Well, I finally used my Lee APP.

[jmorris]

I have had my APP for too long and only played with it a little, just to see how they made it but never put it to use. I had other stuff to do but kept walking by parts that looked like they could be something together so I spent a couple hours building one that could run itself.

I didn’t want to modify the press, not that it would loose a lot of value I just didn’t want to jeopardize integrity of the machine just playing around. So, I just took these parts off, for safe keeping.



I looked through my unused die’s and found a .224 Lee collet die I machined a spacer to locate the case but not swage the neck to the mandrel/decapping pin. I also drilled/tapped a shallow blind hole in the cap, for a pneumatic cylinder I had sitting in a box.



Then drilled and tapped a piece of steel with the 3 bolt pattern and used 3 aluminum bars (also threaded, on both ends) and a piece of box tubing with the side milled out I have been saving for 20 years before I finally found another use for it.







The next part is even less pretty, just functional. I used two boost control solenoids that were deemed “questionable” but work fine for this application and a cheap China cycle timer.



Looks like this in action.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have had my APP for too long and only played with it a little, just to see how they made it but never put it to use. I had other stuff to do but kept walking by parts that looked like they could be something together so I spent a couple hours building one that could run itself.

I didn’t want to modify the press, not that it would loose a lot of value I just didn’t want to jeopardize integrity of the machine just playing around. So, I just took these parts off, for safe keeping.

View attachment 1135759

I looked through my unused die’s and found a .224 Lee collet die I machined a spacer to locate the case but not swage the neck to the mandrel/decapping pin. I also drilled/tapped a shallow blind hole in the cap, for a pneumatic cylinder I had sitting in a box.

View attachment 1135760

Then drilled and tapped a piece of steel with the 3 bolt pattern and used 3 aluminum bars (also threaded, on both ends) and a piece of box tubing with the side milled out I have been saving for 20 years before I finally found another use for it.

View attachment 1135761

View attachment 1135762

View attachment 1135764

The next part is even less pretty, just functional. I used two boost control solenoids that were deemed “questionable” but work fine for this application and a cheap China cycle timer.

View attachment 1135763

Looks like this in action.

YOU CRACK ME UP!

I am speechless at your ability.

 

[dredd]

What vice are you using?
Is that the original color?

But seriously, nice work!

I couldn't think of anything to add that would make me sound like I knew what I was talking about.

I enjoy seeing your projects and engineering.

 

[Docendo Discimus]

Very cool!
Now you need to add a dillon case feeder.....

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have had my APP for too long and only played with it a little, just to see how they made it but never put it to use. I had other stuff to do but kept walking by parts that looked like they could be something together so I spent a couple hours building one that could run itself.

I didn’t want to modify the press, not that it would loose a lot of value I just didn’t want to jeopardize integrity of the machine just playing around. So, I just took these parts off, for safe keeping.

View attachment 1135759

I looked through my unused die’s and found a .224 Lee collet die I machined a spacer to locate the case but not swage the neck to the mandrel/decapping pin. I also drilled/tapped a shallow blind hole in the cap, for a pneumatic cylinder I had sitting in a box.

View attachment 1135760

Then drilled and tapped a piece of steel with the 3 bolt pattern and used 3 aluminum bars (also threaded, on both ends) and a piece of box tubing with the side milled out I have been saving for 20 years before I finally found another use for it.

View attachment 1135761

View attachment 1135762

View attachment 1135764

The next part is even less pretty, just functional. I used two boost control solenoids that were deemed “questionable” but work fine for this application and a cheap China cycle timer.

View attachment 1135763

Looks like this in action.

Sweet!
I’ve looked at using a roller cam mounted above to run the press with a foot pedal operator. Kinda like a punch machine. Put two lockouts, one on each side to prevent injury. It wouldn’t take much, all electric so no pneumatic issues but it would be way too large and heavy for my use.
Very cool concept.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Sweet!
I’ve looked at using a roller cam mounted above to run the press with a foot pedal operator. Kinda like a punch machine. Put two lockouts, one on each side to prevent injury. It wouldn’t take much, all electric so no pneumatic issues but it would be way too large and heavy for my use.
Very cool concept.

just think out loud!

 

[jmorris]

just think out loud!

View attachment 1135778

That’s exactly how I did the feeder for my first bullet sizer. Right at the end of this video.




I must say the little gear motor I used on this one had no problem at all popping them right out.

 

[KY DAN]

I would give anything to understand how to take electronic components and create the machines you make.

Awesome work

 

[Mark_Mark]

I would give anything to understand how to take electronic components and create the machines you make.

Awesome work

I took a class on PLC’s and basic programming (If this, then that) it’s very simple. Probably even more simple now. This was 25 yeas ago.

 

[Kaldor]

Good thing you found a use for that box tubing finally!

 

[Walkalong]

Good thing you found a use for that box tubing finally!

And people wonder why I drag all kinds of scrap this and that home and stash it, never can tell when it will come in handy.

 

[Blue68f100]

And people wonder why I drag all kinds of scrap this and that home and stash it, never can tell when it will come in handy.

I'm very similar to you. I hate throwing something out that may be useful. The problem is finding a place to keep all of the parts with the limited space I have to work with.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Nice set up. I wish i was that skilled.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Nice set up. I wish i was that skilled.

you can always just use the hand crank that comes with the Lee APP!

jk @jmorris we just hatting on your skills

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I did upgrade to the roller handle. It's a nice improvement.

 

[GW Staar]

And people wonder why I drag all kinds of scrap this and that home and stash it, never can tell when it will come in handy.

Well, I can attest to what the aftermath is......I have so much junk I'll never use, that my Kids will have to get rid of when I die. I'm at the point now that I want to simplify and clean house.....but I'm too old to feel like going to the trouble.

I told my kids to get what they want.....then light a match. Answer? Yeah, right!

Too Funny, Jmorris.......the APP is the last machine I would have suspected you even thinking about automating with a motor drive!!!

 

[Walkalong]

I have so much junk I'll never use, that my Kids will have to get rid of when I die.

I can see them (our kids) now.......what in the heck did dad save this for?

 

[Mark_Mark]

Before you guy dumpster away your “collection” of treasures. Leave it on the side of the road with a Free sign. Trust me! it won’t go to waste

 

[dcarr]

I did upgrade to the roller handle. It's a nice improvement.

i did too and it is

 

[jmorris]

Well, I can attest to what the aftermath is......I have so much junk I'll never use, that my Kids will have to get rid of when I die. I'm at the point now that I want to simplify and clean house.....but I'm too old to feel like going to the trouble.

The wife and I often go to Estate sales, my best deal so far is a $35 Remington 510.

 

[FROGO207]

I am waiting for the OP to make a Rube Goldberg type of loader that will start with a bucket of brass and each stage will do a single operation then feed the brass to the next station etc. until a finished round pops out. Got to have at least 6 presses in a line though.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I am waiting for the OP to make a Rube Goldberg type of loader that will start with a bucket of brass and each stage will do a single operation then feed the brass to the next station etc. until a finished round pops out. Got to have at least 6 presses in a line though.

I’m waiting for J to use Ai in reloading.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I am waiting for the OP to make a Rube Goldberg type of loader that will start with a bucket of brass and each stage will do a single operation then feed the brass to the next station etc. until a finished round pops out. Got to have at least 6 presses in a line though.

Great now I have an ear worm. Merry-Go-Round Broke Down. I’ll never get to sleep tonight.

 

[Walkalong]

Before you guy dumpster away your “collection” of treasures. Leave it on the side of the road with a Free sign. Trust me! it won’t go to waste

You’ll have to talk to my kids when I’m gone

 

[Mark_Mark]

You’ll have to talk to my kids when I’m gone

then you raised them right