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Thread: How many of you out there own automated or semi-automated casting machines?

  1. #21
    Boolit Buddy
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    I have a Master Caster that I modified to pneumatic operation by joystick.

  2. #22
    Boolit Man
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    Mar 2009
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    I have a stock Master Caster and a MKII Bullet Master that has been upgraded with 1000 watt heating elements and PIDs. It still runs well. Made a pile of bullets with it yesterday in fact. And I just got an almost unused Lube Master. That thing is awesome - once you get it tuned.

  3. #23
    Boolit Grand Master jmorris's Avatar
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    Aug 2007
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    I have made mine after looking at photos of a master caster but I ran it with a gear motor and solenoid for pour.


  4. #24
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Northern Michigan
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    I have a Master Caster. Not automated.

    Jmorris, I like your gearmotor concept. No noisy compressor and smoother action. There was a guy in Germany, I believe, who had one on YouTube. It was slick, but pricy.
    Last edited by dverna; 08-03-2017 at 10:09 AM.
    Don Verna


  5. #25
    Boolit Buddy rbwillnj's Avatar
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    Apr 2005
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    I have a Bullet Master Mk III. Never used it, it needs work. So much to do, so little time.
    Star Machine Works - Owner
    The Original Blue Press - Made by Machinists not Machines.
    NRA Patron Member

  6. #26
    Boolit Master
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    Mar 2005
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    southern Illinois
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    2,352
    I have a homebuilt caster that uses 1 four cavity Lyman mold. Uses electric timers to run air solenoids that run air cylinders. Why yes, it does run very smooth. Almost 3 cycles a minute with a good mold...

  7. #27
    Boolit Buddy Nick Quick's Avatar
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    I do have a MC with an air automation and it works well. Out of typically human greed I start not to be satisfied 100% anymore as I want to make the automation run a bit better. And what I mean by that is I would like to make the mold carried run just half, stop underneath the fan to let it cool and then complete the carrier movement to open the sprue plate and knock the bullets out of the mold. It will be quite a challenge but what the heck, at least I'll have something to study while I'm on the road trucking.

  8. #28
    Boolit Mold


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    Jan 2014
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    North East Ohio
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    I have a stock MasterCaster.

  9. #29
    Boolit Master





    SSGOldfart's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wlkjr View Post
    I have a Master Caster that I modified to pneumatic operation by joystick.
    I'll like to see pictures of that one.
    I'm now in the master caster ranks, just waiting on UPS at this point.
    Someday I'll automate it,or just upgraded but my package comes with 17 molds which covers most of the calibers I need to cast for.
    Last edited by SSGOldfart; 08-14-2017 at 11:58 PM. Reason: fat fingers small keyboard
    I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left.
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    Looking for a Hensly &Gibbs #258 any thing from a two cavity to a 10cavityI found a new one from a member here

  10. #30
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by SSGOldfart View Post
    I'll like to see pictures of that one.
    I'm now in the master caster ranks, just waiting on UPS at this point.
    Someday I'll automate it,or just upgraded but my package comes with 17 molds which covers most of the calibers I need to cast for.
    I'll try to get you some in the next couple of days.

  11. #31
    Boolit Buddy
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    Oct 2008
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    N.E. Missouri
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    I have the Magma Bullet Master Mark 5

  12. #32
    Boolit Master





    SSGOldfart's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wlkjr View Post
    I'll try to get you some in the next couple of days.
    Thank-you Sir.
    I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left.
    Paralyzed Veterans of America

    Looking for a Hensly &Gibbs #258 any thing from a two cavity to a 10cavityI found a new one from a member here

  13. #33
    Boolit Buddy
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    I made some pics with my wifes camera but apparently they are too big. Castboolits won't let me download them. I'll have to make some with my phone camera.

  14. #34
    Boolit Buddy
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    Here are some pics of the controller, lead drop lever, and the rear of the air cylinder, and where the cylinder attaches to the sides of the MC frame.
    Sorry, I can't figure out how to rotate the pics.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_2246[1].jpg   IMG_2247[1].jpg   IMG_2248[1].jpg   IMG_2249[1].jpg   IMG_2250.jpg  

    Last edited by wlkjr; 08-19-2017 at 11:12 AM.

  15. #35
    Boolit Master
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    Brisbane, Australia
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    Looks good. Easy to fully automate it at a later date if you decide to

  16. #36
    Boolit Master





    SSGOldfart's Avatar
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    Wlkjr Thanks again, I think the joystick design looks like a good option for me with just one hand what's my chances of getting you to work up instructions including parts numbers??
    Last edited by SSGOldfart; 08-20-2017 at 12:32 AM. Reason: fat fingers small keyboard
    I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left.
    Paralyzed Veterans of America

    Looking for a Hensly &Gibbs #258 any thing from a two cavity to a 10cavityI found a new one from a member here

  17. #37
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by SSGOldfart View Post
    Wlkjr Thanks again, I think the joystick design looks like a good option for me with just one hand what's my chances of getting you to work up instructions including parts numbers??
    Bob, I sent you a PM with some information. Hope it helps.

  18. #38
    Boolit Buddy
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    Dec 2014
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    114
    MK VIII Bullet Master

  19. #39
    Boolit Buddy lmfd20's Avatar
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    Bonneau Beach, SC
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Quick View Post
    I do have a MC with an air automation and it works well. Out of typically human greed I start not to be satisfied 100% anymore as I want to make the automation run a bit better. And what I mean by that is I would like to make the mold carried run just half, stop underneath the fan to let it cool and then complete the carrier movement to open the sprue plate and knock the bullets out of the mold. It will be quite a challenge but what the heck, at least I'll have something to study while I'm on the road trucking.
    This would be fairly easy. Get a tandem air cylinder with different strokes. Add a relay and air solenoid to your current automation and an extra step in the programming with a delay firing the longer of the tandem cylinders.
    To much work, not enough time for guns.

  20. #40
    Boolit Buddy Nick Quick's Avatar
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    Apr 2016
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    That's what I was trying to find on their website. This winter when I'll stay home I will start digging. I think that holding the mold carrier under the fan for two seconds would shorten the total time of the whole cycle and also it would avoid possible situations when the mold gets to hot and the bullets won't be cooled enough to open the mold.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

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