MidSouth Shooters SupplyWidenersLoad DataTitan Reloading
Inline FabricationSnyders JerkyRepackboxReloading Everything
Lee Precision RotoMetals2
Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Primer Catcher Fix???????

  1. #1
    Boolit Master carpetman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    San Angelo,Texas
    Posts
    2,281

    Primer Catcher Fix???????

    I think I found a most simple fix for the RCBS Rockchucker not catching primers. The slot where an auto primer feed is installed which is not used by most,will be used for this. About 4 inches or so below that slot is another slot of the same thickness. Using my table saw I cut a strip of wood about 1/2" wide and the thickness of the slot. It is long enough to be flush with the top of the upper slot and stick into the lower slot a short distance. There are already set screws there to attach the primer feed block. When you put it in place dont go to the front edge of the upper slot---it will be in way when installing shell holders. You do want the bottom end to be all the way in,or it will create an unwanted pocket for the primers to fall into. So the stick will be installed on an angle---wider at top than bottom. It seems to work as a baffle and the primers don't go into the catcher but stay on the area around it-----which beats on the floor. As Floodgate mentioned,just rake them into the tray with your finger. For those without a table saw,You could possibly use a popsicle stick--- maybe even two popsicle sticks???????? I think they would be long enough and even if they are not as thick as the slot--no problem the set scres will hold it in. Would take a little cutting,but a paint stir stick should work too. BTW,how do people get by without a table saw? I know Buckshot would mill,lathe,drill press,hose clamp and duct tape a fancier rig,but I don't think metal would give as much cushioning baffle effect. Oh--the hose clamps would be stainless steel ofcourse. I did try 6 or 8 .243 cases and it worked 100% on that small batch. *edited for Buckshop to clarify it was wood cut on table saw(about 1/2"X 5" and maybe 1/4"thick. No metal parts were cut on table saw.
    Last edited by carpetman; 04-18-2005 at 10:58 PM.

  2. #2
    Moderator Emeritus / Trusted loob groove dealer

    waksupi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Somers, Montana, a quaint little drinking village,with a severe hunting and fishing problem.
    Posts
    19,379
    I have found if I just leave the fingers of my left hand at the base of the ram after putting in the casing, and running the case up, the primer will bounce on my fingers and stay in the catch tray. It only took me about thirty five years to discover this.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master Scrounger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Area 51
    Posts
    3,482

    Primer catcher

    Quote Originally Posted by carpetman
    I think I found a most simple fix for the RCBS Rockchucker not catching primers. The slot where an auto primer feed is installed which is not used by most,will be used for this. About 4 inches or so below that slot is another slot of the same thickness. Using my table saw I cut a strip about 1/2" wide and the thickness of the slot. It is long enough to be flush with the top of the upper slot and stick into the lower slot a short distance. There are already set screws there to attach the primer feed block. When you put it in place dont go to the front edge of the upper slot---it will be in way when installing shell holders. You do want the bottom end to be all the way in,or it will create an unwanted pocket for the primers to fall into. So the stick will be installed on an angle---wider at top than bottom. It seems to work as a baffle and the primers don't go into the catcher but stay on the area around it-----which beats on the floor. As Floodgate mentioned,just rake them into the tray with your finger. For those without a table saw,You could possibly use a popsicle stick--- maybe even two popsicle sticks???????? I think they would be long enough and even if they are not as thick as the slot--no problem the set scres will hold it in. Would take a little cutting,but a paint stir stick should work too. BTW,how do people get by without a table saw? I know Buckshot would mill,lathe,drill press,hose clamp and duct tape a fancier rig,but I don't think metal would give as much cushioning baffle effect. Oh--the hose clamps would be stainless steel ofcourse. I did try 6 or 8 .243 cases and it worked 100% on that small batch.
    I'm having trouble understanding that. Can you show us a picture?

  4. #4
    Super Moderator




    Buckshot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    So. California
    Posts
    11,833
    Quote Originally Posted by Scrounger
    I'm having trouble understanding that. Can you show us a picture?
    ...........Yeah. I thought Ray was gonna tell us he cut a slot in the ram with his table saw.

    ............Buckshot
    Father Grand Caster watches over you my brother. Go now and pour yourself a hot one. May the Sacred Silver Stream be with you always

    Proud former Shooters.Com Cast Bullet alumnus and plank owner.

    "The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."

    Shrink the State End the Fed Balance the budget Make a profit Leave an inheritance

  5. #5
    Boolit Master carpetman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    San Angelo,Texas
    Posts
    2,281
    Buckshot--My post was edited for your clarification. You will be able to recognize as it has a * sorta like a footnote.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master Scrounger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Area 51
    Posts
    3,482

    Primer Catcher

    Quote Originally Posted by carpetman
    I think I found a most simple fix for the RCBS Rockchucker not catching primers. The slot where an auto primer feed is installed which is not used by most,will be used for this. About 4 inches or so below that slot is another slot of the same thickness. Using my table saw I cut a strip of wood about 1/2" wide and the thickness of the slot. It is long enough to be flush with the top of the upper slot and stick into the lower slot a short distance. There are already set screws there to attach the primer feed block. When you put it in place dont go to the front edge of the upper slot---it will be in way when installing shell holders. You do want the bottom end to be all the way in,or it will create an unwanted pocket for the primers to fall into. So the stick will be installed on an angle---wider at top than bottom. It seems to work as a baffle and the primers don't go into the catcher but stay on the area around it-----which beats on the floor. As Floodgate mentioned,just rake them into the tray with your finger. For those without a table saw,You could possibly use a popsicle stick--- maybe even two popsicle sticks???????? I think they would be long enough and even if they are not as thick as the slot--no problem the set scres will hold it in. Would take a little cutting,but a paint stir stick should work too. BTW,how do people get by without a table saw? I know Buckshot would mill,lathe,drill press,hose clamp and duct tape a fancier rig,but I don't think metal would give as much cushioning baffle effect. Oh--the hose clamps would be stainless steel ofcourse. I did try 6 or 8 .243 cases and it worked 100% on that small batch. *edited for Buckshop to clarify it was wood cut on table saw(about 1/2"X 5" and maybe 1/4"thick. No metal parts were cut on table saw.
    Ray sent me a picture of his gadget to post:
    [IMG][/IMG]

  7. #7
    Boolit Master At Heavens Range 2008 Swagerman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    898
    Man o man, is that one of those Maximum Supremes Colossal presses, check out the metal primer tray...pre plastic era for sure.

    Kind of looks like a door stop for a dirty cow barn.

    But quite a find if I do say so.


    Swagerman

  8. #8
    Boolit Master Scrounger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Area 51
    Posts
    3,482

    Press

    Quote Originally Posted by Swagerman
    Man o man, is that one of those Maximum Supremes Colossal presses, check out the metal primer tray...pre plastic era for sure.

    Kind of looks like a door stop for a dirty cow barn.

    But quite a find if I do say so.


    Swagerman
    More respect, Sir. That press has accounted for more cats than most of us have ever seen....

  9. #9
    Boolit Master carpetman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    San Angelo,Texas
    Posts
    2,281
    Swagerman---That press is a 1967 model I bought new back then. You are correct,it needs cleaning. I do that maybe every ten years or so. I hadn't noticed how bad it was looking until I took the pic. Year or so ago when I was doing my add on to my house,my reloading room got rained on a few times while waiting on the roof job. Since I've had that press,I did acquire two others that were newer but I gave or traded them away. Dont know if you can see it,but the primer tray is held on by thong leather--a modification I did as the rubber bands that the factory provided seemed to slip off fairly often.

  10. #10
    Boolit Bub MARCORVET's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    MACON, GA
    Posts
    44

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by carpetman
    Swagerman---That press is a 1967 model I bought new back then. You are correct,it needs cleaning. I do that maybe every ten years or so. I hadn't noticed how bad it was looking until I took the pic. Year or so ago when I was doing my add on to my house,my reloading room got rained on a few times while waiting on the roof job. Since I've had that press,I did acquire two others that were newer but I gave or traded them away. Dont know if you can see it,but the primer tray is held on by thong leather--a modification I did as the rubber bands that the factory provided seemed to slip off fairly often.

    Hey, I thought all RCBS presses had the primer catcher held in place with leather straps! Got mine used and it came that way.

    I don't know about cutting steel on a tablesaw, but I do use mine to coy aluminum stock to size.
    ONE SHOT, ONE KILL! SEMPER FI

  11. #11
    Boolit Bub MARCORVET's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    MACON, GA
    Posts
    44

    Cool

    that was supposed to read " to cut aluminum stock" fingers got ahead of the brain on the last one.
    ONE SHOT, ONE KILL! SEMPER FI

  12. #12
    Banned
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    8,099
    My press has the black plastic primer catcher that is held on with that little plastic arm. My problem is probably like Waksupi's in that the primer pile up right in front of the slot in the ram, but on the cast part of the press. I just push them off into the tray. I don't have any that fall onto the floor after being pushed out of the case, but if they stay in that slot on the down stroke they then fall out the bottom of the press. Actually what really gets the press dirty is the residue from the primer mix. One should clean it off the ram occassionally and lightly oil it.

    Scrounger..I started killing cats back in 63. Not that I want the title King Cat Killer, but carpetman isn't the only one to kill alot of cats. Maybe me and carpetman should go to wisconsin for a big little cat hunt !!!!! "That's Joe Mundy outta TN way, he kills cats and kittens". "That's right, I kill cats and kittens, I've killed just about everykind of cat that walked or crawled one time or another and I'm here to kill your cat now Little Bill". "Ok men, he only has one shot left in that scattergun, so shoot him down for the mangy cat killer he is" "Click!!!!" "HANGFIRE, LET HIM HAVE IT!!!!" BOOM !! BOOM !! BOOM!! BOOM !! BOOM !! "Wow, you just killed five armed cats!" "I've always been lucky when it come to killen cats"

    Joe

  13. #13
    Boolit Master Scrounger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Area 51
    Posts
    3,482

    Cats

    Quote Originally Posted by StarMetal
    My press has the black plastic primer catcher that is held on with that little plastic arm. My problem is probably like Waksupi's in that the primer pile up right in front of the slot in the ram, but on the cast part of the press. I just push them off into the tray. I don't have any that fall onto the floor after being pushed out of the case, but if they stay in that slot on the down stroke they then fall out the bottom of the press. Actually what really gets the press dirty is the residue from the primer mix. One should clean it off the ram occassionally and lightly oil it.

    Scrounger..I started killing cats back in 63. Not that I want the title King Cat Killer, but carpetman isn't the only one to kill alot of cats. Maybe me and carpetman should go to wisconsin for a big little cat hunt !!!!! "That's Joe Mundy outta TN way, he kills cats and kittens". "That's right, I kill cats and kittens, I've killed just about everykind of cat that walked or crawled one time or another and I'm here to kill your cat now Little Bill". "Ok men, he only has one shot left in that scattergun, so shoot him down for the mangy cat killer he is" "Click!!!!" "HANGFIRE, LET HIM HAVE IT!!!!" BOOM !! BOOM !! BOOM!! BOOM !! BOOM !! "Wow, you just killed five armed cats!" "I've always been lucky when it come to killen cats"

    Joe
    I've always thought you and CarpetMan had a lot in common...

  14. #14
    Banned
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    8,099
    Art,

    You know, I do believe you are right Sir. We're about the same age, both like hunting, fishing, and guns..and both were in the military. If I couldn't have gone to the Navy I would have joined the Air Force.

    Oh almost forgot, we both have a dislike for cats that aren't kept at home as pets instead of let go to roam free.

    Joe

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check