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Thread: VS: Automation Control Panel for a Master Caster

  1. #1
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    HATCH's Avatar
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    VS: Automation Control Panel for a Master Caster

    I am offering up a control panel that will assist you in automating your Magma Master Caster.

    This unit has a touch screen that allows you to control every timer.

    What you can control

    How long before lead is poured when the mold is under the pot (this option can be turned off so it pours right away)
    The amount of lead poured
    How long it sits under the pot for the sprue to harden.
    How long it sits at the bottom of the stroke after the boolits are dropped


    Features

    You can turn on "DOUBLE TAP" which increases the amount of taps at the bottom of the stroke in case your doing HP boolits or have molds that don't release easy.
    Double tap is adjustable from 1 to 99 taps

    You can turn on "MANUAL MODE" which allows the automation of lead pour but the manual operation of all the other features.

    It has a Counter and a RUN LIMITER based on count.

    Here is a video of one in operation - keep in mind that this unit has the optional PID controller
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpklei7q3c8

    Here is a basic overview video of all the features
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83COHoXbhsM



    In addition to this panel you would need the following

    2 air cylinders
    Make the rear cylinder bracket
    Drill 2 holes in frame of MC for above bracket.
    Drill and tap the lead pour bracket at the top of the pot for the lead pour cylinder assembly.
    Mount the limit switch.
    Check here -> http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...tion&p=4207972
    If you have questions ask them there.

    Now the money side of things.

    The base model is $800
    Base model with PID (includes thermocouple) $900

    $250 - AUTOMATION SMALL PARTS KIT - ONLY SOLD WITH PANEL - basically everything needed to complete the modification to full automation

    The kit contains the following

    Air valves x 3 with the pneumatic fittings ( 2 branch Ts, 1 90 and 4 straight)
    5 inch Air Cylinder with the pneumatic fittings (90 and straight)
    1/2 inch Air Clinder with pneumatic Fitting (90)
    10 feet Tubing
    Rear bracket with hardware
    Lead pour plate (1/8 inch drilled)
    Spacers - already cut to length x 2
    3 inch Bolts - x 2
    Forged Clevis for movement
    Standard clevis for lead pour

    The kit price is COST plus $25 to be honest.
    This is me buying all the parts in BULK and then making up a "kit"
    It is still way cheaper by almost $100 then buying the parts from McMaster

    SHIPPING - I ship USPS priority mail . Depending on where you are it can be $ 30to $45 to ship the panel.
    I do ship internationally provided you pay the cost of it.
    I have shipped panels to Australia, the Philippines, France, South Africa and Belguim.
    Please also understand that I offer this more as a service then as a product.
    I work full time, have 2 kids and have very little time.

    Please keep in mind that the touchscreen and PLC alone are over $200

    Build time - look at post directly below this one

    FOR THOSE WITH THE PID OPTION PLEASE LOOK HERE -> http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...atch-s-PID-FAQ

    Panels are multi-voltage. So they can run on 120 or 220.
    I build them with a 120v power cord. This makes it easier for me to test them here.
    For 220v operation you just cut the cord and wire it up 220v.

    The fan option is no longer a standard feature on 120v models.
    The cost of the relay is $20, the cost of the cord I have to cut to get the end is $9.
    If you want it then it’s a $30 option.
    Besides the parts it is just a software update to the touchscreen. Every PLC they I have sent out already has the feature enabled on it but without the touchscreen to virtually turn it on/off it doesn’t do anything.

    This is a picture of a standard unit



    This is the picture of the inside of a panel I can currently building. It has the PID option and is missing the SSR and the movement relay.
    Last edited by HATCH; 04-26-2021 at 03:06 PM.
    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  2. #2
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    VS: Automation Control Panel for a Master Caster

    Apr 24 2021 update

    Current wait time is about two weeks. (non-PID)
    Last edited by HATCH; 04-26-2021 at 03:07 PM.
    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
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    For those who have a MasterCaster, it may seem expensive but once installed your master caster will be a bullet making machine. Honestly, if I polish my mold cavities beforehand, it runs flawlessly as they drop effortlessly. You'll appreciate the convenience. I paid a little less several years ago and it's not nearly as advanced as what he's offering now. I'm pretty sure Hatch will provide a revision to the software for you as well. All that being said, I feel fortunate to own one, just feels very customized.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by chloe123 View Post
    . I paid a little less several years ago and it's not nearly as advanced as what he's offering now. .
    Thanks.

    The major cost increase is the touchscreen. It adds over $200 to the price but it also adds so much more convenience compared to the original setup.

    I still know of 10 original design (non-touchscreen) running. Thats been 4 or 5 years now and 100's of K of boolits cast.

    I got a text on my phone last week from a friend that uses his MC to cast cores. He cast 10K cores on a saturday and he said that MC didn't miss a beat!

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy Nick Quick's Avatar
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    Having an automation for Master Caster is like having all of a sudden Jerry Miculek skills when shooting at the range. Is true, one can live without an automation but having it changes completely everything.

  6. #6
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    Bump - for reference I warranty these units against failure for 6 months and offer UNLIMITED lifetime support.
    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  7. #7
    In Remembrance
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    Hatch, got my unit in today. It was well packed against the gorilla package handlers. The outside of panel is neatly laid out. The knock your socks off wow factor comes when you open the panel and peek inside. People, this gent has his act together. Components are neatly placed and wired. Wires are labeled as to what they hook up to making hook up pretty straight forward. I will try to start the conversion after the holiday. Thanks a heap MR. Hatch. Hope you and yours have a pleasant holiday.

  8. #8
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    Thanks, well I built electrical panels for 15 years so I got a little experience.
    I try to label the terminal block so it's easier for the end user (i.e. You) to trouble shoot.
    Have you made your rear bracket yet?
    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    My unit showed up yesterday and I got to test it out. Shipping was quick and the packaging was great. They must have tossed the box around as the PLC wasn't snapped on the rail, but it clicked right in with a push. The wiring looks great and the parts were well labeled. I look forward to finishing my machine and casting some boolits with the Hatch Automation system. Oh yeah, the custom build bit with my name included on the main screen is a nice touch as well.

    Thanks Hatch!

  10. #10
    Boolit Mold
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    Quote Originally Posted by HATCH View Post
    Bump to top
    The Master Caster automation set up that Hatch builds and sells is the best VALUE in automated machinery I've ever run across!
    My TRUE production rate on 148 grain .357 bullets is around 600 per hour. In a six hour period I'm making about 3300 to 3700 bullets. This includes occasional stops to lube the mold top and sprue plate and the once an hour or so jam clearing. The "jams" are usually caused by bullets bouncing into the way of the mold closing. Easy and fast to clear.
    I sure wish I could automate bullet sizing and ammo loading at these prices!

  11. #11
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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.

  12. #12
    Boolit Bub
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    Is there a video somewhere on the interweb of this system working?
    Oops. found it

    Could a momentary switch be added to the lead pour so it could be cycled manually as well? I use my master caster pot for casting larger items like slugs and 300 blackout on a separate base. It would be nice to be able to use a switch tied to the timer and never have to touch the pot if I had a system like this anyways. Being able to add a timed pour would be a great benefit when casting with hand molds as well
    Last edited by dyecocker1; 07-15-2018 at 05:47 PM.

  13. #13
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    VS: Automation Control Panel for a Master Caster

    The panel has a manual feature.
    Manual feature allows the panel to control the amount of lead poured but you control the movement.
    Basically every time the handle gets to the top it pours lead.

    Sorry for the delay in responding, I am on vacation and have poor/no signal

    And I have video links posted in the first post
    Don't like being hammered by the Cast Boolits Staff, then don't be a nail.
    The rules are simple to follow.

  14. #14
    Boolit Bub
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    No problem. Without seeing a working unit I assume there is a micro-switch installed by the handle that trips when it is returned? I think I could just use the wiring on my own switch when casting by hand. Some sort of large push button would be nice when wearing thick gloves. Each time the switch is depressed the pot opens for the set amount of time

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy
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    I still have the original(second) Hatch system. What is the cost for a touchscreen upgrade?
    Up to over 50000 cast on the original.

    Fox

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by shootinfox2 View Post
    I still have the original(second) Hatch system. What is the cost for a touchscreen upgrade?
    Up to over 50000 cast on the original.

    Fox
    I would have to do the figures.
    The touchscreen itself costs $200
    Depending on the enclosure used, you might need another enclosure. I repurpose used Solar panel enclosures and they cost me $40
    So if all it takes is those two items then your looking at $250 in parts and prob $150 maybe in labor.
    send me a PM with the pictures of the the unit and I can work up the exact cost with trying to reuse all the original parts.


    EDIT -> is it this one -> http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...=1#post1992509

    If so that is a stripped down version.
    Figures above are gonna be pretty close to being correct.
    You need to keep in mind. I am reusing your original PLC.
    The problem is that it does not have a battery backup feature.
    Automation Direct tells me that the unit will retain settings for 5 days or so.
    All the settings are accessible via the touchscreen.
    You do not use your computer to make any changes.
    So after 5 days or whenever the memory loses its presets, you will have to punch in every setting via the touchscreen.
    That is why I went with the battery model.
    a new PLC is gonna be $112 plus the $5.50 battery
    Last edited by HATCH; 12-02-2018 at 08:18 PM.

  17. #17
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    I do ship international but please keep in mind that depending on the country the cost can be anywhere from $100 to $400 or more

  18. #18
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    Got a wall mount unit almost finished


    Smaller enclosure then I used before.
    It is large enough to to mount a PID in it.



    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. #19
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    Currently looking at 1 weeks out for the next order.

    I built a test fixture to verify operation.
    I will be doing a YouTube video shortly showing the operation.


    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.

  20. #20
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    current lead time is about 2 weeks after order is placed.

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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