My DIY Case Feeder Project

[jmac2112]

My new Dillon XL650 is on the way, and I'll be constructing my own case feeder for it. I've gathered some parts and ordered others based on info I've gathered here and elsewhere. I hope to post pictures as I go and get input from you all.

I have a question to get the ball rolling: I'll be making plates for 9mm and .45 ACP. I see Dillon offers a Small Pistol plate and a Large Pistol plate, and my question involves the dimensions of the holes. Someday I might end up shooting .40 S&W, and I'm not sure which plate would best accommodate that. If I'm making only two plates for these three calibers, what sizes should the holes be? And how far in from the edge of the plate should I drill them so that I can end up with the right amount of the straight part that I will cut to the edge of the plate? I hope that makes sense.

Thanks!

John

[Lloyd Smale]

I use the small for 9 40 and 45 and the large for longer cases.

[jmac2112]

Thanks for the reply! Just to clarify, are we talking about the Dillon pistol plates (small pistol vs. large pistol), or are these plates that you have made yourself? I was under the impression that the small Dillon plates would just barely accommodate 40 S&W, and that for .45 ACP the large would be the way to go. I've never seen or handled the Dillon plates, and I can't seem to find any info on the length and width of the slots I should be cutting.

[44Vaquero]

I use a 1/2 router bit for .45 ACP down to 9 mm. Still 9 mm will occasionally invert in the chute due to it's short stature and light weight.

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Motor gearbox selection is important, as is power supply, speed control and getting an optical on/off module.

[44Vaquero]

Here are a few links to help you along:

12 v gear motor (https://www.ebay.com/itm/0-6RPM-120RPM-Reversible-High-Torque-Turbo-Worm-Geared-Motor-Auto-Locking-DC12V/192243373226?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SI M%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D49923%26meid%3D8f6182eb4f5a4d82 8195d71a9728c8b8%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6 %26sd%3D122297766357%26itm%3D192243373226&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851)

12v power supply (https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-3A-DC-Power-Supply-3-Amp-12-Volt-Adapter-LCD-Screen/160677406899?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)

Speed Controller (https://www.ebay.com/itm/3V-35V-12V-24V-5A-PWM-DC-Motor-Speed-Controller-Adjustable-Switch-LED-Fan-Dimmer/322592245974?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)

Motor Coupler (https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-6mm-Motor-Copper-Shaft-Coupling-Coupler-Connector-Sleeve-Adapter-US/282610434842?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=581793469385&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649)

Photoresistor switch (https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Photoresistor-Sensor-Relay-Module-Car-Light-Automatic-Control-Switch-w-Cable/201822367980?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649)

[BlackRat]

I know it might be an overkill but when I build my bullet feeder I found out that those small geared motors that are sold on ebay didn't have enough torque so I replaced it for a windshield wiper motor. They are very easy to adapt, cheap and can be controlled with a PWM for little $.

[jmac2112]

Thanks for the info and the links, 44Vaquero! I saw some of those when I was looking around for parts. I wanted to get that exact motor (the 3rpm version) but I was put off by the "you'll get it when you get it" shipping policy. I ended up getting a small 120VAC motor (3 rpm). I have also ordered a break-beam sensor which looks like it ought to do the trick:

https://www.amazon.com/Adafruit-Accessories-Break-Beam-Sensor/dp/B01BU6YBWU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517094625&sr=8-1&keywords=adafruit+break+beam

I am not much of an electrician, but it looks like this can be used to operate a relay which will turn the motor on and off.

Is your case feeder plate made out of Kydex? If so, that's a pretty slick idea! When you drilled the holes, how much space (if any) did you leave at the edge of the plate?

Thanks again!

John

[44Vaquero]

BlackRat, my 1st prototype was powered by dodge blower vent motor, total over kill! If you use the correct power supply and rpm the little gearbox motors work fine. I have built feeders using vending machine 12v motors even a torque sensing reversing 12v. For what its worth the one I linked to is what Crimson uses on his feeders.

jmac2112, Black 1/8 inch ABS vacumme molded and then router cut. The radius is about an 1/8 inch inside the outside dia! The beam break will work but it's more difficult to wire. At 2 bucks S&H included it's hard to beat the photo-relay I specked.

You may find 3rpm to be to slow depending upon the diameter of your plate. My plates are approx 8 inch, 6 to 12 rpm runs about right (adjustable).

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[Lloyd Smale]

wish I was talented enough to make a bullet feeder. Id love one on my star and on my progressive set up for 223. those little bullets get my fingers cramped after picking up a few hundred of them and trying to center them on a case
I know it might be an overkill but when I build my bullet feeder I found out that those small geared motors that are sold on ebay didn't have enough torque so I replaced it for a windshield wiper motor. They are very easy to adapt, cheap and can be controlled with a PWM for little $.

[Kenstone]

Why not just buy a plate for 9mm for $35 and copy it for 45ACP:
EBAY SEARCH FOR CASE FEEDER PARTS (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=Hornady+LnL+case+feeder+parts&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=case+feeder+plates&_sacat=0)
:mrgreen:

[jmac2112]

Why not just buy a plate for 9mm for $35 and copy it for 45ACP:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=Hornady+LnL+case+feeder+parts&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=case+feeder+plates&_sacat=0
:mrgreen:

But of course! Too late, however. I found the time yesterday to cut and Dremel and file my HDPE, and the plate is close to finished. I used 1/2" holes 1/8" from the edge as suggested by 44Vaquero, and I am hoping that this will work for both 9mm and 45. I've already cut my bucket to the right shape and cut a piece of HDPE that fits snugly in the bottom of the bucket. There is about 1/16" clearance between the feeder plate and the bucket. I test fitted it and there seems to be no way that two 9mm cases could fit in one hole, so everything looks good so far. My XL650 arrives tomorrow, so I'll get that up and running before I go any further (plus I'm still waiting for most of the electrical bits to arrive).

[44Vaquero]

jmac2112, HOW THICK is the HDPE that you used?

[jmac2112]

It's 1/4". Is that good? Seems to be what a lot of people are using, but you're material looks thinner.

[44Vaquero]

My proto-type was 1/4 inch Star-Board and it drops 9mm just fine, not so much with .380! LOL

I use 1/8 inch ABS and place a reduced dia spacer(s) of 1/8 ABS underneath to manage the proper off sets.

How many slots/holes did you cut and what DIA are you using?

[BlackRat]

Here's a shot of my bullet collator in action. If there's some interest I can show some pics of the build.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIntjPh9m5Q

Cheers!

[jmac2112]

I made 32 holes (1/2"), one every 10 degrees except for the four places I skipped where the agitators will be. I did as you suggested and left 1/8" to the edge of the plate, then I opened the slots with a cut-off wheel on a Dremel. The diameter of the disc is 10 1/8".

[44Vaquero]

jmac2112, Time for some pictures!

What RPM is the motor running?

[jmac2112]

3 rpm, but it hasn't arrived yet. I'm battling a cold right now, and I seem to be losing. I'll definitely get some pictures posted soon.

Speaking of which, is there a trick to posting photos? I haven't tried it yet.

[jmac2112]

My new Dillon XL650 arrived today! I was home sick with a fever of 101, but that didn't stop me from assembling it on my kitchen table before carrying it out to the garage:

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My Lee Classic Turret Press looks pretty pathetic next to Big Blue, like it might need counseling to deal with feelings of inadequacy. It will be moved to the corner of a smaller bench where it will continue to be used for small batches when I don't feel like changing calibers.


Here are some pics of my case feeder bucket and plate:

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That's as far as I've gotten. It's been a good day in spite of feeling like ****, but I'm going to go lie down now....

[jmac2112]

Excuse me, I meant to say "feeling like GARBAGE".... I used the mild expletive starting with the letter 'c', but I guess even that will get edited out.

[44Vaquero]

Looks good! Looking forward to the finished product!!

[jmac2112]

44Vaquero (and everyone else): Thanks for posting the pics in the other thread showing the measurements of the box you built! I'm getting ready to make my own, and I'm just wondering if there is any formula you followed, or is it just a matter of holding the bucket up to the press and taking measurements? I assume the bucket should be at a 45 degree angle, and I know that I want the funnel to end up directly over the feeder tube, but if you have any more words of wisdom, please lay them on me!

Thanks,

John

[44Vaquero]

Jmac2112,

I make my support column out of 3/4 inch Gray elec pvc. for the base I use iron pipe flange and a short pipe nipple to fit into the pvc. This makes a strong light weight adjustable support for the feeder. 30 to 45 degrees should be plenty. As for the drop chute I modify a funnel from Walmart and fit it to the drop tube!

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[jmac2112]

Looks good! I'm really not sure which route I'll end up going at this point; the project is coming together slowly and organically, based on a lot of suggestions and the needs of the moment. I've almost finished a box to house the motor and other electrical components, and I'll get some more pictures up soon.

Thanks,

John

[1browski]

I built a case feeder for my LNL AP but it not quite finished yet. I used a 5 gallon bucket for the hopper and I think a 2 rpm bbq rotisserie motor that I got free. More than fast enough with 10 inch diameter shell plates. I used some 3/16 inch particle board to make them but cant remember what type. I made large and small pistol plus large and small rifle plates. They work perfectly up to 308. 30-06 is too long and would need to make hole to drop tube wider but is easily corrected but not an issue for me. Where I am not finished yet is with my drop tube and micro switch to cut power when tube is full.

[Mytmousemalibu]

I have Dillion's case feeder on my 650 but I built my own before to feed my LEE Pro1000 depriming machine. I made it to mimic the Dillon unit as best I could since it works quite well. Dillion's small pistol plate will do .40 but its not optimal since the slots are narrow enough it doesn't populate with brass as easily. Same with .38 special. For those I found the large plate best. I made my diy feeder a little bigger than Dillion's small so that its more universal. It won't do .45ACP but I don't load it right now. I made mine from plastic cutting board material, about 3/8 thick and powered by a 3 or 4rpm rotisserie motor, pretty much what Dillons is. You want to get the plate as close to the bottom of the bucket as possible, that way upside down brass falls out easily but base first brass stays in the slots/holes.

[jmac2112]

Not sure if this link will work, but here are some photos of my progress with the case feeder:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gfc384AzewBhnVRA3

I finally got all the electrical stuff figured out, so things should start moving a little faster now.

John

[jmorris]

Link works for me. Looks like you are doing a fine job.

[jmac2112]

Thanks for the feedback, jmorris! I'm especially glad that I can add a link like that, since there seem to be pretty severe resolution limitations when it comes to posting a picture directly.

Now that I've got a whole weekend to work on this project, maybe I can finish it up soon. Except that it will be 50 and sunny tomorrow, so I'll be spending a few of those hours at the range....

[Tazza]

Looks great to me too, keep the updates coming :)

[jmac2112]

No more photos for now, but the project is essentially done. I'm having a significant problem with 9mm cases getting log-jammed inside the funnel. Could be the funnel, or it could be the fact that I'm trying to use 9mm with what is really a large pistol plate (I haven't tried it with .45 yet). It isn't that two cases can fit in the same slot, but they are sort of piling up in such a way that I tend to get two cases falling almost at the same time. Not sure I can explain it any better at the moment. I'll do some more experimenting tomorrow to try to locate the problem.

I'm leaving Wednesday to go on an 11 day school trip to England with my daughter, so this project will be on hold for a while. The long transatlantic flight will give me plenty of time to think about the problem, though....

[44Vaquero]

Try a narrower funnel. 9mm is so short that if they bounce off the sides the can flip and log jam in the chute. 380 has the same issue? You might need a shell plate with fewer positions, if they really are dropping too fast!

[jmac2112]

Thanks, 44Vaquero! I tried it with some .45 tonight and it functioned flawlessly. I can see what you mean about needing a narrower funnel for 9mm, though. I've tried feeding some 9mm into the funnel by hand, and I can cause them to get stuck sideways by bouncing them off one of the sides. I haven't tried .380 yet.

Another problem with using this particular plate (which is probably very similar to Dillon's large pistol plate) is that even though two 9mm cases can't actually fit into one slot, they can *almost* fit, which leads to extra cases getting dragged along to the top. Many times a second case will fall through the same slot right after the first one, not necessarily oriented properly either. So, at least I know where to start looking for solutions!

Thanks,

John

[dogdoc]

Is there is any economy in this? Do not get me wrong, I admire the op’s ingenuity and skill but if you value your time,effort,and materials at all then why not spend less than 250 dollars and have one that works almost flawlessly without any hassles ? I would have been cranking out ammo weeks ago.I get that we sometimes do things for satisfaction of doing it but with me there is also usually economy involved.
Dogdoc

[Drew P]

maybe he paid to have the lawn mowed so he could spend time creating this. True, I could earn money to buy case feeders but work is unappealing, whereas tinkering is always fun lol.
I experience a fair amount of satisfaction when I use the tools I’ve made, and my bucket feeder works very well. However I bought the second one lol.

[jmorris]

Is there is any economy in this?

Depends. Some people buy food cooked that costs a lot more than you can get it from the store and cook it themselves because they can’t cook or won’t allocate any time to doing so.

When I build things, I do it because the act of creating is a hobby of mine and it’s less expensive that other hobbies that I would be enjoying instead.

[Tazza]

I'm with jmorris. It's more about the creation than the cost savings for me. Starting with a pile of 'junk' and finishing with something that works as yiu expected it to is rewarding to me.

[jmac2112]

Official response from OP: I enjoy tinkering, especially when I can learn something from it, AND I have already spent a totally irresponsible amount of money on a new Dillon XL650 + accessories. I am not flush with cash, and I have no ready means of making or saving more money.