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dudel
05-28-2010, 07:26 PM
Neat tool; but a pain to use. Used a couple scraps of wood to build this:

http://picasaweb.google.com/donudel/ReloadingTricks#5476382900613792706

Sure makes it much easier to keep the boolit in focus and read the scale.

Don

edsmith
05-28-2010, 07:39 PM
that is simple,cheap and brillant

RobS
05-28-2010, 08:57 PM
excellent and it looks nice too

TCLouis
05-28-2010, 09:11 PM
holding the measuring device and staying out of the light so one can see is the hardest part. This solves that issue.

I feel a weekend project coming on.

303Guy
05-28-2010, 09:54 PM
That's inspiring, thank you dudel.:drinks:

gunrunner8
05-28-2010, 10:47 PM
My lead hardness tester is free and couldn't be any simpler. I had 3/4" dia steel ball from old ball bearing ( 1" dia will do to). I position it between 2 different bars of pure lead and unknown alloy (casted in my Lee 1lb mold) and squeeze the set up in the vise in my garage. Let say the pure lead bar (stick on ww) got .300" dia imprint and unknown alloy got .200" dia imprint. Pure lead hardness is 5BHN. The unknown alloy hardness will be .300 squared divided by .200 squared and the result multiplay times 5 BHN and the result is 11,25 BHN. Works for me every time.

cheese1566
05-28-2010, 11:22 PM
Nice! Good job and thanks for sharing!

Too bad though, I guess now I have to buy a tester so I can build one![smilie=2:

smoked turkey
05-29-2010, 12:16 AM
Two excellent tips. Thanks for sharing. Either tip will make the process so much more accurate than the old finger nail scoring the base of the boolit! I also have the Lee tester and will give the "holder" a try.

qajaq59
05-29-2010, 07:56 AM
I do it the same way gunrunner8 does, but that little rig for the Lee tester is a clever idea.

509thsfs
05-29-2010, 08:17 AM
This is what I put together. I drilled a hole in the bottom to insert the "shell holder" to hold boolits too. Still need to place a small flashlight to the side to read the scale though.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww187/USAF-SP/1tester.jpg

reloader28
05-29-2010, 11:49 AM
Excellent. Think I'll go build me a microscope. Looks much better than trying to hold everything just right.

Ed Gallop
05-30-2010, 07:21 AM
I use a fly tying vise by removing the jaws. After slipping a thin plastic tubing over the scope it fits perfectly into the vise and can be easily adjusted to various heights and angles. You fly tiers out there may want to see if your vise will work. Ed.

JonB_in_Glencoe
07-13-2010, 06:22 PM
I am plaqnning on ordering a Lee Hardness tester setup, and did a search for any issues.
great ideas here...
Thanx, Jon

kbstenberg
07-13-2010, 06:40 PM
I have recently made a stand for my Buddie. I found if i drilled the hole for the microscope with a drill bit just a shade bigger than the tube than put a strip of paper between the tube an the hole sides so that you can raise an lower the tube by hand but it will stay in place without being held. So if you are measuring bullets of the same size all you have to do is replace the bullet.
I also made mine so that the tube is strait up an down. We both mark our bullets on the top or bottom so that is the easiest for us. I will try to get over to his house to get pictures.
Kevin

captain-03
07-13-2010, 09:38 PM
Here is my modification -- please excuse the "dust!"

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss241/captain-03/IMG_3393.jpg

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss241/captain-03/IMG_3396.jpg

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss241/captain-03/IMG_3395.jpg

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss241/captain-03/IMG_3394.jpg

Still working on a light to add the needed brightness of view ...

deerslayer
07-13-2010, 09:46 PM
A friend of mine did this with his press and I must say it was rather ingenious. I believe he modified a die to allow the scope through it and inserted a flat plate shell holder to hold the lead. The part that was the most brilliant was the O ring put on the scope to allow you to move it up and down and just slide the O ring to hold it. Worked great.

AZ-Stew
07-13-2010, 10:26 PM
I expected full-burl French walnut.

Regards,

Stew

kenjuudo
07-13-2010, 10:32 PM
23663

HeavyMetal
07-13-2010, 10:56 PM
I just found a toy microscope at the thrift store gutted the inside and fitted the scope into the body.

Boolits lay on the platform and the adjustment still works so I can focus as needed depending on Boolit size.

All the Ideas look great should give a lot of newbie's food for thought!

JonB_in_Glencoe
08-08-2010, 05:31 PM
I got my LEE tester a week ago, I thought about the designs others here have made for a stand. I thought simple is best, and small for ease of storage. one piece of 1x4 OAK, about 6" long. Drill a couple holes and use the bandsaw to make the cut out. I came across these little LED flashlights 2 years ago from Harbor Freight, they are exactly 1" in diameter and uses 3 cheapo AAA batteries , it mounts on your standard scope mounts.
Jon

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/100_1987reduced.jpg
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/100_1985reduced.jpg



edited: I built a new improved version, photos following...
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/100_1701.jpg
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/100_1702.jpg
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/100_1703.jpg
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/100_1704.jpg

wallenba
08-08-2010, 05:46 PM
If Lee Precision were paying attention to this thread they could save us all some trouble and come up with something affordable like these. I gave up trying to steady the scope and I just use a jewelers loupe and a dial caliper. Probably not quite as accurate though.

JJC
08-09-2010, 01:25 AM
Atleast you have Cabelas near by. Nice wood work, I'm gona make one one of these days