Richard Corbin

[SunUp]

Quick question for anyone who has dies ordered through RCECO: have you received any word from Richard in the past month?
I had ordered a set of dies in January and sent a couple of e-mails last month asking for any estimate he may have on a delivery date. I've
yet to hear from him. I had a great e-mail back and forth with him leading up to the order but now nothing. Any word or update you may have
on him is appreciated.

SunUp

[Gunnut 45/454]

Well I ordered my set of .224" dies and core mold about 5 months ago got it delivered in about 4 days? Now maybe cause his site said it was on hand is why I got it so quick.

[kweidner]

Having problem with a point form die I got from him. I have called repeatedly with no answer. Maybe somethings up?

[Theditchman]

I ordered a boat load of stuff from him about a year and a half ago and received half of it..walnut hill press ect everything except the dies..I waited about six months and couldn't get any replies concerning delivery estimates on the dies..like you I got plenty of replies leading up to the ordering but nothing after..so now I am sitting on everything except the dies...after 6 months of no answers I sent him an email saying I was disappointed with his service and I was going to look else where if he couldn't supply the dies ( I was talking to BT Sniper about getting some of his) I then received an email from RCE telling me he didn't respond to threats and BLAH BLAH BLAH ..It was a scathing letter to say the least and as a business owner I would never have sent something like this to a customer..so that's the last time I ever do any business with him...I think he is starting to believe he is ascending to godhood...Incidentally I have never heard from him since and my order and it was a $3500 die order..so good luck to you my friend...I have since sold all the other gear...and took up muzzleloading..much cheaper..lol
ps the only good thing is he don't take money up front

[SunUp]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm really stumped as he has been in business for quite a few years with a good reputation. You'd think if he's had family/health issues where it would affect the delivery times that he'd post something on his webpage stating such. This not returning e-mails for a simple time estimate just doesn't jive with what I've heard about him. I will keep this updated if I hear from him, or not.

SunUp

[Guardian]

I last exchanged emails with him on 18MAY14. I hope he is well.

I've learned there's nothing fast in the swaging business. It's a totally different world than the reloading industry where you can get most anything you want right now. It has taken some getting used to.

I've got some RCE equipment and have enjoyed it. I have an issue with the bullet created by one set of dies in a particular rifle and Richard has been helpful in presenting solutions and explaining the reasoning. Sure, he's likely to get some money out of it, but he didn't steer me in the most expensive direction. He very well could have.

Regarding threatening to go somewhere else, good luck with that. I had an even longer wait elsewhere.

[Guardian]

I think my last order was received within a month.

[Theditchman]

I am not saying his stuff is bad quality...on the contrary..all the other parts I received were very good..but..you don't treat customers with contempt if you want them to come back...I felt I was led up the garden path then abandoned...any business deal I do and I have done plenty with good people on this site you must both walk away happy..not just one of you....I got the distinct feeling that he has so much business waiting he couldn't care less about an individual..if he.s years behind on crucial parts why don't he stop taking new orders and catch up..I hate being sold half the stuff I need with years of wait for the rest being left out of the conversation..I feel I have been scammed...I am only saying what happened to me and how I felt afterwards

[kweidner]

I guess he's been busy. I did recieve an email. I love his press and dies. i just have a stubborn point form. It is a VLD profile and no matter what I try, I get stuck bullets. it will eject half way and then send the ejector into the lead. Not sure as to why .....almost wish I had done an 8s. He says they tested out great and likely user error? Not sure. Hope I can find the remedy. Hesitant to send them back as I might not see them for awhile. Might waste some more jackets in the meantime. LOL

[GerryM]

I ordered jackets from him a month ago. Deliver time was really good with in a week or 10 days.
He said that jacket sales are abit slow right now . He also said he may be making 6mm jackets in the future if theres enough demand.
I have some 30 cals that really are very good Prices are right too.

[Cane_man]

I guess he's been busy. I did recieve an email. I love his press and dies. i just have a stubborn point form. It is a VLD profile and no matter what I try, I get stuck bullets. it will eject half way and then send the ejector into the lead. Not sure as to why .....almost wish I had done an 8s. He says they tested out great and likely user error? Not sure. Hope I can find the remedy. Hesitant to send them back as I might not see them for awhile. Might waste some more jackets in the meantime. LOL
^^^ something you can do that will help is try to polish the inside of the die with some metal polish and then treat the inside with moly paste just like you would a rifle bore, use a lathe if you have one... it will help, also make sure the seated cores you push up there are extremely clean, and you can polish them in some lemishine and ceramic media in the vibratory tumbler to do this before point forming...

[Reload3006]

if your ejection pin is pushing up into the bullet try going a little deeper to close the meplat just a bit more this should keep the eject pin from pushing though and getting stuck in the core

[hardcase54]

Reload is correct, that is what I had to do with my 6s 6mm.

[Guardian]

..you don't treat customers with contempt if you want them to come back...

One could also suggest that you don't threaten folks when you want their assistance. I get the impression that Richard doesn't do this because he needs to work, he does it because its what he enjoys.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I've done it too. I was more than a little miffed that I got a press, lead wire, lead wire cutter, and other sundries with no dies; particularly when it was all listed as in stock. When I inquired about it, I discovered he'd had a death in the family and was dealing with the estate. That's when I found out he's a one man shop. I felt like a total idiot for the assumption I was dealing with a big reloading company. It's just a different world. One has to get out of the "right now" mindset and get into the "custom made for me" mindset, and it is very tough to do. This is just part of getting into a hobby that is very small.

kweidner, try a little more lube on what will be the bearing surface of the jacket. I've been having to place different amounts of lube on the nose and shank to aid in easy extraction without dents in the ogive on my 10S 6.5mm point form.

[SSGOldfart]

my order was here in a couple weeks have you tried calling?

[Theditchman]

I did not threaten anyone...As a business owner (one man also) If you came to me for advice on starting a new hobby and gave me an order for all the components needed to carry out that hobby I would be morally bound to tell you up front that I could not supply all the parts or that there was a long wait for them...not sell you most of the parts and when you inquired about the rest ignore you

[SunUp]

SSG: Yes, I left a message recently.

I feel regardless of business or hobby, you have customers and their orders. They have no way of knowing what is going on in regards to the volume of (back)orders you may have and how much the delivery date may have to be pushed back. Regardless, when a customer asks for a simple estimate of expected delivery time, answering in a expedient fashion is just common sense. Richard went out of his way answering my questions of regarding the best set of dies that would fit my needs. Several e-mails went back and forth. I'm sure he was busy with other orders during that time. So now, after several months, I'm asking for an update on the status and receive no replies. It's a bit disappointing. I'm trying to give him the benefit of doubt but with each non-answer, I have to consider whether to cancel. I'm afraid by doing that, that will about the only way he'll respond considering the previous posters' experiences. As I said, I'll keep you posted as to the final outcome. Again, thanks for the responses. I hope this turns out for the best so that future customers reading this can be assured of timely service from RCECO.

SunUp

[onomrbil]

How about three years for two point dies? Prepaid, even. I like his products but will not order anything from him that isn't in stock . . . The last set of dies I ordered only took a year to get, but he didn't get the order. Swages take time to make correctly, even 2nd-rate stuff. Patience, grasshoppers, and look for other die-makers if you you are not satisfied with the way you are treated by your current source. I sure as hell did.

[rolltide]

I made 2 orders in the last month with Richard and have gotten them both (Walnut Hill press, 44 die set, 40 die set and 308 die set). I inquired about what I wanted, was told what was in stock or in current production and ordered accordingly. Richard was prompt in answering my emails both before and after order. From what I can see, all these guys run small shops, except maybe Dave Corbin. We can sit around saying what they "must" or "should" do, or just accept the concept of ordering what is in stock or knowing there will be a long "indefinite" and mostly "silent" wait for what is not.

I work in the field of psychology. I find there are many really technical people, and there are many really people oriented people, and there are NOT many really technical, people oriented people. I respect Richard as a really technical person with some really good qualities. One, he doesn't make promises he doesn't keep on delivery time (if that means no promise at all, so be it.) He doesn't charge your credit card until the order ships. Until then, you are free to cancel and go elsewhere for what you need. He makes innovative, robust, well designed, and well made products and sells them at a reasonable (but not cheap) price.

I am kind of an old man, and I have learned that appreciating people for who they are and not burdening the relationship with my own expectations of who I think they should be, gives ME a much more harmonious outcome in most situations. I won't tell you how long it took me to learn that, or how many times I "must-ed" or "should-ed" on others before I learned better.

I am new to swaging and new to this forum and really appreciate the privilege to be a part of both.

[kweidner]

rolltide love the handle! I am going to try polishing it with some flitz and see if it makes a difference. The ones that eject are incredible looking and accurate. Not all stick. It seems to make it half way out of the die before being impaled by the ejector if it's gonna happen. I have used tons of lube thinking that is the problem still with no consistency. I have never had this kind of problems with my .22 stuff but then the larger caliber the more pressure etc.

[rolltide]

rolltide love the handle! I am going to try polishing it with some flitz and see if it makes a difference. The ones that eject are incredible looking and accurate. Not all stick. It seems to make it half way out of the die before being impaled by the ejector if it's gonna happen. I have used tons of lube thinking that is the problem still with no consistency. I have never had this kind of problems with my .22 stuff but then the larger caliber the more pressure etc.

My first reply was sort of to respond the original thread post. I did not intend to ignore your plight. Being very new to swaging, I am not sure I have much to offer as far as technical assistance. I do have a question or two. Could close tolerance and large amounts of lube cause enough of a vacuum to be created inside of the die to cause the occasional bullet to get stuck half-way? Would cleaning all the lube out of the dies and using a light coat on just the bullet help? Just a thought from a newbie. I don't know if it is a good thought. I sure others more knowledgeable here will correct it if it is wrong. Either way, we learn.

Thanks

[Zymurgy50]

Do clean out the point form die, I use a q-tip with alcohol. Try lubing just the bottom half of the seated core.
If you are getting lube dents on the finished product you are using too much lube.

[kweidner]

Update. Flitz did it. Spent about 2 hours with flitz and q-tips. Commenced to pointing up 50 with no issues. I think the ones I stuck left a residue or something. High learning curve on the VLD me thinks. Nothing like the .224 except the process. The rebated boat tail finished at 190 grains over a moderate amount of Varget ran in the low .2s out of my custom 700 .308. Would post a picture but the server is being wierd tonight.

[BT Sniper]

Nice job! Flitz is good stuff.

Good Shooting and Swage on!

BT

[Cane_man]

good job, glad it worked for you! some easy to get 'off the shelf' lapping compounds are:

Flitz ~ 6,000 grit (mirror finish)
Simichrome ~ 2000 grit (fine polish)
0000 Steel Wool ~ 500 grit (medium lapping)
Coarse Valve Grinding Compound ~ 100 grit (fast lapping)

[GerryM]

Glad you solved the problem make sure you use enough {but not too much lube}
I make 105 Gr 10 OG Bt bullets for long range . The key is just enough lube and a long enough die.
sharp points like the 10 need to come up slowly don't be in a rush. good bullets take time Great bullets take longer.
the key to great bullets is simple uniform core weight= uniform core seating= uniform points.

[johnson1942]

richard has been very very busy since obama was elected. also he had to take care of his very sick mother in law who did pass, then he had to do the follow up. he is a one man shop but has always been very kind to me and i really like his work. ive had a base puch ordered for a year now but i will get it one day. in the meantime i modified another one i have and it works just fine. their is a void in the world of swageing and wish other skilled machinest would start up a buss. of quality swageing products to fill the void. in the mean time take care of what you have and hang on to it.

[bannor]

sounds like a biz opp for somebody to open up competition for Corbin

[DukeInFlorida]

That's what BT Sniper does. He's a wonderful alternative to Corbin.



sounds like a biz opp for somebody to open up competition for Corbin

[303british.com]

richard has been very very busy since obama was elected. also he had to take care of his very sick mother in law who did pass, then he had to do the follow up. he is a one man shop but has always been very kind to me and i really like his work...

He went through a rough patch there for a while. Best quality stuff out there. Most of his designs are what corbins.com would have evolved to had the brothers stayed together.

[GerryM]

There are two really great die makers making swaging tools David Detsch and George Ulrich They do cost quite a bit more but the tools are Carbide insets.
These dies make millions of bullets with only slight wear as compared to tool steel
If your going into the bullet making business these are the ones to buy. For general use the others will work quite well.
Jackets of high quality are the problem right now. The $$$ is really high . Corbins jackets are really very very good and priced right .

[jimbull34]

I ordered dies thru RCE a while back and got a stunning letter in return which said, "I don't make dies for someone who does not have my press"! That kinda set the tone for me. I did order and got jackets, .45's for .06$ each so got 2K, then I started to order 10K of them and he jacked the price to .22$ ea. That ended my dealing with him. Also I found out that he is in the 80's age wise, which might explain a few things....

[jimrk]

Does not sound like the Richard I know. Did you place the order for the 10K on his site? Did it calculate?

[jimbull34]

Yes it did, when he kicked the price up to .22, thats when I canceled the order. Don't mind being screwed as long as I get kissed, but this was just too much. I know he puts out good stuff. lot of people have used it thru the years, not knocking him, just when someone kicks the price up like that in two days time, something is up.

[rolltide]

I ordered dies thru RCE a while back and got a stunning letter in return which said, "I don't make dies for someone who does not have my press"! That kinda set the tone for me. I did order and got jackets, .45's for .06$ each so got 2K, then I started to order 10K of them and he jacked the price to .22$ ea. That ended my dealing with him. Also I found out that he is in the 80's age wise, which might explain a few things....

I know Richard told me that he does not make the adapter kit to use other companies' dies anymore because his press develops more pressure and can break less robust dies. I could understand that and respect that decision, even though I wanted the adapter. I would not expect one maker to make dies of another makers design. D Corbin makes dies to fit his presses. R Corbin makes dies to fit his presses. Blackmon makes dies to fit his press and so forth. Brian T makes dies for reloading presses when most others no longer do. Each has their place and I am grateful that each of them is in business. Personally I chose to invest in R Corbin's dies and press because I really like the more robust nature of each and because his prices are fair for what you get. I can also use Brian T's dies on Richard's press and do tough reloading jobs (i.e. some full length resizing) with Richard's press as well. That is good value to me. To each his own.

Rolltide

[Smokin7mm]

Does not sound like the Richard I know. Did you place the order for the 10K on his site? Did it calculate?

This is not the Richard I know either. I have delt with Richard for approximately 14 years now. All my equipment is RCE, (22cal, 6mm, 6.5mm, 270, 7mm, as well as various draw dies etc) and have never had an issue bad experience. Richard is a super guy to deal with. Since he has been carrying jackets I have been buying them from him as his prices are fare. I usually just call and talk to him or email him with what I want and stop in and see him to pick up my stuff when I am in the area (I am down that way a couple times a year).

Jimbull34, I just went to his site and placed a "mock" order for 10,000 45cal jackets (45BJ0610) for 12.40/200 and the total came to 620.00 which is .062¢ each. How did you get to .22¢ each? You say "He" kicked the price up to .22. Please explain.

Bret

[jimbull34]

Bret,
The first order I bought from him the price was .062 ea. As soon as I got the order I turned around and sent another order in for 10k, thats when I got told that they were .22ea. via email. Needless to say I canceled the order. This was also the time that he said he would not make me dies because I didn't have his press. Don't know, that is just what happened to me. I like his jackets,s they are uniform and really work good, just can't get by the "qureckness" involved with dealing with him, maybe I should just drink more and it won't matter!!!!

[Smokin7mm]

As I stated I have done alot of dealings with richard via email and in person. Last time I was down there (June) I picked up several thousand 30 cal jackets (to draw to 7mm) prices on his price sheet coinsided with the website. Maybe there was a misunderstand on which jackets or a typo. If you order from the website the price for the jackets you were trying to get was .062¢ each. As far a not making you dies because you dont have his press........His dies fit his press. They do not fit the Corbin's press which uses a different thread. Richards are beefier 7/8-14 vs 1/2-24 for corbin's. He does not make dies for reloading presses anymore or those that fit other presses. To much one off stuff is not cost effective having to set up times etc.

Bret

[tiger762]

I'll chime in here as well. In March, I ordered 10K 30cal 0.8" jackets and 2K 32cal 0.47" jackets. Out the door cost was around $825 and I had several LFRB boxes on the front porch a few days later. I have a 30cal set on order at the moment. I figure I'll get 'em when they're ready. Still making 224's like there's no tomorrow..

[JRLesan]

To set the record straight: Richard should be 66 years old by now. I remember because he's just a tad over a year older than I am. He's a very fair and reasonable person to deal with.