Bruce, I am sorry, but I have to disagree with JeffinNz's statement. The Freechex III was my first tool and a great tool, but as good as it was it did get beat.
Here is the proof: https://youtu.be/R5sIuzphTEk
Bruce, I am sorry, but I have to disagree with JeffinNz's statement. The Freechex III was my first tool and a great tool, but as good as it was it did get beat.
Here is the proof: https://youtu.be/R5sIuzphTEk
Not going to ask you the cost of that air ram system. For a hammer or arbor press setup, I'm very happy with my new 22 caliber Freechex III setup and for the majority of shooters, a LEE brand copy of that system would help drop the price of commercial gas checks back to a reasonable price again.
I Cast my Boolits, Therefore I am Happy.
Bona Fide member of the Jeff Brown Hunt Club
Just pulling your leg. Actually, the cylinder I picked up for $22, normally several hundred dollars. It was old stock so the seller just wanted it out of inventory because the short stroke was something most were not interested in. The scrap steel was 20 cents a pound. The most expensive items came from harbor freight and evil bay. All told under $100, not counting time.
My first unit, Ram Checker III, built for the Freechex III, now resides with Charlie for his personal use.
I do agree that would be nice if some company would jump on the bandwagon and make these tools. My question is would their attention to detail equal Charlie's workmanship, unfortunately I think not.
My reply today. Within 6 hours they replied.
Lee Precision Support <support@leeprecision.com>
3:43 PM (5 hours ago)
to me
Bruce:
Thank you for your suggestion. We will add it to our Customer Product Suggestion List.
Thank You,
Laine
Customer Service
Lee Precision, Inc.
4275 Highway U
Hartford, WI 53027
phone: 262-673-3075
fax: 262-673-9273
Ticket Details
Ticket ID: IHQ-572-88428
Department: CustServ
Type: Product Idea
Status: Replied
Priority: Normal
Helpdesk: http://www.leeprecision.net/support/index.php?
I Cast my Boolits, Therefore I am Happy.
Bona Fide member of the Jeff Brown Hunt Club
I would love something like that. I have been eyeballing a gas check tools for about a year. i played with the simple designs in an attempt to make my own. Drilling and making the dies is easy. Its the forming punch i can't machine nor do i know how to make.
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."
~Theodore Roosevelt~
In making a tool, don't forget case hardening the steel as all of Charlie's tools are. As I have said before, Charlie was never in this for the money.
Charlie is feeling better now, thank goodness! He is helping Shamus with his punch press die designs. Especially the ends and outs of heat treating and tempering. Creating a gas check punch on a lathe is not that hard. Tuning and heat treat is another thing. Lot of info out there but not all experts agree.
Charlie has graciously shared that knowledge with us.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |