Gas check maker maker

leebuilder said:
I finished mine last week. My checks look exactly the same the little pushed edge on the lip. I managed to test thirty at low velocity, no apparent effect to accuracy. When crimped on they are a bit loose, my aluminum is 0.019 thick but they seat fine and are tight when seated in the casing. I found three checks from fired rounds and one complete round all look good as to sealing the base the way they should. The only thing is the maker requires a bit of force, to much for my press so I will make a lever gizmo that will allow me to make more with ease. My outside bottom piece started to bend so I welded a spine to it for extra strength. Just hope I can find more aluminium or copper.
Be well
Click to expand...

Couple things you may want to do...

Try finding thiner material.
Try annealing your aluminum
Get an arbor press
 
An arbor press is on my list.
I annealed, but it didn't do much the aluminum is already very soft.
I am looking for 0.020 thick like the store bought checks.
I have part of a bending jig, with a bit of redneck engineering I can make it work for my die set.
All and all it's been fun to make and use the checks. Copper is the way to go!!! I will test them at higher velocity against proven copper checked loads as soon as I can. Might even try zinc flashing.
Its mind over matter, if you don't mind
It don't matter!!
 
leebuilder said:
An arbor press is on my list.
I annealed, but it didn't do much the aluminum is already very soft.
I am looking for 0.020 thick like the store bought checks.
I have part of a bending jig, with a bit of redneck engineering I can make it work for my die set.
All and all it's been fun to make and use the checks. Copper is the way to go!!! I will test them at higher velocity against proven copper checked loads as soon as I can. Might even try zinc flashing.
Its mind over matter, if you don't mind
It don't matter!!
Click to expand...

I dont recall any store bought being that thick.

Hornady is 0.01
Vulcan is 0.013
Sage is 0.015-0.017
 
leebuilder said:
An arbor press is on my list.
I annealed, but it didn't do much the aluminum is already very soft.
I am looking for 0.020 thick like the store bought checks.
I have part of a bending jig, with a bit of redneck engineering I can make it work for my die set.
All and all it's been fun to make and use the checks. Copper is the way to go!!! I will test them at higher velocity against proven copper checked loads as soon as I can. Might even try zinc flashing.
Its mind over matter, if you don't mind
It don't matter!!
Click to expand...

Have you tried pop/beer cans. I have used both roof flashing and aluminum cans and have not noticed any difference in my .303 Brit or .357mag for accuracy.

Take Care

Bob
 
You can "double up" on the pop can alum. thickness to achieve about .013 thickness. I have done it with reasonable success before I started Powder coating now I just regulate the bullet dia. with PC
 
leebuilder said:
I did try pop can not much luck, got a few more samples of stock, might have to adjust to make it work better.
Click to expand...

I have had good luck with both pop cans and roof flashing I bought Pat Marlins two types of dies. One for cast bullets with the GC groove and the other for plain base bullets. Gives me a few more options when loading my .357mag.

Take Care

Bob
 
The parent metal will have a thickness once the die pushes the check out it thins the sides of the check, this is unavoidable with simple dies.

I am going to try pop cans a bit more, I may have to modify or make new dies to get rid of the wrinkles.
I tried annealing again, I managed to melt my new flashing I am thinking it's zinc.
Back to the drawing board.

Pat marlin never returned my emails, his lose.
Be well
 
leebuilder said:
Mics dont lie.
Click to expand...

Im sure if i had a proper micrometer it would back up my caliper
JPB4ivC.jpg
 
A whole bunch of re-inventing the wheel here me thinks. Guys have been using aluminum gas checks for years over on the Cast Bullet Forum made from aluminum roof flashjing and pop cans.

As an aside I found Pat to be a straight up guy. I have never had a problem contacting him. I have had emails go astray though or simply be missed.

Take Care

Bob

Take Care

Bob
 
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