Forster Co-Ax question

[Captaingyro]

I wonder if someone could help me out with a question about the shell holder jaws on the Forster Co-Ax? I've reversed and reassembled the jaws on my Co-Ax so many times I can't remember for sure whether the springs are supposed to be in the front or the back of the "sandwich".

Right now I've got the springs in the rear, so that they're on the same side as the jaw opening screw. The jaws seem to work with this arrangement, but the diagram on the last page of the Co-Ax instructions seems to indicate that the springs should be in the front. The diagram is fairly ambiguous though, and doesn't show the underside of the jaw housing where the springs are located. Anyone have a firm grasp on the orientation of those springs?

 

[papaairbear]

I think I have mine set up just like you do but I can't remember. The owners manual doesn't specify front or back so I don't think it matters. I haven't had any problems with the parts functioning.

From the manual:

PAGE 6
Standard “S” Jaws are factory installed and ready for reloading. If the chart
below indicates a need to install “LS” Jaws or requires reversal of the “S” Jaws,
do the following: Remove two button head screws (#20 from drawing on back
cover) and carefully lift the shell holder jaw housing (#37). Insert jaws in shell
holder housing with ends properly matched. Re-insert springs against arms of
jaws as shown in photo. Replace entire assembly to guide block (#45) and lock
in place with the two button head screws (#20). Tighten screws firmly, but don't
overdo it.

 

[Captaingyro]

Yeah, I've got the manual. It 'splains everything except which side the springs go on. Mechanically it seems to make sense to have them on the same side as the jaw opening screw, but the diagram kind of looks like they're opposite it.

 

[JimKirk]

My CoAx is early model .... but I put my springs on the back where the jaw opening bolt is ... seems since the bolt opens them ... the best location would be inline with it ....

It will work either way ... but I like the back better...

 

[dh1633pm]

I do the same as JimKirk on mine.

 

[daboone]

Rex Roach does several excellent videos on the CO-AX. This is on the jaw swap. I



Forster has released an upgraded jaws that seriously resolved the flying springs problem.

 

[Captaingyro]

I sent an email to Forster tech support over the weekend and this morning a rep got back to me. His answer? There's no absolutely correct orientation but on his Co-Ax he prefers the springs in the rear.

So, it seems to be unanimous: springs to the rear. That's the way I'd been doing it, but then, like an idiot, I looked at the instructions.

Lesson learned.

 

[dh1633pm]

Really, no more flying springs? I lost one when I first got the press and then proceeded to order 10 of them. I figured it was the price of doing business. Although I did get a lot more careful.

 

[Captaingyro]

Yeah, those springs'll jump out and bite ya. I actually do the changeovers exactly like the guy in the video above. It goes a lot easier if you build the sandwich upside down after removing a single spring.

 

[JimKirk]

A few years back .... I started changing mine in a gallon Ziploc bag ... not 100% ... but it does help !!!

 

[Captaingyro]

I read about a guy who took pistols apart in the bathtub, with the drain plug closed and the shower curtain pulled. He never lost a spring, but one day he had to explain to his wife why he was playing with guns in the bathtub.

 

[JimKirk]

Well my wife did ask me what I was doing with her Ziploc bags ....I never did find her name on any of them ......

But jokes aside ... the use of the bag closes off three sides completely ... the fourth side has a much smaller "launch window" and the launch window is directed towards the user . .. so at least you have an idea of the direction of launch ... if it escapes !!!

I have launched a couple in the forty something years I have owned a CO-AX ... I found one years later .... but the one must have got into orbit ... to be seen never again....!!!!!