30.00 DIY case feeder

[Pablo 5959]

http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u543/Pablo5959/image.jpg1_zps86wxshfc.jpg (http://s1321.photobucket.com/user/Pablo5959/media/image.jpg1_zps86wxshfc.jpg.html)


I probably should have painted it first but here it is.
The upper shuttle, collector, motor and frame is all modular.


The collector is a 2gl bucket with a rotisserie motor attached I got on EBay.
The tubes,5/8" and 1/2" I got at Tap plastic.
I heated up the 5/8" and pushed a funnel in it for the funnel shape.
The bottom of the tube is slotted. I have a piece of 1/2" tube inside with a bracket w/ rubber grommet to squeeze the outer tube that holds the inner tube but leaves it adjustable.


The micro switch is from radio shack. I had to stretch the spring inside the switch and add to the arm with a strip of aluminum can to make the switch more sensitive.


The lower pusher shuttle runs on a bent 3/16" rod with a adjustable bracket mounted to the bench. It has a plexiglass triangle attached to push the upper shuttle.


I was able to make a clutch system to drive the shell plates.
http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u543/Pablo5959/image.jpg2_zps2lrsbhmp.jpg (http://s1321.photobucket.com/user/Pablo5959/media/image.jpg2_zps2lrsbhmp.jpg.html)
http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u543/Pablo5959/image.jpg3_zps5oydvrtk.jpg (http://s1321.photobucket.com/user/Pablo5959/media/image.jpg3_zps5oydvrtk.jpg.html)
http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u543/Pablo5959/image.jpg4_zpslvpe8nwg.jpg (http://s1321.photobucket.com/user/Pablo5959/media/image.jpg4_zpslvpe8nwg.jpg.html)


http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u543/Pablo5959/image.jpg5_zpsdroiqgr7.jpg (http://s1321.photobucket.com/user/Pablo5959/media/image.jpg5_zpsdroiqgr7.jpg.html)


http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u543/Pablo5959/image.jpg6_zpsl213o8sz.jpg (http://s1321.photobucket.com/user/Pablo5959/media/image.jpg6_zpsl213o8sz.jpg.html)


Keep in mind, only standard tools found in most garages was used in this build.
It works for every thing from 9mm, .40s&w, .38spl, .357, .44 mag and .45auto.
I didn't want that monster collector Hornady makes.


Pablo

[VHoward]

Looks good

[Bored1]

Thats pretty awesome!!! If I ever get a reloading room set up in the new house, I plan on making on of those, and your details pics are the easiest to understand I have seen!!!

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Pablo,

That is a mighty fine looking feeder you've made there. I can see where you could simply replace the lower feeder arm (?) to change to a different caliber, but that's about all you'd need to do. Completely simple and totally effective. I love it.

Way to go man,

Dave

[freebullet]

Stellar job!

Where there's a will there's a way.

[dikman]

So you've ended up with a "small monster"? ;-) Full marks for ingenuity, you've done well.

[koehlerrk]

Nicely done! Good to see people deciding to build something instead of buying it.

[kbstenberg]

Well now that you have done the easy part. Lets have a complete disc. on the parts and there measurements.
Its that inquiring mind thing.

[jmorris]

I like it.

[labradigger1]

Love it
Diy is my fave

[ph4570]

Well done.

[Mike67]

Could you please tell me is the overall height of this unit lower than the Hornady factory unit. My basement ceiling is too low for the Hornady so I won't buy one. Thanks, great job by the way.

[Pablo 5959]

Pablo,

That is a mighty fine looking feeder you've made there. I can see where you could simply replace the lower feeder arm (?) to change to a different caliber, but that's about all you'd need to do. Completely simple and totally effective. I love it.

Way to go man,

Dave

Dave,
Actually the lower feed shuttle is adjustable for different calibers by raising or lowering the bent rod.
For fine adjustment I added a flat head screw at the base of the pusher.

[Pablo 5959]

Could you please tell me is the overall height of this unit lower than the Hornady factory unit. My basement ceiling is too low for the Hornady so I won't buy one. Thanks, great job by the way.

Mike,
The entire unit with collector is around 24", the same height of the powder drop.
The primer rod is much higher when tube is full.
http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u543/Pablo5959/image.jpg1_zpsjjggxkr1.jpg (http://s1321.photobucket.com/user/Pablo5959/media/image.jpg1_zpsjjggxkr1.jpg.html)

Pablo

[vonzep]

From experience. The acrylic shell plate will develop cracks around the motor shaft. A cutting board is a better choice. I would get about 10,000 cases before the cracks got too bad.

[mold maker]

Cutting boards are made of (HDPE) High Density PolyEthylene. You can buy it in lots of thicknesses.

[vonzep]

Yup. Will get a pic of mine in a minute $10

[vonzep]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/vonzep/20150225_193758_zpszstinds7.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/vonzep/media/20150225_193758_zpszstinds7.jpg.html)


It cuts so incredibly easy. Make a plate in 10 minutes with a drill press and bandsaw or skill saw

[Pablo 5959]

That's good to know,
Thanks
A guy at work gave me a 3'x5' piece of the plexiglass.
I did notice it doesn't like being stressed.
Pablo

[vonzep]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/vonzep/20150225_222148_zps1vpf2ffx.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/vonzep/media/20150225_222148_zps1vpf2ffx.jpg.html)

[vonzep]

That is the factory BUDGETRELOADER replacement plate after 3k 9mm

[Pablo 5959]

Is that 1/8" or 1/4" thick?

[vonzep]

1/8"

They already replaced one. I just went ahead and made my own right awsy.

The motor on the budget is woefully under powered to.

[Pablo 5959]

The rotisserie motor, though bulky for a 2gal bucket.
has plenty of power.
It has a square female arbor that made it easy to adapt to.

I had the square 3/8" steel stalk I used for the adjustable tube brackets.
Shaved a piece down to fit the arbor. Drilled a hole for a pin. And taped the upper half to 7/16".
The pin rest in a cut groove in the plate and a spring on top created a clutch.

If something binds up the pin pops out of the groove and motor spins free.

The little collector keeps the tube full even at full reloading speed.

Pablo

[vonzep]

Pablo, My (Budget Reloader) case feeder has tens of thousands of rounds though it. I had some more time today so I was looking at your design (nice BTW). The metal plate to reinforce the bottom outside of the bucket is very wise.

I found my 2.5 gallon bucket began to wear out leading to reliability problems. I went to walmart and bought a $6 cutting board (.300" thick). I marked out the inside bottom diameter on it and band saw cut it into a circle. Then I drilled a center hole large enough to put a nylon spacer (From Lowes) around the drive stud (15 minutes of work). Next I counter sunk 4 bolts inside (closer to the pivot) the brass track so it wouldn't interfere and through bolted it. The cutting board is very slick and smoothes the brass's trip around the circle and eases the load on Budget Reloader's very weak motor (yes yours is stronger but the long lasting slick wear surface is still a very good idea).

So if you are open to an idea to enhance your good design you might want to consider this.

Good job, carry on.

[mold maker]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/vonzep/20150225_222148_zps1vpf2ffx.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/vonzep/media/20150225_222148_zps1vpf2ffx.jpg.html)
The star burst cracks can be reinforced with a finder washer and epoxy. Lightly sand the plastic surface to allow the epoxy to bond. I've saved several clear tumbler lids that way.

[John Allen]

Nice job I am impressed

[vonzep]

Instead I just Made a better plate. Acrylic especially so thin, is not a good choice.

[Pablo 5959]

Pablo, My (Budget Reloader) case feeder has tens of thousands of rounds though it. I had some more time today so I was looking at your design (nice BTW). The metal plate to reinforce the bottom outside of the bucket is very wise.

I found my 2.5 gallon bucket began to wear out leading to reliability problems. I went to walmart and bought a $6 cutting board (.300" thick). I marked out the inside bottom diameter on it and band saw cut it into a circle. Then I drilled a center hole large enough to put a nylon spacer (From Lowes) around the drive stud (15 minutes of work). Next I counter sunk 4 bolts inside (closer to the pivot) the brass track so it wouldn't interfere and through bolted it. The cutting board is very slick and smoothes the brass's trip around the circle and eases the load on Budget Reloader's very weak motor (yes yours is stronger but the long lasting slick wear surface is still a very good idea).

So if you are open to an idea to enhance your good design you might want to consider this.

Good job, carry on.

The added plastic is a good idea.
I installed a layer of 1/4" hardboard inside the bucket in hopes it would cut down on the noise.
I think I'll try your idea though.
Thanks
Pablo

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

The rotisserie motor, though bulky for a 2gal bucket.
has plenty of power. It has a square female arbor that made it easy to adapt to.

Pablo,

Can you provide a link to the one you bought? I did a search on ebay and got all kinds of rottisserie motors, but most didn't look suitable.

[Pablo 5959]

Pablo,

Can you provide a link to the one you bought? I did a search on ebay and got all kinds of rottisserie motors, but most didn't look suitable.

Dave,
Here is the one I bought.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291333029055

I took it apart and mounted the motor directly to the plate on the bucket.
I did use the original cover just for protection, but I had to trim it down to clear the drop tube and reposition the on/ off switch.

The reason I got the one I did was because it was the the cheapest with free shipping.
It was used.
I would think most would work, like the newer progrill.

Pablo

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Pablo,

Thank you for the information. I'm actually working on making one of these for myself. One thing I've already noticed is the more stuff you can get (switches, wire and the like) for cheap in one package, the better off one is.

[Pablo 5959]

Dave,
the micro switch will be an issue. I bought two different ones from EBay. Nether one will work, there to stiff to work after waiting 3weeks to ship from China.

I ended up getting one from Radio Shack. It was to stiff also but I opened it up and forced a dental pick between the spring coils to stretch the spring.
Then I super glued a piece of aluminum about 2" long from the bottom of a soda can.
After playing with it a while, I was able to get to work with all calibers.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Dave,
the micro switch will be an issue. I bought two different ones from EBay. Nether one will work, there to stiff to work after waiting 3weeks to ship from China.

Once upon a time, many years ago now, I was an Electronics Engineering Tech. If any of my old sources are still in business, I'll just get a pack of five from them that I know should do the job. It's all about how far the arm needs to compress to activate. But those things come with specifications. But it'll cost me to do so.

I'm still mad at Radio Shack from when they quit being a true electronics hobby store and started selling junk like computers. They're slowly going out of business now, whereas in my youth, they were the place to go to get parts if you wanted to do an electric/electronic project, including building a radio.