Messages

751

Star Reloaders / Re: dating a Star Universal

« on: June 08, 2010, 03:00:35 pm »

On older models the aluminum base was painted silver.  Later on they dispensed with the paint.   I would strip the paint thoroughly clean it with a soft brush and mild detergent.  If you want, you can buff it up a bit, that's what I do.

I have never been able to separate the powder slide cam from the base.  I wonder if the aluminum was cast around it.

Bruce

752

Star Reloaders / Re: dating a Star Universal

« on: June 08, 2010, 07:16:00 am »

The other change that might help you determine the age of the machine is the manner in which the powder slide cam is held to the aluminum base.

If the support is cast into the base, it was made prior to the mid-60's.  If the support for the powder slide cam is held to the reloader by three screws, it was made after the mid 60's.   I don't have an exact date for the change in design, but based on dated parts lists, 1965 would be a good guess.

Bruce

I really would like to know when Star changed from the 3/8" hole to the 11/16-24 threaded die hole at the taper crimp station.   Does anybody know?

753

Star Reloaders / Re: NEW Star User needing Help!

« on: April 26, 2010, 12:55:40 am »

Some of the dimensions of the Universal and Progressive bases are different.   38 Special Shell Plates will fit on a Progressive, but many other calibers will not.   By making the base of the Universal slightly larger, and by adding the shell locater straps, Star added the needed adjustability to allow the Universal to load multiple calibers.

754

Star Reloaders / Re: NEW Star User needing Help!

« on: April 25, 2010, 02:44:04 pm »

Below are pictures of a Star Universal Base, and a Star Progressive Base.   The shell locater strap is the most obvious difference.  If you have a Universal, you can use it to load any caliber as long as you have the dies and shell plate. 

755

Star Reloaders / Re: .38 Special Taper Crimp Die

« on: April 06, 2010, 10:53:42 pm »

I also recieved a package from Dave today.  Three 45 ACP Taper Crimp Dies.   Beautiful work.

Thanks Dave

756

Star Reloaders / Re: Different Saftey Cam

« on: April 01, 2010, 05:36:51 pm »

Ray's loaded round ejector does not act as a safety cam, however, it does keep the cartridge fully seated in the shell plate at the taper crimp station until it ejects it.

757

Star Reloaders / Re: Different Saftey Cam

« on: April 01, 2010, 12:06:55 am »

No modification of the thrust nut was made or needed with the Auto Eject Safety Cam that I have.  The one I have was marked 38, but by shortening the Length of the hook, I was able to get it to work with 45 ACP.   It works well as both a safety cam and as an auto eject mechanism, but in order to use it, you must have enough clearance under the taper crimp die.   I like the auto eject that Ray Brandis offers better.

758

Star History / Re: Last two Stars Produced?

« on: March 20, 2010, 09:21:43 pm »

Based on the price sheets that I have, the price should have been $925 in 1993.   However, there is no line item for shipping charges, so I think the $947 is just the price with shipping included.

759

Star Reloaders / Re: Any interest in new star type reloader?

« on: March 17, 2010, 01:25:26 am »

I did some Goggle searches, and Simplex is certainly an Australian maker of reloading equipment.  I have not been able to find any references to a Star type machine yet, but they did at least make copies of Lyman turret presses.  If Simplex made a Star copy, I would sure like to see some pictures.

760

Star Reloaders / Re: Any interest in new star type reloader?

« on: March 16, 2010, 03:22:35 pm »

That's interesting, I have never heard of Simplex.

761

Star History / Last two Stars Produced?

« on: March 05, 2010, 09:57:54 am »

Recently two Star Uinversals were listed on Ebay, one in 38 Special and one in 45 ACP.  The pair sold for of $1,504.99.    Aside from a little storage rust they were in excellent condition, and seem to include all of the original accessories that would have shipped with the reloaders, including the original shipping cartons.   

However, the most interesting item included with the loaders was the original invoice from Star dated July 7, 1993.  Since it's pretty well accepted that Star closed their doors mid 1993, these have to be among the last reloaders assembled by Star.


Note:   When I originally wrote the above, I was under the impression that Star stopped producing reloaders in 1993.   Magma Engineering had told me that they purchased the Lubesizer business in 1993 so I assumed that the reloader business was sold to Bill Cunningham at the same time.  I subsequently learned that Bill Cunningham bought the business in 1997, so Star was producing at least some reloaders until that time.   Also, I have price lists for both 1996 and 1997, confirming they were still operating at that time.

As Lifetyme indicates below, Star was not selling many reloaders in the final years.

762

Star History / Re: Star or Not??

« on: February 27, 2010, 03:44:55 pm »

It didn't sell the last time it was on Ebay, and now its back with no reserve.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370341711920&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

763

Star Reloaders / Re: Any interest in new star type reloader?

« on: February 27, 2010, 12:08:03 am »

I think we are talking about a one of a kind machine, or at least one of two.  As I understand the story, John Powers had no intention of marketing the machine, he just built it for himself.  Kent LaMott wanted one and convinced Powers to make one for him at a rather extravagant price.   Dave Davidson, currently of CH Tool and Die, who told me the story was sitting at the dinner table with Powers and LaMott when the deal was made.

Now I don't know if this is the same machine that Joatmon was asking about, but the story seems to fit.

764

Star Reloaders / Re: Any interest in new star type reloader?

« on: February 26, 2010, 08:46:49 pm »

Joatmon,

This evening I had a conversation with Dave Davidson of CH Tool and Die.  I'm not sure how we got around to the discussion topic, but he began to talk about a guy who had designed a large version of the Star to load 50 BMG.  According to Dave, John Powers who owned a machine shop or metal working business in the Detroit area designed and built one for himself, and later for $5000, built one for a guy by the name of Kent LaMott.  As far as Dave knew, those were the only two ever built.  Apparently this all happened in the mid 80's.

Bruce

765

Star Reloaders / Re: Any interest in new star type reloader?

« on: February 19, 2010, 04:39:23 pm »

dverna

It's good to hear Spolar is selling some.  They look like a great machine, but like I said, I don't know anyone who has one or is interested in buying one.   

The guys I shoot with are not financially challenged.   They have no problem spending $15-$25K on shotguns, but they won't spend $1500 on a shotshell reloader.

But anyway, the point of the original discussion was whether there would be a market for a "new" Star at the price it would cost to make one.   I think there wouldn't be much of a market, but as the Spolar illustrates, there would probably be at least some people who would be willing to pay top dollar to own and use the best machine available.

As a side note, last year I spoke with Dan Phelps, the son of John Phelps.   Phelps Engineering went out of business in 64 or 65, and the assets of the business were sold in a bankruptcy sale.   The assets still exist in storage, and Dan who operates a machine shop (like father like son) considered buying the assets and making the reloaders again.   I can't remember if he said it would cost him $2000 to make a reloader now, or if he said he would have to sell it for $2000.    In any case, A newly made Phelps would cost at least $2000.  Dan Phelps abandoned the idea.