Arbor press issue

[Dave M.]

I’ve been using the K&M Arbor Press for years and I love it. I won’t consider seating bullets any other way other than using the LE Wilson hand dies and an arbor press.
The only issue I have is when I seat for long times (200 plus rounds) I end up with a huge blister on the palm of my right hand just below my index and middle finger. Has anyone modified their K&M arbor press to prevent this from happening? I’m thinking longer arm and some sort of rotating ball handle. Open for suggestions. I hate the blisters I get from seating bullets.

Dave

 

[gmr4]

I’ve not experienced anything with mine that would cause a blister. Usually the seating force is around 30-35… how high is you seating force?

 

[JFrank]

Have you thought about wearing a glove ? Maybe a golf glove ..

 

[PatMiles]

I spun up a longer handle (6") for mine, not to be able to put heavier pressure on the bullet but to make it easier for me. Makes it more comfortable to seat the bullets @ 25-30 lbs.

 

[dgeesaman]

I’ve been using the K&M Arbor Press for years and I love it. I won’t consider seating bullets any other way other than using the LE Wilson hand dies and an arbor press.
The only issue I have is when I seat for long times (200 plus rounds) I end up with a huge blister on the palm of my right hand just below my index and middle finger. Has anyone modified their K&M arbor press to prevent this from happening? I’m thinking longer arm and some sort of rotating ball handle. Open for suggestions. I hate the blisters I get from seating bullets.

Dave

Try swapping the handle for a Phillips head screwdriver.

 

[memilanuk]

Having seated many thousands of rounds on a K&M press for the same general discipline (F-class) so similar quantities per match... I cannot fathom how delicate of hands you must have to be developing blisters from the handle. I'm not exactly in a manual labor field myself, but I don't think I've ever even came close to getting a blister from the press handle.

Short of the usual jokes about needing to toughen up, the only thing I can think of is to try doing them in batches - maybe a box of 100 at a time. For example, prime, charge and seat a hundred - or even a tray of 50 - start to finish. Then start over. It should give the aggravated areas on your hand a bit of a break.

Usually I do something like that just for a mental change of pace - I find my attention to detail starts to deteriorate if I try doing multiple hundreds of the same one operation in a row. I'd make a horrible factory assembly line worker. Loading on my 550 gets around that somewhat, because I'm tracking enough different things to keep my brain engaged but even then I literally get bored after a few hundred rounds.

 

[JFrank]

@Dave M.
You could also seek some help .

In all seriousness the handle on the K&M could use some improvement. It shouldn’t be too difficult to fab a better design.

 

[SmittyJon]

I’ve been using the K&M Arbor Press for years and I love it. I won’t consider seating bullets any other way other than using the LE Wilson hand dies and an arbor press.
The only issue I have is when I seat for long times (200 plus rounds) I end up with a huge blister on the palm of my right hand just below my index and middle finger. Has anyone modified their K&M arbor press to prevent this from happening? I’m thinking longer arm and some sort of rotating ball handle. Open for suggestions. I hate the blisters I get from seating bullets.

Dave

I don't get a blister, but will develop a sore spot. Same with a Sinclair hand priming tool. I ended up buying a pair of these work out gloves. They have padded palms, open fingers, are lightweight, and fit well. Not much money either. These ones are on fleaBay, but I'm sure Amazon has them too.

Weight Lifting Gloves by RDX , Fitness Bodybuilding Workout, Gym Gloves, Unisex | eBay

Half Finger Gloves design is equally good for a host of outdoor activities from driving, barbell, dumbbell, rowing, weightlifting, tug-of-war, and various kinds of sports fitness. They allow more flexibility and stretchiness while opting for specific weightlifting moves.

www.ebay.com

SJ

 

[JMayo]

Lol !
Dave your gonna catch some flack for this one .
The position of the handle causes me grief. The higher i have it set the worse it is. 6.5 vr 6ppcc.

Ive thought about how to reposition it more down but i see it's a caming action inside and can't be adjusted.
I've looked for an after market longer one but no one is making them. So i just deal with it.

Height of the bench also plays a role. My bench is for standing more than sitting.

 

[Thud]

Wow. I need a lot more PopCorn.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I don't get a blister, but will develop a sore spot. Same with a Sinclair hand priming tool. I ended up buying a pair of these work out gloves. They have padded palms, open fingers, are lightweight, and fit well. Not much money either. These ones are on fleaBay, but I'm sure Amazon has them too.

Weight Lifting Gloves by RDX , Fitness Bodybuilding Workout, Gym Gloves, Unisex | eBay

Half Finger Gloves design is equally good for a host of outdoor activities from driving, barbell, dumbbell, rowing, weightlifting, tug-of-war, and various kinds of sports fitness. They allow more flexibility and stretchiness while opting for specific weightlifting moves.

www.ebay.com

SJ

The little collet tightening handle on the Forster trimmer will make me go grab a good leather glove.

 

[RustyInBend]

Two words ... 'AMP Press' !!!

 

[RustyInBend]

Two words ... 'AMP Press' !!!

Could be four words ... if you don't use the acronym.

 

[Dave M.]

Have you thought about wearing a glove ? Maybe a golf glove ..

I have resorted to that but just wondering what others have done.

 

[Dave M.]

I’ve not experienced anything with mine that would cause a blister. Usually the seating force is around 30-35… how high is you seating force?

Consistently measuring 32-45lbs using 2.5 thou neck tension bushing

 

[Dave M.]

I spun up a longer handle (6") for mine, not to be able to put heavier pressure on the bullet but to make it easier for me. Makes it more comfortable to seat the bullets @ 25-30 lbs.

I’d be interested in one of those, cost?

 

[Dave M.]

Try swapping the handle for a Phillips head screwdriver.

Never thought of that. I’ll look into that when I get home tonight.

 

[Dave M.]

Having seated many thousands of rounds on a K&M press for the same general discipline (F-class) so similar quantities per match... I cannot fathom how delicate of hands you must have to be developing blisters from the handle. I'm not exactly in a manual labor field myself, but I don't think I've ever even came close to getting a blister from the press handle.

Short of the usual jokes about needing to toughen up, the only thing I can think of is to try doing them in batches - maybe a box of 100 at a time. For example, prime, charge and seat a hundred - or even a tray of 50 - start to finish. Then start over. It should give the aggravated areas on your hand a bit of a break.

Usually I do something like that just for a mental change of pace - I find my attention to detail starts to deteriorate if I try doing multiple hundreds of the same one operation in a row. I'd make a horrible factory assembly line worker. Loading on my 550 gets around that somewhat, because I'm tracking enough different things to keep my brain engaged but even then I literally get bored after a few hundred rounds.

Thanks for the long rambling, offering absolutely nothing to the conversation. If you need a resume of my manual labor exploits, please feel free to PM me.

Dave

 

[M-61]

OK I won't ramble as it seems to add to tension so:
Don't they make a pistol glove that has some padding in the palm?

 

[TTE]

Having seated many thousands of rounds on a K&M press for the same general discipline (F-class) so similar quantities per match... I cannot fathom how delicate of hands you must have to be developing blisters from the handle. I'm not exactly in a manual labor field myself, but I don't think I've ever even came close to getting a blister from the press handle.

Short of the usual jokes about needing to toughen up, the only thing I can think of is to try doing them in batches - maybe a box of 100 at a time. For example, prime, charge and seat a hundred - or even a tray of 50 - start to finish. Then start over. It should give the aggravated areas on your hand a bit of a break.

Usually I do something like that just for a mental change of pace - I find my attention to detail starts to deteriorate if I try doing multiple hundreds of the same one operation in a row. I'd make a horrible factory assembly line worker. Loading on my 550 gets around that somewhat, because I'm tracking enough different things to keep my brain engaged but even then I literally get bored after a few hundred rounds.

Like rifles ...... every one's (hands) is/are different