blackmon punch holder question

[diablos30]

i'm new to swagging and i have a question, how does the top punch get held in the the punch holder? does it just sit loosely in it or am i missing a part?

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g255/jhardy6/IMG_2312_zps5496df22.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/jhardy6/media/IMG_2312_zps5496df22.jpg.html)

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g255/jhardy6/IMG_2311_zps0f49d6a6.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/jhardy6/media/IMG_2311_zps0f49d6a6.jpg.html)

[newcastter]

You need to unscrew the bottom of the punch holder. Yes that tip screws off. Then insert the punch and screw the tip back on. If need be back off the adjustment screw for it to fit.

[diablos30]

ahhhh, well now dont i just feel stupid. i've been starring at that all day trying to figure that out, thank you very much.

[newcastter]

No, problem. I went through the same dumb stare before I figured it out.

[Liseo]

Are the tools in the correct position? Seens that the punch holder have the wrong tool. This tool must be used in the press ram. Or may be i am wrong...

[diablos30]

Are the tools in the correct position? Seens that the punch holder have the wrong tool. This tool must be used in the press ram. Or may be i am wrong...

i think they are, figuring this all out by trial and error.

[garandsrus]

Liseo,

I think u are correct... The punch in the top die goes with the bottom die and the bottom punch goes in the top die. I have not used Blackmon dies, but they look reversed from what the punches should be.

[JerryW]

Are you using a regular reloading press or do you have Blackmons swedge press? It makes a difference. Post a picture of your press. JerryW

[garandsrus]

Diablo,

The punch in the top picture is upside down also. The long thin part probably fits inside the bottom die. The fatter part will be below the die (under the threads) when you screw it into the press.

Do you have a swaging press? It looks like the dies are designed for that, not a reloading press. The pictue you posted is only the "core squirt" die, which sizes the lead core. You should have two or three additional die sets. One will seat the cores and the other will form the bullets points.

[diablos30]

yes i'm using mr. blackmons press for the entire operation except for de-rimming.

i just finished my first eight after switching the backwards core bleed die, not too bad for my first attempt but i need to figure out what i'm doing wrong on the point forming.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g255/jhardy6/IMG_2320_zpscac3a341.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/jhardy6/media/IMG_2320_zpscac3a341.jpg.html)

[Liseo]

tried anneal the brass?

[newcastter]

yes i'm using mr. blackmons press for the entire operation except for de-rimming.

i just finished my first eight after switching the backwards core bleed die, not too bad for my first attempt but i need to figure out what i'm doing wrong on the point forming.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g255/jhardy6/IMG_2320_zpscac3a341.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/jhardy6/media/IMG_2320_zpscac3a341.jpg.html)
Yes you need to anneal your brass first and those folds should not happen after that.

[diablos30]

ok, i'll give that a try. i also think i put just a hair to much lead in them. but thats what this is for, learning.

thanks for all the help so far guys.

[newcastter]

All of the dies should have come with the correct punches inside the correct dies. It is important to keep them together as not to accidently mix them up and possibly damage the dies or punches themselves.

[diablos30]

i may have switched the core bleed during fondling, but i don't recall doing so. i'm pretty anal about this since it was a pretty good up front investment. heck i even re-labeled the plastic baggies since the sharpie was coming off of them.

either way you're right, these are way to expensive to damage due to stupidity.

[Liseo]

Diablo, enjoy your Blackmon dies. they are superb. Using J4 jackets, my bullets do very smalll groups. As good or better than SMK and some custon bullets

[newcastter]

I also look forward to seeing your progress. I too just recieved a set of his dies about 2 months ago. I have derimmed aver 2000 and have been held up because I needed to empty my lead pot so I could try annealing them in that. I finally did that yesterday and it worked like a champ. Setting 7 for 7 minutes stir then 7 min and they are done. I annealed all 2000 in an hour thats way better than 1 at a time with a torch. Anyway I should be moving along soon with my projectiles. I will be talking with Joe Christensen later tonight and he is quite experienced with these dies and I hope to inherit some of his secrets.

[Utah Shooter]

i'm new to swagging and i have a question, how does the top punch get held in the the punch holder? does it just sit loosely in it or am i missing a part?

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g255/jhardy6/IMG_2312_zps5496df22.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/jhardy6/media/IMG_2312_zps5496df22.jpg.html)

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g255/jhardy6/IMG_2311_zps0f49d6a6.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/jhardy6/media/IMG_2311_zps0f49d6a6.jpg.html)
You do have the punches backwards in this photo. Doing it this way will only get lead stuck in the die and perhaps worse. Look here for a reference. And thank you Lafaun!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/album.php?albumid=450&attachmentid=52185

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/album.php?albumid=734&attachmentid=52182


Are you using a regular reloading press or do you have Blackmons swedge press? It makes a difference. Post a picture of your press. JerryW

It shouldn't. The only difference you should have is a replacement ram that goes into a reloading press with a threaded end to accept the die. Then a modification hole drilled into a reloading press so you can insert a rod to the ram housing to assist with the auto eject system.

I do not see what difference this would make in positioning the punches opposite.


Do you have a swaging press? It looks like the dies are designed for that, not a reloading press.

This does not matter. He makes the same style of dies. The only thing he changes is that the reloading press needs a modification ram. The dedicated horizontal press he sells has the ram already there.

Diablos. I will message you with my number if you have any other questions.

[diablos30]

this is all very interesting, i learned reloading when i was young but nobody i knew made their own projectiles so this is an exciting learning process. of course i used the old "it will save money" line of logic to convince the spousal unit, but it's really just an extension of the reloading hobby. no different than her sewing machine i say.

and thanks for the phone #, if i get stuck i'll give you a holler.

[aaronraad]

You do have the punches backwards in this photo. Doing it this way will only get lead stuck in the die and perhaps worse. Look here for a reference. And thank you Lafaun!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/album.php?albumid=450&attachmentid=52185

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/album.php?albumid=734&attachmentid=52182



It shouldn't. The only difference you should have is a replacement ram that goes into a reloading press with a threaded end to accept the die. Then a modification hole drilled into a reloading press so you can insert a rod to the ram housing to assist with the auto eject system.

I do not see what difference this would make in positioning the punches opposite.



This does not matter. He makes the same style of dies. The only thing he changes is that the reloading press needs a modification ram. The dedicated horizontal press he sells has the ram already there.

Diablos. I will message you with my number if you have any other questions.

You're on the money there Joe.

Looks like Larry's standard set-up with an M-type 3/4" (with UNF 5/8"-24tpi thread) core swage die and 7/8" top punch holder. I normally add a lock nut to the top adjusting screw for the punch holder. I also have some shim washers and flat engineering washers to pack out the top punch if I'm seating or point over 1.25" in BSS Press.