Press Problems...HELP!

[SuperstitionCoues]

I have run into alignment problems with my Lyman Crusher II press, to the point where it ripped a colletting ring out of the bottom of a Lyman carbide resizing die.  It is the first problem that I have had with this press in 6 years. 

When resizing 44 mag and 357 mag brass using the Lyman carbide dies, you can see the mouth of the case jog over to the mouth of the die.  When lowering the handle, the case goes from straight to about a 10 degree deflection - this is where I ripped the collett ring out of the bottom of the die. 

The die, brass and ring are going back to Lyman for repair/replacement.  The press though...I don't know.  Are these kind of problems repairable?  Should I consider a new one, even switching to a Rock Chucker Supreme?

Your thoughts please....

Matt

[dw06]

I have run into alignment problems with my Lyman Crusher II press, to the point where it ripped a colletting ring out of the bottom of a Lyman carbide resizing die.  It is the first problem that I have had with this press in 6 years. 





Matt

Are you sure that its the press?It may just be that one set of dies being off center.Also check the shell holders make sure they are correct ones and not damaged.I've never seen a press that would be off enough to deflect case 10 degrees.But not to say it couldn't happen.Check press by running ram up with shell holder on and without a die in it and look down to see if ram is centered or very close to it.If its off a great deal I'd contact Lyman and see about a replacment press.

[SuperstitionCoues]

It was the press and Lyman dies.  I tried the 44 mag dies on the Crusher also, and they were tough.  Bottle-necked rifle dies have always been a bear on the Lyman press. 

I ran down to Sportsmans Warehouse this afternoon and got a Rockchucker Supreme.  Ran my set of Lyman 44 Mag carbide dies w/ the shell holder and some brass.  Everything lined up, no deflection.  I also ran some .25-06 brass with a RCBS shell holder and RCBS die.  Slicker than a whistle, a whole lot easier than the Crusher II ever was.  I think I was putting up with a problem for 6 years that I didn't know that I had in the first place.  The amount of effort to resize was a whole lot easier.  I didn't feel a thing in my back, and that is the first place that I will feel any kind of strain.   

[dave375hh]

The easy way to get around the alignment problem is to float your dies and shell holder. First replace the snap ring on the ram with a small rubber band. This allows the shell holder to self-center but not fall out. When you set your dies, do so with the die backed out about a 1/16 of a turn. This allows the die to self-center also. Use a piece of masking tape to hold the die from turning, just loosely so it doesn't hold the die to the side. I have reduced my bullet run-out to min. using these methods. My rifle press is a Redding Ultra Mag and I still use these tricks on it.

[PaulS]

Things to check before condemning your press:
The top of the ram - where the shell holder goes in - clean it real well.
clean the shell holder too.
Clean the threads for the die and the top surface too with hot water and soap followed with alcohol and then finish it off with a light film of oil.
Check to see if there is any wear on the lower back side of the ram - with the ram in the down position see if it will move back and forth front to rear. Raise the ram to the top and do the same thing. If it is bad then call the manufacturer (or write or E-mail) to see what they might be willing to do about it. They might fix it for free - I know RCBS will. If they won't fix it then it will probably be cheaper to buy an RCBS than to fix the one you have.