At all stages of the various pro-
cesses samples are picked at random, visually inspected, and are tested in “go” and “no go” gauges to ensure the best of quality control. Primer pockets are checked for correct depth and rims for correct diameter. It is an ongoing and very important necessary process. Bruce emphasized the feedback from customers in this area. As in the past, he continues to work with individual groups of shooters (i.e., double rifl e) to ensure the best quality control. At any one time there may be as
many as ten different calibres or more on the fl oor at various stages of produc- tion. It is obvious that all employees have to be very aware of what is hap- pening. Production is scheduled on need to fi ll urgent orders, and what is available in the storeroom may continu- ally change. In addition to normal production
runs, large overseas bulk orders have to be fi tted in as soon as possible. These are usually done on a contract basis. An order for 50,000 cases of the same type would not be unusual. A typical week may see as many as 40,000 new fi nished cases produced. Whilst some of the machinery may
be more than 100 years old it is very well maintained and continues to operate effi ciently. David Bertram, Bruce’s son, is a tool maker by profession and keeps the operation running smoothly. He is assisted by one apprentice tool and die maker. Many of the machines now in use are designed from scratch or altered to suit the company’s requirements. New die punches and other tools are made on the premises. Needless to say, both tool and die makers are very busy people. All processes are contained within house. There are many extra machines available as a backup should one completely fail. Some surplus government ma-
chinery for more common style cases remains set up in isolation and can be moved onto the production fl oor with a fork lift when the need exists. The ability to do this reduces the time frame involved and assists in quickly getting a new batch of cases underway. Initially, cases are produced a little
longer than necessary. Small creases can occur at the tip of the case mouth dur- ing production and these are eliminated when the cases are trimmed to length.
From initial cup to fi nal cases.
www.varminthunter.org Page 71
Brass cups, four draws.
Whilst the whole process is labour in- tensive from the start, it becomes even more so when the initial four draws are complete. Nearly all operations from this point forward require an operator to feed the hopper with the right size stock and monitor for correct operation. Or, in some cases the machine may have to be hand fed. The head is stamped and a punch
forms the primer pocket at the same time the concave surface inside the case
at the base is squared up. The brass, of course, must be soft enough for this to occur; even so, a considerable amount of force is used. The brass cups are now trimmed to the correct length and the head trimmed to the correct diameter, depending on calibre requirements. From this point the correctly sized cups are fed into an automatic machine that carries out several operations quicker than you can blink. The next operation in the process
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