Press ID help

[MOcaster]

I recently purchased a vintage c press off of everyone's favorite auction site. I don't really need one but it was old, neat, and cheap. I suspected it was a small shop, one off, non standard press. Well, I was right.

It has absolutely no markings on it. It has an angled base and works on the up stroke. The linkage seems very strange, to me at least, even for working on the up stroke.

It came with a die that is threaded 1"-14, I think, and is three inches tall.

It has a threads hole all the way through it that is threaded .618"-18, again, I think, if I counted right. The shell holder is also threaded .618"-18, so it will screw into the die, which is how I determined the threads inside the die. It is just over an inch tall. The ram is hollow and screws into a .618"-18 bolt at its base that connects it to the linkage. A 38 Special fits but not very well. The shell holder is just a little big.

The ram is six inches long. It has a rod that passes through it that, when the handle is all the way lowered, hits part of the linkage, is pushed upward, and goes though the shell holder to seat a primer. The handle is 9 3/4" long from the bottom of the treads to the tip of the rubber grip.

Does anyone recognize this press? Or did I just buy one that is useless? I'm sure finding dies for it will be next to impossible, unless I can identify the manufacturer. Thanks.

(Sorry for all the pictures being turned. I thought I figured out how to fix that but it didn't work. I guess it's just being finicky.)

[texassako]

I saw that listed before and after the paint job. It looked homemade to me being welded up from various pieces and the funky bolt/shell holder. I almost bid on it since I kind of collect homemade reloading tools, but other items took priority this time around. Unless you have access to a lathe you may have a hard time using it for much.

[LUBEDUDE]

I saw that press a few weeks ago when it wasn't painted. I fiqured that it was homemade, could be wrong.
It ran it's course and did not sell, so the seller painted it and reposted it for a few bucks more.

I passed on it again.

Hope it works for Ya!

[MOcaster]

Any idea if any company made dies threaded 1"-14?

[r1kk1]

Check CH4D. Also see if they have a conversion bushing.

Take care

r1kk1

[LUBEDUDE]

Check CH4D. Also see if they have a conversion bushing.

Take care

r1kk1

I didn't see one on the list, but maybe they can make one.

[MOcaster]

Can one of you gentleman tell me what Hollywood shell holders are threaded? Just wondering, for comparison. Did any of the old makers make dies threaded .618"-18 that screw into a larger main die body? I looked on CH4D's website and saw that they made dies that are 1"-14, but they are all for huge calibers that need way more leverage than this press has. I didn't see a conversion bushing either, but I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard for them to make one. It would just have to be 1/8" thick, which I'm not sure would be effective.

[TNsailorman]

Call CH4D down in the evening and talk to the old man there, I forgot his name, but he will help you get your press up and running. They are great folks to work with and they do make pieces for old obsolete equipment--or at least they used to. I know, they have made pieces for me in the past. Sounds like what you need is a adapter for your press.

[r1kk1]

His name is Dave. Press bushings are listed on the website.

take care

r1kk1

[Rich/WIS]

Your .612 -18 is probably 5/8-18. The male threaded portion may be slightly undersized to allow you to screw it in without needing a wrench. 1-14 is also a standard thread, may be possible to drill a bolt of that size and tap internally for a 7/8-14 thread to make an adapter. Not sure of Lyman shell holder dimensions for an All American or Truline press, may be possible to make an adapter to use these also. Is it possible the press was disassembled when painted and the handle and linkage re-installed wrong.

[ascast]

WOW ! ya got a boat? Lyman 310 dies are about 0.606" dia tpi 30, NOT 5/8 is 0.625" The larger 310 dies are 0.656" x 30 tpi. I have a big pile of really old reloaders, I dont think anybody used that small a diameter and such a course thread. The shell holder is similar to an ECHO style once used. I dont have one so cant help there. I am sure an adapter of some kind could be made. What is the diameter of the ram ?
You could probly get an adapter made to use the Lyman 310 dies ( neck size only).
Otherwise, I think you will wind up re-boring the top die holder as it will be a very thin adapter from 1"-14 to 7/8"-14. Let us know how you make out.

[MOcaster]

I think I'll get an adapter to use 310 dies. I'll probably call Dave and CH and see what he can do. But shell holders might be a problem. If it actually is threaded 5/8"-18, maybe I could get some bolts and weld Lee Autoprime shell holders to them to use.