Ideas for safer & easier reloading

[velocette]

Here are two items which I have found that make my reloading easier and safer.
1, Use a wing nut in place of the small knurled nut on the adjusting screw. Usually 10/32 but can be different. Take your adj screw to the hardware store to be sure.
Make adjustment and snugging up the screw much easier.

2, Put an acorn nut or a tire valve cap or a wire nut on top of the adjusting screw. This covers the 'fangs' on the top of the screw so they won't rip into your arm as you reach over the press for something.

Simple things that save time and your blood.

 

[bullseye308]

Put a lock washer under the wing nut and you won’t need anything over it. I do believe a cap eraser would fit over the threaded rod but haven’t tried it. I never thought to do any of it, I just figured getting scratched up was part of it because I didn’t pay attention to what I was doing. The stuff some of you come up with is simply genius. Thank you.

 

[Jonny2guns]

That's why I usually buy Lee dies, I don't like having that threaded rod sticking up.

 

[barnfrog]

Here are two items which I have found that make my reloading easier and safer.
1, Use a wing nut in place of the small knurled nut on the adjusting screw. Usually 10/32 but can be different. Take your adj screw to the hardware store to be sure.
Make adjustment and snugging up the screw much easier.

2, Put an acorn nut or a tire valve cap or a wire nut on top of the adjusting screw. This covers the 'fangs' on the top of the screw so they won't rip into your arm as you reach over the press for something.

Simple things that save time and your blood.

Great idea. I've never liked the knurled lock nut on RCBS dies.

 

[Mark_Mark]

That's why I usually buy Lee dies, I don't like having that threaded rod sticking up.

I have ripped skin so many times with RCBS threaded rod!! I just wrapped it with Gaffing tape!

 

[cfullgraf]

The wing nut is a great idea.

My presses are mounted to a free standing floor stand. My reloading layout is set up where I never have to reach over the top of the press and dies so I have never suffered an injury frome scraping my arm on the top of the seating stem.

But, for folks that have shelves behind the press, I can see the risk of bodily harm. So, putting a cap on the too of the seating stem is also a good idea.

When we drew a little blood during a project we were really putting ourselves into the work.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

My best reloading hack was mounting a color digital inspection camera I already had to the progressive press so I can visually confirm powder level in the case before seating a bullet. Had a squib 380 (no harm done)that made me do something to never let it happen again. Works great and can also be used as a borescope on 9mm & up as well as in the garage that I bought it for.

 

[bluejay75]

Here are two items which I have found that make my reloading easier and safer.
1, Use a wing nut in place of the small knurled nut on the adjusting screw. Usually 10/32 but can be different. Take your adj screw to the hardware store to be sure.
Make adjustment and snugging up the screw much easier.

2, Put an acorn nut or a tire valve cap or a wire nut on top of the adjusting screw. This covers the 'fangs' on the top of the screw so they won't rip into your arm as you reach over the press for something.

Simple things that save time and your blood.

View attachment 1026488

Excuse my ignorance but is the size of all RCBS stems universal? Post a link to the thread of wingnut I will need please.

 

[Ranger99]

JMHO- my idea of safer loading for some
that I know would be to rid themselves of
the distractions in their loading area

 

[burrhead]

The wing nut's a great idea and I'm going to use it. When I become the emperor all the locking rings on dies will have flats so a person can use a wrench. One reason I like Hornady dies. Just a pet peeve of mine.

 

[Ranger99]

Your majesty sir please leave mine be.
I have a mixture of dies and made peace
with all of them long ago

 

[EMC45]

Great tips. I have 2 permanent scars on my right forearm from RCBS 30-30 decapping/re-sizing die threaded rod. There was actually a dried ribbon of skin (first time) on the threaded rod the second time I got cut.

 

[lordpaxman]

Great ideas and great fodder for the thread that has tips and tricks.

 

[EMC45]

The top one actually is a split where both sides of the rod got me.

 

[gifbohane]

That is brilliant..............Also, like EMC, my forearm will thank me.