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Spolar or PW ??

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FN in MT

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Myself and a buddy are going in on a loader. Fifteen plus years ago when I shot trap I had a Ponsness 900 and it worked OK ......but had a few "issues". Currently I'm hearing the Spolar is THE way to go.

I'm not as concerned about purchase price as I am with turning out quality loads. Also the ability to switch between 12 and 20 gauge with a minimum of problems.

FN in MT
 
#3 ·
I would discuss with Spolar if you can use their press with a wide range of components. For Example, can you vary the loadings from 1 1/8 oz down to 3/4 oz and still get acceptable crimps that will insure good combustion.
 
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#4 ·
Well this may sound odd, but even with money not a consideration, I think I'd be leaning toward a 9000 with the electric motor. You could buy one for every gauge and still be ahead. 9000 are very adjustable, easy to work on, and load a great looking shell.

bel_dad
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
The 9000's are a BIG leap up from the 900's?? My 900 in the early 1990's surely had a few flaws.

I eventually had my problems fixed by PW in Idaho but it wasn't as quick or as painless as I'd hoped. Especially for what the 900 co$t at that time.

Any issues with Spolar customer assistance??

FN in MT
 
#10 ·
I believe the 800+ is their flagsip loader, and the p/w I owned. The materials it is constructed from are excelent. However, I peronsnaly prefer the engeneering of the 9000.

There is no doubt the P/W loader is a quality piece of equiptment, however, I just prefer working with the 9000. Its the little things, the short leaver throw, the easy to tilt back bottles, easy baffel and bar change, and most of all... when I make a mistake, and it does happen, at least to me :oops: I can easily fix the problem. When you have a problem with a P/W, fixing it can be far more difficult depending on which station it is on.

Oh, and one more point i wished I had known before I bought my p/w, the wad and the empty shell go in on different parts of the stroke, unlike the 9000 where the wad and empty shell goes in at the same time.
Bel_dad
 
#11 ·
bel_dad said:
I believe the 800+ is their flagsip loader, and the p/w I owned. The materials it is constructed from are excelent. However, I peronsnaly prefer the engeneering of the 9000.

There is no doubt the P/W loader is a quality piece of equipment, however, I just prefer working with the 9000. Its the little things, the short leaver throw, the easy to tilt back bottles, easy baffle and bar change, and most of all... when I make a mistake, and it does happen, at least to me :oops: I can easily fix the problem. When you have a problem with a P/W, fixing it can be far more difficult depending on which station it is on.

Oh, and one more point i wished I had known before I bought my p/w, the wad and the empty shell go in on different parts of the stroke, unlike the 9000 where the wad and empty shell goes in at the same time.
Bel_dad
Click to expand...
I notice that you very graciously didn't bring up the bad workmanship in the one you bought and the shoddy treatment you got from P/W. If it were me, I would have shouted it for all to hear whenever there was a question about P/W. But I guess you must be a better gentleman than me, and you are hereby commended. Yes, I am being sincere and not being sarcastic, really.
 
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#12 ·
Curly, never met you, but know you well enough to know you are sincere... thanks. I figured, let bygons be bygons... i imagine many have had excellent treatment and excellent results, and my one experience is likely not typical.

Bel_dad
 
#14 ·
The way I spell relief from reloading problems, disappointment and headaches then on to a life of beautiful crimps and great shells is...S.p.o.l.a.r.

Want to go from 12 to 20? No problem.

Want to actually enjoy reloading because the equipment works everytime? No problem.

Just my experience. Your mileage may vary. I have owned PW's, MEC's and (OMG) Hornady reloaders. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Some, I shall leave unnamed, should be used as boat anchors. Others are just fine. After a few years of trying things out I decided that, as a skeet shooter, I needed to be able to load 4 gauges as QUICKLY and as HASSLE FREE as possible. I've never enjoyed reloading as much as I do with this machine.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Joe_Skeet,

Do they have a FOOT pedal actuator available?? Would drive me crazy having to hit two buttons on opposite ends of the machine face. A foot pedal would be a lot easier IMHO.

Great video though.

You KNOW your a totally obsessed skeet shooter........When You post videos of You and your reloader on the WWW!! LOL.

FN in MT
 
#16 ·
If money is no object, I'd go with the Spolar! Having owned both a mec 9000g and a PW 800+ the Spolar wins hands down! I can change gauges on my Spolar in half the time it took to change my PW, not to mention you don't have to mess with those little allen screws holding the pw wad guide togeather. I load 12, 28, and .410 with hydraulics averaging between four and six hundred shells an hour depending on the gauge. The reason I slow down on the smaller gauges is to spread open the wad petals a little more. However, I recieve flawless crimps in all gauges with almost no machine related errors per session! Although some human errors ie: forgotten wad or running out of primers.... will occur with all machines....
 
#17 ·
Absolutely Spolar. Great machine, and loads and loads and loads..................

Change in gauges is 5 minutes - REALLY. Foot pedal is awesome. They custom set your machine for your loads prior to shipment, which means (not quite) PLUG IT IN A LOAD.
 
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#18 ·
FN in MT said:
Do they have a FOOT pedal actuator available?? Would drive me crazy having to hit two buttons on opposite ends of the machine face. A foot pedal would be a lot easier IMHO.
Click to expand...
My guess is it's a trial lawer thing: two hands on two buttons=no smashed fingers. Might be worth getting used to. That said, I've often thought that I'd re-wire mine for a foot pedel if I ever get one. I'm sure it can be done. :) If you decide to go this way and don't want to make the mod yourself, let me know.
 
#19 ·
Skeeter55 said:
FN in MT said:
Do they have a FOOT pedal actuator available?? Would drive me crazy having to hit two buttons on opposite ends of the machine face. A foot pedal would be a lot easier IMHO.
Click to expand...
My guess is it's a trial lawer thing: two hands on two buttons=no smashed fingers. Might be worth getting used to. That said, I've often thought that I'd re-wire mine for a foot pedel if I ever get one. I'm sure it can be done. :) If you decide to go this way and don't want to make the mod yourself, let me know.
Click to expand...
After working in a printing plant and seeing the results of mishaps where a person left hands in the machine due to ignorance, I can see why they do that.
 
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#20 ·
Curly-Nohair said:
After working in a printing plant and seeing the results of mishaps where a person left hands in the machine due to ignorance, I can see why they do that.
Click to expand...
Indeed. And I wonder if the electric version isn't inherently more dangerous in this regard. Once you initiate a cycle with the electric it will try to finish the down stroke unless you somehow signal it to stop, which might be hard to do with your hand or hands stuck in the machine. Am I correct in thinking that with the hydraulic version all you have to do stop it is lift your foot? It might be tricky to come up with a foot pedal for the electric version that would work this way, though I think it could be done. :idea:
 
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