Lyman Spar-T Wanted

[chuck_in_texas]

I'm looking for a used Lyman Spar-T press in working condition. Bought mine in 198?, so it sure doesn't owe me anything. anyhow, during a packing and moving exefrcise, it dropped on a concrete floor and cracked the main stem and a chunk of it came off. Talked to a welder who wouldn't guarantee it.

Some of the new Lee presses ain't all that expensive, but I sure liked the old Lyman.

Anybody have one for sale? (A few on ebay but they are way over-priced for used goods.)

thanks . . . and email me if you do. [email protected]:


chuck_in_texas

 

[dannyabear]

Like youm I had one plenty years ago and when I got back into reloading a couple of years ago I bought one on ebay; I just watched 3 of them a week ago go for &75-110.00. I have sold it and bought a Lee Classic cast iron turret and couldn't be happier with it. Time to step up to newer technolgy, you won't be disappointed.

 

[ranger335v]

Chuck, I understand your loyalty to a dependableold press but...get a new one!

I got my first press, a Spar-T, in '65, and loaded thousands of rounds on it. Only two things were "wrong" with it, the primer catcher didn't and the pressure required to size large cases was excessive due to the low leverage of a single toggle-link lever system.

About 20 years ago I broke down and paid for a Rock Chucker. It's excellant for heavy sizing because of the greatly increased leverage of a compound linkage (but no better than any other or its type). But it's primer catcher doesn't and I still get spent primers all over the floor. I hate that!

IF I were to buy a new press tomorrow it would be the Lee Classic Cast. It's bigger, stronger than my RC and the primer catcher does. And it's a whole lot less cost too, if money means anything to you. If you really want a turret type, get the Lee Classic Turret. It has an auto-index feature that actually makes it a kind of semi-progressive press. Not REAL fast, but it helps. And you can disable the auto to use as a conventional single stage if you wish. Both are iron bodied and have steel links, there's only a passing pysical resemblance to their older alum bodied presses.

Actually, I have a fairly good tool shop set-up in my garage so I converted my old Spar-T into a compound link press a couple of years ago. Wasn't too hard to do and I'm actully back to using it again. But not for decapping!

 

[Sport45]

I've got a Spar-T but it's not for sale. I might be interested in yours for parts if you decide to dump it.

I'm looking at buying the Lee Classic Turret now. As Ranger mentioned the leverage is much better than the Spar-T. I'll keep the old Lyman but it will only be used for my universal decapping die and my less frequently loaded handgun ammo.

 

[chuck_in_texas]

Maybe I Should be Updating . . . . . .

kind of outnumbered here . . . sport45, dannyabear, and ranger335v all think it may be time to look at some new gear

There have been a few Spar-Ts on ebay, but the price is about what a new Lee Turret without the index feature is going for . . . . sounds like ranger335v has had a good experience with that one

given the prices on ebay, I hate to pony up the price of a new press for an old one

Got to think about this one

Thanks all for the input!!

 

[Slamfire]

If your busted press has the primer catcher cup, put that on ebay.

The catcher cups are a lot harder to find than the presses.

I have a Spar-T, paid $20.00 for it. I put it on the bench and found that there was not enough leverage to small base size 308 cases. Immediately took it off the bench. One day, I will try to use it again, for something else.

Can I recommend a nice Lyman T-Mag Turret press?

Not a great picture, but the press is excellent

 

[chuck_in_texas]

Thanks, but I need to pass

Thanks, Slamfire . . . . . . but the T-Mag is a bit more than I need trying to keep my press costs around a $100 or less

Someday, maybe . . . . .

 

[tyancy]

I have a new spar-t reloading press still in the box with the instructions, spartan ram, c-press primer arm, primer catcher, and powder funnel for am willing to consider any offers.
Tim Duncan 580-606-7654

 

[rfwobbly]

Check this out

Chuck -
I own one of those Lymans myself. Great little press.

However, the modern replacement is the Redding T-7 which is has the modern low force linkage, is much stiffer, and drops the primer and its mess down though the center of the ram into a waiting trash collection can.

Check them out on Midway at....
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=588482

See one in action at...
http://ultimatereloader.com/?p=461