JonB_in_Glencoe
11-05-2010, 10:19 PM
I've had Pat's 30 cal checkmaker for a few months.
I made some check's right away.
There was a learning curve to using this Die, but Pat's instructions
on the online PDF file helped alot.
I had an issue with the ejector pin. I tried polishing it
as suggested by other checkmaker users,
but I still had a problem, the ejector pin wouldn't fall back into the forming die.
well after some examination I deduced that the space in
the Lee classic cast press (where the primer arm fits) was to close in size to
the ejector pin plus the retaining spring in the Ram that holds the shell holder/check forming die, held the check forming die slightly crooked.
Long story short, a temporry solution was to use a piece of tape as a shim,
So the check forming die is held square so the ejector pin falls freely
into the space where the primer arm fits into the Ram.
the REAL solution for me will be to get an adaptor and use Lee's "Reloader Press"
instead of the "Classic Cast" press
Well that was about 6 weeks ago.
I haven't done anything with the checkmaker,
except order another checkmaker (35 cal) from Pat and a adaptor from "30CAL-TEXAN" and a $25 Lee "Reloader" press
the adaptor made by"30CAL-TEXAN" as shown in this photo:
http://www.patmarlins.com/5leeBreachlock.jpg
Well today, Pat's 35 cal Checkmaker arrived and I had time to
mount the "Reloader press" and try out the Adaptor I got from "30CAL-TEXAN"
with the new die. I had an issue with the ejector pin again. it wouldn't fall all the way down into the Check forming die...just part way. This time, polishing off the machining lines was all that was needed. In about an hour or so, I turned 2 Pop cans into about 80 gas checks (35 cal). and they fit nicely on a "C" type .358 158 gr. Lee boolit I cast recently. I am really counting on it fitting nice on the RD 9mm 135 gr. mold I have on order...should be delivered soon.
The adaptor from "30CAL-TEXAN" worked great. The only thing about it is
you have to disconnect the ram from the linkage to assemble and disassemble
the die, which is just an "E" ring and a pin...also the ram must be turned 180 degrees inside the press for proper function.
The Checkmaker Die Pat sells is really a great design,
once past the learning curve, it is a joy to use.
Tricks I've learned (for pop can aluminum) from other's here include:
1. Be sure the strip's are cut perfectly straight and square, which isn't that easy with the cheapo Harbor Freight paper cutter on the curved aluminum.
2. Then when punching the disc's, use two strips at once, they cut much cleaner than a single strip...others here punch 3 discs at a time, well 35 cal discs on the little "Reloader" press was too much, I couldn't punch 3 at once.
3. Also when punching the strips, after a punch, move the strip backward
0.010" or so and gently press with cutter die to straighten the strip
if it has been pulled down by the cutter die from the previous punch action,
then slide the strip forward for the next punch.
I think the workmanship and machining quality on these dies are fantastic
for the price Pat charges. I assume he will address the need for polishing
the machine lines on the shank of the ejector pin.
Jon
I made some check's right away.
There was a learning curve to using this Die, but Pat's instructions
on the online PDF file helped alot.
I had an issue with the ejector pin. I tried polishing it
as suggested by other checkmaker users,
but I still had a problem, the ejector pin wouldn't fall back into the forming die.
well after some examination I deduced that the space in
the Lee classic cast press (where the primer arm fits) was to close in size to
the ejector pin plus the retaining spring in the Ram that holds the shell holder/check forming die, held the check forming die slightly crooked.
Long story short, a temporry solution was to use a piece of tape as a shim,
So the check forming die is held square so the ejector pin falls freely
into the space where the primer arm fits into the Ram.
the REAL solution for me will be to get an adaptor and use Lee's "Reloader Press"
instead of the "Classic Cast" press
Well that was about 6 weeks ago.
I haven't done anything with the checkmaker,
except order another checkmaker (35 cal) from Pat and a adaptor from "30CAL-TEXAN" and a $25 Lee "Reloader" press
the adaptor made by"30CAL-TEXAN" as shown in this photo:
http://www.patmarlins.com/5leeBreachlock.jpg
Well today, Pat's 35 cal Checkmaker arrived and I had time to
mount the "Reloader press" and try out the Adaptor I got from "30CAL-TEXAN"
with the new die. I had an issue with the ejector pin again. it wouldn't fall all the way down into the Check forming die...just part way. This time, polishing off the machining lines was all that was needed. In about an hour or so, I turned 2 Pop cans into about 80 gas checks (35 cal). and they fit nicely on a "C" type .358 158 gr. Lee boolit I cast recently. I am really counting on it fitting nice on the RD 9mm 135 gr. mold I have on order...should be delivered soon.
The adaptor from "30CAL-TEXAN" worked great. The only thing about it is
you have to disconnect the ram from the linkage to assemble and disassemble
the die, which is just an "E" ring and a pin...also the ram must be turned 180 degrees inside the press for proper function.
The Checkmaker Die Pat sells is really a great design,
once past the learning curve, it is a joy to use.
Tricks I've learned (for pop can aluminum) from other's here include:
1. Be sure the strip's are cut perfectly straight and square, which isn't that easy with the cheapo Harbor Freight paper cutter on the curved aluminum.
2. Then when punching the disc's, use two strips at once, they cut much cleaner than a single strip...others here punch 3 discs at a time, well 35 cal discs on the little "Reloader" press was too much, I couldn't punch 3 at once.
3. Also when punching the strips, after a punch, move the strip backward
0.010" or so and gently press with cutter die to straighten the strip
if it has been pulled down by the cutter die from the previous punch action,
then slide the strip forward for the next punch.
I think the workmanship and machining quality on these dies are fantastic
for the price Pat charges. I assume he will address the need for polishing
the machine lines on the shank of the ejector pin.
Jon