Author Topic: Short starter (Read 2327 times)

MuskratMike · « **on:** August 22, 2022, 09:02:08 PM »

I finally got tired of cheesy easily broken wood shaft short starters. I get from the Log Cabin Shop a 6-inch long solid brass "ramrod extension". It is threaded on each end with either a male or female thread hole or spud. I cut the male spud end off or if I want the starter shorter I just shorten the entire shaft. Epoxy that into a deer or elk horn, and screw on a cleaning jag or on the new one I used a button jag and there you have it. A cool looking starter that will last a lifetime and never break at the worst time.
Let me know what you think.
"Muskrat" Mike

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2022, 09:32:08 PM »

Mike, I like to mount the handles of starters lengthwise rather than horizontally. That way, when you strike the starter knob, the energy is more likely closer to the centre of the shaft, rather than toward an end. That leverage on a horizontal handle may be why you have broken the shaft of a wooden shafted starter. I too like to use antler for the knob, preferring moose for it's density.
I mount a short stud of brass into the side of the starter and cup the end so that it fits the ball as closely as possible, and this I place onto the ball on the muzzle, and strike the knob of the starter to send the ball abut 1/4" into the bore. Then the tip of the shaft, likewise cupped onto the ball and a smark strike sends the patched ball the length of the shaft into the bore. Now the ramrod has a length of bore to steady it as I drive the patched ball onto the powder in short 6 - 10" strokes, so that I am less likely to break the ramrod. I also bore a hole in the side of the knob that fits loosely over the end of the ramrod, and this is used to put the final uniform pressure on the rod to fully seat the ball.
I don't like a starter end that has a tip larger than the shaft, as yours have with the jag end. I find that the patch has a tendency to grab onto the jag's edges and makes withdrawl of the starter difficult.
I like seeing folk's hand make kit though...thanks for posting this.

Seth Isaacson · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2022, 11:24:09 PM »

One of my short starters is similar. I used a ramrod extension piece attached to a drawer pull knob.

Martin S. · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2022, 12:35:28 AM »

Thanks for the tip. I can understand the longer piece of brass, but where did you get the little short piece with the bowl shaped indentation for the "short" starter part? Can you buy it like that? If not, how do you make the "bowl" part that fits over the top of the ball?

Thanks!

Fyrstyk · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2022, 12:48:49 AM »

A modification that I have made with my home made short starters of antler is to hollow one end of the antler to make a powder measure of so many grains as for the load in the gun that the short starter is for. I have a short starter for each gun just like some people have a bag for each gun.

MuskratMike · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2022, 12:53:52 AM »

Martin S.
That is a Ted Cash button jag, which can be bought at any muzzleloader supply. It comes with a threaded stud that screws right into the ramrod extension. Since I have a starter for each bag and horn set I apply some red thread lock on the threads of the stud so it never comes loose.
Hope this helps. Any other questions feel free to message me.
Mike

RANGER94 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2022, 11:33:17 PM »

Hi Mike - this is absolutely genius! I want to double check with Martin's question. The bowl shaped indentation for the smaller, or initial start, the little "nib". You said you used a Ted Cash button jag? The button jag has ridges, did you use epoxy to cover up the ridges when you mounted it on the antler piece? I am not sure if I am asking this question clearly.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2022, 11:59:39 PM »

I have made a lot of Bulgers over the years. Wood and brass shafts with turned wood, antler of all types, bone, a real small old door nob, snooker ball, brass ball and a couple from old screw driver handles. Basically what ever was in front of me on the bench.

Fyrstyk · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2022, 12:56:07 AM »

Quote from: RANGER94 on August 24, 2022, 11:33:17 PM

Hi Mike - this is absolutely genius! I want to double check with Martin's question. The bowl shaped indentation for the smaller, or initial start, the little "nib". You said you used a Ted Cash button jag? The button jag has ridges, did you use epoxy to cover up the ridges when you mounted it on the antler piece? I am not sure if I am asking this question clearly.

I have used 9mm and 45ACP brass with the primer knocked out to make the smaller nubs for starting the PRB into the muzzle. A drill bit sized larger than the primer hole will con cave the brass shell head to fit the PRB, Recess the brass into the handle to leave a stub as long as you desire.

MuskratMike · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2022, 03:07:24 AM »

Ranger94: here are 2 additional pictures of the longer one. The main difference in the two is the shorter starter has just been made and not used yet. The longer one of the two has been used for years and has started thousands of balls. The jag at the end of the shaft has been lightly filed to not catch any patch material but mostly has just been worn smooth being made of brass. The same goes for the little button jag on the antler. No filing here just a lot of balls started.
Hope this is of help. Any other questions please feel free to ask or message me.
"Muskrat" Mike

RANGER94 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2022, 02:37:03 PM »

The pictures clarified it! Thanks again!!!

Stoner creek · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2022, 05:24:26 PM »

Maybe I should come out with a short starter kit!!!
We could have classes on assembly and finish. Everyone would want one! I could get rich on them!
Woo Hoo!!!

bigsmoke · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2022, 06:21:59 PM »

Treso offers a short starter kit, which has all the individual parts for a short starter: ball, shaft, brass tip for the shaft, and the short starter button. Easy, peasey. But, rumors have it that Treso has pretty much shut down, so those kits might be a little more difficult to find.
For the real do it yourselfers, a piece of 3/8" or 7/16" brass rod, 6" or 7" long is a good place to start. 3/8" rod would be easier to find, probably at a good hardware store.
If you don't have a metal lathe, a wood lathe would be OK. So, go down to your local metal working supply business and buy a 7/16" ball mill. High speed steel will be OK, as you are working with brass, not steel rod. You want the next size larger than the material you are working with. A 3/8" ball mill will make a deeper concave opening than you want. So, mount the brass rod in the chuck and the ball mill in the tailstock, bring it up close to the rod, and feed the ball mill into the rod end and that will give you a nicely indented tip. Cut that end off at about 1/2" or so long and there is your short starter button. Repeat the process with the brass rod and you will have the long starter. Pretty basic. If you are working with a metal lathe, you can knurl the rod for a better grip when you epoxy the rod into the antler.
Hope you understand these instructions. Enjoy.
John (Bigsmoke)

Marcruger · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2022, 06:22:12 PM »

If it comes from the region of Stoner Creek, you just know it will be good. Two thumbs up.

MuskratMike · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2022, 07:37:09 PM »

We will have to discuss royalty payments first.

Austin · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2022, 04:32:13 AM »

Question?? If a Kibler kit takes 2 beers to assemble, (verified by some of North Americas best builders) how long would it take to assemble the Stoner Creek/ Mike Brooks short starter kit??

Austin · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2022, 04:33:42 AM »

Asking for a friend

Stoner creek · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2022, 05:06:30 AM »

Tell your friend. Depends on if it’s Shiner’s or the el-cheapo stuff.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #18 on:** August 26, 2022, 05:40:36 AM »

… One bourbon, one scotch, one beer

Martin S. · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2022, 03:04:49 AM »

Mike and John, thanks to both of you for the explanation and parts sources.

Martin

WadePatton · « **Reply #20 on:** August 27, 2022, 04:29:29 PM »

Quote from: Stoner creek on August 25, 2022, 05:24:26 PM

Maybe I should come out with a short starter kit!!!
We could have classes on assembly and finish. Everyone would want one! I could get rich on them!
Woo Hoo!!!

Marketing hint: If I was makings/selling them I'd never call it a "short starter". Call it a "ball starter", that's that only sort I'll use. It's a psychological thing.

There is no "long starter" is there?

MuskratMike · « **Reply #21 on:** August 28, 2022, 02:39:34 AM »

Wade;
I bow to your observation and suggestion. From now they are "Ball Starters". Thanks for pointing that out.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #22 on:** August 28, 2022, 03:09:37 AM »

An account penned by an observer at one of the fur trade rendezvous discribing the equipment caried by the mountaineers called them " bulgers ".

Daryl · « **Reply #23 on:** August 29, 2022, 07:09:59 PM »

Quote from: smylee grouch on August 28, 2022, 03:09:37 AM

An account penned by an observer at one of the fur trade rendezvous discribing the equipment caried by the mountaineers called them " bulgers ".

Seems to me, the "bulger" moniker was originally English.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #24 on:** August 29, 2022, 07:31:44 PM »

Daryl, thats very possible as the reference I was referring to might have been made by Sir William Drummund Stewart or Washington Irving. Some people claim that the "short starter" is a modern thing, well maybe the term is but we know the "bulger" was in use as far back as that particular rendezvous.

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Author Topic: Short starter (Read 2327 times)