$ 50.00 Star

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03-19-2011, 04:44 PM
PacMan

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$ 50.00 Star

Found this at the gun show today. Needs more cleaning but best i can tell everything works fine except on thing.Will get to that in a moment.
I know nothing about Star machines so any help or info. will be more than welcome.
Everything seems tight,no play any where that i thought there should not be any.
Came with one die .358 which is good for me and top punch.
Has a little old lube in it but i can see the bottom of the tube.
No cracks that i can fine so seems to be solid.

The picture that shows the spring and the presure bolt is where i think i have the problem.I assume that the spring assembly should screw into the bottom of the presure adjusting rod.If so the threads are striped. Not sure that that would affect the operation just the remaval of the spring assembly when adding lube.If so i can get around that in a couple of ways.
Any input from you guys will be appericated.
03-19-2011, 04:53 PM
ronbo

Does not look like anything is wrong with the lube spring and rod. The upper end of threaded rod with the twist handle removed is threaded on the lube spring to pull it out of the lube housing to add lube. The open end (bottom of the theaded rod) just pushes against the lube spring. You got a good deal.
03-19-2011, 04:59 PM
PacMan

Thanks Ronbo.Shows what i know about star sizers.
You know i was looking at the top of the rod and was wondering why it was threaded.
Thanks i feel better.
Dwight
03-19-2011, 05:09 PM
PacMan

Any way of knowing how old it my be? Was made in San Diego,Ca.
03-19-2011, 08:23 PM
PacMan

I put a little lube in her and she works like a charm.I think i ned to plug some holes to keep the lube from lubing my crimp grove.Also geeting a little on the nose.
Best 50.00 bucks i ever spent. Well almost anyway.
Dwight
03-19-2011, 09:56 PM
kbstenberg

The others are mistaken!! Its a total peace of junk. It will never work.
But fortunately i need a new boat anchor. I will take it off of your hands for 25$ if you pay the shipping.
GOOD find.
03-20-2011, 12:22 PM
Dale53

Most of us with Star lube/sizers use a flat bottomed nose punch and lube/size the bullets nose first. You will need to adjust the nose punch up and down until you get the bullet being sized positioned exactly correct before the lube is placed correctly on the sized bullet.

Magma Engineering now manufactures the Star lube/sizer. Here is their manual of operation:

http://magmaengineering.com/PDF/Star_Sizer.pdf

Carefully read this for best results (a couple of times, if necessary).

The best luber/sizer available, in my Not So Humble Opinion:mrgreen:. You did GOOD!

NOTE: Tip for removing sizing dies. Heat the base of the unit with a hair dryer or heat gun. You do NOT want it boiling hot, just warm - say 120 degrees. It softens the lube and makes it MUCH easier to withdraw the spring ass'y for replacing lube stick.

I much prefer using the die withdrawal tool instead of trying to drive it out with a hammer and punch. It is easier on the luber/sizer (I would have bad dreams about fracturing the tool body by driving the die out).

I use Lars White Label Carnauba Red. It requires heat to run through the Star but works extremely well and is quite reasonable in cost. If you don't want to use heat, then one of his softer lubes also works very well.

Dale53
03-20-2011, 12:37 PM
clintsfolly

If I Didn't have one would offer to double your money!!!::bigsmyl2::bigsmyl2: OK I will pay the shipping Clint
03-20-2011, 12:50 PM
Roundnoser

Wow DH, nice find! No doubt you "stole" that Star! Soak it up buddy, cause those kinda deals don't happen often! -- Except for a couple of minor parts, that Star will out live you! Enjoy.
03-20-2011, 01:04 PM
Bulltipper

I love mine, I set it up right next to my Dillon 550 and I lube each boolit and immediatly seat in the cartridge. Keeps the lube mess to a minimum. There are a lot of great home made innovations that guys on this site have done with boolit feed, handles (Lathesmith here has great dies and a super handle for sale, he is great to deal with!) I made boolit feed tube extensions out of CPVC pipe ( I think I used 1/2" OD ) Great score!
03-20-2011, 01:10 PM
PacMan

Between doing other things,honey dues, i have benn working with it a litte.Got it adjusted to lube all three of my current .357 bullets. I am sure that it has had a lot of use but other than some missing paint and a little rust,which cleaned up nicely,i can not fine one thing wrong with it.It is still tight and operates like it is on bearings.

Looked on the Magna site and the cost of a die and punch was more than what i paid for the whole machine with die and punch plus it was one that i can use.

I was really shocked when i saw it and more so when he told me the price.No brainer. Bought a Saeco when i first started,did not want to spend what they asked for the star, it is a good machine
but i am really liking this Star.Oh well live and learn.

Dale53 thanks for the link.

Dwight
03-20-2011, 08:34 PM
Roundnoser

DW,

Bulltipper has good advice about the dies. Forget Magma, and go with Lathesmith. Dies are cheaper, and work better (IMO)....and his L handle is a good option and not expensive.
03-20-2011, 08:51 PM
PacMan

Lathsmith has already done some die work for me and it was excellent.
Will be contacting him in the near future.
Thanks
Dwight
03-21-2011, 10:38 AM
cajun shooter

Go to Magma's forum and down load all the info you need. The entire manual is available. The dies may be removed with out the tool but it is much easier to have one. Magma will sell you one. The washer on the end of your spring is called the Hycar and is what holds the lube and pushes it down the tube. I would install a new one as they are cheap and the heart of the machine. How about you coming to Louisiana and staying for a visit as I need some of your good fortune to rub off on me.
03-21-2011, 12:22 PM
Green Frog

Dwight,

Now you've quit reporting the facts and gone to gloating! Great find and good on ya! :)

Froggie
03-23-2011, 07:03 PM
zdogk9

You stole it. Now you're gonna have to sneak up on the mirror to shave.
03-23-2011, 08:13 PM
Fugowii

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale53

Most of us with Star lube/sizers use a flat bottomed nose punch and lube/size the bullets nose first. You will need to adjust the nose punch up and down until you get the bullet being sized positioned exactly correct before the lube is placed correctly on the sized bullet.

Magma Engineering now manufactures the Star lube/sizer. Here is their manual of operation:

http://magmaengineering.com/PDF/Star_Sizer.pdf

Carefully read this for best results (a couple of times, if necessary).

The best luber/sizer available, in my Not So Humble Opinion:mrgreen:. You did GOOD!

NOTE: Tip for removing sizing dies. Heat the base of the unit with a hair dryer or heat gun. You do NOT want it boiling hot, just warm - say 120 degrees. It softens the lube and makes it MUCH easier to withdraw the spring ass'y for replacing lube stick.

I much prefer using the die withdrawal tool instead of trying to drive it out with a hammer and punch. It is easier on the luber/sizer (I would have bad dreams about fracturing the tool body by driving the die out).

I use Lars White Label Carnauba Red. It requires heat to run through the Star but works extremely well and is quite reasonable in cost. If you don't want to use heat, then one of his softer lubes also works very well.

Dale53

Magma sells the die removal tool for dirt cheap. Buy one, you won't regret it.