Lyman Tru Line Junior

[Ben]

I purchased a Lyman Tru Line Junior Turret press a few days ago,
( see photo below )

The press has compound linkage. A very nice press, I bought it with intentions of loading 38 Spec only ( I'll be using a T/C resizing die ) . It seems to have plenty of horse power for loading 38 Specials.

My turret takes 7/8 X 14 dies and I have a 2nd turret that came with the press, the 2nd one takes 310 dies ( I may sell that one ? ).

My question is this.....When were these made, is there any history on these presses that you know about that you could share. Years of production , etc.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/PICT0010-9.jpg

[Roundnoser]

I'm gonna say that Pressman would be your best bet for historical information on these. I seem to recall he had an afinety for similar presses like Redhead, CC Johnson, etc. -- I suspect he will see this thread before too long!

[Catshooter]

Ben,

You don't lay about on the sofa all day and smoke dope & eat bon-bons, do you? Nice press.


Cat

[Ben]

Cat,

Ummm ? ? I guess my answer would be no..........

[HeavyMetal]

Pressman's answer will be interesting and I look forward to seeing it!

I think these were made into the mid 60's? Production was after WWII? Just plain old guessing here! The compound linkage design was the later version and I have several of them.

The real nice part is someone took the time to add the 7/8's x 14 turret which really adds to the use of this machine.

I have a compound linkage Jr. with the 6 hole turret and it handily full length size 357 and 44 case's, if I put just a touch of Imperial sizing die wax on them!

Of course this is using a carbide die!

It's a nice portable unit, I have on set up as a range press with a 4 hole 7/8s x 14 turret.

Lyman still makes a conversion to standard shell holders and they have a longer primer punch kit as well! I have both on the 6 hole press but not on the 4 hole.

Found that 4 tru line shell holders do 90% of the case's I reload. Bought them as they became available and keep them in the press box!

It really is a fun press and after you use it a bit you'll wonder why Lyman never upgraded it and kept in the line.

[shotman]

make sure you keep the back support rod tight to the turret. and keep it oiled
its a 50s era the top is after market
Dont use it for fl resizeing rifle brass and it will last you for long time
the shell holders are the J type , no longer made
ebay is your friend

[LUBEDUDE]

Nice, it should serve you well.

[woody1]

From a member here Re: Tru-Line Jr.

woody (and anyone else interested):

The following is a summary of the history of the Lyman Tru-Line Jr.
presses I wrote up for a couple of other tool collectors. I hope
some of you, at least, will find it helpful:

"I had been dimly aware that there was something "funny' about T-L
Jr. dies, and a few months ago saw mention that the tool linkage
came in two forms. Last night I did some more checking on the tool,
and found that it and its dies are, indeed, more complicated than I
had realized. The Tru-Line Jr. tool, with its four-station rotating
turret tapped 5/8" x 30 tpi, was introduced in or around 1949 (per
the "Lyman Centennial Journal"; my set of Lyman Annual Product
Catalogs is as-yet incomplete for this period), and at that time had
a simple, direct linkage, with two long blued bars (one on either
side) connecting the handle toggle to the moving case-holder
assembly. The dies were the same as for the contemporary 310 tool:
decapping chamber ("D.C."), muzzle resizer ("M.R."), expander die
("E.C.") with expander plug ("E.P.") for the appropriate bullet, and
the classic "double-adjustable" chamber ("D.A.") for seating (and
crimping, if required), with a seating stem (S.S.) matched to the
chosen bullet nose profile. The only difference was that, instead of
the external priming chamber ("P.C."; the hallmark of the 310's with
their screw-in case-head bushing, as opposed to the earlier,
steel-handled tools cut for a specific case head diameter), the T-L
Jr. used a more conventional shell-holder ("S.H.") which descended
over a priming punch ("P.P.") in the tool base on the down stroke.
These designation are from Ideal Handbook No. 38, (January 1951),
pp. 30-31. Full-length sizing, if required, was still done with the
separate die and knockout rod system. My tool and die set are of
this early design, and I got the matching F. L. die set with the
recently-acquired late No. 10 tool in the same caliber.

Two years later (HB #39, May, 1953), the tool body and linkage were
the same; but for bottle-necked cases only, a "Combination Die"
replaced "D.C.", "M.R.", "E.C." and "E.P.", with the muzzle-resizing
function built into the earlier decapping die body, and an expanding
button screwed onto the decapping stem, to expand the case mouth as
it was withdrawn from the die, in conventional (Pacific, RCBS, etc.)
fashion. This allowed the T-L Jr. to be set up with two sets of two
dies each, for rifles at least. (HB #39 glosses over loading of
straight-walled cases; they evidently used the older four-die set,
as before.)

By HB #41 (July 1957; HB #40 doesn't show much of anything on the
T-L Jr.), however, there had been a major revision to both tool and
dies. The single link on either side of the tool had been relaced by
a shorter one, pinned to the "elbow" of a second L-shaped link
attached to the toggle and frame, giving the same "compound" effect
as that of the RCBS A-2 tool (which evidently inspired the change).
This linkage changes the leverages of the system so that the rising
element carrying the shell holder has rapid movement and low
mechanical advantage at the start of the upstroke (and for priming,
at the end of the down-stroke), but slows down and greatly increases
the leverage as the shell carrier approaches the top of its stroke.
This made it possible to provide full-length sizing for
straight-walled pistol cases (and for certain other short cases) in
lieu of just resizing the case mouths. The die sets were
correspondingly revamped and re-designated. For bottle-necked rifle
cases, decapping, muzzle resizing and case mouth expanding were
performed in the combination die (now labelled "die S") as in the
previous setup; for pistol cases, the decapping rod was used in a
new body (die "R") which also provided full-length sizing. Oddly,
muzzle-resizing was still retained for pistol cases, using the same
die as before (now, die "B"), and case mouth expansion was also as
before (die "F"). Seating and crimping utilized the D.A. chamber
(now die "E") and seating screw for both types of cases. The shell
holder and priming post were relabelled ("J" and "T", respectively)
but otherwise unchanged. So, "rifle" die sets consisted of two dies:
"S" and "E"; while pistol sets took dies "R", "B", "F" and "E", four
in all, but now allowed full-length sizing. Around the same time,
the earlier number coding for 310 and T-L Jr. dies by specific
cartridge ("123" for .30-'06) was changed to a more complex form
which I still have not completely sorted out.

This must have posed a real nightmare for the Lyman stock-keepers,
especially as they were also going through a lengthy evolution in
their other tools, towards the "standard" C- and H-press and 7/8" x
14 tpi die systems used by other makers."

Sorry for taking up so much space.

floodgate
Regards, Woody

[Catshooter]

Ben,

I was just commenting (poorly) on the fact that you're able to post quite a bit about new reloading projects lately. And your posts are always informative & helpful.


Cat

[Pressman]

Thjanks Woody, you saved me a lot of time - which is in very short supply lately.
Ken

[Ben]

Thanks to all for your help.

Ben

[Green Frog]

Ben,

Just a couple of quick observations from a guy who has several Jrs set up to use for specific rounds. First, even the later version with the improved linkage does not have the sheer strength of even the smallest ones made originally for 7/8 X 14. Just because the new head takes larger dies doesn't mean that the press is any stronger. I limit mine to pistol cartridges that I don't have to resize (or I resize them on a "big" press) and to smaller rifle cartridges or those that will be shot in the same chamber and don't need sizing.

I have loaded 45-70s and 32-40s on TL Jrs, but both were for Winchester high-walls and I did just the least bit of neck sizing on them. Mostly I just used the press to seat the bullets and take the bell out of the case mouth while putting in minimal crimp. Anyway, I'm sure you will enjoy your new acquisition, especially if you limit yourself to the class of cartridges it is good with.

BTW, I took one of my TL Jrs and bolted it down to a 2 X 4. I then clamp it to a bench or table at the range so I can experiment with loading different bullets and/or powder charges right there. Works well for me!

Regards,
Froggie

[3006guns]

Froggie, thanks for posting that. There seems to be a movement to change the poor little Jr. into a miniature progressive or something. A lot of folks are intrigued by the idea of a a small press that will take "normal" 7/8" x 14 dies and fail to think about how really small it is! Or as my old mentor put it so many years ago, "They're springy, really springy if you push them too hard. Just keep what the original designers had in mind and you'll do fine."

[Ziptar]

That's my old press! :-P

I'd only ever used it for .45 Colt and it did just fine with it, or any straight walled pistol ammo for that matter. Full sizing rifle brass would be too much for it I think.

I got it, used it, and liked it for the very reason 3006guns mentioned. It is small.

It did what I needed it to do and didn't take up much space, I wouldn't have ever sold it if I hadn't received a Lyman T-Mag a while ago and also have an even smaller HDS Compac hand press. I'm 6' 4" and like to stand when I reload so I found myself using the T-Mag more often due to its longer handle and because it s a bit taller. Other than that it did everything I needed easily.

It didn't seem right to have it knocking around my bench anymore and just stuffing it in a box to maybe never be used again so, I offered it up here and I am glad to see Ben putting it to good use.

A while back Pressman was kind enough to send me PDFs of the 1952 and 1960 instruction manuals. I put them on my web server so you can download them.

http://www.ziptar.com/reloading/Lyman_Tru_Line_Jr_instructions_1952.pdf

http://www.ziptar.com/reloading/Lyman_Tru_Line_Jr_instructions_1960.pdf

On a related note. Just yesterday I was poking around on eBay and noticed that the gentlemen that had been making and selling the 7/8"-14 die plates for the Tru-Line Jr. is now selling them again. http://www.ebay.com/itm/261009171172

[rocxx]

On a related note. Just yesterday I was poking around on eBay and noticed that the gentlemen that had been making and selling the 7/8"-14 die plates for the Tru-Line Jr. is now selling them again. http://www.ebay.com/itm/261009171172[/QUOTE]

Thanks,
I have been scanning the internet for a couple week looking for this, with no success. Price is a bit high but what I want!

[44Vaquero]

116833
I absolutely love how this thread repeats itself about every year and a half! I would truly love to know how many of these marvelous little presses were built? Considering the steady stream of them on E-bay it has to have been 1000's! Mine is dedicated to .32 H&R Mags, although it has been used for .38's and .45 ACP's too.

Rocxx, I have the gentleman's E-mail address that makes the 7/8 x 14 dies. Send me a pm, he will sell direct a little bit cheaper.

[Green Frog]

44Vaquero, I use one of my TL Jrs as a dedicated unit for 32 S&W Long. I've got a nearly-as-old All American set up as my 327 Fed Mag press. For now I've kinda skipped over the 32 H&Rs.

Froggie

[44Vaquero]

Green Frog, I have thought about having my Single-Six (6.5 inch) converted over to .327 FM but in truth the H&R has done everything that has ever been asked of it by me. I bought mine back when they were brand new and factory ammo was non-existent. Dies were not even available, so my Grandfather built the press pictured below for me.
116838

[Bent Ramrod]

The last mention of the Tru-Line Jr. in the Handloader's Digest was 1970, in the sixth edition. By the time the 7th edition came out in 1975, it was no longer offered.

[Pressman]

1947 through 1971/72?? Lyman seems to keep no records and no one has any memory. If they made just a thousand a year, and that seems low, there are plenty on the used market.
As an 17 year old with no money and no idea what I was doing I began with the 310 tool and quickly moved to the next logical step, the Tru Line Jr. I loaded everything I needed to shoot on it until 1985 when I was issued a Glock 17. Needing to master the Glock I quickly realized I was going to have to modernize my reloading. Then I found a Red Head press at a gun show and I was off in a different direction.

Ken

[catskinner]

About 15 years ago I bought a Tru-Line Jr. from a fellow club member. It had been his father's and he was selling the reloading equipment for the estate. Interesting thing was he had both new and old style linkages so apparently Lyman sold parts to upgrade. What was really interesting was a letter from Lyle Kilborn describing how he had redesigned the linkage. Not sure if I spelled the name right. Also had a letter from Elmer Keith and 3 from Townsend Whelen. Wish now I would have made copies of those letters.

[s1120]

I like it when a TLjr post comes back from the dead. :)

I love mine. It was my Dads and has loaded countless rounds over the years!! I do mostly 38/357 on it, but am now resizing on a old Lee using normal dies. My 22 jet is loaded on it, and I will be using it to prime the cases for 30-30. My old Lee doesn't have a primer setup, and I like the feel of the TLjr for priming. Its realy a nice handy press to have on the bench. It cant do everything, but for a lot of jobs its just sooo handy to have!

[Green Frog]

A favorite uncle of mine (who was the first enthusiastic reloader in the family) gave Dad and me his old TL Jr when he "moved up" to an All American. That first press is still bolted to our bench even as many other presses have come and gone. Not only is it still in occasional use, but I have a couple of others that are dedicated to specific calibers... I like to bolt them to a short 2X4 that can be clamped to the bench with C-clamps as needed. If I'm putting too much strain on it for the C-clamp to carry, I'm putting too much strain on it! :wink: Folks sit up and take notice at the range when I pull out my board mounted TL Jr (or Red Head™ Ken) and start loading something odd like a 32-40, 45-70, or even a 40-40 Maynard 1873, and they think I must be some sort of pro... at least until I start shooting! [smilie=l:

Froggie

[leterrip]

There's one for sale right now on EBAY for $69 plus shipping if anybody's still interested. The guy selling is even including the origional box that it came in.

[dromia]

I run one of these and use the 310 dies in it.

I manly load rifle calibres and as the 310 die sets only neck size the lack of oompfff in the leverage department isn't an issue.

The 310 die sets tend have usefully sized neck expanders for cast boolits.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

What dromia said about the 310 dies also applies to cast boolits in pistol, so if the OP still has the 310 turret, I would buy a set of 310 dies and use those to reload 38 special to get a better cartridge.

[M-Tecs]

116833
I absolutely love how this thread repeats itself about every year and a half!

More like every two years:bigsmyl2:

[Texas by God]

I was given one by a friend. I have loaded 7x57 on it and all went well. I'm on a search for .45ACP dies so I can put it back to use as a semi progressive. I like the little thing.

[Oyeboten]

The aftermarket Turrets with the large diameter holes for accapting the large diameter dies...one can get old Lyman Knurled top screw in adaptors to reduce them so they will accept the '310' Dies...

Kind of funny to do this, but, one can if one wants.

[Petander]

Bump.

Is the 310 thread the same as Tru Line thread,has there been changes?

I got a Tru Line press by accident,now I received a 310 tool set and the dies sort of look like having a finer thread than Tru Line turret body,the die goes in a little,then it wants more turning force than I'm willing to use. I could not measure them yet.

310 tong itself is easy to turn the dies in and out.

[44magLeo]

There may be a bit of rust or other crud in the turret threads. Most any solvent on an old tooth brush will clean out most of it. A bit of oil on the dies lets them thread in easier. You may have to use a bit of force to tread a die in the first time. This first time clears out the stuff deep in the treads.
I have a 1st and 2nd Gen Tru Line presses. I like them. They work very well with the 38/357 and 44 loading I do. Being neck sized only I think they make more accurate ammo.
Leo

[Petander]

Thank you very much.

It must be a rust/cleaning thing then.

I got the press with other stuff and soon started to like it. My 310 is 358,this will make a nice , relaxed setup for my low tech summer place. With the 310 I can reload ammo in the hammock.

[Green Frog]

Petander, I have encountered TL Jr presses (and even some 310 tools) that seem to be tighter than most... perhaps the tap was about worn out when these holes were threaded?? Anyway, with the exception of the exceedingly rare turrets and tong tools for the oversized dies (like for 50-70, etc) they should all be the same. I’m guessing with lots of cutting oil, running one of your more expendable dies in and out several times should clean up each hole for you.

Froggie

PS I’ve also encountered tong tools (but no TL Jr turrets) with extra small threaded holes for 25-20 SS and other small calibers, I only include this for the sake of completeness, not because I think it applies to your specific turret. :coffeecom

[Petander]

Thanks Froggie,

I took a closer look and there is some rust in the turret threads. It's such a delicate thread,I'll be extra careful.

I like your nickname : I have a frog tattoo,got it when I got married in the 90's. We have this frog thing,hard to explain...

[dsh1106]

I've made the offer to others on here, I have a special made tap for cleaning up these old threads, just send me the part and I'll run the tap through it and return it to you.....
Sorry .... I just noticed you're not here in the states, probably not a valid offer then ...

Scott

[Green Frog]

Thanks Froggie,

I took a closer look and there is some rust in the turret threads. It's such a delicate thread,I'll be extra careful.

I like your nickname : I have a frog tattoo,got it when I got married in the 90's. We have this frog thing,hard to explain...

My Green Frog handle dates all the way back to the ‘70s when CB radios were popular here and I was driving a British Racing Green Austin Healey Mk I Sprite. We called them “Bugeye Sprites” but the Brits called them “Frogeye Sprites.” I thought Green Frog sounded better than Green Bug, so a handle was born. 45 years later it’s too late to change, even though I recently sold off the last of my Frogeye parts. “It’s not easy being green” :mrgreen:

Regards,
Froggie

[Pressman]

Thanks for clearing that up, I had always wondered.

[Petander]

I've made the offer to others on here, I have a special made tap for cleaning up these old threads, just send me the part and I'll run the tap through it and return it to you.....
Sorry .... I just noticed you're not here in the states, probably not a valid offer then ...

Scott

Thank you,

I have a machinist friend who can make such a tap if needed. Right now I'm oil soaking and then I'll see what a brass brush will do.

[Pressman]

The fine threads get clogged with dirt easily. A good oil and a bore brush spun inside the hole should clean the threads. If there is rust then re-tapping may be the only choice if you cannot get a die to thread in.
The thread is an odd one, .6075"x30 tpi. Taps and dies are available but they will cost plenty.

[Petander]

I got them clean.

Lyman powder dispenser threaded part goes in the turret just fine but the 310 dies won't go past a few turns.

The thread parts are clean.

https://i.postimg.cc/dVBGjxFC/IMG-20200322-185050.jpg

[dsh1106]

The OD of the dies might be a touch larger than the adapter for your #55. I would measure to compare them. If that is the case, you might be able to have a machinist take an old 310 body and modify it to act like a tap so you clean the threads out.

Scott

[Scoutdog99]

Does anyone have any leads on where to buy a turret that accepts the 7/8-14 dies? I know some were made/sold a few years back, but I can’t seem to find anyone who currently is making them. I don’t have the tools nor access to anyone I know that could make one.

[Petander]

The OD of the dies might be a touch larger than the adapter for your #55. I would measure to compare them.

Scott

Yes the dies are .006" larger in diameter.

[Petander]

Now I got another 310 set,the steel made tong says "38 spl" and the dies fit perfectly in the Junior press turret.

The non-fitting large dies came with a 357 aluminum tool.

https://i.postimg.cc/nV1nzjhj/IMG-20200329-202811.jpg

[Green Frog]

Petander, I have come to believe you've encountered a phenomenon known as "tolerance stacking." As you are no doubt aware, manufacturers have a defined range of acceptance, + or - from the specified size. If you try to fit a maximum size part into a minimum size hole, the result is a too tight or even unusable fit. In a best case scenario, big would match up with big and small with small, but obviously several decades later and half a world away, our old friend Murphy and his infamous Law will come into play, and there we are.

Remind me please, what is your unusable die? Is it a caliber we can easily swap out for you? Individual dies can pretty easily be tossed in a mailing envelope labeled as the metal tool die it is, only without mentioning it is for reloading or gun stuff.

Froggie

[Petander]

Froggie,thank you for the swapping idea - but I can use these all. A full 357 mag 310 tong set is nice to have, now with the "new" 38 Special set I'm just fine with the turret press and/or tong set.

[Eddie Southgate]

You should be able to adjust your 38 Special dies to be able to load .357 Magnum with them also .