Crimp starting with MEC reloaders

[DFarmer]

I have a Mec Grabber and when using new hulls, the crimps are a mess. The hulls are
Activ and came in a package deal. I have used a Lee Load all on new hulls years ago and their crimp starter had ribs to help start the folds. The Mec seems to be just a smooth tapered cone. Fired hulls are not a problem.
Is this an issue with Mec or are the newer presses like the 9000 better at starting a crimp on new hulls?

 

[3macs1]

Sounds like you have the old chrome tools on that grabber and the insert is missing. Is that possible?? There is one for 6pt and one for 8pt
MEC reloaders are one of the few that benefit from a sharp-edged crimp starter when reloading new, unfired hulls.
I have zero issues with new activ and just pump the handle slowly until the crimp is formed for the first time
Cheers

 

[dunki]

The smooth crimp starter is for the old paper hulls. Plastic hulls require a crimp starter with ridges inside to follow the previous folds. There are also 6 and 8 fold starters. Maybe you have the wrong starter?

 

[3macs1]

The smooth crimp starter is for the old paper hulls. Plastic hulls require a crimp starter with ridges inside to follow the previous folds. There are also 6 and 8 fold starters. Maybe you have the wrong starter?

The smooth for the paper hulls is just an insert for the same old style starter or at least all of my old ones were. The starter could be fitted with the three different inserts ,paper, 6 pt or 8pt
Are yours one piece?? I have never had one like that
Cheers

 

[Seagull]

Try a BPI crimp starter. They work wonderful on new hulls

 

[DFarmer]

The smooth for the paper hulls is just an insert for the same old style starter or at least all of my old ones were. The starter could be fitted with the three different inserts ,paper, 6 pt or 8pt
Are yours one piece?? I have never had one like that
Cheers

My starter is the smooth one (on the left in your picture). This makes sense. Thanks for all the responses and pictures. I guess I will be looking for an eight point starter.

 

[3macs1]

My starter is the smooth one (on the left in your picture). This makes sense. Thanks for all the responses and pictures. I guess I will be looking for an eight point starter.

Replace it with the polymer newer style complete assembly kit. That's what I did with the old style and they are not expensive. Just make sure the stud the polymer one snaps on comes with it. It normally does and will have the 8pt and 6pt also Hummasons will have them in stock and ship you one
Cheers