That's a beautiful looking press Matt. For what reasons do you prefer your co-ax and RCBS over it?
Willow,
Thank you very much. In truth I do enjoy using the press, however, I find the lack of having to use or look for a correct or surface ground(corrected)shell holder to be a real plus with the Co-Ax. In this I am not being lazy but rather it is becoming very difficult to find a Redding Shellholder that is close to .125" can often be a real task. I actually have a #10 from 2005 that was bought along with a .223 AI S Type Match Die Set that turned out to be .008" over(.133") via my Starrett Depth Micrometer... I left it on the bench and had a friend, who is an actual machinist by trade, to Mic it for me. He came up with the same number. I was actually recommended to buy RCBS from the man who makes the press/Herr Turban, so maybe I will go that route in the future. Last, and my family would agree that I can rarely ever be completely satisfied(Not really, but I am discerning). Same case with the Prazi. After it shipped on Monday, from Germany, and we were anticipating 1-2 weeks it arrived the NEXT DAY to Coastal Virginia... That is hard service to fault even with a $105 Shipping Bill...
The only other thing that really keeps me fond of the A4, besides a heavy dose of nostalgia, is that you reach directly into the press as opposed to around the side like a Rock Chucker or the Prazi. By the way, the picture is a Factory Picture, you can see the larger Press in the background. My point and shoot, captures 24 mb of info on every click and there is no way to make them smaller other than host them. I'll get around to that on the new custom bench...;-)
I should note that I have found NOTHING wrong with the Prazi Press despites some stops and starts based on a language barrier and an idiot reviewing their press in Germany. To be honest it is as if Mercedes AMG decided to build a loading press. Oddly enough what I thought were bronze bushings on the guide rams are actually ball bearings encompassed by by bronze bushings. The Prazi could be designed with a bit more thought to ergonomics, akin to the A4, however, I am not complaining. It is best described a "Tour de Force in CNC Machining and the finest of materials". EVERY bolt is a 10.9 class which is, as I have been told, akin, but not exactly the same thing as our grade 8. EVERY BOLT including the ones that mount the press plate to the bench... All from the same German Manufacturer and the same class which I am told, total ignorance here, is slightly different from our grading. THEY make a 12.9 which we don't have a direct, commonly available, GRADED Bolt to compete with...
It has almost NOTHING that is not fitted with a bronze bushing... I asked Christian if I could "buy" a bag of "spare parts", however, he said "he designed the press to be rebuilt by ANY QUALIFIED MACHINE SHOP". There are "NO special parts that are not available through industrial supply houses or made quickly". He also side "You will not live long enough to wear this press out...". Have to admire a man who calls them as he sees them...;-)
He was likely hoping I would kick the bucket sooner than later as I had been a pill as a customer. I made the mistake of treating a German Master like a typical American who is FAR more interested in "getting paid". UNDERSTAND I realize this is a grossly GENERALIZED statement as we have MASTERS in Metal over here as well(Mark Penrod comes to mind), however, it is a general difference in the way their mind works. The press, with shipping & customs, A 110mm square by 20mm thick bench plate, not to mention bluing to match the press, and shipping from Germany to my door in less than 2 full days was JUST south of $900. IF anyone over here had the interest to build something similar it would cost a minimum of twice that. Could be wrong on that, however, I'd not hold my breath on it. They just have a different attitude about approaching their work...
To be honest I am also going to try Triebel. They were his recommendation. It is such a novel thought to go from reamer, to headspace gauge, to shellholder, to sizing die, to sliding chamber seating die, from the very same company. If they are like everything else I have gotten from the Germans it will not disappoint. They are not THAT expensive either... That said you don't get that World Class Redding Customer Service...
I have found RCBS & Dillon to have World Class Customer Service with the former sometimes being shy on a Worldclass Product. That said sometimes in their arena I have found they a make a better product, imho, than the latter. Again imho...
Back to the interesting part:
http://www.triebel-guntools.de
Anyone know of a Stateside Dealer?
Matt,
let me know when you get tired of that press. I can find it a good home here in SW Idaho right to the left of my A4.
Rich
Rich,
I'll keep you in mind. I was looking at the midsize press. Loses some of the aesthetics, however, you gain a little extra room to work. I think having TWO of these presses on the bench and a Mark 7 driven Dillon 1050 might be a bit much for the bench room I have available. I prefer the Prazi over the three guide mast models. That being said the "Heavy PraziPress140mm" really gives you a ton of room to work with your hand around the triple tiered guide rods. It is also 7/8-14 UNF, 1-1/4x12 UNF, and finally 1-1/2 x 12 UNF.
That antiquated sloppy A4 will almost cover shipping on the deal?
You do know they were recalled? Really doing a public service...
Regards, Matt.
