OK, My Star Lubricator was shipped Friday Nov 19 and arrived here yesterday. Excellent service from USPS and Canadian Border Services & Canada Post.
I called a friend over and we proceeded to assemble the machine. Now lets be clear the Instruction Manual does not match the quality of the product. Thankfully, my friend is more mechanical inclined than I, and it went well until we came to the Air Cylinder. We quickly found out two parts were missing from the package or Magna wants me to remove S107, and S130 from the Pressure Screw Assembly. Well it isn't going to happen. We could not get the parts off and I am not at all sure why I should have to. I paid for a complete Air Cylinder and a complete Air Cylinder I shall get. I am sure Magna just forgot to send them and I will call on Monday. We assembled the Pressure Screw Assembly and I will use it until the parts arrive for the Air Cylinder.
Moving on yours truly, misread the instructions on plugging the holes in the dies, specifically the .357 so at midnight Friday I figured to re-read the instructions, watch the video again and see where I went wrong in the morning. Well of course, I should have plugged the top and bottom holes and used the middle row.....I went to bed!
This morning I assessed my situation and my tools at hand, and decided first to try my Dremel at getting the lead out - bit was way to small, so undeterred and with the knowledge I had no idea what the heck I was doing I preceded to remove all the lead from the middle row of holes and plug the top row. Note: If you go slow with your hand held drill with a 1/16th" bit the pellets come out once you get about half way through them by simply withdrawing the drill bit. Casting God was looking after the boy.
I called a friend in WA to get some advice on the actual lube problem I was encountering. His suggestion was to check the seating, the temp. of the lube, and the pressure I was using to see if one of those things was causing my problems. Turned out, the lube was a tad to hot. Turning the temperature down just a smidge from the factory setting solved all the issues.
One thing I did learn through all of this is when changing dies you should remove the bullet feeder. It makes adjusting the depth of the seating plunger so much easier and only takes a minute to do and re-install.
I did also decided to ask what the best way is to convert the bullet feeder from 9MM to 45acp size. I don't think the Aluminum Block part AF030 is going to take to many inevitable cross threading of screws so I am hoping the method I used is wrong and there is an easier way. Does part AF176 come out of its retaining piece? If so then I see a better way to do the replacement. If not. I may buy part AF030 to ensure I have the part when the inevitable occurs if I don't have one in hand.
So Monday I will see about the parts, seek some advice and contact Lathesmith for a couple of dies and punches.
Through all of this I did manage to get the whole thing working as it should ex the Air Assembly, and produced 300 9MM lubed bullets.
Back at it tomorrow before the Grey Cup game. It hurts to cheer for Calgary but they are from the West, where my heart lies.
More as things proceed.
Take Care
Bob
ps $970.30US for Press and Accessories + Shipping $64.95US + taxes $149Cdn
The difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys.!