Vintage RF Wells, Professional Model C press.

[Bazoo]

I was down to the local gunsmith a little while back and he had this old press laying on the floor. I asked about it, and he said, heck you can have it if you want it. I accepted.

It is marked Professional Model C, RF Wells, Howard Lake Minn.

Some research on has given me that it is very similar if not identical to an old Herters C press. And used the same proprietary shell holders. Someone has converted this one by welding a standard RCBS shell holder to the top of the ram.

I have seen several stories online about Herters having bought out RF Wells and continued with their design, But I have also seen a tale that they were both separate companies, and since they were in the same town, bought their casting from the same foundry. Does anyone have any light to shed on this subject?

Also, can anyone give me an approximate year range as to when this beast was made?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f112/levergunner/pics138_zps3a6c1ccb.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/levergunner/media/pics138_zps3a6c1ccb.jpg.html)


It appeared as though someone decided to stop on the project, and hastily put it back together. The shell holder ws backwards, and the welds were not cleaned up. I reversed the ram, and cleaned the welds as best I could. It appears to be straight.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f112/levergunner/pics139_zps698325ee.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/levergunner/media/pics139_zps698325ee.jpg.html)

I havent tried loading on it yet as I just got done cleaning it up and back together. And what caliber shell holder is attached to the top of the ram you might ask? A lee #2. 45 automatic and 30-06. Reckon it will have some usefulness after all.

[salpal48]

As far as I understood. Well at one time worked for Herters. Then went out on his own. His design was a Threaded shelholder . The shell holder was shorter That the Herters threaded . but both can be used. . The prime punch was threaded in the center of the ram and the shellholder was threaded in the top Of the press. Thus making it a separate priming step. Herters model 3m is a copy oF RF. Well, The is also a Bystrom Brothers That is indentical to RF Wells . They all had a Relationship with Herter 's.
I have 2 wells Presses and a Bystrom You can still get adaptor's for Them But I only use original.. Echo shell holders will also fit. It's too bad they welded the ram. or is that piece just Threaded on

[salpal48]

I have The original Book that came with One of my Wells machine #61 Dated 1960. . Weather You have a Well, Bystrom, Or herters . They will Last

[Bazoo]

It has just a small little spot of binding at the first 1/8 of travel. Its not much, and not very noticeable. It wont interfere with usage. But It appears as though the holes are wallowed out some on the link. Is anyone elses press like this? I figure it shouldnt be much trouble to make a new link.

Also, there is a set screw on the press to lock the arm. What is this for? Locking so the original shell holders could be swapped easier?

[Bazoo]

I am going to get in the notion to make a small batch of 45s in the next couple days. Make sure it functions properly.

[salpal48]

The set screw locks the arm in place to prevent it from falling back. It is not necessary that you use it. I don't
Sal

[cheese1566]

I have one too. I have a threaded shell holder for 30-06 family of cases.

Mine has the set screw hole in it, but found a ball bearing in there with a smal spring. The set screw/spring pushes the ball bearing into that groove in the ram to hold it in place.

i will say that old finish is hard! I tried blasting mine in a spot to refinish and gave up.

Its been tucked away in storage for a few years.

[Pressman]

The Wells presses have a small diameter ram that is interchangeable with the replacements sold by RCBS, CH4d etc. You could convert to to a more modern configuration.

Richard Wells was a designer working for George Herter. There occurred a disagreement of some size that caused Wells to leave along with the Bystrom brothers who were till then casting all Herter's tools in their Minneapolis foundry. The Bystrom made tools were sold by Wells, Minnesota Shooters Supply and Bystrom for several years.

Ken

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the info.

Ken, Could you elaborate as about the replacement ram. Is it a replacement for an RCBS press, or does rcbs just make a replacement that fits other presses?

[Rory McCanuck]

Thanks for the info.

Ken, Could you elaborate as about the replacement ram. Is it a replacement for an RCBS press, or does rcbs just make a replacement that fits other presses?

http://www.ch4d.com/products/equipment/presses/412090

[Bazoo]

Much abliged to you for that Rory.

[Bazoo]

Shucks, i went and measured, my ram is 7", the one in the link is only 5". Gives me some direction to go though.

[seagiant]

Hi,
Call Dave at CH4D,in the afternoon late,and he can probably help! Nice guy!

[cheese1566]

http://www.ch4d.com/products/equipment/presses/herters

CH still offers the threaded Herters adapter, but runs $45. More than what I value my press at.

[Bazoo]

I emailed Dave and he is quite helpful.

[Bazoo]

I finally got with dave again and turns out he doesnt have anything that will help me. It was hopeful for a few emails however. There is a local shop that trades used equipment, I might just take the press down there when I need powder and get an extra can in trade.