LUBE for reloading press

[BLUEThunder450]

HELP, I just took my reloading press out of storage and am starting to reload again! However, whilst in storage the press (ramrod or whatever it's called) has became a little tight. It appears that it may have had some kind of grease on it. I cleaned it up and would like to lube it. I can't find the manual that came with the press.

Any suggestions on what kind of lube to use?

 

[Lazuris]

10/30 motor oil. Just a bit applied with your finger.

 

[Halo]

I recently did the very same thing, and in my case I applied a thin layer of grease to the ram surface. I used Shooter's Choice gun grease, but I'm sure you can use just about any grease or oil you want as long as it's not overdone.

 

[rcmodel]

Any good gun oil.

I've even been known to give mine a spritz of case lube in the middle of a loading session!

Be sure and oil all the linkage & pins too.

rcmodel

 

[BLUEThunder450]

Thanks guys! I figured I could use a thin layer of axle grease or oil but was not sure. I am very anxious to get started again.

 

[WayneConrad]

Gear grease here

 

[Otto]

Most everything except WD-40

 

[wally]

If it sides grease it, if it rotates oil it. Lubrication 101.

Clean things up with a good solvent like auto brake parts cleaner and then lube as above. Motor oil and bearing grease you are likely to have on had already will do fine.

--wally.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Over the last 40+ years of reloading, I've tried every conceivable lubricant for the ram on my reloading presses. The only one I currently use is Rem-Oil.

Thoroughly clean the ram and then apply the oil and work it up and down. That should free it up.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rcmodel]

Since there is no grease Zerk on the cast iron press frame, and it's a pretty tight fit, it's pretty hard to get grease all the way down through it.
About the only good way would be to take the press apart and grease the hole with the ram out.

That's why I prefer oil on the ram.
It eventually seeps it's way down & out the bottom.

rcmodel

 

[BLUEThunder450]

Wally, I love your Lubrication 101 class! That is funny but so true....

Thanks to all for the good advice!

 

[Idano]

Blue,

If it were me I would clean up the ram an linkage with WD-40; it is the best degreaser I know of and then I would use clear RCBS case lube. I use to use oil and lithium grease but I started using RCBS case lube after I got my Hornady AP and the shell plates were coated in a clear grease with the same viscosity as the RCBS case lube.

 

[closetgunnut]

I used some powdered graphite on my Lyman Crusher II.

It's been about a month since I applied it and it's still smooth as a whistle.

Closet

 

[SDefender]

My Hornady has grease fittings, so I just use regular automotive chassis grease.

 

[strat81]

Same thing as my guns: NAPA lithium grease and Breakfree CLP.

 

[LotI]

I use gun oil. It's in the same room, lubricates and prevents corrosion.

This discussion reminds me of the motor oil discussions on the car boards...Should I use synthetic or dinosaur oil?:banghead:

 

[The Bushmaster]

Don't it though, LotI....L O L

Clean and oil the dang thing and let's get on with the reloading...

 

[Eric F]

+1 Breakfree

 

[GearHead_1]

If it sides grease it, if it rotates oil it. Lubrication 101.

Well, while the crank goes round and round, technically pistons "slide" up and down in the cylinders. That one will bake your noodle. Anyways, clean the ram with some carb cleaner and #0000 steel wool if light corrosion is present and then about any light oil will work. I use a little Mobil 1, just because I have it on hand.

 

[armoredman]

I used Rem Oil on an RCBS Jr press that had not been moved since 1979. After soaking for about 10 minutes, some force was applied, and it moved. I cleaned it up, and oiled the rest of the moving parts, and voila! It was in perfect shape...just in time for me to send it to a new reloader.