RCBS JR-3 Press

[abunaitoo]

Someone gave me an old RCBS JR-3 press.
It's cast iron, heavy and looks strong.
Haven't done anything with it.
I use a Lee Classic cast.

Anyone work with one of these????
Have any idea what it's worth???

[tonyb]

I paid $35 for mine like new 2 years ago.

[Uncle R.]

The going rate for a nice one would be about 40-50 dollars hereabouts...

[Beekeeper]

I have one I bought 43 years ago with no priming arm or primer catcher for $ 25.00 new and it is still going strong.
I think they are unbreakable and yes they are heavy so don't drop it on your foot.
(ask me how I know)
I like mine and use it for forming brass because it is so heavly built.



Jim

[Lead Fred]

Use mine dang near everyday. Its old, ugly, and well lubed.

Just like me

Smells like Alox right now

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab211/stallhorn/jr3.jpg

[DLCTEX]

I bought one off Ebay about 5 years ago and it's been in a drawer since. IIRC it coast me about $30 delivered. One of my sons or grandsons will have it some day.

[462]

I've had one for a year, or so. Handle wouldn't stay up, so used a bungee. One day, while placing an order with RCBS, I inquired if it was designed that way or if there is something wrong. The rep said that he made them for many years, and explained the fix. Now, the handle will not drop, even when placed at a 90-degree angle.

If you look on the top of the press, on the flat part where the die hole is, there will be a stamping with the year of manufacture. Mine was made in '73.

I use it, along with a Lee single-stage, for all my reloading.

[gifford]

Well, around here they go for $35 - $75, generally I see them about $40-45 at our club shows, usually as part of an estate. They are darn near bullet proof.

[mike in co]

i sold one today at 50..one more to go.

mike in co

[kyle623]

462, what was the fix to keep the handle up?

[yancey]

I bought a jr3 this past sept for under $ 40 " shipped" I also owned one back in the 70s.
The jr is a stong little press and it works good for me.Around these parts you can get around 60 to $70 for one.(found the year on mine ' 74)

[John Guedry]

Don't worry about what it's worth,keep it you'll have a great spare and may decide to get rid of your Lee.

[462]

kyle623,
To make it easier to understand the process, here is a link to the manual, including an exploded view: http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/RS_or_JR_3_Manual.pdf

The RCBS rep said this is what they did, at the factory level, to fix the problem. He said that if the press is used to install primers (I use a Lee hand primer) that this may not allow proper alignment of the primer arm.

To make the fix:
1. Remove the toggle block pin, (5).
2. Remove the tension spring, (16), which is on the toggle block pin.
3. This will allow the toggle block (2), toggle link (3), and ram (10) to drop down.
4. Holding the handle, GENTLY push it either to the left or right. (I held the handle in my hand and with my leg against my hand, GENTLY pushed to the right.)
5. Reassemble and check to see if the handle stays up.
6. Repeat steps 1-4 as necessary.

This will allow the toggle link to contact the toggle block -- as it moves through its arc -- just enough to keep the handle in the up position. You will notice a bit of resistance when raising and lowering the ram, but it won't affect the operation. I hope that this explanation is easy to understand. If not let me know.

It took me two attempts. Now, even at a 90-degree angle, the handle stays up.