CH Press (photo's)

[EVOC ONE]

Hello Everyone.

I recently picked up a box of used loading equipment.  Included was a CH press.  I've used CH dies but am unfamiliar with their presses.  Any info the can be provided would be great. 

How does it compare to a modern press?  Say ... a Rockchucker, RCBS Jr. etc.

The press needs a good cleaning but otherwise seems to be in decent shape.

Anyone have a suggestion of how to clean years of oil, powder residue, etc without damaging the moving parts? From the photo's, it looks to be rusted.  However, there is no rust, just dried oil or lube.

Thanks for your assistance.   

[Badnews Bob]

That thing sure looks stout enuff, Never seen one before thou.

[spinafish]

I would blast it clean with some brake cleaner and then lube it in all the right places.  Shouldn't be any problem forming wildcats!

[John Traveler]

I have the twin to that press but in a four-station upper and lower die plates version.

The toggle links are somewhat skimpy (compared to an RCS Rockchucker) and even when using the center station (greatest support) for full-length rifle case resizing, it is springy and lacks the mechanical advantage for efficient use.  It is definitely not strong enough for bullet swaging or case forming.

For my purposes, it works fine for loading pistol cases.  Carbide dies, expander/decapper, powder measure, and seater/crimper stations make it suitable for manual progressive reloading of pistol ammo.

Cleaning that thing would be easiest if you know someone with an automotive parts cleaner machine.  Lacking that, brushing and wiping with paint thinner soaked rags would be best, followed by spray lube and detailed relubrication of high friction points.

C-H was a popular reloading press and accessory maker contemporary with Lyman, RCBS, Pacific, Ohaus, Redding, etc and WAY before Dillon was established.  They are still good, although slow, basic machines.

[John Traveler]

My mistake:  I thought CH was out of business, but apparently they are still alive and well!

www.CH4D.com

Apparently your single station H press is discontinued, but they still have other models.

[iiranger]

long winded, LONG WINDED, loved to complain that presses like this had too much flex, unlike his single stage press and that compromised accuracy. He also handled a single press with two holes... The advantage, before the progressive we know today at reasonable prices, was you set up a set of dies, say 3 for handgun, and finish the process without having to removed, replace and adjust dies. Most handgun it should be plenty. Maybe not the hottest .44 or larger. Rifle, not competition?, enough. As said, lame side for swaging or case forming... Enjoy it as intended. Piece of history. CH has been sold and resold many times. Each incarnation with which I have dealt has been very helpful. ENJOY. luck.

[Troyboy]

I think old tools have more "character" than new ones. Restore mount it and use it with the pride that it has loaded many a round before you. Brake cleaner and a rag after disassembly polish and lube paint and reassemble. Way cool find congrats!!!

[EVOC ONE]

Thanks much for the replies and advice everyone. 

I appreciate its nostalgia.  It will have a fine home on the bench and will be used with the respect it deserves. 

 

[EVOC ONE]

Today I spoke to an apparently "seasoned" gentleman at CH regarding the press.

It seems the press was manufactured between the late 40's and mid 60's, when it went out of production.

He commented that it is strong enough to load any cartridge but was not designed for case forming or swaging (right on the money John Traveler ). He added that he used to load .378 Weatherby ammo using the same model.

I also inquired about a set of CH .45 Colt dies that was included in the box of reloading equipment with the press.  The dies are chrome.  According the the gentleman, the fact that they are chrome indicates they were manufactured in the 1950's.  He added that chrome dies were not manufactured by CH after the 50's. 

Thought I might pass this along.

Many thanks for the info and comments.