gas check coil width required

[yonky]

Hi Folks,after extensive research and testing,i am nearly ready to offer cols in the following gauges .005"(for pb),.008",.011",.015",.017",.020" in aluminium.
but i still need the following information on strip widths,freechex tools are no problem.

The problem i have is with pats tools,as they have an enclosed slot for the strip to feed through.and as pat has enough on his plate without me bothering him i would like to ask the folks that use his tools(in every calibre) to let me know what strip width works best for them.
Then i can slit the coils to the most suitable width.

[.30/30 Guy]

I have PatMarlin's Checkmakers is .30, .35, and .35PB.

I got some 1/2" coils and it worked great in my .30 caliber.

I measured a strip for my .35 caliber and it measured 0.545" and is almost too wide. 0.540" would work better.

I measured a stip for my .35PB caliber and it measured 0.550".

These widths work for me, but may not be the best fit for all dies.

[yonky]

I have PatMarlin's Checkmakers is .30, .35, and .35PB.

I got some 1/2" coils and it worked great in my .30 caliber.

I measured a strip for my .35 caliber and it measured 0.545" and is almost too wide. 0.540" would work better.

I measured a stip for my .35PB caliber and it measured 0.550".

These widths work for me, but may not be the best fit for all dies.

what thickness are you using for each?how much scrap is there on the edges after the hole has been blanked?

[.30/30 Guy]

For .30 caliber the edge distance is 0.049". I have used the 0.010 half hard copper from Pat and 0.014 Ace Hardware stuff plus some soft 0.016 coil stuff from another member here.

For .35 caliber the edge distance is 0.045". I have used the 0.010 half hard copper from Pat and 0.014 Ace Hardware stuff plus some 0.0092 (actual thickness is 0.0085) from Ace Hardware.

For .35PB caliber the edge distance is 0.034". I have used the 0.010 half hard copper from Pat and some 0.0092 (actual thickness is 0.085) from Ace Hardware plus some 0.008 lith plate.

Best material for the PB checks is the 0.008 lith plate. Softer is better.

[DrBill33]

For 45 cal, .625 is needed

[PatMarlin]

I have increased my strip width on PB Checkmaker Dies to accommodate the more metals hardness variations out there, that people are using.

There are so many variables due to your boolit alloy, diameter, etc., and then add the thickness of metals and hardness (or softness) of gas check material used with PB checks, I seriously recommend shooters try before they buy, or at least definitely try material before buying a large quantity of gas check metal.

Frankly, I am still amazed at the flexibility of the Checkmaker™ design accepting and accommodating so many different variables of metals, boolit shanks and diameters that the dies do, and produce accuracy at the range.

My main note I send out-

I always suggest cutting your strips to fit your dies when they arrive to be safe.

The problem with precutting is- due to possibility of slight machining variations on slot cutting it may present a problem. If your strip is a few thou to wide for instance, you could wind up with a pile of strips to tight, and then you would have to trim to fit. Trimming a few thousands is really a mess.

If the strips are to narrow, you could possibly get a warped, or edge shy cut disk which will not form a nice check. The dies are designed to use minimal material waste, yet cut a nice disk to form a nice check. This is important!

A paper cutter makes accurate strip cutting a breeze. Using a made up guide works very well also.

Happy shooting,

Pat ...:drinks:

Patmarlins™ -Specialty Products for Casting and Reloading
West Coast Engineering
http://www.Patmarlins.com

[yonky]

I have increased my strip width on PB Checkmaker Dies to accommodate the more metals hardness variations out there, that people are using.

There are so many variables due to your boolit alloy, diameter, etc., and then add the thickness of metals and hardness (or softness) of gas check material used with PB checks, I seriously recommend shooters try before they buy, or at least definitely try material before buying a large quantity of gas check metal.

Frankly, I am still amazed at the flexibility of the Checkmaker™ design accepting and accommodating so many different variables of metals, boolit shanks and diameters that the dies do, and produce accuracy at the range.

My main note I send out-

I always suggest cutting your strips to fit your dies when they arrive to be safe.

The problem with precutting is- due to possibility of slight machining variations on slot cutting it may present a problem. If your strip is a few thou to wide for instance, you could wind up with a pile of strips to tight, and then you would have to trim to fit. Trimming a few thousands is really a mess.

If the strips are to narrow, you could possibly get a warped, or edge shy cut disk which will not form a nice check. The dies are designed to use minimal material waste, yet cut a nice disk to form a nice check. This is important!

A paper cutter makes accurate strip cutting a breeze. Using a made up guide works very well also.

Happy shooting,

Pat ...:drinks:

Patmarlins™ -Specialty Products for Casting and Reloading
West Coast Engineering
http://www.Patmarlins.com
Pat when you say there can be variations in the slot size by how much? 5 thou,10 thou or more?

[Gunslinger1911]

Hi Mike,
Yep, cutting cans can get old !! I cut the strips with a Harbor Freight paper cutter ($8.50 !!) There has got to be a better way to cut off the tops and bottoms than a utility knife !!

We'll get hooked up with some really nice strip soon !!!

[fcvan]

I have been cutting my cans with heavy duty scissors similar to what they sell at Harbor Freight. I start a cut between the top of the can and the shoulder, and then cut cleanly below the shoulder. I then cut straight down the side to below the bottom before turning to cut as ner the bottom edge so as not to waste can material. I find it works well for me, and seemingly safer than a blade knife. Frank

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

At the risk of oversimplification; just go over to your local newspaper, around the back to the printing shop, and ask for a few litho sheets (.006"). Half a gallon of milk and a dozen mixed donuts got me about 30 sheets. Each one is the size of a full page of the paper.

Six bucks for a lifetime supply...

Rich
Sua Sponte

[tjones]

To make PB checks all you need is thin printers plate, ie better than cans. A hole punch say 9/16 or a 45, a lead block, appropriate lube/sizing die and top punch and voila your PB checks. Been done here before for check making. Can't speak to using them tho. tj

[Newtire]

Hi Folks,after extensive research and testing,i am nearly ready to offer cols in the following gauges .005"(for pb),.008",.011",.015",.017",.020" in aluminium.
but i still need the following information on strip widths,freechex tools are no problem.

The problem i have is with pats tools,as they have an enclosed slot for the strip to feed through.and as pat has enough on his plate without me bothering him i would like to ask the folks that use his tools(in every calibre) to let me know what strip width works best for them.
Then i can slit the coils to the most suitable width.

I made some this morning and the width of the .014" aluminum strip was .445".

[PatMarlin]

22T caliber dies should be able to accept a .500 wide strip.


Checkmaker™ (Final) Slot Widths-

.500
22 cal, 6.5 cal, 270cal, 7mm, 7mmPB, 30, 303 British, 32/8mm


.545
32-20PB Winchester, 30PB, 32PB, 338, 338PB, 35
35PB, 9.3mm, 375


.600
375, 375PB, 38-55PB Winchester, 40, 41


.640
40/10mmPB, 41PB, 44, 45


.665
44PB, 45PB-Pistol, 45PBR-Rifle


.695
44PB, 45PB-Pistol, 45PBR-Rifle
50, 50PB-pistol, 50PB-Rifle


Calibers Now in production-

22T cal, 7mm cal, 7mmPB cal, 270 cal, 270PB cal, 30 cal, 30PB cal, 303 British cal, 7.62x39 cal, 7.62x39PB cal, 338 cal, 8mm cal, 8mmPB cal, 32 cal, 32PB cal, 32-20PB Winchester (includes 32 S&W Long, 32 Colt New Police), 348 cal, 348PB cal, 35 cal (includes 9mm), 35PB cal (Plain Base, includes 9mm) 38-55PB Winchester Cal, 375 cal, 375PB cal, 10mm cal, 10mmPB cal, 40 cal, 40PB cal, 41 cal, 41PB cal, 44 cal, 44PB cal, 45 cal (fits both pistol and rifle), 9.3 cal, 45PB Pistol cal, 45PB Rifle cal, 45PBAR cal (tall check for the AR platform), 50 Cal Pistol (.501), 50 Cal Rifle (.512), 50PB Pistol, 50PB Rifle.

COMING SOON...
-more calibers including:

22 cal Standard, 22PB cal, 22TPB (tall) cal, 22STPB (super tall) cal, 25cal, 25PB cal, 6.5 cal, 6.5PB cal, 405 cal, 416 cal, 405PB cal, 480 cal, 480PB cal

[Newtire]

OK Pat, I didn't see any info on it so just put out there what I found worked. I didn't get any incomplete ones by the way, nice round checks! Good to know there's a little leeway. P.M. coming.

[hickfu]

I have 3 PB check makers from Pat 45Pistol 45Rifle and 35 cal... 45's measure .667 and the 35 measured .550

Doc

[PatMarlin]

I keep with those slot dimensions listed above. Older dies made may have different slot widths.

I did this to help Yonky with his business by keeping the same sizes so he wouldn't have to manufacture more than the bear minimum widths, and users could buy from him as a supplier if they wished not to cut their own strips with a paper cutter.