Hollywood Press handle removal

[357heaven]

Hi All,

I Know someone here can help me. I just got into reloading and bought a Hollywood Press. I want to clean it up and repaint it. I got it apart except for the handle. I cant get it to come out of the large shaft on the bottom, I got the pin out, but the handle will not move. I've tried penetrating oil, and using a strap wrench to try to rotate it. There is no way to push it out from the other side. Any ideas from the pro's would be very appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

If you don't get an answer here, try asking Pressman on Castboolits. He seems pretty knowledgable.

I have the same press, but haven't had to disassemble it.

 

[Otto]

Which Hollywood is it, the Senior? Did you completely remove the pin that the arrow points to? Try soaking it in Kroil overnight. I wouldn't force the handle because it may have been "press fitted" when it was manufactured.
I've never felt a need to remove it and the press can be repainted without having to.

 

[357heaven]

Thanks Otto,

Yes, it is the senior. Yes, I have removed the 3/8 pin. And it's been soaking in Silikroil for over a day now. I thought about working around it, but I'm not giving up just yet. I want it to turn out like the one Seagiant at Castboolits has done. That thing is SWEET! Your press is very nice as well, but this one hasn't been cared for as well as yours obviously has been.

The problem is that the handle is so tight in the large pin that it won't budge. I don't know if it is suposed to be a friction fit, or if it is rusted in. There isn't excessive rust on the rest of the press. I'm wondering if this was assembled with heat applied to the large pin to expand it. I know that this method is used with bearing keepers in some other applications. They heat it with electrical current. I have a contact that I can use to do this same thing to the press, but don't want to do that before asking a pro. I have an email into Pressman and am waiting for a response from him as well. I'll keep ya posted, and if anyone has any other ideas I would be happy to hear them.

Thanks Guys,

Joe

 

[rfwobbly]

As a machine designer I would hazard a guess that the handle (#41) is slip-fit into big shaft (#36). With small pin (#45) completely out, all 3 shafts should come out. The last re-builder obviously thought the handle was a little loose and applied some LocTite. Apply a small amount of directed heat to the handle with a propane torch. Most LocTite products break loose easily with elevated temperature.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Otto: Do you have the plans or an instruction manual of the Senior that you could share with me?

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I've never felt a need to remove it and the press can be repainted without having to.

My Senior need some touchup, so I made sure the parts I didn't want painted had lots of oil on them, then used some Rustoleum black Hammered Finish spray paint. The overspray was wiped off and it looks brand new.

 

[Otto]

Otto: Do you have the plans or an instruction manual of the Senior that you could share with me?

No instructions, but you can get a more detailed description of the press from the US Patent office online.
(to 357heaven) My concern with removing the handle is that may become loose after it's re-installed...I just wouldn't risk it.

Kevin, thats a good refinish job and close to the original.

 

[357heaven]

That looks GREAT Kevin! Thanks for the good idea. If I decide to turn back, I'll definitely use that technique.

 

[Offfhand]

Here's what you're looking for: The handle stub is held in place by thru-pin #44. Remove lock ring from either end and push out the pin and handle stub is easily removed. A light tap with brass punch loosened the pin and it slid out. the handle is not a press fit as there is no need for it to be, mine fell out when pin was removed. See attached photo, it explains all.

 

[rondog]

Perhaps you can put a clamp of some kind on the handle, maybe a c-clamp, and then tap against that clamp with a small hammer, to try and drive the handle out?

 

[357heaven]

I cheated and drilled a 3/8 hole in the under side of the casting and pushed it out with a drift punch. It turns out that the handle is knurled on this one...no wonder it wasn't coming easily. I did try my mapp gas torch first, oil, hot, cold....then it hit me. I can drill this hole and push it out and no one will be the wiser. I should have it done by Monday. Thanks again for the help.



Joe

 

[357heaven]

Done! Thanks for all the help.

 

[mdb1911]

Were can I buy the case holder for the Hollywood Senior press?

 

[wulf11acr]

ebay!!

 

[ReloaderFred]

Both RCBS and CH make the universal shell holder receiver for the Hollywood Senior presses. I've got several of them for both of mine. They don't cost much, and you can then use regular RCBS, Lyman, Hornady, Lee, etc. shell holders.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[bluetopper]

The Hollywood press looks much stouter than a Lee press.

Been wanting one for years.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

There is one on Ebay right now that is a duplicate of mine. It should go for $300 or more with all the shellholders and primer arms included.

he Hollywood press looks much stouter than a Lee press.

Iron and steel vs. pot-metal and aluminum. No comparison.