Old Lyman Press problem

[bernie]

I have a buddy that inherited his dad's old reloading press. His dad was using it when we were in high school (class of '87). It may be a Lyman Spar-T. It is an orange C type press with a turret at the top. It is large enough to load .30-06. The ram is not going all the way up. He told me about it and I suggested it may just need lube. However I saw it this evening and there is something getting in the way. It is buried under a mountain of art and craft junk that his mother has, and I did not want to dig through it all to dismount it and take it apart. Is there anything obvious that we may be missing? I have an RCBS press, so I have no familiarity with Lyman products.

 

[Dog Soldier]

The linkage pins are worn. They have slipped out and need to be reseated.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Is it this press?....

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

If so check linkage in back on bottom of press if ram is almost the the top. Something stuck in there, bent linkage, pin came out, etc.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Ram height if linkage or binding back there...

 

[Slamfire]

The primer cup catcher is worth more than the press.

I have a Spar T and I agree with that a link pin has most likely backed out.

 

[bernie]

I would bet a pin came out. The last time it was used (probably 15 years ago) it worked fine. However, it sits in a spare bedroom in the house and I would bet a pin just backed out due to vibrations over the years. The primer cup catcher is a black plastic "C" shape that sits around the ram on the front of the press. Does that sound like a Spar T?

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

I would bet a pin came out. The last time it was used (probably 15 years ago) it worked fine. However, it sits in a spare bedroom in the house and I would bet a pin just backed out due to vibrations over the years. The primer cup catcher is a black plastic "C" shape that sits around the ram on the front of the press. Does that sound like a Spar T?

Yes it does. if it looks like the first pic I posted in post #3 then it's a Spartan T or Spart-T. Those primer cups are hard to find. Mines missing the primer cup and large primer tool. I found it at a pawn shop for a cheap price.

 

[Dog Soldier]

My old Spar-T turret was bought in 1965. I rarely use it now. But it still works.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I have two of them on my bench and they see a lot of use they are good presses and yes the linkage pins will back out of them
but its no big deal

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

To be honest I wish I had another one. They are pretty handy holding 6 dies and they size rifle brass without an issue. They seem to have decent leverage for what they are. I still need to make a primer catcher cup and a large priming tool for mine but I am not chasing bids on Ebay any more. I got better things to do.

Linkage on min seems fine. Oiled her up and she's good.

 

[rocirish]

I have one and use it to load 9MM and 380. Still going strong.

 

[ksimons]

I have two Spar-T's. My first is the the one the OP is showing but has a (cracked) primer cup that I bought around 1977. The second I pick up a slightly used set up on fleebay a few years ago cheap. I agree with others on the pins. The other area to check is make sure there is not a primer stuck in the linkage for the ram.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

View attachment 230781 I have two Spar-T's. My first is the the one the OP is showing but has a (cracked) primer cup that I bought around 1977. The second I pick up a slightly used set up on fleebay a few years ago cheap. I agree with others on the pins. The other area to check is make sure there is not a primer stuck in the linkage for the ram.

Your reloading room is way too neat

 

[Dframe]

I still regularly use my old Spar-T. I bought it used in 1968

 

[ksimons]

Your reloading room is way too neat

Trust me that is when I first moved it up from the basement after the kids moved out. But I try. Love the old spar t but thinking of adding a progressive within a year.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Trust me that is when I first moved it up from the basement after the kids moved out. But I try. Love the old spar t but thinking of adding a progressive within a year.

LOL I know what you mean I upgraded my old Lyman Comet single stage (1958) to a forester last fall but i got a real good deal on it

 

[rfwobbly]

The linkage pins are worn. They have slipped out and need to be reseated.

This is what my Lyman did too. I knocked out the 1/4" pins and drilled 5/16" through all the mating parts. I found a 5/16" hardened dowel pin the correct length and pushed that in. Lubed with CLP and the press was back in business.

These presses move slowly compared to other machines, but they still need cleaning and lubrication.