Shotshell press with electric option

[beezapilot]

Up on a shelf in the back of the shop is this old shotshell press, I was up in that neck of the woods so thought I'd take a snap of it. Set up for 12 gauge, made in Japan, and -yes- that is a soldering iron sticking in the die. It heated up the center portion of the die to dry out the bases of paper shells if you held it down for a while.

Attachment 281253

[skeettx]

The irons that I had were to re-melt/add wax to the old paper hulls.

Even the NEW Federal paper hulls use VERY little wax

Mike

[beezapilot]

Adding wax may well be the reason for the iron- I was more guessing than anything- never used that press. Lots of lost knowledge out there (well, lost on me anyway).
Thanks!

[LUBEDUDE]

My understanding is the same as skeettx.

I’ve seen larger irons on the Herters model 72/73 and some Hollywoods. The larger iron shape and size was more along the lines of those hand held battery operated “massagers” popular with women.

[DDriller]

We had a 12 gauge shell iron mounted next to our reloading press. Put the empty shell on it to heat and then rubbed it with paraffin.

[LUBEDUDE]

I have a full set, 410-12 ga Hollywood non electric irons. They are basically a sized, smooth metal rod with a knurled handle. You set them on a hot plate or torch them briefly to recondition the paper/wax hulls.