T-Mag Press, Not flat on bottom?

[Doc7]

Hello all, I am wondering if with washers I can make this work, or if this is a production flaw rendering this equipment useless.

Maybe a year ago I responded to a local ad for a NIB complete reloading kit which has dies for several different cartridges, this T Mag turret press, case trimmer, powder scale etc (I'm sure it was bought as a kit - seems like it is very old to me). I've never used it, never have reloaded before.

I just signed a lease on my new home in VA and the basement has a most excellent space for a 4x8 or longer work bench. I got excited about the possibility of finally using this reloading kit and building a bench, and while putzing around with my design I took out all of my goodies to look at them. Doing a mockup mount on a piece of countertop I have I realized that the press is not sitting flat. You can see in the photos that it has an upward bow from the center on both sides.









Should I try and make this work or get a new more modern piece of machine?


Here is what I got by the way from his posting, after I read a manual and come up with any gaps I will fill them (probably a hand primer and some standard weights to verify scale etc)

lyman tmag press
lyman 500 scale
lyman powder measure
lyman universal case trimmer
lyman primer tray
lyman case lube kit
lyman auto prime feeder
lyman powder dribbler
lyman stainless steel dial caliper
lee powder measure kit
lyman deburring tool
lyman decapping pins
lyman shell holders -x1
lyman shell holders -x2
lyman shell holders- x7-
Lyman multi-stand die - 9mm -
Lyman multi-stand die - 38-357 -
Lyman multi-stand die - 44 mag - 44 spc -
Lyman 2 die set - 30-06 -
2 mtm boxes -
2 lyman shell holders -
3 more shell holder -

 

[Milt1]

Doc7, if it were my press I'd send the same pictures to Lyman to see if they would provide a replacement. My opinion is that the press is unuseable, at least to me it would be! Also, you have nothing to lose by doing this.

 

[rcmodel]

Lyman is advertizing one of the features of the new 'improved' T-Mag II press as having a flat machined base.
So I assume the orginial T-Mag didn't.

I think yours is usable, with some shimming or glass bedding under it when you bolt it down.

rc

 

[Potatohead]

new 'improved' T-Mag II press as having a flat machined base

Now that's an idea! I'd like to have been in the meeting when they decided on this improvement. Did a guy raise his hand and say" Ive got it, Lets make the bottom FLAT!"

 

[buck460XVR]

If you're mounting it to the top shown in the pic, I doubt if it will be a problem. Torque it down and use it. Some cedar shims would work just fine if needed.

 

[Doc7]

That is just my kitchen table I will be building a bench with a plywood top (2-3 layers possibly with a Formica surface)

 

[ksimons]

If it was mine I would take it the the machine shop at work and have them clean it up for me. That said you could cut a block of plywood and put it under it and then tighten it down to the bench. I would do that so I would not do damage to your bench top. I have a 35 year old Lyman Spar T that has an as cast base. Flatter than yours but not machined.

 

[Walkalong]

Call Lyman. If they won't replace it with a suitably made press (Cast properly or machined flat), get your money back and buy something else.

 

[jerkface11]

Shim it and torque it down.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

I would not try to bolt it down hard without shimming it, as you might break the cast iron frame.

I'd still be inclined to glass bed it with Acraglas or even Bondo.
Then it will always be flat in the future.

Just put a sheet of wax paper or something on the bench top so I won't stick too it.
Slap a glob of Bondo on it, and bolt it down snug but not tight.
Then trim off everything that squeezes out before it sets up hard.

Then crank it down to your hearts content after it hardens.

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Call Lyman. If they won't replace it with a suitably made press (Cast properly or machined flat), get your money back and buy something else.

That right there is the best answer IMO. Your press has a manufacturers defect and they will make that right. Sure you can shim and "make it work" but why???

 

[rcmodel]

Because they don't make that press any longer.
And because they won't replace it with the new improved model with the flat base.

Apparently, all the T-Mag presses had as-cast bases, so they won't view it as a defect.

rc

 

[GarySTL]

You could also remove the bump with an angle grinder. Shouldn't take long at all. I'd try an 80 grit disk to start and finish with a 120.

 

[horseman1]

Couldn't you just get out the grinder and a file? It's hard to tell from the picture if that is possible or not.

oops, Gary beat me to it..

 

[fguffey]

I have no fewer than 20 presses, not one has a machined base, if the base bothered me I would mill it flat, without a mill I could carbon up the base and then set the press on the table to see where the transfer is made between the press base and table, then I could cut/bed the bench top to allow for a fit.

Or I could bolt the press down and occasionally secure the mounting bolts as they got loose. I could also use a filler between the bench top and press base, oil the base of the press and then use fiber glass with part B and part A.

I have presses that are mounted metal to metal, they do not rock.

F. Guffey

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Because they don't make that press any longer.
And because they won't replace it with the new improved model with the flat base.

Apparently, all the T-Mag presses had as-cast bases, so they won't view it as a defect.

rc

Well that stinks! Never mind

 

[Otto]

Lyman products only carry a 1 year warranty providing you're the original purchaser.

Suggest buying a six pack of beer and a large bastard file.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

I'd shim it, maybe with rubber matting, or more likely buy a base plate as made for the Lyman I from Inline Fabrication and bed it as per RCModel to the new base plate for a machined base. It's amazing how much out there is good enough.

 

[twofifty]

Now that's an idea! I'd like to have been in the meeting when they decided on this improvement. Did a guy raise his hand and say" Ive got it, Lets make the bottom FLAT!"

The way some outfits think about product quality and respect for customers, the guy who raised his hands was probably fired for that costly idea.

 

[twofifty]

+1

I would not try to bolt it down hard without shimming it, as you might break the cast iron frame.

I'd still be inclined to glass bed it with Acraglas or even Bondo.
Then it will always be flat in the future.

Just put a sheet of wax paper or something on the bench top so I won't stick too it.
Slap a glob of Bondo on it, and bolt it down snug but not tight.
Then trim off everything that squeezes out before it sets up hard.

Then crank it down to your hearts content after it hardens.

rc

Is it coincidence that press is called the Crusher?

 

[Manny]

Couldn't you just get out the grinder and a file? It's hard to tell from the picture if that is possible or not.

oops, Gary beat me to it..

This. A little bit of elbow grease will fix it up just fine and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing it's done right.

 

[brickeyee]

Use on of those nifty things called a file and make it flat.

 

[Doc7]

I emailed Lyman just to see what they say (just the facts and to ask their recommended mounting method, didn't make any requests). Meanwhile a machinist at work will mill it flat for me this week if I bring it in.

 

[Walkalong]

a machinist at work will mill it flat for me this week if I bring it in.

Can't beat that. Sounds like a plan.

 

[Doc7]

I think this will be a heck of a lot better!