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Thread: Upside down press for sizing using Lee sizing die

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub
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    Upside down press for sizing using Lee sizing die

    I found the idea here somewhere of mounting a press upside down so that you can just drop a bullet into the Lee sizing die instead of balancing it on the punch. What I didn't see was if anyone reversed the press' arm so that it works like a normal press - downward push instead of upwards.

    So I tried it out.



    I used the little Lee press, because its cheap. I made an arm from 1/4" steel (5/16" would be better in this press, but I had 1/4"). I had to grind a couple of divots in the bar so it would clear the ram at both ends of the stroke. I also had to mount it on some steel because 3/4" wood would jam the arms up. I still need to fit some spacers and make some kind of handle.

    I'm sure someone else has already done this. Probably better. But I thought I'd share it. The press loses some of it's range but there is enough left for sizing bullets. If I was more clever I'm sure I could figure out what length to change the arms to get the best range of motion. I basically tried a couple of holes until it worked. I'm more of a hammer guy than a math guy.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Mal Paso's Avatar
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    Less range is more leverage. Good Going!
    Mal

    Mal Paso means Bad Pass, just so you know.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master jmorris's Avatar
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    There is a big thread in special projects where a member modifies Lee presses that adds a bullet feeder.

    I made a version myself that doesn't require any changes to the press and added a motor to it.


  4. #4
    Boolit Bub
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    That is fantastic. I'll be laying awake thinking about making one of those now. I can't find the special projects area though.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master dikman's Avatar
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    JM, I love that rotary motion of the arm!

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master jmorris's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dave_g View Post
    That is fantastic. I'll be laying awake thinking about making one of those now. I can't find the special projects area though.
    This is it.
    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ade-auto-sizer

    He changes a pin out to connect the feeder to it. I just made mine so the bottom of the ram hits the rocker to feed bullets.

    This is how I added a collator normally used to feed bullets while loading to it.
    Last edited by jmorris; 04-04-2015 at 09:42 AM.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master

    Beagle333's Avatar
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    jmorris..... that is just waaaaay cool!!! Mesmerizing too.
    KE4GWE - - - - - - Colt 1860, it just feels right.

  8. #8
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    That is freakin awesome! I am so impressed. Nice job.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master dikman's Avatar
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    Shades of Heath Robinson! .

  10. #10
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    JonB_in_Glencoe's Avatar
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    I used the Lee classic cast, because the handle is reversable as well as adjustable 360º
    So then NO mod's were needed to the Press. when I first started thinking about making this upside-down press stand, I wanted to use the little $25 lee press, but as you know, it needed t be mod'd to make it user friendly. Good work on the mod's.
    Jon

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”
    ― The Dalai Lama, Seattle Times, May 2001

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Nice mod Dave! I'm an upside down user as well. I did it for seating gas checks and most sizing jobs. The Lyman Spartan works on the upstroke so I didn't have to change anything. Being space challenged and lazy I just bolted the press to a 2X4 and clamp it in the Workmate. I just flip it rightside up for some jobs and upside down for others. Then I mounted the Lyman 450 and now even a Lee 1000 to 2X4's so I can swap out whatever tool I need. Hang em' up when I'm not using em'. If the operation gets strenuous (as when downsizing large boolits and such) I just set a bucket of ingots on the far end of the workmate as a counterbalance. Audie...the Oldfart..

  12. #12
    Banned

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    l like the $53 arbor press from Harborfreight. Seat gas checks & size or case base swage.

    Big power 1 ton:



    I have a star w/bullet feed but arbor is great.

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master
    Mk42gunner's Avatar
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    Dave, A couple of feet of 7/8 or 1" plastic tubing will direct your sized boolits into a bottle or other suitable container, so they aren't spilling all over the floor.

    I have one of the little convertible Lyman presses that I have been thinking of doing this with.

    Robert

  14. #14
    Boolit Master Gremlin460's Avatar
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    Click image for larger version. 

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    Couple of pics of the ones I have sent to castboolit members..
    Jmorris kindly linked the forum we chat on.
    Also search Grem460 in utube for a vid on it..

    Cheers..
    Mike.
    Don't worry about life, no-one gets out alive.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by gunoil View Post
    l like the $53 arbor press from Harborfreight. Seat gas checks & size or case base swage.

    Big power 1 ton:



    I have a star w/bullet feed but arbor is great.
    I have a new project.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master dikman's Avatar
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    I just love reading about (and seeing) members ingenuity in action.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master

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    agreed. mostly because half the ingenuity I see ends up on my bench too

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master jmorris's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Whiterabbit View Post
    agreed. mostly because half the ingenuity I see ends up on my bench too

    Yep, a lot less work if your not reinventing the wheel, so to speak.

  19. #19
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    Ausglock's Avatar
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    My little effort

    Hooroo.
    Regards, Trevor.
    Australia

  20. #20
    Boolit Master dikman's Avatar
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    Very nice, Ausglock, but stone the bloody crows, mate, I thought my glasses were shot, until I took them off and it was still blurry!

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BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
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