Camera for powder check

J

Jim-C

Inactive
I researched camera options for powder check. I use a Dillon 550C.
I ordered 8 different camera's. Most were some sort of backup camera.
The best solution ended up being a usb microscope. Not my first choice, it needs to be connected to a computer / Android phone ?. I wanted a camera that would plug directly into a 7" monitor.

I have the microscope plugged into a MacBook for now. I have a multitude of adaptors and Android devices on order. A stand alone 7" screen would be best.

The microscope camera has a dimmable light and best of all, an adjustment for focus.

Camera is made by Swrisnt. Model ? ASIN # is B01GX4CGEO
$42.98 on Amazon.

I had to drill a hole ( easy ) in the die holder. I really wanted a good clear view of the cartridge. The big 500 cases receive a small amount of powder.
I'll post more details in the next post.

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I installed a 7" usb monitor. Replaces the laptop. I have a computer 3 feet away.
I added the 7 " to the mac. As a 3rd Monitor. Launch Photo Booth and it works.

7" USB Monitor is made by Lillput , model UM-70. $99.00 on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AYHY7I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a 7" Android tablet coming in tomorrow. The Andriod might be a stand alone monitor solution if I can get it to work.

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I really like the camera setup you have there. Have you got a link for it? Is that normal for all that powder spillage?
 
I'm experimenting with a small distance laser sensor that looks down in the case, when the charge is the right height I get a green light. A little cumbersome right now because the thing is difficult to program. I'm looking for a friendlier model, but I believe the theory is sound.
 
( or just buy a Dillon 650 ...with a powder check die )....

When I called Dillon, they talked me out of a 650.
I'm new to reloading.

I like the 550. I can see why they recommended it for a newbie.

I'll buy a 1050 in a couple of months.
 
I like your solution Jim-C! I'm not too sure I am capable of drilling the die holder, but it still can be used to the side.

I wanted to see into a conduit that ran a light wire to my swimming pool. Everyone thought there was a blockage, so I bought wireless a endoscope that work perfectly. The camera was only 1 1/2 inches in length. Did you happen to find a camera a little shorter like in the link below but only it used an USB port?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYTI2HV/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for sharing!
 
I personally believe it is an absolute must to visually check for powder charge. Good rig OP, I like it. I'm too cheap to do it... but I like it.

I have wondered about reflective proximity detection, too.
Click to expand...

I use a cheap redneck version... kind of. I have a light bulb at the reloading bench that shines at an angle against the mouth of the case. I adjust the light so that the shadow cast meets the powder charge at the case wall at the bottom of the press stroke. It is not accurate within .1gn, but I have played with it and a .5gn difference in a .45 acp round is quite obvious. .3 or so in a 9mm case. This is more precise with smaller diameter cases.
 
When I called Dillon, they talked me out of a 650.
I'm new to reloading.

I like the 550. I can see why they recommended it for a newbie.
Click to expand...

I am not sure I agree. On auto indexing progressive presses like the 650 double charges are extremely unlikely compared to manual indexing presses like the 550.
 
Drilling the die holder is easy. The die holder is a cast piece. The spot where you drill is only an 1/8" thick. I'll post a pic .
Mounting from the side is actually a pretty good view. The mount part would be more complex than just drilling a hole.

I didn't try the borescope type cameras. I have prior experience with those.
I'm real picky on picture quality. I also don't like anything wireless or bluetooth, never seems to be dependable.

The key is " adjustable focus " The focal points on all the fixed lens camera vary.
I could get a view of the case but it would be blurry. Hence, drive me crazy.

This forum doesn't have " quote" option for replies ?

"I am not sure I agree. On auto indexing progressive presses like the 650 double charges are extremely unlikely compared to manual indexing presses like the 550."

Your correct, much easier to double or skip the charge on the 550.
Thats why I wanted a camera right away.
 
No they don't have a quote post function. You have to copy and paste anything you want to quote and use the quote button or tags. It is a really annoying "solution" to the "everyone quotes entire posts problem" that often results in the forum being hard to read because you also lose the "So and so posted" at the top of the quote.

Drilling the die holder is easy. The die holder is a cast piece. The spot where you drill is only an 1/8" thick. I'll post a pic .
Mounting from the side is actually a pretty good view. The mount part would be more complex than just drilling a hole.
Click to expand...

One the 650 you could probably use the powder check die hole. I have a bullet feeder die in that station. But TBH I haven't seen the need, always run it to the top. And I have a powder alarm on the powder reservoir.
 
Congrats on great results! I've been using a movie camera and screen, for 2 years now and it does a great job preventing squibs or double loads. Not only that, to answer your detractors, it opens a station on the press. While they are listening for the beep on station three, we can add a bullet feeder and still have 4 and 5 for seating and crimping.

I am jealous of the superior resolution and lighting your solution has, it's awesome....and I'd order one today, except that I don't have an android anything except for a Amazon KindleFire.....and unfortunately the website suggests that one doesn't work with it.

My little camera works though....and I have an extra station compared to those using a powder cop die.

This is what second best looks like.;) It doesn't require a computer, phone or anything but a screen....mine's a 7 " cheapie.

41FvhfNwD4L._SX425_.jpg
Link
 
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While not as convenient as on some other forums, you can identify who you copied a quote from. When you paste a quote in your reply by using the
quote.gif
icon, the format that shows up in your text box is [qwote]yada yada yada[/qwote]
(I purposely misspelled quote so it would show the format and not actually insert a quote.)

To identify the poster that you are quoting, you can do one of two things. If you're quoting Jim-C for example, you can add "=Jim-C" in the first quote bracket.
Jim-C said:
yada yada yada[/qwote]

Jim-C said:
This forum doesn't have " quote" option for replies ?
Click to expand...

Or you can just type "Jim-C said" before you insert the quote.

I'm sure that's clear as mud, but there it is FWIW.

Back on topic, Jim-C and GWS, how well do your camera setups work on bottle neck cases?
Click to expand...
 
Higgite's
Back on topic, Jim-C and GWS, how well do your camera setups work on bottle neck cases?
Click to expand...

I can see into enough in .223, and even my necked down .243 (.22-243 Middlestead) to do the job. .308 I can see the primer holes inside. If you wet tumble with lemishine and pins so the inside is shiney it doubles visability.....dirty black inside means empties are black but powder charged....you can see the powder.

If I can use my low resolution camera/display that well, imagine what Jim-C's high resolution camera could do?!! Wish they made one to work directly with a screen monitor.

Below, you can click the picture and see a video (poor...sorry I was learning) where the first one is a wet tumbled .38, then a dirty black .223, a tumbled .308, then dirty .45 and .40. You can see how important wet tumbling is.

I actually ruined that camera and had to buy another (better) one.....it was a little too thick. The one in the picture in my last post works better.....I need to do another video with the new camera.....and I'm wondering...what if the screen was more hi res?.....may have to check that out too.
th_MVI_1619.mp4
[/URL][/IMG]
 
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