Disk Maker, GC Forming Die and GC Trimmer.

[WILCO]

The following photos show my GC making kit for .30 cal. using .016 aluminum sheeting. The kit consists of a disk puncher, a gas check forming die and a gas check trimmer of my own design. It creates uniformed wall lengths, prevents hitting of driving bands whilst providing a surface edge to grip the shank of various .30 cal. boolits I'm working with. Once these GC's are "pushed" on by hand, you can't peel them off with your finger nail. Simply press the GC in the hole of the trimmer and run it across the file. Bolt turns to pop it out when done. I used several established ideas with materials laying around the shop when building my GC making kit. It's not the greatest set up, nor the fastest, but the price was right and it works for me. I would like to thank the membership here for the education on how to make gas checks for boolits while achieving an endless supply with freedom from "Big Copper".

[muskeg13]

Thanks for the great photos. I made a prototype die set a few weeks ago with hand tools and turned out a few checks, but I need more precision. The checks were too loose. I'm borrowing a small lathe soon.

[EMC45]

Very cool idea!

[jmsj]

WILCO,
Great ideas, thanks for sharing. Building a gas check maker is my next project but I haven't settled on a final design. This site has so many talented people willing to share their ideas.
Good job and thanks again. jmsj

[edsmith]

WILCO, great job,that check trimmer is brilliant.

[wistlepig1]

Wilco, what is the OD of your cut disks for the 30 cal.? thanks

[longbow]

+1 for the great idea on the check trimmer.

My very simple gas check tools works pretty well but now and again I get a slight difference in wall height. Your trimmer idea would even them up nicely and make all the same.

Great job and great photos.

Thanks for sharing.

Longbow

[Blammer]

now you just need to buy some copper sheeting.

looks good!

[WILCO]

WILCO, great job,that check trimmer is brilliant.

Thanks Ed. It was your LEE sizing die method and other contributions of the membership here that intrigued me down the road of GC making. The concept of using washers for the gas check trimmer came to me after I had read about tshrcav8r and his "Low Budget $6 check maker". I’m glad that I was able to bring something to the “table” after enjoying the fruits of so many others in the world of cast boolits.
If anyone is wishing to build the gas check trimmer in .30 caliber, I simply used a ¼ washer welded to a 1/4x20 nut and bolt. Here’s a link to USS and SAE washer dimensions:

http://www.boltdepot.com/Fastener-In...imensions.aspx

Wilco, what is the OD of your cut disks for the 30 cal.? thanks

I’m using a 13/32 drill rod which punches a .4062 diameter disk. I’ve also found that a 9/32 drill rod pushing this disk through a .309 forming die with .016 aluminum creates a very well fitting GC for the series of LEE .30 cal. Boolits. After using the gas check trimmer, these GC’s won’t pull off with the finger nail method.

[WILCO]

Just thought I'd bump this thread for the new folks looking to easily make gas checks.

[Xcaliber]

I built this die in the early 80's ..but used it to make shims to put under the dies we sharpened to keep back level . Had I known then what I know now, I would have built my form dies for Gas Chk's. Back then ,I was buying and shooting. Things we learn later thru the years.



Attachment 39615

Attachment 39616

[lead chucker]

Wilco can you use your reloading press with your check maker?

[WILCO]

Wilco can you use your reloading press with your check maker?

No. My check maker in it's current configuration does not lend itself to reloading press applications, but I do believe it would work well with a 1/2 ton arbor press as is commonly found at Harbor Freight.

Here's a link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...ress-3551.html

[WILCO]

I built this die in the early 80's ..

Yeah, I like that. Looks solid with a bit of heft to keep it still when driving the rod. What caliber checks are you making?

[JeffinNZ]

I'm not sure I understand why you need to trim the checks. If the walls are too long you could consider making the disc diameter smaller. Nice work but lots of work.

[WILCO]

I'm not sure I understand why you need to trim the checks.

Hi Jeff!

The gas check trimmer was a simple solution to a perceived problem based on the manner with which the checks are produced and the many variables encountered whislt I endeavored to complete my kit. Like I stated in the OP, it's not the greatest set up, nor the fastest, but the price was right and it works for me.

[Xcaliber]

Yeah, I like that. Looks solid with a bit of heft to keep it still when driving the rod. What caliber checks are you making?

Wilco, Didn't use it back then to make any checks. I was more concerned with just
shooting and buying my Chk's. Die was used to make shims , pick up the center mark
I found it several years back in my tool box and then the thought came up when I saw PM's gas Chk. design. If I made one today, it would have covered many calibers
of chk's as far as cutting out the proper disc diam. Then the forming dies would have been built. Metal thickness is needed to use when forming material that you plan on using. Now that I have PM's tool...I don't need to worry about it. That works for me.

[WILCO]

Wilco, Didn't use it back then to make any checks. Now that I have PM's tool...I don't need to worry about it. That works for me.

Roger that Xcaliber. My mistake. I thought you realized that you could make checks and were doing so. PM's tool is a great item to have.

[lead chucker]

WILCO so when are you going to start selling them, looks pretty cool. That arbor press is cheap I like that.

[WILCO]

WILCO so when are you going to start selling them, looks pretty cool.

Thanks Lead chucker. I have no interest in selling any kits at this time. I started this thread purely in the interest of sharing ideas and contributing to the forums.