Freechex Tool???

[iwottopq]

Hello to all.
I have a Frechex for .30 GC and another for .22.
Now I need another for my .45-70 boolits but...but...i cant find the Freechex maker. Is he yet in activity or have closed?
In case he is working...how I can find he?
Thanks for your help.
Ciao
Nino

[Taylor]

I think...but don't quote me....he closed his doors. Pat Marlin still makes some, but best not get in a hurry.

[kungfustyle]

There is a member that makes one like his, just do a little digging and he should turn up. I believe that he charges about $130.

[MrWolf]

There were also threads on how to make them if you have the capability.

[iwottopq]

There is a member that makes one like his, just do a little digging and he should turn up. I believe that he charges about $130.

Hello and thanks for the reply.
A few more clues to find it?
Ciao
Nino

[iwottopq]

There were also threads on how to make them if you have the capability.

Hello
Unfortunately I am not so skilled and I have no equipment...
Ciao
Nino

[Sig556r]

I believe Charlie Darnall still makes them

[iwottopq]

I believe Charlie Darnall still makes them

Hello and thanks.
How I can contact Charlie?
Ciao
Nino

[Conditor22]

Charlie Darnall retired. dimaprok makes the same style gas check maker

Можешь писать в личку по Русски dimaprok@gmail.com Только увидел твой пост счас.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?200965-Easy-to-build-gas-checkmaker&p=4401796&viewfull=1#post4401796

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?46818-dimaprok

[Sig556r]

Hello and thanks.
How I can contact Charlie?
Ciao
Nino
Last time I exchanged email with him was 12/14/2017...
Charles Darnall <codarnall@freechex.net>

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I think...but don't quote me....he closed his doors. Pat Marlin still makes some, but best not get in a hurry.

Pat isn't returning my emails, even after I placed an order and sent him a check. I'm about ready to cancel it.

[sigep1764]

dimaprok is not taking orders right now... Seems that there is no longer anyone making gas check makers.

[tja6435]

Uniquetek has gas check makers

[sigep1764]

Only pistol calibers, not for rifle calibers. They do 9mm, 40, and 44/45.

Edit: At Uniquetek's website, shows product is now inactive and no longer available.

[Joe504]

So, there are no commercial check makers right now?

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[littlejack]

I had some issues with one of Pat's check makers a few months ago. Emailed him, sent it back to him for repair or replace. Pat worked on it, sent it back to me and it still had issues.
Long story short, I sent it back, a few emails to get things straightened out. Haven't had a reply from him in a couple months. So, I don't know what's going on.

[fcvan]

I got an email from PatMarlins just the other day. He is back up and running, trying to catch up back orders. Sometime back, Pacific Gas and Electric cut the grid causing major damage to his CAD machines. After much consternation, he has put in a solar system, repaired his CAD machines. Of course, PG&E won't cover damages caused by their un announced grid shut down.

I know of an elderly lady who bought her monthly groceries, and then the power was shut for several days. Fortunately, her care giver loaded up an ice chest and helped her save the cold goods. The next thing was borrow my generator which will run a fridge or freezer, just not both at the same time.

They cut the grid whenever winds get high enough to damage transmission lines in hopes of preventing fires. They give no warning and even so, it does no good for folks with oxygen generators and other life sustaining medical equipment. Their advice is 'get a generator' but forget fixed income seniors can't generally afford them. Rant off.

Pat is back running, trying to catch up orders, and busier than a one-armed butt kicker in a paper hanging contest.

[Joe504]

Thanks for the updates guys, I'm gonna place an order with Pat, and if it's a 3 month wait, I will be forewarned.

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[tja6435]

Corbin makes gas check maker dies, not sure if for reloading presses or his bigger presses.

[Charliemac]

Being curious I took a look at the Corbin site. The cheap setup is about $1200++.

[Joe504]

Before I place that order with Pat, is anybody making a one pass check maker?

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[yeahbub]

I was wondering the same thing about either making or buying a punch/forming tool which will form a check with one stroke a-la the Freechex type tool. I was looking at Sage Outdoors PB checks, but I'd rather use annealed copper (or annealed aluminum) for the material. I read that the aluminum PB checks sometimes tear when swaged into place unless they're lubed somehow (case lube?) or the sizer has a polished entry. Can anyone comment on this? I foind annealed copper sheet stock online in various thicknesses. Thought I'd give it a try, but I need the tool.

[DukeInFlorida]

This is the one you want!!!!

http://www.freechex.net/photo_i.html

Charlie, while trying to retire (he's older tyhan dirt) will help you out.
In my humble opinion, the Marlin soda can gas check tools are for thin gas checks. You should not have to "double up soda cans" to get them to fit, nor should you have to super glue them on. I have about a dozen sizes of Charlie's FreeChex, and have made tens of thousands of gas checks with them. I also keep our British friend with the rolls of aluminum strip stock busy. That's the best way to get the strip stock. I use FreeChex tools for rifle gas checks in .22 size up to 50 BMG cal, and pistol in sizes from 9mm all the way up to 500 S&W Magnum (charlie made me some inserts to use the one tool to make both the 50 BMG and 500 S&W Magnum checks in one tool.)

That's the way I would go

PS, When I need checks that I don;t make, I always go to Sages!! They will treat you very good. In fact, unless you are willing to tool up (gas check tools, arbor press, strip stock), and have enough volume to support all that, you are better off just calling Shamus Sage, and placing an order. He's a good guy, and works hard for your business. https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/gas-checks/

[DukeInFlorida]

Yes, see my reply, just previous!


Before I place that order with Pat, is anybody making a one pass check maker?

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[hickfu]

This is the one you want!!!!

http://www.freechex.net/photo_i.html

Charlie, while trying to retire (he's older tyhan dirt) will help you out.
In my humble opinion, the Marlin soda can gas check tools are for thin gas checks. You should not have to "double up soda cans" to get them to fit, nor should you have to super glue them on. I have about a dozen sizes of Charlie's FreeChex, and have made tens of thousands of gas checks with them. I also keep our British friend with the rolls of aluminum strip stock busy. That's the best way to get the strip stock. I use FreeChex tools for rifle gas checks in .22 size up to 50 BMG cal, and pistol in sizes from 9mm all the way up to 500 S&W Magnum (charlie made me some inserts to use the one tool to make both the 50 BMG and 500 S&W Magnum checks in one tool.)

That's the way I would go

PS, When I need checks that I don;t make, I always go to Sages!! They will treat you very good. In fact, unless you are willing to tool up (gas check tools, arbor press, strip stock), and have enough volume to support all that, you are better off just calling Shamus Sage, and placing an order. He's a good guy, and works hard for your business. https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/gas-checks/

Charlie is still doing them!!!!! YEA!!! I cant find my 44cal Freechex II

Duke, do you know if he still makes the Freechex II?
It was a lot easier when I lived 15 minutes down the 101 freeway from him... I guess its time to call him

Oh and are you saying that you can still get coil from Yonky?
How do I get a hold of him? I have lots left but if I can get a couple more Check makers from Charlie then I would need more.

With the patMarlin check makers I am using Yonky's .006 coil and they work great!! I have cutting up aluminum cans for checks.

Doc

[DukeInFlorida]

Yes, Yonky merely shut down his USA warehouse. But we get quick and timely shipments from the UK!
My buddy, PeeWee (maybe he will chime in here) has been handling the ordering and has Yonky's contact information.

The FreeChex III are easier for Charlie to make, and it was his preference to go that way. They were a little more expensive than the FreeChex II, but the versions of the III that I have are flawless.

The .006" strip is too thin for 44 caliber checks in my opinion. I use .014" material for those. The really thin stuff is only OK for .22 cal rifle bullets in my opinion. I would not even use that for 30 cal bullets. For my 500 S&W Mag gas checks, I am using .023" thick stock. Try to do those with .006" soda can crap.

[hickfu]

I just use the thin stuff for PB GC's
for my 45 Cal I have his .017 and they turn out perfect, I dont have any .014 to try

[Conditor22]

I get my copper here
https://www.riogrande.com/product/Copper-6-x-12-Sheet-30-Ga-Dead-Soft/132130

I use
Country of origin : United States
Metal type : Copper
Hardness : Dead-soft

Dimensions : .010" (0.26mm)
Gauge/thickness : 30 ga.

Dimensions : .013" (0.33mm)
Gauge/thickness : 28 ga.

[Joe504]

Duke,

I sent Charlie and email a few days back, with no response. Is there a better way to contact him? I really want to get a couple of his check makers.

Thanks.

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[codarnall]

Due to lack of ability to keep a website up properly and ship tools to folks that wanted them had me pulling my hair out. Hair loss due to cancer was actually minor. Chemo brain has taken its toll though. I often wonder if I really knew anything at all. Addition and subtraction is no longer a problem as I am almost fully recovered. The psyche is much better . Furthermore, I don't recommend ever being on a ventilator for ANY reason. Nice to see the photo of the 223 tool is still up with the Freechex website abandoned. Charlie

[Conditor22]

Its's good to hear from you Charlie and to find that you are doing better.

I'm a big fan of your check makers.

[Joe504]

I'm assuming Charlie is no longer in the business. Is anybody else making a one pass check maker? I know I asked before, this is the last time I will ask.

Thanks for all the info so far.

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[KAYDADOG]

I can confirm Charlie is out of the business of making Freechex III gas check makers. Talked to him Monday and his machines are no longer setup to make them. He can not find anyone to make them on the side and make money on them. This is a limited market and people may not be willing to pay a higher price for a product that is very well designed.

[DukeInFlorida]

Looks like a business opportunity for someone willing to use the drawings that are well in circulation, to take over the business area. Charlie would certainly be willing to provide discussion, guidance, and technical support for anyone wanting to get into this. He can tell you what machinery is needed, and might even share his own drawings, and insight, etc....

If someone is really serious about doing this, please do not drag your butt...... While Charlie is alive and well, but just out of the active making of Check Making tools, that all could change at any time, and then all that valuable knowledge is lost.

There is a lot of demand for tools to make gas checks using this FreeChex (II and III) tool style. And, I'm sure Charlie would be a willing silent partner to get you going.

[zymguy]

Looks like a business opportunity for someone willing to use the drawings that are well in circulation, to take over the business area. Charlie would certainly be willing to provide discussion, guidance, and technical support for anyone wanting to get into this. He can tell you what machinery is needed, and might even share his own drawings, and insight, etc....

If someone is really serious about doing this, please do not drag your butt...... While Charlie is alive and well, but just out of the active making of Check Making tools, that all could change at any time, and then all that valuable knowledge is lost.

There is a lot of demand for tools to make gas checks using this FreeChex (II and III) tool style. And, I'm sure Charlie would be a willing silent partner to get you going.

If this is accurate I'd like to chat Charlie

[KAYDADOG]

Read my post #33 and the information is correct. Charlie is out of the business for good. Bought one of his last 357 Freechex III gas check makers just to see how they work and how they were made. My goal was to use it on a punch press that I have setup but there were to many issues for it to work at a higher rate of speed. Using a hand press I guess it works as designed. As with all the other gas check makers they have to be made to the bullet your casting, one size will not work for any bullet. The one I received the finished gas check ID was to small, very hard to start the gas check. Had the same problem with the other two step ones sold on this forum. Years ago setup the punch press using commercial blanking and cupping dies. Made 44/cal gas checks which came out perfect and fit correctly. They could not be pried off when seated. The gas check ID has to be made to the shank OD of the bullet being casted. If they fit loose they will not seat correctly and can probably easily be removed.

[oldcanadice]

I recently got a SharpShooter "One Stroke" maker for regular 44 mag checks and am very happy with it. (Home page link: https://sharpshooter-22lr-reloader.myshopify.com/). Look at the catalog. Takes a hefty press to make 44's. Don't know about press needs for smaller checks.