Rock Chucher modifications

[emmett dunham]

This is pictures of a Rock Chucker I refurbished and install on a Strong mount. I had to do some grinding on the Chucker base to get it one the mount stright and had to also grind to positing the mount so it would not spring when mounted to the bench top. I fabricated the plate on the rear of the mount to make it sturdy and also to hold the powder throw. If you got a modified press like this lets see the picture. The last 2 pictures are lighting ideas for your bench.

 

[orionengnr]

Nice work, especially the creative use of the Strong Mount. Looks like you put a fresh coat of green paint on her, and maybe a new hand grip.
Now I'm inspired to freshen mine up a bit--where did you get the paint?

 

[Blackrock]

Lookin' good. Seems like there is never enough light. I have one lamp like yours, looks like I could use another. NICE SETUP

 

[emmett dunham]

It is called Safety Green and it is the higher quality Rust-Oleum and I picked it up at Grainger. I paid more for the paint than you can get at a hardware outlet, if you can find it in one of these stores it will be cheaper.

I can get all three of the lights close enough to each press for them to be useful and being able to spot them at angles and many locations are great.

Thanks

Emmett

 

[WSM MAGNUM]

Nice work!
I`m wondering if they have the safety green paint in a wrinkle finish. Then it would like very close to the original.

 

[Randyc74]

Your bench top looks like mine, only neater. I have a Dillon 550 on the right and my old 25+ year Rock Chucker w/ Strong Mount on the left.

 

[emmett dunham]

Deleted!

 

[emmett dunham]

The finish on the metal casting is rough, it is not smooth! I left the finish on the press, roughed it up with some sand paper and shot it. There is a rough finish not perfect but I think it looks a lot better than it did. You can also find the type of paint that will wrinkle in an auto store. Paint the green over the top of the wrinkle finish, I have used it before don't know if they still sell?

I got a large pan poored about a small bottle of Simply green in enough water to cover all of the parts and boiled it to really get it clean.


Emmett

 

[rcmodel]

By far the best mod I have done to mine is to replace the little tricycle-grip handle with one of the newer ball-end models.

It is a direct bolt-on replacement and makes hand cramps a thing of the past.

rc

 

[jeepmor]

+1 on RC model ball handle. For pistol loading, a shorter handle works wonders for your ergonomics too.

jeepmor

 

[Irish Bird Dog]

Nice job on the strong mount/Rock Chucker.....I ordered a replacement Ball knob from RCBS for the existing handle and threaded the end of the original handle to accept the ball. Nicer to use I think with the ball.

 

[orionengnr]

Thank you, all. I will be contacting RCBS for the ball, and looking for the Rustoleum Safety Green.

As far as wrinkle finish goes, I have used Krylon (and another brand I found at Pep Boys a number of years back, can't remember the brand) and both work pretty well. You may have to put the freshly painted piece in the oven at ~200 to induce wrinkling--read the instructions). Both are black, so you would have to use it as a base coat and then shoot the green over to of it.

Looking forward to upgrading my old RCBS single stage. Thank you for the inspiration.