Old Lyman press\ Handle drops!

[Willyp]

I have an Old Lyman press,i don't know the model,and the handle will drop by itself.The other day,i forgot,that it does this and got my finger between the Lee bullet pusher pin and the bullet sizer die!
Does any one know a way to counter balance this ram and handle?

[SSGOldfart]

need a little more info like model or type????

[magic mike]

My old Lyman Spar T did the same thing. I stuck a small rare earth magnet on the handle that contacts the frame when the handle is raised. Works like a champ.

[seagiant]

Hi,
If it has a single link flat bar between the handle and ram. You can remove the link and put a small bend to it. This will cause a bit of tension and keep the handle up!

[Willyp]

I found one on ebay and it says that it is an ORANGE CRUSHER

[seagiant]

Hi,
Like this?

[too many things]

that is why its called orange crusher. first time it makes you finger orange and next time red

[Mk42gunner]

A light throttle return spring shouldn't be too hard to rig up. All you need is enough strength to hold the handle in position, not really move the ram.

Robert

[Willyp]

Seagiant,thats the one.

[seagiant]

Seagiant,thats the one.

Hi,
Like I said you can pull the bar,put a small side bend in it and put it back and it will make the handle stay up. The older RCBS Jr.'s came that way from the factory. Does not take much!

[462]

1. Remove the pin that goes through the bottom of the press and the toggle block.
2. Hold the handle in a horizontal position while keeping the toggle block in contact with the press.
3. Apply judicious pressure against the handle, either left or right. (Remember the direction).
4. Reinstall the pin and test.
5. If the handle stays up, cool.
6. If the handle doesn't stay up, repeat step three.
7. If the linkage and ram move with too much resistance*, repeat step three but apply pressure in the opposite direction.
*There will be a slight kink in the linkage's range of movement, but it will lessen with use.

Edit to add: Seagiant beat me to it. A guy at RCBS told me about this procedure, saying they used it at the time of manufacturing their JR series of presses.

[zuke]

I have an Orange Crusher, with the spent primer catcher!
I just don't put my finger's in there unless my other hand is on the handle.