2aHawaii

Tools and Uses => Reloading => Topic started by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:04:42 PM

Title: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:04:42 PM

I could not find a big enough reloading press to do 50BMG or 20mm shells.
Needless to say I figured I build my own press. Well its a close copy of a branded press.

Parts are CNC from rolled steel,  304 stainless steel, and bronze friction sleeves.


Set of plans I drew up.

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0905_zps46f90598.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0905_zps46f90598.jpg.html)


The raw steel from the supplier.

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2126_zps3a05db87.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2126_zps3a05db87.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:10:06 PM

Test fit before sending out to electro shop. Plating with increase thickness by 0.2mm thus 0.4mm on all threads.

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2220_zps048c5376.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2220_zps048c5376.jpg.html)

CNC'd and back from electroplating (black).

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2360_zpsef7aca2a.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2360_zpsef7aca2a.jpg.html)


Bronze fittings and final machine work.

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2362_zpsddb34873.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2362_zpsddb34873.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: ren on March 26, 2014, 09:14:55 PM

Wow. How did you get the concept down to a drawing? CAD? Nice lathe and other tools. :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:19:05 PM

Support columns are hollow with a tension rod. It relies on the principle of tension and compression.


(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2404_zps583f6e44.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2404_zps583f6e44.jpg.html)

Initial assembly of rods and support.

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2407_zps385066c4.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2407_zps385066c4.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:22:44 PM

Ram is a solid piece of 304 stainless steel.


(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2408_zpsbb39dea0.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2408_zpsbb39dea0.jpg.html)



So are the press handles.   304SS

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2406_zps2ae8b717.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2406_zps2ae8b717.jpg.html)


No expenses spared..

Stainless nuts and Japanese roller bearings on all pivot points.


(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2409_zps60df45b1.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2409_zps60df45b1.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:38:25 PM

Completed 2 press
Bought a complete set of pool balls just for the handle knobs.
The 8th ball press is 1-1/2 inch for the Hornady, RCBS, and CH4 dies.
The 4 ball press uses the Lee dies at 1-1/4 inches.


(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2412_zps68b294a7.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2412_zps68b294a7.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:40:50 PM

These presses are massive each press weighs about 75lbs.




(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2415_zps0d7e7eef.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2415_zps0d7e7eef.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:42:18 PM

I might have to sell one press just to recover some of the machine time and tooling cost.

 :'( :'( :'( :'(

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:45:18 PM

Quote from: ren on March 26, 2014, 09:14:55 PM

Wow. How did you get the concept down to a drawing? CAD? Nice lathe and other tools. :thumbsup:

The drawing is done old school from free hand. Notice all the holes on the drawing are not round.

I rent some machine time and some contract work to the owners of the shop.

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:47:45 PM

Two CNC machines
Big Blue in the back and Baby White in the front.

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2361_zpscadbdd33.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2361_zpscadbdd33.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: ren on March 26, 2014, 09:53:28 PM

Very impressive. What is your profession? How did you come up with the drawings? Did you visualize how the pieces fitted and interacted? Amazing. Great work :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:56:21 PM

High quality Japanese Roller Bearings.
These were expensive at $5.00 each.

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/suka5168/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2405_zps9737579e.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2405_zps9737579e.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 09:59:28 PM

Quote from: ren on March 26, 2014, 09:53:28 PM

Very impressive. What is your profession? How did you come up with the drawings? Did you visualize how the pieces fitted and interacted? Amazing. Great work :thumbsup:

  >:(

I see it in my head and try to put in on paper first with sketches and then precise measurements.

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: Dolomite on March 26, 2014, 10:53:10 PM

Damn can you cut serrations on handgun slides?

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 26, 2014, 11:06:40 PM

Quote from: Dolomite on March 26, 2014, 10:53:10 PM

Damn can you cut serrations on handgun slides?

Im not on Oahu nowdays.

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 27, 2014, 08:07:24 AM

http://youtu.be/Rn91yaIlR-0  (http://youtu.be/Rn91yaIlR-0)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: NoScade on March 27, 2014, 09:07:08 AM

Awesome work!!   How come you didn't just buy something like a rcbs ammo master but I guess if you can make it why not :shaka:

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on March 27, 2014, 10:06:59 AM

For the fun of it
And the ammo master cant do 20mm

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: 338KID on March 27, 2014, 11:29:02 AM

Quote from: suka on March 27, 2014, 10:06:59 AM

For the fun of it
And the ammo master cant do 20mm

Nope it can't

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: Super Dave on April 08, 2014, 09:04:12 PM

Sweet.  That is very impressive.   Great job!  Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: paulb3 on April 09, 2014, 03:05:12 PM

Awesome job.

Looks better than this one.

http://www.corbins.com/intro.htm (http://www.corbins.com/intro.htm)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on April 09, 2014, 04:01:20 PM

Yeap, its a copy of their press, with some modifications for my needs.
Their press has gone from $1100 to $1300 now.

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on October 05, 2014, 01:24:47 AM

Tried to do 9mm on this.
I think its too BIG or the 9mm cases are too short.   :grrr:

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: paulb3 on October 06, 2014, 09:39:28 AM

Maybe gotta use an extended shell holder.

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on October 06, 2014, 01:57:42 PM

just ordered from midway
$5 off coupon

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: Barrett808 on October 07, 2014, 01:30:52 AM

Wow nice press, both Noscade and I reload 50 Bmg using both Lee and RCBS production presses.
Take some effort to resize Lake City brass. Most work is priming cases.
We both shoot Barrett M82. Would like a 20mm just to much work and cost to get brass and projos. Beside rifle or cannon. Lol
What 50 bmg or 20mm do you shoot?
Good luck & thanks for sharing.
Thanks
Barrett808

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on October 07, 2014, 01:48:24 AM

I shoot 510DTC which is kokohead legal on a AR platform . Lots of force is required to case neck the 50bmg to 50dtc.
which was the reason i built this press.


Still looking for a future 20mm at an affordable  price. they are still in The $15-$20k region. hopefully find a used one at a gun show on the mainland .

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: Barrett808 on October 07, 2014, 02:02:25 AM

Right on, our Buddy also shoots the 510 DTC on a EDM platform. Awesome gun, so much limitations at Kokohead pretty much killed our interest with shooting our long range guns there. Hope things can change and move in better direction in the future.
Thanks again Bro look forward to seeing your 20mm project.
Aloha!

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: Barrett808 on October 08, 2014, 02:30:09 PM

Hi Suka,
Used to get primers for BMG @ YG.
Back then think it was .40 a pop.
Just wanted to let you know about case head problems with IMI brass.
Figure mostly reload LC or Hornady match (WCC).
Would hate for you to go through all the work resizing and fire forming and have problems later.
Bought a lot of stuff, thinking they were going to ban 50 bmg.  Had to have at least 1000 rnds on hand. Love to shoot with it on neighbor islands. Hunted Lanai & Big Island SOOO much fun... >:D
Take care and PM if you in town.
Mahalo
Barrett808O0

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on October 08, 2014, 07:52:38 PM

bought a whole bunch (1000pcs) of S African pulled heads at a great price with free shipping.

Some brass are from Mr. Kubota in Cali and few hundred casing of LC mil surplus out of mostly M2s.

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on October 08, 2014, 11:07:33 PM

also , Cabalas had a sale on 50 Federal Eagles a few years back. they were $24.99 box of ten. plus free shipping!
Not sure if it was a typo or super steal , but it jumped up to $35 bucks the following week.

Glad I got 10 boxes. Still need to pull them and fire-form the brass.

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: Barrett808 on October 09, 2014, 01:06:37 AM

Locally 50 BMG components can be expensive. Stock may have been sitting for years. Bought a lot of heads from midway think it was
$ .65 for Winchester 660 gr ball. Free shipping too. Got delivered to my neighbors house by mistake. Yikes...Lol
Just happy Carter took care of the boyz. Reason stop reloading BMG. Joke is shooting my 338 Laupa is more expensive than BMG. Go figure...? Favorite Cal is 375H&H.
Thanks Bro and keep us posted on your projects. Would die to see a 20mm here. Waiting for X ring to open range. Want to vid my daughter shooting the M82. Send it to her boy friend. Lol

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on July 28, 2017, 07:48:34 PM

BTT for someone    ::)

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: Inspector on July 29, 2017, 06:52:11 AM

Quote from: suka on July 28, 2017, 07:48:34 PM

BTT for someone    ::)

If you are you going to this, would you repost your photos as they don't show up at the beginning of this post.  :shaka: :shaka: :shaka:

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: ren on July 29, 2017, 08:41:02 AM

that's some talent you got. From concept to completion :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: suka on July 29, 2017, 11:42:38 PM

PhotoBucket now requires a fee to hot link.


try this:

http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/library/Mobile%20Uploads?sort=3&page=4

Title: Re: Making a HUGE reloading press
Post by: Inspector on July 30, 2017, 05:26:07 AM

Quote from: suka on July 29, 2017, 11:42:38 PM

PhotoBucket now requires a fee to hot link.


try this:

http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/suka5168/library/Mobile%20Uploads?sort=3&page=4

Great!!! Thanks!