dragonrider
11-03-2014, 06:29 PM
A few years ago I bought this press because I had never seen anything like it and discovered that it is quite useless without the correct dies, or so I thought until recently. The other day as I was moving it to yet another spot in which to collect more dust I had a vision, and that vision became this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5698_zpsa77060a3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5698_zpsa77060a3.jpg.html)
I had and extra set of Lee dies in 38 special and two J-type shell holders for same. This press needs three shell holders so out to the shop and I made a third one. Took a bit longer than anticipated, I had to make a cutter for the rim slot but not including that it took about 30 minutes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5692_zps1be8ab18.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5692_zps1be8ab18.jpg.html)
The one I made is on the left.
Then I grabbed the dies and determined what station they needed to be used in. Sizing needs to be done in the center spot so that the effort of sizing is directly on the center line of the press. The size die had to be altered by reducing the diameter of the top of the die so that it will fit between the links that connect the handle to the press head. I then screwed it in place and placed the lock nut from the bottom.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5687_zps7b511e62.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5687_zps7b511e62.jpg.html)
The priming station is in the right position so I put the powder/neck belling die there. I had to alter a Lyman primer pin of the type used on a Lyman AA press in this manner. The altered pin is on the right.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5690_zps7b7cb3df.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5690_zps7b7cb3df.jpg.html)
It was then a simple matter of adjusting the die and the stop bolt in the back of the press to get it to where it will prime the case and bell the neck. You then add the powder charge thru the die.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5689_zps27fcb08c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5689_zps27fcb08c.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5695_zpsd7a7cafe.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5695_zpsd7a7cafe.jpg.html)
Now to the seat and crimp die, again it was a simple matter of screw it in and attach the lock nut from the bottom and adjust to seat and crimp at the same time,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5697_zps0d2fa3c8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5697_zps0d2fa3c8.jpg.html)
yes I know that's a no-no but it is only a three position press, and it works quite well. I have it set up using the NOE 358-135 FN
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5702_zps5beb0135.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5702_zps5beb0135.jpg.html)
I hate having thing around that are useless and until now this press has been useless, I don't need it as I load 38 special on my Dillon 650 so I will offer this press set up as it is for 38 special, it can be adjust for 357 mag, for $65 shipped complete. Also I have it mounted to a piece of oak that you simply C-clamp to the bench.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5698_zpsa77060a3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5698_zpsa77060a3.jpg.html)
I had and extra set of Lee dies in 38 special and two J-type shell holders for same. This press needs three shell holders so out to the shop and I made a third one. Took a bit longer than anticipated, I had to make a cutter for the rim slot but not including that it took about 30 minutes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5692_zps1be8ab18.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5692_zps1be8ab18.jpg.html)
The one I made is on the left.
Then I grabbed the dies and determined what station they needed to be used in. Sizing needs to be done in the center spot so that the effort of sizing is directly on the center line of the press. The size die had to be altered by reducing the diameter of the top of the die so that it will fit between the links that connect the handle to the press head. I then screwed it in place and placed the lock nut from the bottom.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5687_zps7b511e62.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5687_zps7b511e62.jpg.html)
The priming station is in the right position so I put the powder/neck belling die there. I had to alter a Lyman primer pin of the type used on a Lyman AA press in this manner. The altered pin is on the right.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5690_zps7b7cb3df.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5690_zps7b7cb3df.jpg.html)
It was then a simple matter of adjusting the die and the stop bolt in the back of the press to get it to where it will prime the case and bell the neck. You then add the powder charge thru the die.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5689_zps27fcb08c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5689_zps27fcb08c.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5695_zpsd7a7cafe.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5695_zpsd7a7cafe.jpg.html)
Now to the seat and crimp die, again it was a simple matter of screw it in and attach the lock nut from the bottom and adjust to seat and crimp at the same time,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5697_zps0d2fa3c8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5697_zps0d2fa3c8.jpg.html)
yes I know that's a no-no but it is only a three position press, and it works quite well. I have it set up using the NOE 358-135 FN
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/IMG_5702_zps5beb0135.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PaulGauthier/media/IMG_5702_zps5beb0135.jpg.html)
I hate having thing around that are useless and until now this press has been useless, I don't need it as I load 38 special on my Dillon 650 so I will offer this press set up as it is for 38 special, it can be adjust for 357 mag, for $65 shipped complete. Also I have it mounted to a piece of oak that you simply C-clamp to the bench.