OK -- I ordered a set of Roll Crimper and what we know here as crimp starter from Charles at GAEP. I ordered the parts for 24 gauge. Charles is very good to work with. He responded super quickly to my e-mails for explanation of his tools and everything. I'm not sure, as I haven't asked him directly, but I think he makes professional tools for mass shotshell production, and now wants to tap into the home re-loader market. It took 8 working days for the goods to arrive from Italy via regular parcel post -- that is excellent. Maybe tomorrow I will try these tools. The spinning roll crimper is intended to close and finish star-crimped shells started with their crimp starter. I really need that when loading the new unfired Fiocchi Reiffenhauser-type cases I get from Ballistic Products. This will enforce some crimp memory so subsequent re-loads will look better. By the way, I converted my own MEC 600 to 24 gauge with some small amount of lathe work based on 20 and 28 gauge parts. I have also taken to using a 28 gauge MEC SuperSizer with the collet closer backed off a few threads to resize the somewhat delicate Fiocchi brass heads. The real key part of the MEC, however, is the final crimp die, and I had to make a special taper-ended reamer to bore out a 28 gauge plastic crimp die. Also, you have to enlarge the crimp closing punch and its recess in the die -- easy. I turned down a 20 gauge crimp closer, and reamed the recess in the final crimp die to suit (0.5 inch dia.). Of course, by the way, the same spinning roll crimper from GAEP above will close roll-type crimps -- with the top wad. For those of usloading odd-balls like the 24 or 32 gauge, this obviates the need for messing with the final crimp die of the MEC. The wonderful thing about GAEP is they make these dies in 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and .410. Nobody here does that.
I recommend the GAEP products just based on service alone, right now. What really counts is results, and hopefully I can comment positively on that in a couple of days.
Tony Lowe
PS --Dwight Beske - Thanks for the pictures. No huge problem, but those roll crimps are a bit shallow. I think a little more free hull length above the over-shot wad makes for a better roll crimp. Just my opinion. All the best, and thanks for cluing us into these GAEP products.