Press ideas?

[stealthshooter]

Has anyone ever modded a small hydraulic or arbor press for swaging?

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-a-frame-bench-shop-press-1666.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-3552.html

[elk hunter]

I have both types of presses in my shop, but mostly use them for other things.

I suppose that someone could find a way to do it, but generally speaking hydraulic presses are too slow and lack the feel or sensitivity for home swaging. It is easy to apply too much pressure and bulge small diameter dies. Arbor presses while useful for pushing jacket material through ring dies to size the jacket, don't develop much pressure compared to a compound leverage press as it approaches going over center on the linkage.

[stealthshooter]

I was thinking with the Hydraulic press I could build a stop for it so I know where and when to stop so I don't bust my dies?

[BLASTER62]

I was thinking with the Hydraulic press I could build a stop for it so I know where and when to stop so I don't bust my dies?

With a hand pump press you will probably get folds in the nose with small lead tip bullets in rifle cal's. You need smooth constant action to get a good bullet, hand pump is to jerkey.

[dragonrider]

I don't see it as a way t speed up the process.

[stealthshooter]

I don't see it as a way t speed up the process.


I wasn't trying to speed up the process just want a press that will hold up to abuse without spending $600. I have all the time in the world.

[dragonrider]

In that case I am certain you can do it. I would use the hydraulic press, I think it would give you more control

[BLASTER62]

I wasn't trying to speed up the process just want a press that will hold up to abuse without spending $600. I have all the time in the world.

It's not about speed,it you want a good quality bullet in a long Ogive thats not the way to go. In a short fat pistol bullet it wouldnt make much difference is what I'm saying.

[stealthshooter]

It's not about speed,it you want a good quality bullet in a long Ogive thats not the way to go. In a short fat pistol bullet it wouldnt make much difference is what I'm saying.

I'll be building heavy .451's for my 450 Bushmaster.

[miestro_jerry]

Why not look for a used Herters Swage press at one of the auctions? I bought one and have been pressing out 38s, 9mm and 45s. I have about $160 invested so far.

Jerry

[stealthshooter]

A Herter's press would be great but it doesn't seem like it's an easy to come by item?