Rockchucker Supreme question

[plinky]

OK, I'm setting up my RCBS Rockchucker Supreme finally and there's something that concerns me. If you use the lock nut on the handle as they reccomend, the handle does not thread into the toggle block nearly as far. If you leave the lock nut off, the threads on the handle and toggle block are about equal.

Normally I would just follow the instructions but a couple of reviews on Midway USA mentioned these threads stripping out. I'd rather avoid that. How did you do it and have you had any problems?

 

[hardcorehunter5]

I have the lock nut on mine and there have been no problems. I dont have the handle very tight and it gets lose after alot of strokes. But if everything goes as planned when you are reloading the force on the handle shouldn't be great enough, in my experience, to cause the threads to stripp. The lock nut is meant to keep the handle fro mgetting lose when properly adjusted.

 

[plinky]

Thanks for the quick reply hardcorehunter. I'm thinking of loctite red to keep the handle snug. My old Lyman handle has always loosened itself too. Thanks again.

 

[Mal H]

RCBS must have redesigned the handle on the Rockchucker in recent years. Afy in France has mentioned the same problem with his RC handle. His stripped the threads.

The handle on my RC has been tight since day 1; and day 1 was many, many, years ago. The handle is inserted into a smooth hole, no threads, and a large retaining nut on the bottom of the threaded handle holds it tight in the camming mechanism, for lack of a better name.

New design does not necessarily equal better design.

 

[Otto]

I would cut some more threads in the handle, enough to screw two lock nuts on, above and below the toggle block. That's a 100% remedy.

 

[presspuller]

If it were mine I would use the lock nut but only catch a few threads with the nut with most of the threads on the handle in the housing. It will not take much on the lock nut to hold things from coming loose.

 

[345 DeSoto]

...Red Locktight...

 

[plinky]

"New design does not necessarily equal better design."

But this one is SUPREME Mal. Says so on the box lol. Funny how "improved" models are a step back in some respect.

"I would cut some more threads in the handle, enough to screw two lock nuts on, above and below the toggle block. That's a 100% remedy."

Good idea Otto. I may try that or at least cut it enough to use one lock nut with better thread engagement.

"If it were mine I would use the lock nut but only catch a few threads with the nut with most of the threads on the handle in the housing. It will not take much on the lock nut to hold things from coming loose."

Presspuller, unfortunately the way it's designed there is not any leeway. If there were more threads on the handle you'd have options. My press is a couple years old. Possible the parts have changed now. I hope so.

Did some sizing last night though and the press felt quite solid. I may just loctite it as I suspect the stripping is caused by looseness/wallowing.

Thanks all!

 

[buck460XVR]

blue locktite iffin you ever want to remove it.....red is permanent. Tighten it firmly, in reality if the locknut is properly tightened you shouldn't have a problem. I doubt without the use of an extension you could twist off the handle with just a common wrench. Mine engages the threads by approximately 7/8 of an inch with the locknut on, which is plenty with the diameter/length of the handle, and the amount of pressure needed to operate.

 

[plinky]

Thanks Buck,

I had my red and blue mixed up. On mine, with the locknut in place there is about 1/2" of thread and another 1/4" unthreaded "pilot" on the end. Probably is plenty as long as it doesn't wallow around.

 

[Afy]

Mine only has a single non-colored locknut... which goes on top. And yes the threading was stripped.

 

[Historian]

When I first got mine, I did not tighten the lock nut tight enough and the handle came off during a resizing down stroke. I then moved the nut up to the top of the threads and screwed the handle until it came in firm contact with the nut. Next I took a wrench and tightened the nut as tight as I possibly could. It has remained so to this day...about six months.

Historian

 

[Ridgerunner665]

My Rockchucker is only a few months old...I screwed the locknut as far up the handle as I could...the screwed the handle into the press as far as I could (pretty tight)...then took a Crescent wrench and tightened the locknut down....no stripped threads.

It worked for me.

 

[ranger335v]

I had heard so much hype about the RC for so long I finally had to get one. It's ok but it's no where near the top press available for a variety of small design difficencies. Wish I'd known then what I know now, would have saved a lot of money!

IF I ever replace it, I'll get a Lee Classic Cast. I think it's stronger, the lever is adjustable and the spent primer catcher works much better.

 

[Idano]

ranger335v,

I have no qualm with Lee products, I like their dies, I have owned a Lee Loadmaster, and I have played with the a Lee Classic Cast press. Now I can't vouch for the quality of the new Rock Chucker presses and I don't mean any disrespect but none of the Lee presses I seen are as solid as my old Rock Chucker press. This press is 32 years old and I have loaded thousands of rounds through it and reformed brass. I have never had a part fail and there is still no slop in ram or knuckles.

Since I haven't owned a Lee press for 30 years so I can't say they won't hold up as well, but they sure don't feel as solid is all I can say.