Walnut Hill on the way!

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Finally broke down and ordered one today. My elbows will be thanking me when I swage those 45s and 50s. Can't wait till it gets here!

I will be using Brians dies, so anyone have any tips for first time WH users? Thanks in advance!!!!

[newcastter]

Looking forward to seeing some pics once she's up and running.
Congrats!!

[goblism]

Congrats, I have been debating between a walnut hill and sea girt, looking like a sea girt right now to go with some of Brian's dies

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Now I just gotta coax Brian into machining that adapter.... :bigsmyl2:

Also planning on using Walnut Hill style dies in the future too. I like the flexibility.

[lup]

What does the adapter do?

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

It allows me to use the die sets I already have that are made for reloading presses.

[goblism]

Curious if the BT sniper AES will work with the walnut hill with reloading press dies (such as corbin R dies, CH4D, etc.) when the adapter is used for reloading dies

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

I am pretty sure it will. Brian claims it will. I am sure he can make the adapters for the WH to work with either the Lee or RCBS AES system. It won't attach perfectly perpendicular to the press...it will have to be offset at a bit of an angle. I even thought about making the 2 plates on the AES shorter and redrilling the holes for the threaded rod to make it a more compact setup.

[BT Sniper]

I got you guys covered!

Threaded base punches will be best but I can provide you with a threaded shell holder that will fit my ram extension for the WH or SG press. Then you can use shell holder style base punches or threaded base punches without ever having to remove the ram extension that is holding down the Auto eject system.

This should cover Corbin R dies and CH-4d dies in the WH and SG press with the thread shell holder and my dies with threaded base punches.

I no longer provide shell holder style base punches with my die sets though, strictly threaded base punches, a much better set up.

BT

[goblism]

Brian you are the man!

I think my bank account isn't liking this whole swaging thing but I know my guns sure will! Glad to give business to a member on here!

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Ok, so I think I have it figured out LOL!

If you have a Lee CC set up with your AES and upgrade to a WH, then the new ram extension will hold down the bottom plate on the AES, just like on the Lee?

And if you upgrade from an RCBS RC, will the bottom plate on the AES clamp onto the ram extension just like it clamps on the ram on the RC?

Sorry for so many questions, just figuring out if we have to specify which AES system we are currently using.

Me, for example, have a RC and Lee CC both set up with your AES. I use your threaded base punches in both. I will be uprgrading my RC, and leaving my Lee set up as is.

[BT Sniper]

Ok, so I think I have it figured out LOL!

If you have a Lee CC set up with your AES and upgrade to a WH, then the new ram extension will hold down the bottom plate on the AES, just like on the Lee? YES! but will require a simple bushing to reduce the 1" hole down to the 7/8" size of the new ram extension, or I can simply machine down one end of the extension to 1", either way it will work!

And if you upgrade from an RCBS RC, will the bottom plate on the AES clamp onto the ram extension just like it clamps on the ram on the RC? NO! It will be held down the same as the Lee. Basically making the clamp function useless. For those looking to swap the AES between the RCBS and RCE press this would work just fine, for those that no longer wish to use the AES with the RCBS press we could discuss swapping the big 1" clamp style for the more logical Lee Style AES.

Sorry for so many questions, just figuring out if we have to specify which AES system we are currently using. Yes I'll need to know what AES you currently have or wish to use. Other wise I provide new customers with the Lee Style.

Me, for example, have a RC and Lee CC both set up with your AES. I use your threaded base punches in both. I will be uprgrading my RC, and leaving my Lee set up as is.Simple, just send me a PM and we'll get you all taken care of.




Swage On!

BT

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Crystal clear!!!! Thanks Brian. PM inbound...

[tiger762]

Excellent! You won't regret it. I got the reloading adapter when I got mine. Pretty soon after I got mine, I made up a thick-*** steel plate (happened to have some 3/4" 1018 on hand) to mount the press to, to greatly increase the area that the stress is spread over:

130468

The rearmost holes are through holes with 5/8" grade 8 bolts, nuts and washers. The front three holes are threaded 1/2"-13. These three are what hold the press. The two 5/8" clamp the plate to the bench, whose surface is made of two parallel 2x12's. I see so many youtube videos where presses flex and bend the bench they're mounted to.

After hundreds of rounds, you may see one of the linkage pins starting to slide out. The forces in the toggle are immense. The press handle being offset means that there's some torque at play, and some thrust forces will be present that will try to slide the toggle pin out. It easily switches between 2" and 4" throw.

If you want to use the top plate's 1.5"-12 thread (for whatever reason) you'll need a bushing wrench. I use a 1-5/8" socket (3/4" drive), a 1/2-3/4 adapter and an 18" long 1/2" breaker bar. The lock ring that RCE uses is 1-1/8" and the external punch holder uses 5/8", so at least have those two box/combination wrenches handy..

I'll probably think of more stuff tomorrow...


Finally broke down and ordered one today. My elbows will be thanking me when I swage those 45s and 50s. Can't wait till it gets here!

I will be using Brians dies, so anyone have any tips for first time WH users? Thanks in advance!!!!

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Awesome! Great information. Thanks Tiger!!! Good to know.

[kweidner]

When I develop loads for rifle I also use my WH with the reloading adapter. Some of the least run out loading you can do. I too have mine mounted on a 3' x2' metal 5/8" base that is bolted on a bench made for swageing. It makes a big difference. If you ever get a vld design in 30ish caliber you will be glad you went with the WH.

[xman777]

I'm tuned in... Let me know when you early adopters get this figured out.

[257]

I got tired of the bench flexing so I made a new bench with 2x6 structure then mounted a top made out of laminated 3 inch thick hard maple top 12 feet long by 30 inch's deep then mounted a pcs of 3/4 thick steel plate ground flat and parallel both sides that is 24x 12 inch's no more flex next I'm making a plate same size that will be thicker that will have a t slot milled to use clamp's like you would use on your mill table then I can slide clamps in from side to hold presses or what ever

[wonderwolf]

One thing I learned quickly with mine, when done you must bungee the press handle up or it will flop down and make you cringe thinking you've broken something.

[midnight]

With my Walnut Hills I leave the handle down when I am done swaging. That way the spring is not left compressed all the time and I don't have to worry about it falling.

Bob

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Can someone please tell me the size of the base of the Walnut Hill. Don't have mine yet but preparing to beef it up like Tiger did. I have a piece of 3/4" steel plate I need to cut to size and get ready. Thanks!

[wonderwolf]

I don't have mine in front of me but its not actually all that deep, if I had to guess I would say its only 4"x 7"?

[supe47]

3 1/4" X 6". Just a FYI, the WH will not fit on a standard base plate from InLine Fab but it will fit on a quick change plate.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Thanks Supe and WW!!!!!!!

[goblism]

How does the walnut hill perform on those quick change plates? I would love to put my swaging equipment on a quick change system but do not feel any of them would be strong enough

[supe47]

Only used the WH on the quick change plate for derimming 22 cals. Seems quite strong to me, no flex in the mount.

[scarry scarney]

Why did you choose the Walnut Hill over the Sea Girt?

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

I chose the WH over the SG because it seems a bit more stout, can swage 50 BMG bullets (although I bet the SG can do this task just fine also), and can also be used for reloading. For an extra $150 it seemed like a good deal to me. I currently don't swage 50 BMGs yet, but have 3 or 4 friends that have the rifles that would probably want me too LOL.

Still waiting for the press, though. Even though it is shown as "In Stock" on the website doesn't necessarily mean it is...or Richard is really backed up on orders. Either way, it doesn't really matter as I am in no rush.

[rolltide]

Why did you choose the Walnut Hill over the Sea Girt?

I chose the Walnut Hill over the Sea Girt (other than the fact that the Sea Girt was not yet in stock when I got my press) because of the reloading option and the greater additional capacity for heavier work on the WH. Specifically, the ability to have the extra leverage to full length resize long rifle cases with much less elbow grease. I also like the way the linkage goes directly to the 1" thick top plate on the WH to avoid any "spring" in the press frame under high stress. One of the main reasons I got into swaging was for my 500 S&W, and the SG is only recommended up to .458. I may also get into swaging full bore slugs for my rifled 12 ga barrel, and the WH will handle that. The WH is also recommended for thicker jackets than the SG. Of course I know what is "recommended" for presses is exceeded on a regular basis by swagers, but people spring or break presses often enough as well. I would rather pay the extra $150 and have max capabilities for my heavy stuff in a factory hand press, than save $150 and have a sprung press and/or have to buy the bigger press one day anyway. With the WH I can use all the 7/8 dies made, or use dies up to 1.5" diameter for really big stuff where the pressure approaches the limit of the press, and exceeds the limit of any 7/8 die. I also got the dual handle option on the WH (also available on the SG I believe) so that there are not eccentric stresses on the press frame and/or toggle when doing really heavy stuff. I know the SG will do 500S&W with BTS dies, they are used often on RC's and LCC's, but I plan on doing a steady amount over a long number of years, so I bought a press that I KNOW can carry the freight over the long haul. If components get scarce and I need to swage ww lead instead of soft lead on a regular basis, the WH gives the extra leverage and I can use a larger dia. die as well. I would just rather have more options, and I think the extra $150 is a bargain for the extra options you get.

[scarry scarney]

Coyotehunter and Rolltide

thank you for the info. I will have to look more at the WH, it appears this may be a better option for me. Now I just have to water that money tree.

[goblism]

Richard was pretty straight forward when I emailed him about the sea girt. He said that he didn't support using it for anything larger than 458 diameter bullets. I am sure the stout press would likely handle the load but in my mind why not spend the extra money up front and get a heavy duty press. I would really be kicking myself if in 5-10 years I wanted to swage some 50 cal bullets and the sea girt didn't quite have enough strength for a long term option. The biggest thing that would hold me back is how nice the AES BTSniper makes the sea girt is and how it would not work fully/as smoothly with the walnut hill.

It seems lately that I have been a fan of the , "buy once, cry once" approach. For me the walnut hill is more than I need AT THIS TIME. In my other hobbies I have ended up replacing my initial equipment for higher quality, might as well skip that step and go for the really stout press.

[tiger762]

You won't regret it. Oh, with the linkage in the swage position (2" stroke), I was able to compress/bulge the core seat punch of the CH4D swage die set. I talked to Dave about it. He said they purposefully leave the punch annealed so that it be damaged and not the die. His exact words to me were "Oh yeah, you were putting some @ss into it.."

Was swaging with some range scrap and bleeding off some lead through the 0.03" diameter hole in the punch. What I noticed is that once the lead started to flow, the resistance dropped a little. It was like there is a high initial resistance to extrusion that drops once the lead starts moving. Unfortunately the punch took it in the shorts.

Just demonstrates what the Walnut Hill is capable of...

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Tiger, I know if may be a major pain in the butt...but have you tried preheating your cores? I know if would make them hard to handle, but I wonder if you heated them to say, 200*, and wear a thinner pair of gloves, if they would swage easier???

[rolltide]

I have also heard that heating the die once it is in the press by putting a heater close to it or with a hot air gun helps the lead flow through the core swage much easier. That way you can still handle the cores without gloves. Maybe heat the die and heat the cores in front of a heater, but not to hot to touch, maybe to around 100 or 120 degrees.

I haven't tried it, but I saw another user here post it once, I believe it was AL Floyd, but it may have been someone else.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Rolltide, Blaser.306 is trying to get ahold of you. You may want to contact him.

[tiger762]

Yeah, and it does help a little. Seemed like it has to be very close to melting point to meaningfully reduce the hardness. I was jut impressed that the WH was able to put so much force on the punch that it shortened it and made it ever so slightly barrel shaped.


Tiger, I know if may be a major pain in the butt...but have you tried preheating your cores? I know if would make them hard to handle, but I wonder if you heated them to say, 200*, and wear a thinner pair of gloves, if they would swage easier???

[rolltide]

Rolltide, Blaser.306 is trying to get ahold of you. You may want to contact him.

Yeah. I pm'd him yesterday and tried to call him tonight. We are playing phone tag.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Still waiting for the press, so could someone with a WH please measure the distance from the top of the ram plate to the bottom of the top plate...both when the ram is down and raised to the top position (in swaging mode)? Thanks!

[clodhopper]

Ram down 6.002, Ram up 3.772, Thickness of top plate and bushing 1.160

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Thank you Clodhopper!