Broke a Star!

[jcw1970]

Well I don't know how it happened but my sizer that I use 50/50 lube in died today. This was my oldest Star. I was lubing up some 38 wad cutters. I hadn't been straining or anything, they were going through fine, putting a lubed one in every 10 or so boolits. I ran out of lube, so I take it apart and put a new stick in, got everything back together, pulled the handle and it spit out a boolit with no lube, ok tighten up the plunger, pull the handle and again no lube. Get to looking and the fulcrum bar isn't even touching the pump plunger. Looking closer, the fulcrum lever bracket is almost cracked all the way down the bracket on the tube. Don't know how it happened. I only use this one for 50/50 and pistol bullets. I was sizing 356 to 3555. Looked at magma website and on the part drawing it says this is a factory only part. Any ideas out there? Any one got a parts sizer they want to part with? Am I better off selling this one for parts and using the money towards a "new" Star?

[D Crockett]

the only thing I can think of is have someone brase it or aluminum weild it back togather if done right it will be good as new D Crockett

[deltaenterprizes]

The part is aluminum and will need to be TIG or MIG welded. There is a lot of strain on that part and it needs to be a press fit on the lube tube. there is a STAR forum, I would try there.

[jcw1970]

I was told on the Star board that I can get the part from Magma but it's very hard to replace because they are pressed on. I know this sounds dumb, but what kind of equipment would I need to use?

[scb]

It's not just the press fit that's an issue. It's the "rotational" positioning you also need to be concerned with. I have access to a 20 ton hydraulic press, but if it were mine I'd box it up and send it to Magma. They obviously have the tooling and fixturing to do it right.

[Doby45]

Yhea just send it to Magma to replace the part, would HAVE to be cheaper than a new Star. I definently would not call that one a "dead soldier".

[Springfield]

I bought Star that was broken there once. I bought the piece from Magma and replaced it myself. If you have ever installed bearings/cylinders in an aluminum housing and are familiar with heating the parts to install( I used to be a profession motorcycle mechanic) it isn't TOO difficult, but you need to get it right the first time position wise. I am stubborn abut paying others to do stuff for me, but if you aren't REAL mechanically inclined I would pay the guys at Magma to do it. Otherwise you may end up buying the part twice when you crack it.

[jcw1970]

Called Magma today and they said to send it in and they can weld it.

[Springfield]

Not to argue with Magma but that part is a press fit and I gotta believe you lost at least some of the tension when it cracked. Might not become a problem later, and welding has to be cheaper than replacing the part. Be cheaper to find a good local welder though, saves shipping both ways.

[deltaenterprizes]

I was told on the Star board that I can get the part from Magma but it's very hard to replace because they are pressed on. I know this sounds dumb, but what kind of equipment would I need to use?

A bearing press

[old_haidouk]

Send it to Magma, they can weld ANYTHING. I've seen their shop.

[Tag]

So how did you break it?

[jcw1970]

Well, got my sizer back from Magma today. It's perfect. The weld looks great and it works just like it use to. They had to remove some of the paint on the bracket but I don't mind, it's pretty beat up anyway. Did a little test, sized about 50 35863 down to .3555 and the fulcrum bracket didn't move at all. My H&G 251 is .356 so I don't usually notice any resistence when sizing. So they fixed the bracket and I also had the handle collar replaced because it was broke for a total of $62.65 which includes shipping both ways. Sure beats $275 for a new one.

[taminsong]

Nice, you got your star back.

But can you tell us why it get broken? Maybe it could help us avoid some problems like that.