That puzzling "securing screw" on the Forster press

[JimGnitecki]

I've had my forster press for a few years now and had never noticed a screw, which I'll refer to here as a "securing screw", that is located on my Forster press, within the head, to the operator's left.

You can see the screw just to the left of my micrometer seating die in this photo:



That screw was not documented in the paper instructions that came with my press, but IS mentioned in one of the 40 or so videos that Forster provides on its website.

Apparently, its purpose is to enable the operator to tighten it down vertically to secure the die lock-ring on a die so that the die cannot inadvertently slide towards the operator and potentially right out of the press.

I am puzzled as to WHY Forster provided this feature. I do realize that any die lock-ring, even a genuine "Forster" die lock-ring, has to have "clearance in order to slide in and out of the press. But that clearance does not "matter". I say this because when you pull the handle down, the shellholder pushes the case into the die, and any "slack" between the top of the die ring and the press head is automatically eliminated, AND the die is guaranteed to be perfectly vertical, because the top surface of the die ring is pushed into a perfect zero clearance position, all around its circumference, against the head of the press.

BUT, if you actually thread this "securing screw" in to exert pressure on the die ring while the shellholder is in the DOWN position (i.e. handle is NOT pulled down), you will COCK the die as you take up the clearance on ONLY that ONE location on the circumference of the die ring!

In addition, you will then be preventing the die from aligning itself horizontally with the case being lifted into it.

If you just leave the screw UNengaged, the shellholder, the case, and the die will all automatically align, AND the case, or ogive of the bullet, will always be stopped at EXACTLY the same height, when the top of the die lock ring hits the frame of the press.

So, what am I missing here? WHY does Forster provide that screw?

Jim G

 

[jmorris]

The screw is there so they can drop the ball bearing in there, followed by the spring that pushes it down, keeping the die from moving outward. Its very light, to not affect the die from moving up square with the frame when loaded (probably why you've never felt it).



I would suggest NOT making it a "lock", as you mention, that would make the die sit crooked once under load.

With lock rings like you have there (with flats) you should be able to clock the die where the ball can't contact it and feel the difference.

 

[jmorris]

On page 2 in the manual.



You can get a copy here.

https://www.forsterproducts.com/pdf/instructions/co-ax_reloading_press.pdf

Edit: Also a warning to NOT tighten it on page 5 and use round rings.



A poor choice of words on that one though, the spring provides the tension, the set screw just retains it.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

I have never seen such a manner of press. It is interesting, it's advantage is it completely eliminates the risk of dies changing seating position whilst repeated use, as the subject brass is the means that the die finds it's position?

 

[Howa 9700]

There are several other no so obvious features about the Forster press that set it apart from the others. The floating nature of the die is one.....as is the base plate jaws system used instead of the a shell holder. Not only are the dies allowed to float but changing dies is as easy as popping them in and out. Once set, they don't change. Loading a single round of anything and cycling thru the die set (like all four dies to load a pistol round) is as easy as it gets on a single stage.

But in my mind, one of the biggest undocumented features is the dead stop built into the linkage. At bottom of the stroke......as the linkage comes up to top dead center the linkage arms hit a stop button that is molded into the frame. No cam over. Whatever depth you set for a sizing die or bullet seating depth, it repeats 100% the same each and every time.

About the only negative I can think of is the locking rings used on the dies are larger in diameter than most. Dies wearing those rings won't fit into the plastic die cases the dies come in......or at least won't allow you to put the lid on them.

 

[jmorris]

I have never seen such a manner of press. It is interesting, it's advantage is it completely eliminates the risk of dies changing seating position whilst repeated use, as the subject brass is the means that the die finds it's position?

The cases are located uniquely as is the die.

Quick change dies

www.youtube.com

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

very easy "Slip fit" is all you need, tension wise. Remember to once in a while take a few Q-Tip's and wipe out the entire die lock ring seat area. especially the top surface. Amazing how time flies and we forget to clean and have more debris than we thought.

 

[JimGnitecki]

Jmorris and others: THANK-YOU! I am SO glad I posted. I had never received the obviosuly much longer "user manual" that Jmorris linked to, with my press. I got a mUCH shorter version that did not even describe the proper disassembly and reasembly of the multi-layer "jaws system" that securess cases in the press, let alone any of the other informaiton that the newer manual provides. I bought my Forster in April of 2021, from a dealer on eBay during the great COVID shortage period, and I guess that either I got only a portion of the full manual or the manual was expanded after my forster was built. Thanks again all. NOW some of the features I did not understand make sense,

Jim G

 

[JimGnitecki]

very easy "Slip fit" is all you need, tension wise. Remember to once in a while take a few Q-Tip's and wipe out the entire die lock ring seat area. especially the top surface. Amazing how time flies and we forget to clean and have more debris than we thought.

Yes! I am guilty of this myself. The Forster works SO well that it gets cleaned only rarely because it never seems to screw up. It is refreshingly reliable and adjustment-free compared to my progressive presses.

Jim G

 

[Dogleg7]

I got a Bonanza B2 in the 1980's. It has loaded somewhere in the range of 400,000 bullets. Keeping it clean is important, but keep it oiled. This old press is at tight as it was when it was new but it will also drop a spot of oil on the floor occasionally. A small price to pay for almost 40 years of match grade ammo.