Salvaging an old worn out press

[gamestalker]

I have an old worn out RCBS press that hasn't been in production for quite some time. My Son picked it up from a yard sale and didn't know it was done. The problem was the hole that the ram entends through had worn out to the point that the ram would canter excessively. I thought about this and contacted a friend of mine who wroks with some high quality metals. He gave me some .001" Titanium foil. I took the foil and used it to shim the inside of the hole until the ram fit nice and snug. I used a tiny amount of epoxy to keep it in place, and now have another press that is actually as good as new, and it probably won't ever wear out again.
They make titanium and other super high quality foil in just about any thickness imaginable. Since it creates a real nice bearing surface it can solve just about any wear problem. I'm going to shim the linkage tomorrow, as it seems a little loose too.

 

[flashhole]

pictures, we need pictures

 

[kingmt]

I didn't think titanium wore very good.

Pictures & fallow ups as the rebuild goes would make a good thread.

I would have probably thought about using a bushing. Depending on the tools you have access to determines your route though.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

Titanium will wear out quite quickly. As tough as it is, it's actually quite soft and abrades easily. Keeping it well lubricated will extend the life, and with the large bearing surface it probably will be making rounds for a long time. Stainless would be a better choice. Next time. Great to hear that the press is back to doing real work and not at the bottom of a landfill. Congrats!

 

[gamestalker]

I'm almost completely computer illiterate, and thus don't know how to post pictures. You don't know how many times I've wished I could post a picture of the groups I shoot, or what ever. This is actually about the extent of my computer skills, and mostly because I don't understand the terminology involved. I don't know what spam is, the difference between a down load or up load, how to copy something, really nothing at all. This site is the second one of such that I've ever joined, and doing so was a major accomplishment for me. I some how managed to get left behind in the transition from the 1960s to present. For the most part, I have worked for a company for 25 yrs. that never made the transition. I have never even owned a cell phone, and doubt I would know how to use one. It's embarassing at times, but it's just the way it is when I don't have anyone around to teach me the in's and out's of technology. My Wife gave me an e-mail account some yrs. ago and I never used it until a couple of yrs. ago, not needing to, or knowing why I would want to. I'm screwed to be honest!
So someone said titanium will wear out rather quickly. If it does I guess I'll try to come up with another idea. My Son wanted to drill the center out and sleeve it with stainless steel. So I guess if this deal doesn't hold up I'll be threading a stainless sleeve into it, and then hone it to a nice clean finish. But for now, the titanium foil is providing a good bearing surface.

 

[lightman]

I never heard of anyone actually wearing a quality press out.RCBS makes a great press,and has a great warrenty.I wonder what they would do to help?

 

[ghostwriter]

All you have to do is (have you son help) call RCBS, in Oroville, CA. and tell the guys that answer the phone what the press is and what parts you need. They still have Many, Many, of the original pars in the warehouse. Ask me how I know, I live here. That's my second home. A picture would be worth a thousand words, agreed. At the very least, if they can't determine just which one you have (I find that hard to believe) they might ask that you ship it up there and if for some way out reason there's no way to fix it... they probably will give you a great discount on a new press.

 

[gamestalker]

Really, you think they would be able to help me? I figured since it was somethng they haven't made in so many years, they would be unlikely to help. I'll contact them and see what they say. I like having 3 preses. One for resizing, one to prime, and one to seat on. Of course that changes up a little bit when I'm doing straight walled cases.
So far as the press being worn out, it looks like the previous owner was putting too much cam over against the resizing die, and it rounded the center out. I normal use wearing one out. It doesn't have a speck of rust on it either.

 

[EMC45]

Mail it back to RCBS. They will probably replace it for free.

 

[ranger335v]

"..the hole that the ram entends through had worn out to the point that the ram would canter excessively."

The ram only guides the case until it enters the die. After that, the case will self center itself and the ram will follow the case because there is no side pressure on the ram to push it out of alignment. That is, unless we 'bush' the hole so the ram is not only not precisely centered but also too tight to allow it to self align.

 

[Slamfire]

I'm almost completely computer illiterate, and thus don't know how to post pictures. You don't know how many times I've wished I could post a picture of the groups I shoot, or what ever. This is actually about the extent of my computer skills, and mostly because I don't understand the terminology involved.

Set up a free account. I am using Photobucket.

Download pictures from your computer into your free account.

Copy the IMG code title, which will look similiar to Picturetitle[IMG], and paste it in your message.

Preview your message before posting.

As for presses, a Rockchucker is always worth rebuilding, send it to RCBS.

The Junior presses, I sold one for $35.00 to a bud. Excellent shape but it did not have compound leverage so I did not fool with it.

Older presses without compound leverage, if they are out of order, are not worth the money it takes to put them back into running condition.

 

[brickeyee]

..the hole that the ram entends through had worn out to the point that the ram would canter excessively.

The ram only guides the case until it enters the die. After that, the case will self center itself and the ram will follow the case because there is no side pressure on the ram to push it out of alignment. That is, unless we 'bush' the hole so the ram is not only not precisely centered but also too tight to allow it to self align.

This!

It does not matter.

I use an o-ring to hold my shell holders in the ram so they CAN move more.

 

[highlander 5]

RCBS has a lifetime warranty on all their products,call them and ask about the press. What have you got to lose,the worst they can say is " No,we can't help you".

 

[rcmodel]

I have an old worn out RCBS press

What model is it?

rc

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

sounds like a lot of work for a single stage, but i like resurrecting old equipment too.

 

[fguffey]

Forget the press brand and or model, there are options when repairing a worn out guide (hole), the guide (hole) can be knurled, knurling reduces the diameter of the guide, after knurling the guide, bore, hole can be reamed back to standard, then if the ram is not work install it and start reloading. My favorite option if oil and or lube is involved in the operation between the ram and bore, the thread like knurles offer a place for lube to hide/stay.

Another way to repair a worn guide is to ream it oversize and use an over sized shaft/ram.

Another way to repair the guide is to cut hole/guide/bore oversize then install a sleeve/bushing that would restore the inside diameter. The hole can then be honed to fit the ram.

It will be difficult for RCBS to replace rams that are considered to be obsolete.

Or bushings can be installed in each end of the guide/hole, because? A bore that is worn is most likely to ware in the form of an hour glass, but I do not believe I could convince anyone the center of the guide/bore makes contact until it is worn in the form of an hour glass.

Worn out a press? What was that guys name? I have too many presses, not likely I will ever chuck up a press and klnurrle, ream or install bushings in one but that leaves everything else.

RCBS 1 800 533 5000

F. Guffey

 

[fguffey]

then there are the soft bushings that are hammered in with packing nuts, the guide gets loose? Tighten the nut.

F. Guffey

 

[BADUNAME37]

I agree with others, don't mess with it.
Call RCBS and tell them you have this press that is worn out but you would like to use it, you would think it would have lasted a lifetime and it apparently didn't!

Like others state, I bet RCBS would make it like new for you, in fact most likely like BRAND NEW, and at NO CHARGE!

That's my take on the way they would treat you. YMMV (means Your Mileage May Vary)

 

[Toforo]

What they're saying about RCBS is wayyyy true - BUT....

...they work a 4 day workweek Mon-Thur (4 ten hour days) and it's now almost too late to call them until Monday.

And - Monday is NOT a good time to call them, lol - well, if you do, expect about a 20 minute wait (but it's worth it)

Call volume decreases after Monday morning and slows down even more during the week.