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Mec Grabber build for youth that was hydraulic at one time

5K views 30 replies 9 participants last post by  joe kuhn 
#1 · (Edited)
This one was received for free from a poster here on ts.com. It's not as nice as the last one, but I'm up for the challenge. I'm sure it will a great loader for some young shooter.

It was set up with hydraulics at one time so we'll convert it back to handle driven. We have all the parts to do so. Also in the picture you can see the plastic dies, which I may try to replace with metal ones you see in the background on the table. The connectors for hydraulics are on the left and are mounted on the back of the machine to keep them out of the way of the operator. The handle will be on the front with linkage coming around to the back.

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Here's the model number from the front.

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The primer pad, spring and post are missing (found) and the carrier doesn't click at all which I've already fixed by

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bending the index spring (#92) so it applies pressure on the index ball (#94) which clicks in the carrier divots. I'll replace the spring just in case it's weak.

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The spring for the primer station is broken.

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The bar assembly is bent, but that is easy. That may have happened in transit.

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After a thorough cleaning and some new parts, this baby will be loading shells once again.
 
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#4 ·
Joe,

I recognize that old "beater" as the one I sent you. Definitely rode hard, but as you say, will make someone a fine reloader when rebuilt. I know it loaded tens of thousands of shells for me over the years.

The Grabber is probably one of the best of the MEC line of loaders. Good luck with the project and thanks for helping new shooters.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I decided to replace the turret assembly (#70)

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because it's so loose on the main shaft. The turret assembly is the piece that all the dies are attached to. To get it removed I had to take this bolt out, from the back of the machine.

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Then the internal slider piece (actuator rod) can move up as you take the turret completely off.

You can see the hook at the top of this next picture that was keeping the turret from being removed.

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Here are all the pieces attached to the turret. I took some pictures of certain parts to help my memory on re-assembly. Not too bad. I'm going to need to re-install my bench grinder so I can use the wire wheel on the rust. That has worked real good in the past.

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#8 ·
Parts came so I'm re-assembling and cleaning as I go. Happened to have a can of Rem Oil, so I clean with that and it leaves a nice lubricated surface as a result. Rem Oil and paper towels are doing the job nicely. Indexer clicks crisply with the new spring.

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Handle is on and there is very little play. There's some, but it's comparable to the other hardly used machine that's ready to go out. This one will be a while yet.

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#14 · (Edited)
I do not, but it had to be a lot as the turret assembly was pretty wobbly. Here's some of the progress on the handle. I used the wire wheel on my bench grinder for the first pass. Then a couple of passes with a hand sander and some stain/varnish. Maybe one more coat to finish.

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And a final picture with the primer tray installed and tuned up.

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I stained and varnished the handle and it looks pretty good. New bottles really spruce it up too. Bluing to do yet on some of the bare parts and it'll be done. It resizes down to .804, crimp depth is very close to .050, which is where it should be, and the pre-crimp leaves a nice pea sized hole. The neat part is my son worked on his own stuff in our new shop in the basement as I was working in this. We help each other out as needed.
 
#17 · (Edited)
They look pretty rough after a first application. I think I should have wiped them clean with a paper towel and something like carb cleaner after I hit them with the wire wheel on my bench grinder. After rinsing in water like the directions say, they look rusty. Will have to try again.

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#24 · (Edited)
Rust-Oleum clear coat is shown below after some more wire wheel cleaning.

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I did find a video that shows how to do the Birchwood Casey bluing: a minute coverage with a heat gun, a minute application of the bluing and a minute dunking in water followed by oiling. See video here:



I guess I didn't do it correctly. I may ask my contact at Mec what they use on new parts because it might be interesting, but I'm heading towards the clear coat on these small rusty parts because it's so easy. It's time to get this thing out of here and move on to a Mec 650.
 
#25 · (Edited)
The clear coat looks real nice. Parts are re-assembled and working fine except I broke the chain on the primer try while I was taking pictures for the other Grabber thread that popped up today. I have some new chain around here somewhere... And while looking at the machine closely, I noticed the bar doesn't travel all the way back to the right when raising the handle. The problem is the cam roller on the right is too thick. It's not the stock part, so I will look around for a replacement for that too.

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Here's a picture of the stock part. It's metal and thinner.

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It's part #121

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#26 ·
You know when you get a machine working and everything seems to click because it's adjusted as it should be adjusted and the worn parts are replaced with new? That's how this machine feels which I attribute to the new turret assembly. I've never replaced one of those before, but when I do rebuild my own 9000, that will be the first thing I replace. It's quite worn on my 9000 because of years of heavy use. This machine is old, but it really feels nice when working the handle. It feels as good a new, to be honest and that was the goal here. I believe I'm done except for a chain and a cam roller.
 
#28 · (Edited)
I've had a request for a 20 ga Grabber, so I'm in the process of trading this 12 for a 20. Believe it or not, there is someone out there willing to trade within driving distance of my home. I would like to mention that ClayPoppy's 'no-strings-attached' donation of this Grabber is making all this possible. Way to go dude! The final recipient has a lot of kids that shoot. He's the in-house coach/parent for numerous young shooters who could use an upgrade from a 20 ga Jr to a Grabber.

I'd also like to mention OldGoat who sent me a very rich box of spare parts for the program. Everything from bushings, to bars to brass rings and something I've never seen before: a knurled bolt for the bar. Thanks OldGoat. It's guys like you and ClayPoppy who make this program fly!
 
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