Shell Sorter (brass organizer/separator) demonstration video

[1KPerDay]

For any curious about this nifty gizmo, I made a quick video. Basically it's three plastic trays, 1 each with .45, .40, and 9mm sized slots cut in them. You stack them and throw in a few handfuls of mixed brass and shake it around, the 9mm and .380 falls through to the 9mm tray, .40 (and similar sizes, as well as .38 special/.357 size rimmed cases) stop in the 2nd, and .45 sized stuff stays on top.

.22 and anything smaller than .380 falls through.

For a few bucks extra you get a metal .380 case separating plate that you place on the .40 or .45 tray and sort your 9mm/.380s, and this allows the .380s to fall through and retains the 9mm.

Video for any interested. For the money, I think it's a real timesaver.

https://youtu.be/khkkWUmHDsI

 

[lauderdale]

My next investment. Thanks 1K. Trying to make my mind up on what would serve me best?

 

[1KPerDay]

This certainly is more hands-on than the expensive sorters but saves a lot of money.

If you're smart enough to make your own roller-type sorter you might be able to do it cheap... but I'm not smart enough.

 

[thump_rrr]

I've had mine for 4 years now. You can place it over a 5 gallon bucket to catch smaller stuff such as 22LR.
I think they cost me $30 at the time without the 380 sorter.
Well worth the cost.

 

[SCC]

I have this sorting tray set and use it every time I return from the range. The instructions make mention of using them stacked over one bucket. That doesn't work very well because the trays nest so closely that there's only a little more than an inch between each. This severely limits the amount of brass that can be sorted through the stack. The trays should have been designed to not nest so closely, allowing more space at each level. They'll also get stuck together when used nested.

A simple solution to this problem is to make a spacer (or two) from a 5 gal bucket. Remove the wire handle from the bucket. Cut the bucket off about 3" below the wide part where the handle was mounted. You only want the top section, use the bottom for something else. Slit the top section vertically and you will be able to slide it into the top of a sifter tray with some overlap of the cut ends. Cut off the overlap and dress the sharp edges. Capacity of the stack with spacer is about 1/3 gallon at a time.

I only use the .40 and 9mm trays. Everything I reload ends up in the 9mm tray to be manually sorted. The spacer really speeds up the process.

 

[Rule3]

Had one since they first came out with the aluminum 380 sorter.

Main thing is don't overload the 380 plate or it does not separate them well.

I use mine every time back from the range, even though I pick up all mu brass (say 45) there are 22lr, staples, rocks and other junk in there.

 

[GarySTL]

I have the set for several years and it works pretty well. I do find that I need to use my hands some to separate nested cases. 9s in 40s in 45s.

 

[mstreddy]

I've also had that set for some years now. I also added the metal 380 tray. It works very well, but you do have to use your hands to break up the nested cases.
It makes quick work of range pick up brass.

It's one of those accessories that makes the process easier and quicker.

 

[jmorris]

If you're smart enough to make your own roller-type sorter you might be able to do it cheap... but I'm not smart enough.

Not really a lot to them just two not quite parallel shafts spun in opposite directions. After that part is built then I put the dividers in where the different cases happened to fall out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFw7IcQUmgs

 

[Dudedog]

Nothing funny about wearing a mask. I had high lead levels, so now when sorting, cleaning, deprimeing I always wear a mask. Cheap insurance IMO.

Nice video, thanks for making it.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks dude!