Figgured out what it is but how does one use it

[Eric Johanen]

I was given a Texas Loader tool used to recondition paper hulls. My benefactor says it is in perfect working order. Know these tools are as rare as hen's teeth and impossible to find. Would you apply a bit of melted paraffin and then use the heater to get the wax into the paper hull? How does one put this tool into use?

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Got a picture of the tool?

[Eric Johanen]

Texan shell conditioner tool

[Carl G. Bachhuber]

I see a power cord so I suspect (just a guess) is is similar to the ones I used on paper shells when I was a kid. The ones I used had a heated mandrel that slid inside the case. It melted the wax that was left in the paper. The shell was inverted allowing the melted wax would run down into mouth of the case giving a nice crimp. MEC used to sell them. An additional benefit was that if there were any pin holes in the paper you could see the hot wax/gas escaping and could discard the shell.
C.G.B.

[Paul Harm]

Just a couple of years ago I was using a preconditioner a friend gave me. It looked more like those things woman used to curl their hair. I screwed it to the edge of my work bench, plugged it in, and the shell was put on it upside down. AS I turned it I would hold a candle to the edge of the shell making sure it had plenty of wax. A woman's curling iron, or what ever you call it, works just great.

[Eric Johanen]

This Texan conditioner places the hull upright on the baseplate. The pin on the mandrel end punches out the spent primer. It appears that the heated mandrel enters the hull and heats the hull allowing the wax to flow. the outer cylinder looks to be a safety guard. I will try rubbing a little beeswax or paraffin at the hull mouth and see if it re-waxes the hulls. Hope it works as I like paper reloads. Anyone have a instruction manual for these tools? Tried a net search and photos of the tool show up but so far no instructions for use