RCBS Rockchucker

[EMC45]

Was a given an RCBS Rockchucker by my younger brother today. he got it from a job site he worked on. The guy he was doing the job for gave it to him. I'm gonna try the ATF/Acetone/Thinner mix to free it up. It looks to be in good shape aside from the rust.

[EMC45]

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/Evansguns/100_3669.jpg

[462]

EMC45,
You have a fun project, there, and when it's completed, you'll love the press.

My only Rock Chucker complaint is that it is not designed for left-hand use.

[cheese1566]

Kroil!

Then the derust electrolysis method.

Get it freed and I bet RCBS would send you a new ram and handle, pins too.

I would love to find one in that condition for a project!

[EMC45]

Nearly got it freed. Got the handle unscrewed, the link arms freed and swinging, both botttom pins driven out, rusted in shellholder (#3) out, Handle block (I think that's what it's called) off and cleaned up. The ram won't move!!! I will send it to RCBS when I get it freed though and see if they'll send a new one. Also will need a new threaded die bushing.

[CapLock80]

Jesum' crow man what was the job, dredging the bottom of a lake? Post some pictures when you've brought that thing back from the dead.
I say RCBS should use you and your press for advertising.

[cheese1566]

Nearly got it freed. Got the handle unscrewed, the link arms freed and swinging, both botttom pins driven out, rusted in shellholder (#3) out, Handle block (I think that's what it's called) off and cleaned up. The ram won't move!!! I will send it to RCBS when I get it freed though and see if they'll send a new one. Also will need a new threaded die bushing.

If they don"t. I'll give ya $25 bucks for it!

[Catshooter]

I'll second cheese's advice on the electrolysis idea.


Cat

[375supermag]

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/Evansguns/100_3669.jpg


I hate to see quality tools treated like that.

Were they using it for a boat anchor?

[ColColt]

I think I'd sand blast the entire unit. The guy that let it get in that shape ought to be horse whooped.

[HangFireW8]

Once freed, Vinegar and Salt Water will de-rust the parts- just keep them fully submerged. It will leave a pitted finish behind, and need immediate rinse and some kind of rust proofing.

[EMC45]

Just called RCBS and a new Ram/shellholder clip and die bushing are on there way. What a GREAT COMPANY!!!!!

[linotype]

Just called RCBS and a new Ram/shellholder clip and die bushing are on there way. What a GREAT COMPANY!!!!!

Had my Rockchucker and lube-a-matic in storage. Went back and found that there had been a standing water leak for years. The bottom half of both were badly rusted.
Contacted RCBS with a list of replacement parts. Greatest customer service I've seen in years!
In the process of making them "brand new" again. :lol:

[perimedik]

naval jelly. works like a charm.
I'd love to see it restored keep us posted now

[1hole]

I once had an RCBS sizer die that got been dripped on in during several months of storage so it was rusted beyond saving when I finally got to it but the decapper stem was fine as was the seater. I called Customer Service and asked to buy just the size die body; NOPE! The very nice lady said she could sell me a full new set (at full 'suggested retail') but she couldn't sell me a die body nor replace it as a warrantee item. I thinked her for the kind purchase offer and said good-bye, then bought a new Lee delux die set with their excellant collet neck sizer locally at much less cost!

Only to say RCBS isn't quite as great all the time as they are some of the time. ??

[EMC45]

Parts came from RCBS, but ram still won't budge. May put a little heat to it today.

[Papa Jack]

Parts came from RCBS, but ram still won't budge. May put a little heat to it today.

Be real care full trying to remove that Ram. It looks pretty Frozen to me. You don't want to Break or crack the casting.
I suggest you soak the unit in some Diesel for a few days if you haven't already. I have had pretty good luck with this.
I once restored a press that came out of a house fire, it was rusted and frozen from sitting in the wet ashes for a couple weeks. At the time I worked in a Aluminum Die Casting Shop and we had a heated "Oakite" ( Sodium Hydroxide ) tank. I hung that press in the tank for a couple days and was able to put it in a Hyd. Press and very carefully push the ram DOWN and out with out ruining the bore. Don't forget to remove the spring clip that holds the shell holder !!
If you have to push the ram out, I suggest that you carefully polish or clean the exposed Ram area before pushing it thru the bore. You don't want to end up with a scored or damaged bore if you can help it....
Another Suggestion: Melt some parafin or wax around the ram and heat it until it drips out the other side.... Good Luck !! PJ

[bbailey7821]

Hey EMC,
I got one in almost the exact same condition. Buff rust off the exposed ram and do the diesel or atf lube for a couple of days on the casting to ram area. Been using mine for over 5 years now with really good results.

[jimkim]

Another Suggestion: Melt some parafin or wax around the ram and heat it until it drips out the other side.... Good Luck !! PJ
I've seen something similar with frozen headbolts. They were on a Ford Flathead. It really worked well.

[41mag]

I would warm it up good, and soak it down in Kroil, let it hold the temp for a half hour or so, then let it cool down. Repeat several times and it should break free. The expansion and contraction will draw the oil into the pores and every crevice of the press.

We use Kroil on stuff that is WAY more corroded and has been locked for years and it works better than anything I have ever used. Just go look at anything close to or around a cooling tower, to see how bad corrosion can get on exposed metal. The can says will creep into 1 millionth of an inch and I have no doubts about it.

[mac60]

I have one that was in similar condition. I used some Kroil and didn't have much trouble removing the ram. Here it is about half way through the process.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_165264e185fc03e708.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1419)
A little elbow grease and some Krylon textured paint and I have a another press to use.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_165264e185fc169a1e.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1421)

[EMC45]

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm243/Evansguns/100_3687.jpg Done!

[EMC45]

Too a bit of heat and PB Blaster and ATF and some serious hammer work (Estwing 16oz finish hammer).Got the ram beat out and cleaned the ram bore out and took a 12ga brush wrapped in 0 Steel wool on a drill to polish the bore. Wiped everything down and oiled it all back up and put it all back. Works like a champ. The 7/8-14 insert unscrewed like it wasn't a problem. Just came right out. Another good piece of equipment saved from neglect.

[mac60]

It cleaned up really well. You can't have too many presses, can you?

[EMC45]

Probably gonna put the handle in the Wife's uncle's lathe and scrape all the rust off it.

[RGMJ]

Nice press! I envy you. Why not have the handle hard chomed? It would look great..

[mrtonegto]

Might have the handle powder coated in your choice of colors................

[cajun shooter]

Springfield who is a member on this forum sells roller handles for Dillon presses that may work and look good as they have different colors and the handle is a offset roller.

[DCM]

+1 on the Kroil! Best stuff I have used hands down. Let it soak in, it will penetrate!

[jakharath]

+1 on the Dillon Roller Handle

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Submerge it in muretic acid and it will be white metal in five minutes. Guarantee, WARNING! Don't beath the fumes.

[357 Voodoo]

Submerge it in muretic acid and it will be white metal in five minutes. Guarantee, WARNING! Don't beath the fumes.

The heck with that nasty stuff EVAPO-RUST. works like a champ and is leaps and bounds safer.

[3006guns]

Evapo-Rust would be my first choice also.....but it's not readily available in my area. Swimming pool acid (muriatic) is usually in any hardware store.

I've used muriatic acid to derust many things over the years, including the complete restoration of a 1902 Hendy shaper. It works fast, but you MUST flood the part with a solution of baking soda and water afterwards to nuetralize the acid or the part will begin rusting again. When the part stops fizzing and sizzling, rinse in water, dry and either paint or coat with oil if your going to store it for awhile.

[hes]

Plus 1 for the Kroil.

[howards]

Why not just sand it down and use black Ruststeum on it?

[EMC45]

Why not just sand it down and use black Ruststeum on it?

This is the plan.