Lets say you would like to own a bullet swaging press but don't think you want to spend hundreds of dollars buying a swaging press and accessories.

Well, cheer up. There is always the Lee Classic press if you are willing to do some aulterations on it...like shortening the twist-off shellholder by about 1/2 inch.

This will take at least a small bit of lathe work, to cut the shellholder into and shorten the shank's inner diamter as noted in the attached picture. Couple of hex screws to hold the two halves together and you are in business.

The shellholder has to be shorten because the press's ram stroke has to top out full back position on the press's handle swing. That is the point the swaged bullet gets the full leverage effect from the ram piston.

================================================== ====

Now about that automatic bullet swager ejector I mentioned. Here is a picture of it mounted on my Lee Classic press with the shortend shellholder in place. It works like an elevator going up and down with the positioning of the ram piston shellholder, the top bar is the pressure to push the swaging die stem back down thus ejecting the swaged bullet on the press's handle return to the forward position.

Works like a charm and very easy in its operation.

================================================== ===

If you want one made, contact me by email, can arrange for it to be made...or, make it yourself if you have machine capability.


Jim

Interesting and economical application! Thanks for sharing.

God bless,

Lets say you would like to own a bullet swaging press but don't think you want to spend hundreds of dollars buying a swaging press and accessories.

Well, cheer up. There is always the Lee Classic press if you are willing to do some aulterations on it...like shortening the twist-off shellholder by about 1/2 inch.

This will take at least a small bit of lathe work, to cut the shellholder into and shorten the shank's inner diamter as noted in the attached picture. Couple of hex screws to hold the two halves together and you are in business.

The shellholder has to be shorten because the press's ram stroke has to top out full back position on the press's handle swing. That is the point the swaged bullet gets the full leverage effect from the ram piston.

================================================== ====

Now about that automatic bullet swager ejector I mentioned. Here is a picture of it mounted on my Lee Classic press with the shortend shellholder in place. It works like an elevator going up and down with the positioning of the ram piston shellholder, the top bar is the pressure to push the swaging die stem back down thus ejecting the swaged bullet on the press's handle return to the forward position.

Works like a charm and very easy in its operation.

================================================== ===

If you want one made, contact me by email, can arrange for it to be made...or, make it yourself if you have machine capability.


Jim====================================

Jim are you using CH Tooling swage dies or Corbin Swage dies ?

I like the ejector idea sound like a better one then the old ejectors that were made that threaded on top the swage dies for Reload press swaging ...

Site Admin- Bulletsmiths.Info Forums

PA Bullet's

I am indeed using mostly C-H swaging dies, but special order them in the finished bullet size I expect to swage. Corbin are good but too expensive for me.

This is the best I've been able to find...by designing it myself it was a happy moment when it proved itself worthy of the effort...sorry to brag, but I don't get much opportunity to flaunt it anymore.

I have two other old Herter's press's with these gizzmoes attached to them, they are great for swaging but the Big-O-Maximum is a hard item to find anymore and getting expensive...but not as pricey as the Corbin.

Therefore, the Lee Classic cast iron press is an inexpensive way to get into bullet swaging...if one wants too.

But don't forget you have to aulter the screw off shellholder by shortening it a tad.


I've also found the old Herter's shellholders to the best in concentric allignment with the swaging die.

These Herters shellholders are transformed into nose punches by making two inch or so lathe turned shafts that goes through the primer hole and a nut on the bottom holds things together. The nose punch shaft is turned to meet the propper diameter end of the shaft that goes into the swaging die, and is lathe turned to the bullet nose shape I wish to use.

The Lee Classic could be adapted to hold the Herter's shellholder if one wants to go to the trouble of cutting off the top of the original and mill ream the shaft a bit to accept it...then a couple of hex screws to hold things in place and you are able to use Herter's SH in the Lee press.

Jim

I am indeed using mostly C-H swaging dies, but special order them in the finished bullet size I expect to swage. Corbin are good but too expensive for me.

This is the best I've been able to find...by designing it myself it was a happy moment when it proved itself worthy of the effort...sorry to brag, but I don't get much opportunity to flaunt it anymore.

I have two other old Herter's press's with these gizzmoes attached to them, they are great for swaging but the Big-O-Maximum is a hard item to find anymore and getting expensive...but not as pricey as the Corbin.

Therefore, the Lee Classic cast iron press is an inexpensive way to get into bullet swaging...if one wants too.

But don't forget you have to aulter the screw off shellholder by shortening it a tad.


I've also found the old Herter's shellholders to the best in concentric allignment with the swaging die.

These Herters shellholders are transformed into nose punches by making two inch or so lathe turned shafts that goes through the primer hole and a nut on the bottom holds things together. The nose punch shaft is turned to meet the propper diameter end of the shaft that goes into the swaging die, and is lathe turned to the bullet nose shape I wish to use.

The Lee Classic could be adapted to hold the Herter's shellholder if one wants to go to the trouble of cutting off the top of the original and mill ream the shaft a bit to accept it...then a couple of hex screws to hold things in place and you are able to use Herter's SH in the Lee press.

Jim

Jim wrote :
I am indeed using mostly C-H swaging dies, but special order them in the finished bullet size I expect to swage. Corbin are good but too expensive for me.

;) Dave Corbin single stage dies are to expensive even for bullet makers to use .
Dave has priced himself right out of the single stage die bussness..
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Jin Wrote :
This is the best I've been able to find...by designing it myself it was a happy moment when it proved itself worthy of the effort...sorry to brag, but I don't get much opportunity to flaunt it anymore

Buddy its a first rate job if i say so myself .
Did you want to know more about swaging jacketed bullet's ?

-----------

Jim Wrote :

I have two other old Herter's press's with these gizzmoes attached to them, they are great for swaging but the Big-O-Maximum is a hard item to find anymore and getting expensive...but not as pricey as the Corbin.

Jim ? Have you looked a Richard WallNut Hill's Swage press.
The price tag is much lower then --Darth Dave's <-- Pet name :D

And the quality is better on Richards as well as being able to swage a longer stroke then Brother Dave's<-:rolleyes:

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Jim it sounds to me you you spent a great deal of time on this and it also sounds like you have it down pat... good job buddy and well done ..

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I have a a swage press or two .. i will post up the pictures if i can .


http://www.marlinowners.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_Swage%20bench%20side%20-1.jpg
http://www.marlinowners.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_Swage%20bench%20side%20-2.jpg

http://www.marlinowners.com/gallery/albums/userpics/Multi%20swage%20on%20bench.jpg

http://www.bulletsmiths.info/gallery/albums/userpics/Hyra%20Swage%20top%20shot.jpg

http://www.bulletsmiths.info/gallery/albums/userpics/Hydra%20Swage%20on%20the%20floor.jpg

Thats a few of the press's i run at PA Bullet's

I really like you idea guy its a life saver for those that use a reloading press.


Martin

PA Bullet's

Martin, you're swaging setup looks pretty expansive what with all that fantastic equipment. You didn't buy it just for a hobby did you. :D

I'm retired, near 7 decades and have to make do with what I can afford and find available, but if you can afford it...why the heck not do it.

I see where you have some hydraulic application, does that speed things up for you on a volume basis.

Frankly, I've never heard of the Richards units. But living up here in the northern boomdocks of Wisconsin we don't have big city access to buy things so neat...or know about them.

Thanks for the compliments, and you're pictures.

Always nice to talk to swager fellow.


Jim


PS I'm trying to find a punch press that uses a die stamp for metal items like brass.

Can you think of any mfg. that would make an old fashion hand operated lever handled C-press that has good compound leverage.

Could one of those Richards press do the job.

It only has to punch one side of a coin size thin brass token.


Jim

The Corbin brothers went their separate ways and Richard Corbin makes the Walnut Hill press. His site is here:
http://www.rceco.com/

You two fellows are away ahead of me at swaging. I've just read about it.

Bye
Jack

Martin, you're swaging setup looks pretty expansive what with all that fantastic equipment. You didn't buy it just for a hobby did you. :D

I'm retired, near 7 decades and have to make do with what I can afford and find available, but if you can afford it...why the heck not do it.

I see where you have some hydraulic application, does that speed things up for you on a volume basis.

Frankly, I've never heard of the Richards units. But living up here in the northern boomdocks of Wisconsin we don't have big city access to buy things so neat...or know about them.

Thanks for the compliments, and you're pictures.

Always nice to talk to swager fellow.




Martin
PS I'm trying to find a punch press that uses a die stamp for metal items like brass.

Can you think of any mfg. that would make an old fashion hand operated lever handled C-press that has good compound leverage.

Could one of those Richards press do the job.

It only has to punch one side of a coin size thin brass token.


Jim

Jim i sent you a PM .

Are you going to try and make ? jacket's ...
Your going to need a bigger press then just a punch type hand operated
one ... but hey ... you can always try .....
If your looking to make jackets Try one of Richard Corbins wallnut hills press's as well as Dave corbins manul operated press's .

A jacket maker for a Multi swage runs about 3000.00 ... ya thay cost an arm and leg ... kinda like gas now days :rolleyes:
----------------

Jim Wrote :

Martin, you're swaging setup looks pretty expansive what with all that fantastic equipment. You didn't buy it just for a hobby did you.

A hobby ? LOL..
In 1964 i bought my very first swage die from a nabor of mine a man called Ted Smith.

In about 1974 Dave Corbin and Richard Corbin who also lived in my home town of Coos Bay ,Oregon bought out Ted Smiths tool and die company that made Swage tooling and stated a new company called Corbin..

In 1997 Dave Corbin and Richard Corbin parted way's ..
and Richard Corbin started a new company called RCE .Co
A picture of Richard Corbin the little light blue building in the back ground is his shop
http://www.marlinowners.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_Richard%20Corbin%20Self.jpg

I make bullet's. My company is called PA Bullet's and has been called that since 1964.

And yes my hydraulic press make it go faster .
My biggest press is a Hydro swage press made by Richard Corbin .

It was built for another bullet company that couldn't pay for it once thay had it built .. i won't mention there name here as that would be indescret
"A-Square" :eek: Opess i spilled the beans :D:D.

I make many diffrent diameters .. from .357 to 2 bore jacketed bullets
as well as my newest which is a new design for Ed Hubel ..
Its a .700 Diameter bullet ment to expand at higher impact vel/
then the Woodleigh .700 diameter bullet..
A small note here : Woodleigh in the Native Aborignal means
" grundge bullet company " lol :D Ok maybe not! but thats what i Heard!!
lol :D.

http://www.bulletsmiths.info/gallery/albums/userpics/Ed%20Hubel%20and%20PA%20Bullets%201000%20grain.jpg


Woodleigh 1000 grain on the far left and a PA 1000 grain in the middle next to a small stack of PA's .700 diameter bullet's

Jack, thanks for imput and the pictures. Very interesting news about swaging press makers.

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Martin, thanks for the link to bulletsmith forum, I'll certainly look in on that one.

I also sent you a return private message explainng what I need the arbor type press for.

Regards, Jim