Manual dump + trickle

[penguinofsleep]

I have been using a auto dispenser with a built in scale and will be switching to a fx120i + manual thrower + IP trickler. Have a few questions about getting the setup optimized. Main constraint is I am doing this on a desk or table and it will not be a fixed / permanent setup.

1. Old wood cutting board + 2 add circular bubble levels for the fx120 to sit on. Shim level with paper or thin cork sheets as needed.
2. Stand for manual thrower - would like something that can just sit on a table on it's own or be bolted to a piece of wood. Looks like RCBS, Lee, and Lyman make a relatively inexpensive stand that can do the above.
3. Manual thrower - plan on using an inexpensive Lee thrower and targeting ~0.5-0.3gr under - is there a justification for a more $ thrower if I'm going to be using a IP trickler to finish anyways? Ideally just looking for something with minimal static.
4. IP Powder cup - manually throw into this then put on FX120 and let IP trickler finish - is there a different cup / pan that people find "works better"?
5. IP housing for the FX120 to mount the IP trickler on to - recommended by IP as it's more sturdy vs the housing / draft shield that comes with the FX120 (my own experience is the stock one is OK but not great). edit: looks like this shouldn't be a hassle to set up each time?
6. Surge protector with a little power conditioning to "clean up" the power into the IP trickler and FX120i - I've found that this helps with other sensitive electronic equipment.

Anything else or any changes that people using a similar setup would recommend?

EDIT: clarifying - will manually throw into cup separately from scale and don't need ability to use ball powders often at this point (and if I do, I do have a manual trickler already as I know some systems do not like ball powder).

Also, I will admit now that I'm not set on the IP trickler - the PP trickler looks like it may actually be easier for my use case / constraits while also being 1/2 the price. Seems like much less setup albeit at the cost of more difficult and potentially messy when changing powders.

 

[Maurygold]

The a&d scale has adjustable feet to shim it level.

My favorite cup is the one IP makes. (I have the 419, shot glass style that I think is from autotrickler, a dead drop from eBay and the ip)

I would just buy the Lee or hornady thrower those seem to have good reviews for what you’re doing.

 

[ma smith]

The main engineering difficulty with tha manual thrower is (seems to be) getting it directly over the scale. Its pretty easy to mount it on a desk (or plank, C clamped to the desk, etc). But its harder to have something where you can throw into a cup on the scale/ fx120i.

If anyone has a simple or clever fix for that, let me know.

 

[vh20]

I think most people set their manual throw about 1-1.5gr under the target and let the IP take it from there. 0.3-0.5 seems a little too close to the final target for me, but I haven't tried it. The IP will run fast and then slow down as it reaches the target. I think it helps to let it have a little "run" at it rather than starting right near the final target, but I haven't proven it.

I replaced the thin nut that mounts my RCBS Uniflow to the stand (by necessity because I somehow lost it) with a normal 7/8-14 nut like you'd use on a bolt of that size/thread on a piece of heavy machinery. The nut is about 1 in. thick, and makes it really easy to tighten/remove by hand without a wrench when it comes time to dump the powder back into the jug. Mine is mounted on a swing arm made by Inline Fabrication that attaches to their quick-change press stand. You can swing the powder measure out of the way when not in use. I don't find it to be much of an issue not having it drop directly onto the scale, and probably avoids some of the hassle that could involve.

 

[penguinofsleep]

The main engineering difficulty with tha manual thrower is (seems to be) getting it directly over the scale. Its pretty easy to mount it on a desk (or plank, C clamped to the desk, etc). But its harder to have something where you can throw into a cup on the scale/ fx120i.

If anyone has a simple or clever fix for that, let me know.

Same

 

[ggmanning]

I use the same set up and employ the cheap Lee thrower. Set to about 1-1.5g less than target and the IP finishes. Works very well and fast. Plug it all into a power conditioner.

 

[Doom]

The main engineering difficulty with tha manual thrower is (seems to be) getting it directly over the scale. Its pretty easy to mount it on a desk (or plank, C clamped to the desk, etc). But its harder to have something where you can throw into a cup on the scale/ fx120i.

If anyone has a simple or clever fix for that, let me know.

No need to measure weight of each manual throw.

 

[ma smith]

No need to measure weight of each manual throw.

Understood, the benefit is simply less upper body movement. It's basically less steps.

 

[CK1.0]

Others have already mentioned most of what I've got to add... You don't need the manual thrower over the scale, and making the bulk drop 1.0-1.5 grains under your target gives the IP trickler time to spool up (and then slow down to the kernel). Even dropping the bulk of the charge manually, drops still only take ~ 6-8 seconds, every one to the nearest kernel (+/- 0.02 grains).

I've been doing it this way for like ~3 years now (?) and IDK if I'm even going to buy the IP bulk dropper when it's finally released.

My shit is fast and has been so bonehead stable and drama-free that, besides good 'ol laziness, I don't even know if messing with it just to save maybe 1-2 seconds per drop is even worth the trouble.

 

[vh20]

I use the same set up and employ the cheap Lee thrower. Set to about 1-1.5g less than target and the IP finishes. Works very well and fast. Plug it all into a power conditioner.

What power conditioner are you using?

 

[penguinofsleep]

Understood, the benefit is simply less upper body movement. It's basically less steps.

This.

But FWIW, settled on separate for now simply because I haven't found an easy way to do the above with a setup that needs to be taken down each time after use. Otherwise if it was a dedicated workbench, I'd just cobble something together for this.