Need help improving Mini Mr. Bullet Feeder loader tool. Or, I built this stupid tool so you don't have to.

[mpmo]

So I decided to see if I could cut the time it takes to load the mini mbf.  I know it's only like 3 minutes, but still, it feels like it takes forever and I was hoping to cut the time.  I routed a 2x4 as you can see in the photo.  I even made it so the slots would line up with the feed tubes when flat on the table.   I just dump the bullets onto it, shake it a bit so they fall in the channels and then re-orient any of the bullets that are backwards.  

 

Problem is, it takes the same amount of time to do it as it does to load one by one two handed!  The time suck is in re-orienting the bullets that are backwards in the channels.  

 

Any ideas?

 

 

 

[George16]

Screw in a piece of wood at the back end of the tube to keep it in place so you’ll have both hands working on the bullets.

Edited December 7, 2020 by George16
Sp

[mpmo]

Tested with both hands re-orienting bullets.  Same amount of time as loading two handed without my stupid tool.  

 

[ddc]

I used the Mini for week or two but then I realized that it doesn't really save you any time.

 

You have to load it prior to your reloading session which takes time as opposed to just dropping a bullet in the dropper manually which takes effort but the time is in parallel with the rest of the reloading sequence.

 

So it takes an operation that you were doing in parallel and changes it to serial.

 

So if that works for you then great. I can see how some might like it. But it's not saving you any time.

 

If I had it to do over again I would have put that money (approx $138) towards one of Karl Bibb's 3D printed bullet feeders (approx $220 with bullet dropper die)

 

That money would have been much better spent.

[Miranda]

I decided that I needed to build a gizmo.

 

so a bullet collator was made... see picture.

so far I have it at 100 percent.  and I expect it will fail some how.

it has been entertaining. 

right now it is spitting out bullets on occasion so I am planning a guard of some sort.

why it did not do that before... dunno.

 

it fills the tube that goes into a lee bullet feeder.

and that bullet feeder is a whole project on its own.

 

all this is to point out that a bullet feeder is nice and a good one

that has had a lot of the guess work done is worth considering.

I think I have spent maybe one hundred dollars and a lot of time.

the tools I have used are not included.

I am pretty sure this feeder would need extensive modifications

to collate a different bullet

picture

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 2020 by Miranda
added a missing sentence

[Youngeyes]

Wow. This thread should have been named," Rube Goldberg". 

[Miranda]

I am going up in the world!  
Am compared to the Rube!

 

It has the look of a project made from scrap.
buuuuuut I bought the bucket I cut up  and the MDF
and the screws and washers and the control switch.
OK I had the popsicle sticks loafing around...

 

some one here said it takes a serious tinkerer
to get a lee bullet feeder to work.

I can only agree it is a delicate little flower.
If you feed it only rightside up bullets
and only about 12 bullets at one time...
and can live with it spitting out the odd bullet,
it does work.

 

The bullet collator has been perfect for over 750 cast bullets.
The one not rightside up, I am not sure because the bullet was sideways...
and the bullet feeder may have done that itself.

 

For my build,  I used a bunch of sources

I searched this term  bullet feeder homemade
youtube

 

 

A 3d printed version is likely to be better overall.

if any one tries this, I'll make attempts to explain my solutions.

 

thanks, Youngeyes, I consider bringing ole rube into all this as a compliment.

 

miranda

Edited December 14, 2020 by Miranda
left out search terms