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Thread: Cure for an old RCBS A Press

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy Ozark Howler's Avatar
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    Cure for an old RCBS A Press

    I'm currently in the process of rebuilding one of my "A" series presses, the early "A" models have cast steel (softer) links which tend to wear (after a couple of million cycles) because of the hardend steel link pins used in the 1/2"upper and 5/8" lower toggle castings.

    To solve this (loose link) issue I reversed the links and rebored the bottom to accept a new pressed in 1/2"ID X 3/4"OD bronze bushing (which is now the top) and rebored the worn 1/2" end to a machined finished 5/8"hole. Its amaizing that the main operating ram still remains very close to its original tolerance, most likely because of the vertical travel having little bearing surface wear (unlike the link arms).

    The next step is to bead blast the frame and powder coat with a nice industrial quality finish and polished the other parts as needed.

    She'll be good for another couple of million cycles, and/or another 50 some odd years.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails DSC_0064.jpg   DSC_00581.jpg   DSC_0067.jpg   DSC_0074.jpg  

  2. #2
    Boolit Master Lead Fred's Avatar
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    My 1952 Lyman and 1965 RCBS both still work like the day they were bought.

    I remember when cars and women would last that long









    Dont forget to post the after pics
    I have sworn on the altar of GOD eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master

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    cool project would like to see pics when you get finished. FB

  4. #4
    Boolit Bub acoilfld's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lead Fred View Post
    I remember when cars and women would last that long
    Wish that I was brave enough to show that quote to my wife

  5. #5
    Cast Boolits Owner



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    Nice project. Please post post pictures when you are finished.

    R.
    "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."
    - Albert Camus -

  6. #6
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    It will be interesting to see one "dressed up". That od green paint is nothing but ugly.
    Those presses were hand fitted and assembled. It was not untill the RC came out that they were able to assembly line produce them.
    Ken

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Those link arms are quite large at each end. I've wondered about boring them out to contain sealed 1/2" ID ball bearings in them. They should last forever with NO wear then. ??

  8. #8
    Boolit Master



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    Not really.....think about it. A ball bearing runs in an annular race and all the force is on that race, on one little tiny bearing point of each ball. Great for high speed axial use like a motor, but for slow speed heavy loads a plain tough bronze bearing is more than adequate. A roller or needle bearing would be better, but still overkill. The bronze bushing will last almost forever and can be replaced when worn.

    That's a very nice repair/upgrade to a great old press!

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    Hmmm... a cure for an old ratty worn a2? Easy, send it to me.... I'll "dispose" of it properly.... Good plan to get the old girl up and running, they don't make 'em like that anymore.

    Dan

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    "...on one little tiny bearing point of each ball."

    True, but those balls and the races are quite hard. And a needle bearing would indeed be better. But the bronze will sure work.

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy Ozark Howler's Avatar
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    Just about finished rebuilding the 2A today, I have a few small things to finalize (new grip and refinish the priming assembly), but it's starting to look like new again. After final assembly there is practically no play at all in the linkage, looks like the bronze bushings are the way to go.

    A before and after.......well, one down, three more to go
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails A3.jpg   A1.jpg   A2.jpg  

  12. #12
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    That is nice looking. RCBS should have made them look that good!!!
    Ken

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

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    Ozark, That's some fine work you've done there restoring that press ! FB

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy beanflip's Avatar
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    Nice work..... that bench top looks good too!!!
    I SHOOT MORE FOR LESS

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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