Integral stop Star punch

[Brad]

I mentioned in Bill’s post on his knurled Star lock nuts that an integral stop could work too. Only bad thing is that it limits you to a set base to groove dimension.

I did some measuring to get a start point. With no die in the Star I pushed to ram to full stop. Measured space from bottom of ram to top of base where the die seats. I then measured the depth of the flange on my die and the distance from top of flange to the row of lube holes. I measured from bullet base to center of lube groove. A little math let’s me calculate the distance from the bullet base to the bottom of the ram at full extension.

In my case I needed a distance of 1.029 from bottom of punch to top of knurled ring.

Then it is just simple machine work.

Best part is that the base measurements are the same for all dies. Just measure die flange, top to row of holes, and bullet base to center of lube groove, a little math, and get to work.

All told this took 1.5 hours. In time I bet I could get it down to 30 minutes.

 

[waco]

That. Is. Awesome.

 

[Wasalmonslayer]

That’s a great idea!
Nice work Brad!!!

 

[Ian]

What they said, that's great! Now all ya gotts to do is mark the mould number on it because I have a feeling you're gonna make a few more of those. Having pre-set stuff is a real time saver for lots of things.

 

[waco]

I really need to have they guys at work teach me to use the lathe. We have a lot of really cool equipment at the shop.

 

[Brad]

I really need to have they guys at work teach me to use the lathe. We have a lot of really cool equipment at the shop.

You will never regret it. Best of all, you have pros to teach you. I had a hard working mind and YouTube. Keith was there to answer questions but seeing it makes it so much better.

 

[Brad]

What they said, that's great! Now all ya gotts to do is mark the mould number on it because I have a feeling you're gonna make a few more of those. Having pre-set stuff is a real time saver for lots of things.

Got some ideas on a storage system to keep them organized. Will likely stamp a number on them and make a list to help keep track.

 

[Ian]

A good mentor would be able to sort out the order of lessons and starting points, something that is difficult on your own. I jumped into tool grinding, facing, turning, internal threading against a shouldern and re-indicating a short part to work on both ends as my first project and it was quite a challenge. If you learn those baby steps and really practice them one at a time it will ease your learning curve and establish confidence and good habits.

 

[freebullet]

Nice!

 

[Pistolero]

Good job, Brad. I think I will stick to adjustable with a locking knurled nut.....some of that
is because I have two of them in hand, and only need to make a .350 diam one to be done.


Bill

 

[Paul Gauthier]

The size dies I make for my Star are all boolit specific. That is they have the required number of holes and a punch. This allows me to install a size die and punch and never have to adjust for perfect alignment.

 

[Brad]

I generally use a single row of holes. Many of the bullets I use have a single groove but I also find that a single row lubes multiple grooves just fine.

That concept is a great idea Paul. Saves a ton of time messing with adjustments.

 

[Pistolero]

Headed in that direction. Doing some measuring and drawing to get an idea of what
actual effective lengths various of my favorite bullets need in a punch.

Bill