[Waldog]

PW 800+ is easily changed between gauges. Not as fast as the 375 but, easy just the same. I own a 375 and 800+.

 

[ezz555]

I only have the 12 gauge version right now but Spolar boasts about how quick and easy it is to swap their equipment from gauge to gauge. I have found it really easy just to put different Mec 9000 on the automate and away I go.

 

[losclay]

I use the Spolar & switch from 12 to 20g or vise versa in minutes. Pull the reservoirs,pull the LED connection, slide out the charge bar, remove the two head bolts. Place the new head & reverse the process.
Under 10 mins & with all stations pre set just check your drop weights & load away. The only thing faster would be to have side by side loaders which IMO takes too much bench real estate & for me just not practical.

 

[handlepuller]

I have a Ponsness Warren 375 with two toolheads, one with .410/28ga, the other with 20ga/12ga. It’s awesome. The main things I love about it are how quickly I can swap gauges and how relatively little space the spare toolheads take up. With that in mind, what progressive press is comes closest to it in terms of speed of swapping between gauges and taking up relatively little space?

I think Spolar would set the standard for the ease with which you can change gauges, I don’t know about taking up relatively little space though.

 

[David McMillen]

The tool head on a Spolar is not that big. Can easily store 3 tool heads compared to one Mec.

 

[tj303]

Swapping gauges on a Spolar is quick and easy. The only thing easier is having multiple reloading machines.

 

[Carl_in_NH]

All you need is $550 per gauge on the Spolar for the tool head. And another $90 per gauge if you want the caddy and cover. .

 

[mpolans]

Spolars seem nice, but what’s the next cheaper option?

 

[bossbasl]

If you don't mind parting with substantially more cash, the Spolar is the answer. Otherwise, the PW800+ will do the same so you can invest the difference. With a 6% annual return you'll be surprised at the total evaluation if you sold everything (Spolar or PW) and added the cash accumulation after a few years.

 

[Nebs]

If you don't mind parting with substantially more cash, the Spolar is the answer. Otherwise, the PW800+ will do the same so you can invest the difference. With a 6% annual return you'll be surprised at the total evaluation if you sold everything (Spolar or PW) and added the cash accumulation after a few years.

This is totally the wrong way to look at it. And where can you get a 6% guaranteed annual return?

 

[John Henry]

I only have the 12 gauge version right now but Spolar boasts about how quick and easy it is to swap their equipment from gauge to gauge. I have found it really easy just to put different Mec 9000 on the automate and away I go.

I was running 4 (actually, 7) MEC 9000's on an Automate, and switched to a Spolar.

It doesn't take long to switch the tool head on a Spolar, but for me, it was much quicker to just swap entire machine on an Automate.

 

[mas cerveza]

The Spolar is pretty easy to change over. Less than 10 minutes. I'm curios, where can you get a 6% guaranteed return on investment?

 

[bossbasl]

Nebs: It's never wrong to invest money. If you can't achieve a 6% return......, well, you may wish to change strategy. Note: Not a thing wrong with springing for the Spolar. It's all about what you wish to do with your discretionary cash. The OP did inquire about possible options.

 

[Mr. D]

If I was looking to step up to a machine that did everything my pick would be a Spolar. Rip the Band-Aid off once and be one and done.

 

[mpolans]

PW 800+ is easily changed between gauges. Not as fast as the 375 but, easy just the same. I own a 375 and 800+.

So Spolars are crazy expensive...I can't justify $4k+ at this time. I was looking at the 800+, but I was under the impression there's one machine size for 12/20 and a different machine size for 28/410. Are they all the same size and interchangeable from 12ga down to .410?

 

[ezz555]

For the Spolar one machine size with four sets of dies that fit on it.

 

[losclay]

So Spolars are crazy expensive...I can't justify $4k+ at this time. I was looking at the 800+, but I was under the impression there's one machine size for 12/20 and a different machine size for 28/410. Are they all the same size and interchangeable from 12ga down to .410?

4K? The loader is $2,500 ready for 1 gauge manually operated. One loader can do multiple gauges with accessory heads.
New barrels run between 2 & 4K
Triggers 1,200 to 2K & beyond
Quality used guns running between 8,12 K
At $2,500 the Spolar is the best 2,500 you could invest in your shooting future. Not to mention the availability of good used machines

 

[mpolans]

4K? The loader is $2,500 ready for 1 gauge manually operated. One loader can do multiple gauges with accessory heads.
New barrels run between 2 & 4K
Triggers 1,200 to 2K & beyond
Quality used guns running between 8,12 K
At $2,500 the Spolar is the best 2,500 you could invest in your shooting future. Not to mention the availability of good used machines

It's $2500 for the reloader in 12ga, then 3x $600 for 20ga, 28ga, and .410 gauge change assembly and caddy, which makes it $4300 without tax and shipping. Since I reload primarily to save money over buying new shells, that's a lot of shells before I break even, even loading a lot of .410 and 28ga.

 

[bossbasl]

To stay at projected budget, just buy a PW800+ with 3 gauge conversion units. Slightly used is even better. You already have bushings, etc. from your 375's that you can use. You may also find that you may prefer to use the 375 instead of the 800+ (e.g., .410). So, start with the 800+ in 12 ga. and add gauge conversion sets as desired.