"Big Boston" Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 My fascination for tools from the past seems to know no bounds, and it seems like some of my friends have noticed. I was doing the standing behind my table at a gunshow and another vendor that also shoots cowboy at our club walks over with an old but complete Lachmiller 12 gauge shotshell sizer decapper. He words were, "For you" and he walked away smiling. I replied back, with a hopefully sincere sounding, thanks. I've seen it on his table at other gunshows, picked it up on several occasions to try and figure out how it worked. I have a MEC 600 Jr and a MEC Sizemaster, the need for a stand alone sizer decapper just isn't there. Not entirely as my MEC doesn't size the base to SAAMI minimum, more like SAAMI middle. But I like hand tools, so I set about to clean it up, and come up with a mounting solution. The cleanup was pretty routine, the tool has seen very little use, is very well made. It disassembles easily with normal hand tools. I did not paint it, doesn't need it IMO, and I didn't want to invest a whole lot of time in this project. It works rather well, the base of the shell is sized to minimum SAAMI spec and the spring loaded decapping pin blasts the spent primer out of the pocket. The spent primer catcher is a bit rudimentary, Lachmiller added a bit of a down spout on a upgraded model, according to the pictures I've seen. Cleaned and lubed up for work. I had about a 100 hulls to work with and using this machine was fun, and I decapped and sized them all. The odd primer did not hit the funnel, but to be honest, the hulls had sat in my garage for a few years and the primers were in there tight. The spring loaded decapping system reminds me of how the Dillon FL sizer die decapper is made. The mounting board is designed so that I can mount the tool in my vise, do the task, and then put the tool back on the shelf. I've a few tools I've mounted this way, a real space saver. Most work areas have a bench vise, one of those universal tools. The Lachmiller tool has three 5/16" mounting holes, and a fourth, 1/2" hole was added so the spent primers had somewhere to go. A small metal measuring cup that has lost its handle fit under the mounting board and does an admirable job of catching the spent primers. (I've offset the press to show the spent primer container) BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangler Bob Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 I like your wood mounting block idea. I have a MEC Jr. that is sitting on my bench; never used it as I have a MEC 650. But I've considered usin the Jr., but wasn't sure where I'd mount it. Thanks to you, I have an idea that just might work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largo casey #19191 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 I have 2 or 3 of them setting on bottom shelf.One is a RCBS. Largo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal #64218 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 1 hour ago, largo casey #19191 said: I have 2 or 3 of them setting on bottom shelf.One is a RCBS. Largo Largo, I’d be interested in one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largo casey #19191 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 OK.Don't have any idea what they are worth.You still down South? Largo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 looks wewll made to last a lifetime or two ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Spade Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 I use one of these and it works great. I have a second one but it is missing the shell holder. Anyone have any parts laying around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal #64218 Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 20 minutes ago, Jack Spade said: I use one of these and it works great. I have a second one but it is missing the shell holder. Anyone have any parts laying around? No but if I could borrow one, I may could copy it. Can you send me some detailed pictures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springfield Slim SASS #24733 Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 I have a tool affliction also, and have 2 of these. Works well, and with this I don't have to worry so much about my shells fitting all of the shotguns we use and extracting properly. Boggus Deal, I have a broken shell holder I could send you for you to take measurements from, and would willingly pay for a new one if you decide to make some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal #64218 Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 41 minutes ago, Springfield Slim SASS #24733 said: I have a tool affliction also, and have 2 of these. Works well, and with this I don't have to worry so much about my shells fitting all of the shotguns we use and extracting properly. Boggus Deal, I have a broken shell holder I could send you for you to take measurements from, and would willingly pay for a new one if you decide to make some. PM sent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Another old model sizer/decapper was this one from Mec: I removed un-needed linkage and converted one into a dedicated taper crimper for the Roger Rapid taper die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Using a vise when work space gets scarce is a good idea. I do not even know where I got it but I used a scrap piece of aluminum as a mount for a press I wanted to use just for decapping. Angle iron or anything rigid will work and the vise swivels so you can get a comfortable angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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