Lachmilller Powerhouse Press ( pre RCBS BIG MAX )

[.50bmg]

Here’s the precursor to the RCBS BIG MAX press. It’s a Lachmilller Powerhouse Press. When RCBS acquired Lachmiller in the 60s the Powerhouse press was not released https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180318/b390bf88bd9b48bdf31bfef168bc8dd6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180318/1b5f05872893f5473acd8c711fbb430b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180318/c2f634b1c7a36a54fad5170c257e6d3e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180318/dec2c92098d9662eaf1399ed6144df6f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180318/12b4cfadcd67cecfe4d4548ec9f23857.jpgand thought have been scrapped. RCBS years later released the BIG MAX. You can definitely see the similarities between the two presses.


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[Pressman]

Glad to see a side by side picture. The A4 is a lot larger and doesn't have the rear brace.
I was once told by Buzz Huntington that RCBS used the front / rear brace because it was less flexible than the left / right brace.

Your next mission is to find out how many presses were released and where they went.

Ken

[.50bmg]

Ken, here’s a few more pics. The BIG MAX really isn’t that much bigger. Here’s some better pics with both of them lined up as close as I could get them. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180319/6ceed6af39f4ea9689725b3d06524dfd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180319/edc97da2334f3246d0a853f8532a3802.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180319/c0ebb8a9ddd21a488c05380585ad252a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180319/6cdfaa79d4bc47a5e9449fd7ccae86a7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180319/258b3253f8e3c1a94738696c84030ceb.jpg


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[LUBEDUDE]

Very interesting 50BMG, that’s some great examples of history right there. Thanks for the pics and post.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Cool press! That thing is a beast! I can't help but notice that the opening in the shell holder adapter in the Big Max is at the 7 o'clock position? Is that a stock adapter? The reason I ask is that I have been trying to gather info on how these adapters index when screwed into the ram VERSUS serial number. Mine clocks at the 6 oclock position. I've made several of these adapters for members here (using my press to clock them) and have found that sometimes they index perfectly at 6 o'clock, and sometimes they are off a bit in the customers presses. It's not a big deal as you can rotate the shellholder 360*,but it is just one of those things that bothers me. I guess I am just too anal LOL!

[EDG]

My Big Max factory adapter indexes at 7 o' clock which seems natural for a right hander..

[renegade99]

I Had one of those Lachmiller presses and broke the linkage where the handle attaches, it looked like a bad casting, a friend fixed it and uses it to this day. I also have a Big Max, actually 3 of them and on 2 the shellholder clocks right at 6 o'clock, the 3rd one clocks at 10 o'clock, so there was variation even in the factory parts. Like you said ICH the shell holder spins 360 degrees so it's no big deal.

[salpal48]

I Had one of those Lachmiller presses and broke the linkage where the handle attaches, it looked like a bad casting, a friend fixed it and uses it to this day. I also have a Big Max, actually 3 of them and on 2 the shellholder clocks right at 6 o'clock, the 3rd one clocks at 10 o'clock, so there was variation even in the factory parts. Like you said ICH the shell holder spins 360 degrees so it's no big deal.

Can You Post a Photo Of your Lachmiller machine for a Comparison

[Taterhead]

Very cool photos. The side-by-side with the A4 are great. Thank you.

[Walks]

My Dad had one of these. He used it to form a lot of different wildcats in the 1950's-60's. He used an ancient LYMAN COMET for everything else. Wish I could've got my hands on either/both of them.

[salpal48]

Enclosed a Powerhouse Press in used . Dated 1961270024

[.50bmg]

Sal we still haven’t seen another one in existence...


Enclosed a Powerhouse Press in used . Dated 1961270024

[Lead pot]

I still have a Big Max and it's a fine press. Originally I got it for forming brass and using it for swaging pistol bullets using the C&H and Hemp swage dies. I don't use it anymore because it's just too big and heavy for what I load now days. This press came with a claw type universal shell holder that is a handy option and works well. If your loading the 50 BMG this is a press well worth using.

[Pressman]

I am thinking, that since .50BMG lives in the North LA metro area that this press may have come directly from Lachmiller after the sale to RCBS. It would not be uncommon for one or two of them to go home with someone, like a designer, who loved the press and knew that RCBS was going to scrap all of them. Sadly it's been too many years and there is no one left to ask.

[Texas Gun]

Don’t know why but I always love the lunch Miller stuff

[salpal48]

Contrary to popular believe, Lachmiller did not sell Everything to RCBS. I went to see Mr. Lachmiller or about 2009-10 at his home. He died in 2012. RCBS only Bought his designs and patents and machinery . The balance of the inventory was sold to Penguin industries. Penguin currently is still in business @ the same address in Coatsville ,Pa.. There not in Reloading but the trail goes there. The powerhouse press I missed was in Allentown Pa. @ the gun show. Just remember if there One there is more
Good hunting
Sal

[smithnframe]

I have one I inherited from my dad years ago. No room on the bench ATM. I may strip it down and repaint it over the winter!

[salpal48]

Lets post a picture?????????????

[.50bmg]

I have one I inherited from my dad years ago. No room on the bench ATM. I may strip it down and repaint it over the winter!

Pics???

[Pressman]

Stripping and repainting this press would be a disaster for it's value. These presses are rareand can bring big bucks to the right collector, if they are all original.

[Lead pot]

Maybe I should put mine on set&swap below. I have everything that came with the press and it's still green :)

[smithnframe]

Stripping and repainting this press would be a disaster for it's value. These presses are rareand can bring big bucks to the right collector, if they are all original.
I'm not going to sell it! The finish is rough and I have some Pontiac engine paint I want to use. Nice blue!

[.50bmg]

I'm not going to sell it! The finish is rough and I have some Pontiac engine paint I want to use. Nice blue!

Smith can you post a picture of your press as is?

If its indeed a Lachmiller power house, it would be the second example known to exist.

There’s a few of us here that would love to see it...

[smithnframe]

I'll try to post pics after I reassemble it. I disassembled it today and have started stripping the paint.

[elmacgyver0]

I have a couple strange little presses almost alike.
One is Lachmiller the other is RCBS, they are set up for shot shell resizing/Deprimeing.

[salpal48]

At this time i would like to Compliment Mr.50bmj for the honor of so far having the only Powerhouse in existence. The Visual Photo naturally outweighs my claim on seeing another In Pa.
Your Photo Complete Or otherwise would naturally put an end to this long time dispute . Another press showing Up still does not dispute the rarity of the item but would put and end to the view that there is only One

[salpal48]

The Powerhouse press on Ebay sold Tonight. Where there 2 There's More. If you count the one I saw In Pa that'# 3 . It was a price battle to the very end. I hope the bidder is on this Forum

[Brass Scorpion]

One Just ended on Ebay for $1,526.99 even though the seller didn't know what it was. Its different then the production model though and likely a prototype? The die bushing is pinned to the press body with a roll pin? It seems to only fit standard size dies the press handle has some odd step-downs in diameter as well.

27478027478127478227478327478427478527478627478727 4788274789274790274791

[salpal48]

Now that most of the experts are now backpedaling on this press. . This press came out of South Dakota. Therefore Lachmiller was shipping presses. The idea that they were scrapped is no longer valid. Lachmiller Eng was shipping and there was a quantity made. Again when I met Mr. Lachmiller he was probably correct. the inventory was not sold to RCBS or scrapped , they casted 300 or so pieces.
maybe since this was on Ebay More will surface . Only wait and see.

[Conditor22]

Welcome to Cast Boolits Brass Scorpion, Looks like you'll fit right in here :)

[Pressman]

Sal, the next problem is to determine how many of the 300 were sold. Did a handful sell and then remainder get scrapped? It's a tough question to answer. What is the actual date of the transfer to RCBS? Did Pinguin Industries transfer back to Mr. Lachmiller his company? There are stories that he got it back from them.

If 300 were made, did they all sell? That small of a number of presses can disappear rather quickly.

I know for certain, as told to me by Forster, that they made and sold 300 of their automatic turret presses. When is the last time anyone has seen on?

Lot's of questions, few answers.

[LUBEDUDE]

Now that most of the experts are now backpedaling on this press. . This press came out of South Dakota. Therefore Lachmiller was shipping presses. The idea that they were scrapped is no longer valid. Lachmiller Eng was shipping and there was a quantity made. Again when I met Mr. Lachmiller he was probably correct. the inventory was not sold to RCBS or scrapped , they casted 300 or so pieces.
maybe since this was on Ebay More will surface . Only wait and see.

So what’s stopping a guy who bought a rare press in S.Cal and moving to S. Dakota?

[.50bmg]

Now that most of the experts are now backpedaling on this press. . This press came out of South Dakota. Therefore Lachmiller was shipping presses. The idea that they were scrapped is no longer valid. Lachmiller Eng was shipping and there was a quantity made. Again when I met Mr. Lachmiller he was probably correct. the inventory was not sold to RCBS or scrapped , they casted 300 or so pieces.
maybe since this was on Ebay More will surface . Only wait and see.

Sal, one can only assume presses were shipped, most likely not as Lubedude and Pressman mentioned...

How’s the saying go when someone assumes???? Lol :)

[.50bmg]

Guess I’ll be needing to start a Lachmiller power house club now...lol

Press #1 - .50BMG
Press #2 - EBay winner

:)

[John Wayne]

Guess I’ll be needing to start a Lachmiller power house club now...lol

Press #1 - .50BMG
Press #2 - EBay winner

:)

That was funny!
I'll bet you have 4 of them :bigsmyl2:

[salpal48]

the way i understood the conversation with Mr Lachmiller . RCBS only purchased his patents and designs and some machines. At that time they Rcbs was interested in the Luder-sizer patent and others . They did not buy the Co. Penguin @ that time who purchased Companies Going Out. Just like when the Owned Hoppe's. at that time they were in Glendale.. All they did was sell the remaining Inventory and other items . They Called it " Lachmiller Division" Penguin Industries Glendale Ca After that Penguin moved to Coatsville PA. I do Have a Lachmiller 400 with That tag On it . This is where the trail ends. Since the original Posts , I did send Penguin a Letter But there was no responce. Penguin is still in Business but as a Real estate Investment Buyers. Same address same Po box #

[.50bmg]

the way i understood the conversation with Mr Lachmiller . RCBS only purchased his patents and designs and some machines. At that time they Rcbs was interested in the Luder-sizer patent and others . They did not buy the Co. Penguin @ that time who purchased Companies Going Out. Just like when the Owned Hoppe's. at that time they were in Glendale.. All they did was sell the remaining Inventory and other items . They Called it " Lachmiller Division" Penguin Industries Glendale Ca After that Penguin moved to Coatsville PA. I do Have a Lachmiller 400 with That tag On it . This is where the trail ends. Since the original Posts , I did send Penguin a Letter But there was no responce. Penguin is still in Business but as a Real estate Investment Buyers. Same address same Po box #

Hey Sal how many Original Rock Crushershttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210117/a2cb1cabc77ed594113189e41f819d6c.jpg
were made / sold / shipped???? Lol


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[salpal48]

I don't Know But Dave @ CH4D still Lists and makes them. the next Time I speak with him , I will ask

[Gartenmeister]

I've got this. Is it a Powerhouse?



289386

289388

289389

[salpal48]

Yes it Is. all complete with The Primer catcher. did you acquire This recently Or you had it. They will take Herter's Or Lachmiller shell Holders.
So far That is No. 4 found.
Where there are 4 There are More

[Gartenmeister]

I also have this Lachmiller 100.

289390

The presses belonged to my late father-in-law who most likely acquired and used them briefly around 1960.

I have a handful of shellholders along with a few rusty dies and a swaging tool.

[salpal48]

Again Great Find

[John Wayne]

It's great to see old iron show up :drinks:

[deces]

Someone just got a few of these.
314978

[salpal48]

Nice assortment. The two Pacific look complete with the push rod Primer systems. For Years the story with The Lachmiller Power House was that this press was never made. Since Posting On the Forum , At least 10 presses have turned up.
great Photo.
Even the Little Herters In the Middle is a Rare machine
Thank you for Posting
Sal

[.50bmg]

Someone just got a few of these.
314978

Nice presses �� ��

[deces]

Here is a nice picture I found of inside the Lachmiller factory. 317295