Press issue...

[Rodentman]

I caused this problem, but seek advice on how to fix it:

I was adjusting the decapping pin in a Lee die and put the die in my Big Boss II press to hold it while I used 2 wrenches to loosen the pin. KERRRRR-PLOOOP, pin falls into ram of press. I figured to leave it there since I have spares, but realized that the primers won't fall down the tube properly. I have a magnetized probe but it would not retrieve the pin.

If I detach the spring clip(s) and remove the shaft shown in the photos below will the ram drop out and can I retrieve the pin? Will it go back together properly or am I in for unexpected issues?

Thanks, and NO I won't do this again without putting something secure over the hole in the ram.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Can you get a straw down the hole? if so, use a shop vac to suck the pin back up out of the hole via the straw as an extension of the vac.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[nettlle]

The set up looks similar to my T7 Redding. Yes the ram will come out after removing the clips. The linkage is a little tricky to get back together but not all that hard to do.

 

[Rodentman]

Fred, thx for the advice. I will try the straw method, or else I'll do the disassembly. I really feel stupid for making this mistake.

 

[WrongHanded]

I don't know what the Big Boss II is like, but it seems that maybe the easiest solution, if fighting gravity isn't working, is to use it to your advantage. So maybe just unbolt the press and turn it upside down?

 

[hdwhit]

Rodentman wrote:
I really feel stupid for making this mistake.

Don't beat yourself up.

You would think the collett would loosen slowly enough to hold the pin but make it readily movable by hand. At least that's what I thought the first time it happened to me. Since mine was an RCBS press, the decapping pin just rode the groove in the center of the ram like a child going down a waterslide.

I now keep a roll of 3M painter's tape near the bench and just tear off a piece and put it over the shell holder when I need to reset the decapping pin.

 

[hdwhit]

WrongHanded wrote:
So maybe just unbolt the press and turn it upside down?

Okay, with a solution that simple, obvious and effective you must be either 1) an American agricultural engineer, or 2) a Russian aerospace engineer.

 

[Rodentman]

THE STRAW WORKED!! I used a substantial one from a plastic drinking cup set and crimped it enough to grab onto the pin. Pulled right out. I really didn't want to take the press apart and removing it from the bench would have been a major ordeal.

Thanks Fred and to the others for their kind suggestions and empathy. You can all shoot my Korth if I live long enough to see delivery!

 

[WrongHanded]

Okay, with a solution that simple, obvious and effective you must be either 1) an American agricultural engineer, or 2) a Russian aerospace engineer.

I work as a fitter in a steel shop. Turning things upside down seems to be a very common cause of, and also solution to, many of our problems.

 

[nettlle]

Although it rarely happens sometimes primers get jammed up in my T7 ram. The first time this happened I tried an air nozzle and compressed air to unplug it. That was a very bad idea.

 

[Walkalong]

I really feel stupid for making this mistake.

Simply bad luck.

(Buy a cheap vice)

 

[Hokie_PhD]

THE STRAW WORKED!! I used a substantial one from a plastic drinking cup set and crimped it enough to grab onto the pin. Pulled right out. I really didn't want to take the press apart and removing it from the bench would have been a major ordeal.

Thanks Fred and to the others for their kind suggestions and empathy. You can all shoot my Korth if I live long enough to see delivery!

Geeezz what's wrong with you!
You blew the perfect excuse to buy another press. After all, imagine the danger and possible harm that could have caused!!!!

All kidding aside. Seriously though. Congrats on the simple fix working

 

[ReloaderFred]

Glad it worked out, Rodentman. Sometimes the fixes are simple, and other times not. I'm glad this one was a simple fix.

Fred

 

[Dudedog]

I would save you are pretty darn accurate if you managed to hit the hole in the Ram with the pin on the first try
Now I really would be interested in hole dia vs pin dia. Just how accurate did you really need to be?
Probably had to be an X to not just a 10 or it would have bounced off.

Now if you were trying you could probably do it in say maybe 50 or 100 tries.

Murphy is just evil.......

PS clever solution Fred.