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RCBS 2A press disassembly help
Just received today a grand old RCBS 2A (A2) press that had received a face lift by a previous owner who had repainted it industrial gray.!!?? :-| Mechanically it is in pretty good shape with only a few dark spots on the bottom third of the ram. But who knows how bad a shape it may have been at some time in the past, although everything feels tight. Someone was concerned enough about future corrosion to use some seriously heavy grease that is about half a molecule from being cosmoline.
It is a 2A and it does NOT have a date stamp around or under the adapter. Despite reports that 2A and A2 presses are identical except for the original mold manufacturing model ID snafu, there is at least one significant change to the A2s' along the way.
On my 2A the right link pins (both top and bottom) are pressed in. To do the repaint I was planning I want to remove the right link from the press body. With the main shaft and left link pin removed there is an unobstructed opening passing through the body of the press to the right pin.
That said, does anyone have firsthand experience driving the right pin out? Will it require heat, will it require a hydraulic press or just a good ole drift and a heavy hammer? How about when reassembled, will some type of brace or shims be needed to keep the lobe from bending? (seems unlikely due to the stout nature of the lobe.)
Attached are pics and the possible new color selection with DIY texture. Attempts to create a repeatable wrinkle texture has been dismally unsuccessful so far. The texture shown is from a judicial use of silicone spray lubricant with the final (4th) coat of paint.
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RCBS 2A press disassembly help
I was able to remove the splined pin on my A2 pretty easily. Removed the pin on the left and then drove the splined pin out, away from the ram. Just took a few hits w/ a heavy hammer to get it moving and it was easy from that point. Unfortunately I still haven’t even able to remove the threaded piece the handle slips over. This has prevented me from fully disassembling the press for a paint job.
I personally strip and remove the textured finish on any RCBS press I get. I hate that finish. It doesn’t hold up well and the color is god awful. Even a “clean” press that looks like it’s new looks well used due to that finish. To be fair I don’t care about original condition and collector value.
Here’s a couple lube sizers I refurbed along w/ one that has the horrid original finish.
https://live.staticflickr.com/4411/3...c48a99fd_h.jpg
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RCBS 2A press paint selection
With the assistance of the most knowledgeable and helpful; Sir Pressman, I have found and applied a color I believe reflects the appropriate colors of the day for early RCBS tools. I am very much pleased with how the press looks when compared to the previous "industrial gray". I plan to let the paint cure for a month before I put it to work. But on the other hand, I can hardy wait to put it back to work.
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