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Thread: Its ALIVE automating master caster

  1. #41
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    HATCH's Avatar
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    Larger bore means a lot more force Look at the chart above


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    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
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  2. #42
    Boolit Master

    Plate plinker's Avatar
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    What are the capabilities of your air source. That might help you decide.

  3. #43
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    Without going to the shop, it's either a 3 or 5 HP Black Max 220v compressor with a 33 gal. tank. I'm wondering if I'll need the larger bore to get more power at a lower psi?

  4. #44
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    It's a double edge sword.
    Bigger diameter means less pressure but more volume.
    Smaller diameter means higher pressure but less volume.

    I think the problem you might run into is the lead pour cylinder will be significantly smaller then your movement if you go large bore.
    Lower pressure may effect that.




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    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  5. #45
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    I have the 3/4" bore for both cylinders on the Master Caster. I was referring to sizer for the 1 1/16 bore thinking I might need more power for sizing .45acp 233gr. boolits. I'm just not familiar of how much power I might need. Seems like it would be better to have more power with the bigger bore and use less psi.
    I am using Hi-Tek coating so I'm not using any bullet lube.

  6. #46
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    Oh, yeah maybe on it that would be better.


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    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  7. #47
    Boolit Master
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    Personally, i'd go bigger. Best to have more power at hand than not enough. I feel that, pretty well any compressor can handle running air cylinders, they don't use a whole lot.

  8. #48
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    Not true.
    A pancake will overheat when the star is sizing at 2 sec cycles.
    30 bullets a min. 1800 a hr


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    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  9. #49
    Boolit Master
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    Really? i never thought it would demand THAT much air if you dropped it back to a suitable pressure to get the job done, but you are the one that would know. The compressor i use is rates at 14 CFM, so air supply is not an issue.

  10. #50
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    Pancake will run the MC all day. Star overheats it after about a hr. It basically runs all the time and never shuts off


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    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  11. #51
    Boolit Buddy
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    I ended up putting the 1 1/16 bore on the sizer. Keep in mind this is a Lee Challenger turned upside down and I will manually put the boolit in the die. My compressor is a 5hp 33 gal tank so that is much more air than a pancake. I have the air cylinder mounted but am waiting on the clevis rod end. I hooked it up and it works great on the dry run with the ram attached.
    I also started on the Master Caster. Got the brass tube cut for the standoffs and tapped the bracket. Did not get the aluminum top part made. I cut the 5" piece that the 5" throw air cylinder connects to. Also got it drilled and tapped for the cylinder and shoulder bolts. I'm a lot closer than I was a week ago.

  12. #52
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    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Bullet sizer.jpg 
Views:	179 
Size:	46.4 KB 
ID:	192901Here's a pic of the temporary setup without the ram attached. I plan on building a rolling cart out some old countertop and mounting the sizer on it.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_2028[1].jpg  

  13. #53
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    Looks great.


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    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  14. #54
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    Quote Originally Posted by wlkjr View Post
    I sent him an email two weeks ago but never got a reply.
    never got the email....sorry...
    Solvang Shootist
    SASS 60905-Life
    Frontier Cartridge Black Powder Shooter

  15. #55
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    Quote Originally Posted by wymanwinn View Post
    never got the email....sorry...
    I thought maybe you were down for some personal maintenance.
    I've almost got it going except for the return spring. Instead of a single spring, I think I'm going from the center underneath where the clevis attaches, and have the spring attach from the corners to the center. My initial try sprung the spring. This thing is going to be really sweet once I get it fine tuned.
    My wife says she'll be glad when I get it going so I'll quit watching your video a dozen times a night.

  16. #56
    Boolit Buddy
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    Finished hooking up the air to the MC today. Cast about 500 233 grain .45ACP. Works great but still needs a little tweaking. Had to remove the spring from under the lead drop lever so I could turn down the pressure to the mold release. I have to vary the pressure between 50-45 psi according to the temperature of the mold. Can't wait for the clevis to come in so I can hook up the sizer. I cooked about 1000 147g 9mm and about 200 of the .45 today so I'll have something to try it out on by this weekend.

  17. #57
    Boolit Master
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    Good to hear you have it running well. I know that mine always needs tweaking for each session, different moulds and different air temperatures make it cast slightly different. You soon learn it's sweet spot and it will run great.

    Looking forward to seeing how the sizer goes for you too.

  18. #58
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    I don't have to tweak mine (besides bullet weight) unless I am doing my tcm bullets. (37 grains)


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  19. #59
    Boolit Buddy
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    Clevis came in today for the sizer. Not nearly enough power to size a 147g boolit without lube grooves. At 100psi, it needs 6 strokes to push it through the die. On the other hand, it only takes 2 and sometimes 3 strokes to size a 233g .45acp. So I have ordered a larger cylinder.

  20. #60
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    wlkjr you got any updates?

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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
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GC Gas Check