Automate Star lube/sizer?

I’m looking at putting a pneumatic cylinder on my Star sizer. My right arm and elbow joint aren’t what they were 25 years ago. There’s video on youtube, but the gentleman hasn’t had any activity for a year. Emails to his posted address have gone unanswered.

Has anyone here done this? What stroke cylinder did you use? He’s using a cylinder with a 10” stroke, but he’s not caming over to activate the lube injector. My dowel rod inside a piece of conduit indicates I need around a 12” stroke.

Any other advise one can offer is also appreciated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0TlizGeRzY

I did it once and forgot to lube the handle shaft. It's still frozen up, just haven't gotten around to fixing it. I bought all the components from automation direct on line. Better prices than other sites. I'll see if I can find some pics of it. I have since bought a commercial automatic sizer/luber.
Shelly

A commercial sizer is probably where I’ll also end up, but the Magma Lube Master is very dear.

I have a Magma Lube Master and the key to getting good results with it is a collator that works properly and is fast enough to keep up with the sizer. Let's just say I'm not happy with M-A Systems and their collator right now...........

Hope this helps.

Fred

The strength and survivability of it all gives me pause. I think the Star sizer itself will handle most everything (within reason) I throw at it and the cylinder is always working in a straight line under compression. So that doesn’t worry me. The leverage against the linkage between the cylinder and the sizer is where I see problems. I can see this slowly bending under repetitive load. I have an idea to brace it all, the connection between the yolk and the 3/8” rod, and the 90° angle of the 3/8” rod at the sizer.

McMaster order has been placed. Once I have it machined and welded I’ll post pictures for comments and review.

Get a cylinder and mount it all to the bench and I think I'll be ready.

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The handle on my Star is bent from repeated use so there is a lot of force used to size some bullets.

If I were to "automate" mine, I would either use something like the "slip clutch" I have on the PW Autodrive, or a shear pin. I would want something to fail before I damage the sizer itself.

Might work to limit air pressure to say 50 lbs of force. On a 1" piston that would work out to about 60 psi. I would start at 40 psi and see if it is enough to cycle and dial up from there. Then set the regulator to 10 psi over the pressure it will size reliably.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ReloaderFred

I have a Magma Lube Master and the key to getting good results with it is a collator that works properly and is fast enough to keep up with the sizer. Let's just say I'm not happy with M-A Systems and their collator right now...........

Hope this helps.

Fred

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I have 1 M-A that I got to run with 9mm given up on the others going to get the mr bullet feeder pro with the nose down conv mike

Have you tried a roller handle?
I think you might try that before heading into automation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FISH4BUGS

Have you tried a roller handle?
I think you might try that before heading into automation.

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All of my Star Sizers have roller handles, which makes a huge difference. I highly recommend them to anyone doing a lot of sizing on a Star.

Hope this helps.

Fred