I can confidently report that I can now make large round things into smaller round things, and do it with a certain degree of precision. I can also make these smaller round things into square things, thanks to the resources of my recently repaired milling machine. Finally, now that I’ve discovered that inexpensive bulk bullets make good practice material, I can also make bullets disappear at a relatively alarming rate.
I’ve gotten a lot of mail with suggestions for tool sources and set ups. The information had been helpful and it certainly points to a general interest in small machines and machining in general. I also believe there us a common message in just about all of these communication, stated directly or led there through inference, much of the success in the effort comes from persistence and practice.
I like Enco. Beyond the selection of tools and low prices, they have some killer customer service; order confirmation, advice of shipping, quick delivery and enough care in packing to defend against even UPS delivery.
The 115 piece TiN plated HSS drill set was a little over $40, carbide lathe tools were less than a buck a piece, a three piece fly cutter set for the milling machine was under $20, and a 10 piece set of 4 flute HSS end mills was about $32. These aren’t great tools, but they are good tools, and Enco offers a whole spectrum of tool quality so, if I get better, I can be more selective in tool purchases. For now ? The same or similar drill set from Sears was over $120.
I initially passed on a quick change tool post with adjustable holders, but this assembly began to make a lot of sense. Tool positioning, angle and location relative to the rotating stock centerline, is key to proper set up and quality results. The level and ease of adjustment offered, will allow me to make a lot of changes, without a lot of effort, and without finding room for 200′ of shim stock.
I went back to Micro-Mark for this component. It was $55 for the post and three holders. They sell sets of three extra holders for $35, but I can’t see where I would have that much repetition in a job, or number of steps where I would need more than the number of holders that came with the tool post set. Micro-Mark has a pretty impressive catalog for modelers and others who purchase more general purpose shop equipment. Their machinery selection is more narrow than Enco, but the sale of machine tools isn’t Micro-Marks primary business.
I’ve gotten to the point where I can make small tools in support of my firearms and handloading interest, which is a great convenience when I can’t locate, or don’t have time to locate material; expander balls, case mouth expanders to use when loading cast bullets, etc. About the biggest project relative to machining operations is construction of some gauges for use in conjunction with .357 SIG handloading. The activity has increased to warrant an assistant.
This is Eric, he’s a wild little guy, and my 5 year old grandson. His younger cousin Petey couldn’t make it for this picture, something about a nap. Both show a lot of promise with a similar appreciation for things that move fast, make noise and are painted bright red. You’ll notice grandma is never very far away. I think we have this grandparent deal sorted out now. Essentially, our job is to play with the kids, get them wound up, feed them sugar, and send them home to their parents. Ah, revenge. Actually, they have great parents who truly honor us with this trust.
The Internet – Home of the $35 Top Punch
Elsewhere, I’ve concluded my first series of articles related to bullet casting, complete with the saga of the incorrectly labeled top punch blister pack. My effort to secure a new punch, I believe, illustrates the future of supply for handloaders and gun owners in general. Local retail rarely carries much more than high demand items that won’t sit in inventory for long. Can’t blame them, brick and mortar cost money and local business property taxes takes away from the bottom line. Still, some inventory is warranted to support the bigger ticket items they sell, and to bring traffic into their respective places of business.
If I walk into local retail and buy a shell holder for $5, I will take the time of a counter person, I will use up at least one paper bag, one clerk’s cash register time, all the while basking in the wonder of their utility bill generating store lighting and insurance policy protected ambience. It probably cost the retailer $10 to process my order, but then again, it probably cost me that much to drive to their location, and they make lots of money from my firearm purchases. In any case, the same counter person and cash register clerk would have been there, and getting paid, even if I hadn’t shopped, and that shell holder would still be sitting on the rack without hope of being converted into cash for the store. There are costs associated with doing business, all business have them, it’s what my Dad use to describe as the need to spend money to make money.
The Internet use to have lots of bargains for gun enthusiasts, today there are not so many, but the habitual behavior of customers will insure these original operations are around for a long time, even though the bargains are long gone. Many of the larger super stores selling Internet gun related products have begun to convince customers that taking their money is a very expensive proposition, so the only solution is for the retailer to charge even higher prices. The first the price hikes were masked behind the loss of free shipping; online retailers figured out they could make money by charging $12 for shipping and handling for delivery of a small package, when the actual cost to the retailer was $3. There is more profit margin in shipping than there is in the sale of many tangible products.
Then it was mostly the same online retailers trying to convince us that it was too costly to take our money in small increments, so they began instituting hefty minimum order levels, anywhere from $35 to $45 based on the operation. Could you imagine buying a reloading press setup for several hundred dollars from a local retailer, then being refused service the next day, only because you didn’t need an additional $35 – $45 worth of product at that moment ? Perhaps you only needed that shell holder to make that expensive press functional? Maybe you only needed to buy a $6 decapping pin, or a $25 set of reloading dies for that second rifle? Nope, “Come back when you’re worth waiting on.”
Oh, I know, Internet retailers tell you they offer much lower prices than your local retailer, so they need to watch their costs. Bull, the spirit of William Jefferson Clinton lives amongst us. The top punch I was looking for has a suggested retail price of $7.95, which is the price at local retail. The following is a brief analysis of Internet retailers, some can feel out pain more than others:
The part is a RCBS top punch #565, abut the size and weight of a #2 pencil stub
Natchez Shooters Supplies
$6.83 for the part. $35 minimum order. Shipping charges undetermined.
Total – NA, could not order.
Mid South Shooters Supply
$6.16 for the part. A minimum order amount of $40. Shipping charges not determined.
Total – NA, could not order.
Midway USA, the home of the “We’re charging for shipping to maintain our super low prices”
$7.99 for the part plus $4 surcharge for an order under $40. UPS ground shipping was $5.99.
Total – $17.98
Camarillo’s
$8.99 for the part. No minimum order amount indicated. Shipping was coincidentally, $8.99.
Total – $17.98
Lock, Stock & Barrel
$6.50 for the part. No minimum order amount indicated. Shipping $6.95.
Total – $13.45
Graf & Son
$8.19 for the part. No minimum order amount indicated. Shipping included.
Total – $8.19
Maybe it’s time manufacturers take a page from the Harley Davidson’s successful Internet accessory sales book; control the process through uniform software store fronts, and offer customers a choice in dealers; best service and lowest price wins. Or maybe it’s time for RCBS to sell direct at a more competitive price for small parts and accessories, leave the big ticket press and similar items to retailers, and revenue share with local dealers who stock and sell their entire product line. I think part of the problem is a layer of distribution between retailer and manufacturer that no longer serves a great purpose, and a pie too small to cut up into so many pieces. If anyone has some outlet for good service and prices they would like to share, by all means…
Thanks, Eric and I appreciate the visit.
Joe
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