Questions for those making capsules

This is the capsule filler I use: www.herbco.com/p-1120-cap-m-quick-0.aspx
It holds 50 caps at time, which is why I like it better than the other model out there. LOL! I fill a lot of capsules each month as I stuff pills for myself and hubby!

I use size 0 caps - when packed tight, they will generally hold 500 mgs.

When I started using it, I didn't have the extra money for the tamper, so I found a ball point pen that would fit down inside the gel cap to tamp down the powders (some of the powders I use are of a VERY fine grind). I generally have to pack them twice to get 500 mgs in each cap.

I generally buy my gel caps from Amazon, as they have the better prices - usually. I just use Now brand gel caps, but you can get non-gelatin caps too, but I'm not sure what they use in place of the gelatine.

/www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-EMPTY-CAPS-1000/dp/B004GWAWJW

When I get ready to pack my caps, I lay down either one "legal" size piece of printer paper, or two 'regular' sized pieces of printer paper - put the capsule filler on top, and use a "fake credit card" (like the ones they send to people to get them to join) to smooth and scrape up the "leftover" herb on the cap filler to put back into the bag.

I also have a dedicated 1 inch paint brush (all natural fibers) that I use to sweep up the powder, and to help sweep off my capsule filler when I'm done.

I also have a very small container(with a lid) that I use while I'm filling the machine with the bottom half of the gel cap - I put the tops in the small container (with a lid), as I've been known to spill those tops all over the place and then find myself on my hands and knees hunting those darned tiny tops.... that are clear!! It's hard to see them at times!!!

When not in use, they all fit nicely inside a one gallon freezer bag to keep everything handy.

If there is any thing else that I can be of help with on this - just ask!! Hubby is always surprised how little time it takes me to fill 500 caps of turmeric! LOL! It takes a couple of hours, but he has done it a few times himself. After doing it for a while, you get a pretty good routine going. I just know where the caps lie under the herb powder. I fill caps about every 7 - 10 days for something!

Right now I'm filling caps for turmeric - by and far the most I do as hubby and I both use larger amounts.
My intestinal cramp herbs, ginger, valerian and astragalus. I just ordered bulk ashwagandha, so that will be another one I'll be filling caps for as well.

I refuse to count the number of times I've been on the floor looking for dropped pills or empty caps!!!