Roll Crimp vs Fold Crimp

[J. Scott Hanes]

Originally Posted by Rick Roemer

In the last six months or so I’ve gotten heavily into roll crimping. Lots of good advice given from members on this site and some trial and error have yielded what I consider pretty good results. If you want advice on it, feel free to reach out. I’ve had the loads tested alongside regular crimp loads and find they do have lower pressures.

What differences, if any, do you see in the patterns they produce. When roll crimps were the norm many decades ago, the manufacturers touted the move to crimping to prevent "blown" patterns. Any truth to that in your experience?

[Keith Doty]

I'm getting ready to finish up a pile of spent 12 ga. hulls. When I do 16 ga. paper hulls is next, finally got some from BP (been out for some time.) When I do I'm going to load some with the same load but roll vs. crimp. Then off to the pattern board. Several of us here in my area have discussed this over and over, only the pattern board knows for sure. I'll report to all with result. I've switched from the magic marker and counting holes to the photo app and special targets. Costs not a lot and REAL easy!

[Victor Wasylyna]

Roll crimp because it’s cool! (You don’t drive a Corvette just because it gets you from Point A to Point B.)

-Victor

[Keith Doty]

Originally Posted by Victor Wasylyna

Roll crimp because it’s cool! (You don’t drive a Corvette just because it gets you from Point A to Point B.)

-Victor

AMEN!

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Victor Wasylyna

Roll crimp because it’s cool! (You don’t drive a Corvette just because it gets you from Point A to Point B.)

-Victor

As the saying goes, “Wrap your ass in fiberglass!”

[Eddie Kay]

I roll crimp for my 2 1/2" HH Hussey.

[Keith Doty]

Couldn't help myself. I got some 16 ga. paper hulls in finally and started to load some. Got a box done with star crimp and then decided to take the time to roll some.

[Clark McCombe]

Would like to know how you feel they compare to plastic. Which 16ga would you be using?
I seem to be able to get some pretty good crimps in 12ga and 20ga plastic.
And the roll crimp in 2” 12ga look great.
But the 16ga always seem to be not quite right no matter what hull.
And I think I’ve worn the screws out on the MEC trying to get the adjustment right

[Keith Doty]

I did a box of paper 6 pt. crimp first and made no changes to my press, same as I do 2 1/2" Cheddite plastic, same results, very nice clean crimps plastic or paper. My early attempts at roll crimping were "ify" at best (tools from BP and Precision) then I bought the tools from the fellow several here recommended, totally different results. Try www.thereloadersnetwork.com, you want the 4 pin roll crimp tool. I now have a full set 10,12,16,and 20. I made the "machine" seen above to drive with an 18v drill on the screw driving speed, works like a champ. Couldn't find a small bench top drill press with sufficient torque. I load a tray (25) hulls, no crimp. Then go to the roll crimp rig, card'em all, then do'em all one after another. Having the heat the power tool generates in the roll crimp tool definitely helps in my opinion, certainly in plastic. I use a tiny bit of candle wax about every 10 to 12 rounds to lube the tool, seems to help.

[Keith Doty]

I also highly recommend the hull vise from Precision, works much better than the lever operated one with the rubber pads.