Pitted Forster Die

[462]

Went to use the new Forster conventional full length sizer die, that Midway delivered last Friday, and this is what I discovered:

There is pitting in other places, but this is the worst section. The threads are poorly cut, too. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.

Man, I hope Shirley hasn't jumped ship and is working for Forster.

Waiting to hear what will be done about it.

 

[RBHarter]

The threads are pretty ragged but that looks more like flaked chrome than rust pits ...... Not that it matters on a brand new die that costs that much .

 

[Matt]

Let us know what Midway dies about it. Their customer service isn’t what it used to be. It will be interesting to see how they handle this.

 

[Ian]

Wow. You know, my Lee Precision sizing dies never look like that.

This reminds me of the two Redding dual ring sizing dies I just bought from Midway, both had crusty rust inside between the rings and it had to be polished out to prevent scratching the brass.

 

[BudHyett]

Call Forster direct and talk to them. Very helpful. I've given up on Midway for customer service, too many staff with no shooting experience when talking of problems other than shipping..

When you get the phone, choose option #2. You'll get a chance to talk to the Technical Section who is the group you want.

 

[Jeff H]

Wow. You know, my Lee Precision sizing dies never look like that.......

Yep! I'm blaming that ratty Redding die on LEE!

I believe LEE dies put a lot of pressure on the older makers to compete - since at least the early eighties.

I have/have had Redding dies which were very nice. RCBS also, but I think the others struggle to keep quality up while competing with LEE, at least for standard die sets. I know nothing about the more upscale grades of dies.

EDIT: More to say that they will have the occasional "oops" while trying to compete, less to say they are poor across the board. I'm certain they would make it right.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Unless it was poorly packaged and rattling against something, I don't think you can blame Midway for that one.
Midway probably received that die in its box and turned around and sold it in its box. I doubt they ever opened the box.
It does look like loose chrome flaking off more than pitting. You can see the machining marks through the finish where the finish is intact.
I'm not sure why that part needs to be plated, unless it is for wear resistance.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Went to use the new Forster conventional full length sizer die, that Midway delivered last Friday, and this is what I discovered:
View attachment 26125
There is pitting in other places, but this is the worst section. The threads are poorly cut, too. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.

Man, I hope Shirley hasn't jumped ship and is working for Forster.

Waiting to hear what will be done about it.

Wow. Poor storage conditions!! Im still waiting for midway to send my benchrest sizer. It was here but lost and said to be returned. Im waiting fir answers and refund to order again.. Maybe I order direct instead... They cant sell allot of these and maybe theybare not oiled or stored poorly...

CW

 

[462]

Forster replied, pictures have been sent.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Forster replied, pictures have been sent.

I have had three calls i to them recently. For those match seater dies from the other thread.

I got parts and was able to rebuild the Ultra Match die to 6mm. But the 243 was a Bonanza and slightly diff. So improper stem was sent. Second call was to get proper parts. Third call was them to me, informing me I might need xyz part and they included it in the box.
Im waiting second box expecting it next week.

Im sure they will make everything right.

CW

 

[462]

Midway replied yesterday, a day after that of Forster's. Evidently, Midway has changed its return/exchange policy, because the reply said the item would have to be in new and unused condition, and in its original and undamaged packaging. Even if the die was unused, the packaging was picked up with last's week trash, and I'm not returning a damaged item on my dime.

I've had it with Midway's constant changing-for-the-worst policies, so I'm this close][, to doing what
Jo-El Sonier only sang about: "there'll be no more one more last time".

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Lets see if Forester stands behind there product.

Used the "new" 6mm Ultra seater tonight. Worked just fine. Measured run out dont seem allot better then reg dies could do. Its about 3/4 of a .001 near as thsi RCBS tool can tell me. (Not real impressed with it. (The RCBS vauge)

CW

 

[RicinYakima]

Midway is the the last resort for something desperately needed.

 

[harm]

I suspect Midway wants that as-new, undamaged packaging so that after you pay to ship back the damaged product -- they can send it to the next buyer, who may not bother returning it, or who will destroy the packaging and therefore no longer be eligible for returns.

I've had some interesting experiences with 'new' products purchased online the past couple years that have led me to this suspicion.

 

[Ian]

Or it goes into the "blem" bin and gets listed at a lower price.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Im waiting on a refund from them myself.
Last summer I had a fiasco because of there shoddy packaging. I had ordered three bars of super hard W/a order. Took THREE ORDERs to get my Quantity of bars I ordered. They kept shipping bars loose in a box with a coupla "pillows". I called
Complained they re shipped... FINALLY a box arrived with 2 and a hole. Then the next single bar arrived OK. "Automatic packaging" I was told.

The $$ Im waiting on are actually a shipping company issue. I choose UPS, they handed off to some other company who in turn handed off to the usps. USPS couldn't deliver for some reason??? I had to wait check wait check and wait some more. FINALLY Midway said they would refund $$ yesterday. Order was placed January 9 IIRC.

I still use Midway, but no longer for my Superhard and less and less with these problems I read and have.

 

[462]

Or it goes into the "blem" bin and gets listed at a lower price.

Last night, I composed a reply to Harm's post, that said to type "blemished" in Midway's search box and see the over 200 items listed there. Since a manufacturer isn't knowingly going to ship a blemished product, all of those
200-plus items must be customer returns. I didn't post the reply, but that's my thinking, anyway.

 

[462]

Got the die back, this morning. Enclosed was a note that said the die was "blasted and polished".
Before:


After:


Better? Undoubtedly. Still, for the die's price I expected a better after finish.

 

[462]

It was going to bother me no end, so a couple minutes with 400 and 800-grit wet/dry paper and I'll sleep better tonight.

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

You did a very nice job----they did not try as hard did they?

I would have done the same as you.