Don't Push IT! Magma STAR Lubsizer Repair!

seagiant1

Active Member
Hi,
I guess, I'm lucky just startin with the STAR...

Was in a Gunsmiths Shop and he had a "STAR" Lubesizer for $100 and I bought it of course...

Turned out to be a, Phelps Clone, which I knew nothing about at the time? (Internet was just getting started!)

I'll take some pics of it later today and you can see a few differences, but the machine works great and seems well built even though...

I'm not sure if STAR Parts would work for it or not? (It works, I use it!)
 

seagiant1

Active Member
Hi,
Well here is a couple of pics of the Phelps, not really a bad unit and looks well made...

It does work well and I've used it over the years with no problem and would buy one again for the right money!
ph1.jpgph2.jpg
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
I can see why you mistook it for a Star. Surprising they didn't get sued over that. Or maybe they did which would account for not being made any longer.
 

seagiant1

Active Member
Hi,
Well...I guess the Patent ran out Decades ago so probably no problem there.

They also made a Clone of the STAR Reloader and Shell Feeders, Auto Advance, add ons, and other things!

I would not rate it as well as a real STAR but pretty darn close.

Of course as stated, because of MAGMA, you can get parts that fit the old San Diego STARS but not for the Phelps, from Phelps.

That is the main reason, I do not see them worth as much as the STAR on the Used Market!
 

seagiant1

Active Member
Hi,
Saw this!

Same Patent #, as on my old one!

Note the boolits being sized base first!
Star Lubesizer Patent Drawing-1.jpg
 
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seagiant1

Active Member
Hi,
Well, guess I'm not the only one!

Saw this on another Forum where a guy broke his STAR right where I did.

He sent it to MAGMA in 2011 and they welded it up for $63 including shipping, so...

Guess I came out alright getting and using a brand new part.

Good looking Weld though!
DSCF00011.JPG
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Wow! I did not know they went back that far. I thought they were a product of the sixties or so.

The first one I used was a friend's and thought he'd pounded a file handle on to the rod, being too cheap to spring for a new handle. Thing is - it's very comfortable to use, like the old oblong handle originally put on the LEE Turret presses. I'm not fond of the ball on the "new" ones.
 

Rally

NC Minnesota
Hi,
Thought while we were talking about STAR Lubesizers...

I would show an old one, that I have, no idea when it was made, maybe someone here knows?

Note that the base is actually welded (brazed?) together instead of cast.

I found this one and 2 more at a Swap/Sell at my Gun Club.

The only damage is at the Fulcrum Lever Push Rod where the retainer housing was chipped but it still works fine.

I was actually given this old one, because I bought the other 2 he had,as the seller said, it did not work.

All it needed was a good cleaning and she was good to go!

Found this? https://starreloaders.com/forum/index.php?topic=1699.0

View attachment 25347View attachment 25348View attachment 25349View attachment 25350View attachment 25351
I bet if that sizer could speak, it wouldn’t speak highly of it’s former owner!!
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
:headscratch:Food for thought..............they can sell more nose punches if base first sizing is recommended. Nose first, you only need one punch per caliber. ..........and sometimes not even that when the diameters are very close.

Then there are those that require a separate punch and lock ring for each bullet they cast. :eek: Ain't happening, here. I just record how many threads are exposed for different bullet designs.

Nose first, will also self center better. Letting gravity do the work.
 

seagiant1

Active Member
Hi,
I just ordered a foot of hexagon steel to make the nuts for a few more punches I need.

They are cheap enough to buy, but I have a lathe and I'm retired, so why not.

The thread is not common (1/2"X26TPI) so no cheating, using a die, it will be all, Lathe work!

There is a BSB Thread from Briton, but it is a 55 degree instead of a 60 degree thread...

I ASSUME the reason that STAR MACHINE used that, was to get a finer thread for better adjustment???
450-dia-flat-bottom-punch-star-lube_1_4182127f290cafd9df368cc59a6fe261.jpg
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Data for 1/2-26 UNS thread:

Inch Units
External thread
0.5000-26 UNS-2A
Allowance,0.0011
Major Diameter Max,0.4989
Major Diameter Min,0.4921
Pitch Diameter Max,0.4739
Pitch Diameter Min,0.4701
Minor Diameter Max,0.4573
Minor Diameter Min (Ref),0.4451
Root Radius Max,0.0056
Root Radius Min,--
Flat At Root,0.0096
Thread Height (Basic),0.0236

Internal thread
0.5000-26 UNS-2B
Allowance,--
Minor Diameter Min,0.458
Minor Diameter Max,0.467
Pitch Diameter Min,0.4750
Pitch Diameter Max,0.4799
Major Diameter Min,0.5000
Major Diameter Max (Ref),0.5104
Flat At Root,0.0048
Thread Height (Basic),0.0208

Pitch,0.0385
Lead,0.0385
Starts,1
Lead Angle,1.476

Included Angle,60.0000

If you don't have a thread micrometer here are the dimensions for using thread wires:

Wire dia - 0.0222
Max dia - .5072
Min dia - .5034
 
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Jeff H

NW Ohio
.....If you don't have a thread micrometer here are the dimensions for using thread wires.....
Regarding the whole of your post, Sir, not a lot of people know stuff like that any more.

I DO know you by/as "Keith," of course, but when a fella rattles off stuff like that, or even knows where to find it, I am reminded of my "place."

Awesome knowledge.
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Not all that smart, I use a program called ME Threadpal, just input a few pieces of data and it pukes out all the relevant numbers. I think I spent about $99 for it. When we have to cut threads I always print out the data to give to Scott (or use it myself) with a thread micrometer. It really came in handy when we had to cut an Acme thread for which we had no thread micrometer so we had to use thread wires and an outside micrometer. Scott nailed it, we had no nut to try it on but the people that ordered that particular part sent back photos showing it fit perfectly. That's when my butt unclenched and I cashed the check.

The program will do six or seven different thread forms, several classes of fit, multiple starts, metric/inch, etc. Worth every penny. I wrote my own spreadsheet to do UN threads but quickly ditched it when I found this program.