looking at a used C&H Press

[GregP42]

Questions for the group, I am looking at getting my feet wet in swaging because I need to make bullets for paper patching
 
1) Would a used C&H press that I can get real cheap with the right size dies be ok to start?
 
2) What books would you recommend a total newbie read on swaging?
 
Thanks for any input.
 
Greg

[dave375hh]

GregP42,
I suggest you contact Dave Davidson at 4D Die Service in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He bought out all of the C&H stuff when they went out of buisness. Dave's an honest guy and he can tell you if the press you have in mind will do what you want. You can ask him about swaging dies also.

[talon]

A lot of budding swagers are put off by the seemingly high prices of some swaging equipment. However, the prices of used Corbin and/or RCE basic equiptment seem to hold their selling prices very well. As a matter of fact, I've observed some eBay sales even exceed retail prices. Because of this, and because Corbin and/or RCE tooling is of higher quality and much more supportable I would definitely suggest you save money and produce superior bullets by going that route.  As to the CH press and dies, swaging has advanced light years since that system was designed. Too, if you are going to make anything other than .38 or.44 lead or 1/2 or 3/4 jacketed pistol bullets you will probably pay quite a bit for the custom made dies. As to a good swaging book to read, I believe Corbin Co has one ( HB-8) on it's web site for free downloading or real time review. It is excellent.

[GregP42]

GregP42,
I suggest you contact Dave Davidson at 4D Die Service in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He bought out all of the C&H stuff when they went out of buisness. Dave's an honest guy and he can tell you if the press you have in mind will do what you want. You can ask him about swaging dies also.

Dave,

Thanks, I didn't know tht they were that close. I am only about 120 miles from there over outside of Dayton, Oh.

Greg

[GregP42]

Talon,

The money is an issue at the moment, all I am wanting to make are 45 cal paper patch bullets, I might do some 32 and 41 later on, but for the most part it would just be for the 45-70 using paper patch. I will look at the corbin site again to see if I can fine that book on there, but so far I only saw where you can buy it on there.

Greg

[talon]

Greg P42
  go to  http://www.corbins.com/books.htm  and scan down to the handbook #8 advertisement and click on one of the hyperlinks in that text.  It will take a little time to download the text of the book ( no pictures).
  If you are building paper patch  bullets for a .457/8, .32 and/or .41 the die maker has to know that, and probably the thickness of paper you'll be using as well. I scanned the CH/4-D site, but didn't see any published prices/size availability on those old swag-o-matic dies, but I believe they can supply the size you need, but I bet the price will be very steep: Machinist's time runs about $80/hr, and then there's special steels and harding costs. Give them a call and see.

[GregP42]

Greg P42
  go to  http://www.corbins.com/books.htm  and scan down to the handbook #8 advertisement and click on one of the hyperlinks in that text.  It will take a little time to download the text of the book ( no pictures).
  If you are building paper patch  bullets for a .457/8, .32 and/or .41 the die maker has to know that, and probably the thickness of paper you'll be using as well. I scanned the CH/4-D site, but didn't see any published prices/size availability on those old swag-o-matic dies, but I believe they can supply the size you need, but I bet the price will be very steep: Machinist's time runs about $80/hr, and then there's special steels and harding costs. Give them a call and see.

Talon,

Many thanks, have them all downloaded now. Is it just me or does the flashing graphics on that site give you head aches too? I will read through all these before I decide what I am going to do, again, many thanks.

Greg