773.jpg


bracket.pdf


compare%20bracket.jpg



with%20top.jpg


Note: compare how far down the tube the feeder slides on the custom bracket vs teh factor bracket. On the factory, it slides a short distance until it hits the first curve (just a few inches). The feeder slides all the way down till it bottoms out on the custom bracket (comes down much further compared to the factory bracket). So, the bracket is shorter, plus the feeder comes down further on the custom bracket....double win.
 
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Bullet Feeder

I enjoy my Lee Pro 1000. Keep it clean at all times and keep primers tray loaded. It works like a charm. I added the bullet feeder and makes my life so easy. Here is a video which captures my learnings setting up the Lee Bullet Feeder.

http://youtu.be/fSUBQ42yJlE
 
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i ordered some hornady lock rings for my rcbs dies cuz i'm lazy. the set screw is sideways so the lock ring compresses on the die. plus the set screw is made of steel
 
It's funny that you mention that, I just bought three Hornady locking rings to replace the ones on my Lee dies. The o-rings just don't keep the lock nut from moving.
 
Here are a few things that i have come up with and also have SWIPED "Steal with Integrity and Pride from Everywhere" from a few members

added a mirror over the shell hopper im short
added the primer catch tube tired of getting primers in my toes (i hate shoes)
slide out conversio kit bin and slide out plate for the tool heads
 

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cdstang, those rings are discontinued. I tried to order. :banghead::(:cuss::mad:


Good Afternoon,

I am writing in regards to your order. Fastenal part #0403243 was a clearance item and we no longer have stock.

Please advise if you would like to cancel this order of if another part would work, I’d be happy to look into it for you.

I apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to your reply.

Thank you.


Nina Jones
ECOMM Customer Service
Phone: 507-313-7202
Fax: 507-494-3514
Buy it Online! www.Fastenal.com
 
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