Auxiliary Handle Hole on RCBS Presses

[jds holler]

OK, I've been loading on these presses for about fifty years now, so I feel kinda stupid to not know this.

On the smaller Junior and Special presses, there is another hole in the lower cam/pivot. What is it's purpose?

I'm getting this scabby little press ready for my grandson's starter press, and when he asks me about it, I oughta have an answer for him. There is a good chance that he's more curious -- and intelligent than I am. jd

 

[jds holler]

Oh for pity sake! Are you telling me that in this society of "know it alls" that no one has an answer for this. Where the hell is Dusty??

I guess I'll have to be patient. jd

 

[STS]

You can use the press in the horizontal orientation if you use the secondary threads. I can't possibly see why someone would want to do that, but the option is there. Then again, I could be totally full of it.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Oh for pity sake! Are you telling me that in this society of "know it alls" that no one has an answer for this. Where the hell is Dusty??

I guess I'll have to be patient. jd

Is that not where the primers fall out?

 

[BeefyT11]

If it's similar to the lyman spartan I used to own, that hole should be threaded to accept the handle. I believe you have to spin the piece that the handle screws into 180 degrees on the pivot pin to allow the press to operate.

This will allow the handle to point down when the press is at rest and will size with an up stroke of the handle instead of a down stroke. STS may be onto something with the horizontal orientation thought but it will work vertically and just changes the location and operation of the handle.

 

[jds holler]

If it's similar to the lyman spartan I used to own, that hole should be threaded to accept the handle. I believe you have to spin the piece that the handle screws into 180 degrees on the pivot pin to allow the press to operate.

This will allow the handle to point down when the press is at rest and will size with an up stroke of the handle instead of a down stroke. STS may be onto something with the horizontal orientation thought but it will work vertically and just changes the location and operation of the handle.

This sounds plausible. Perhaps on a higher bench setup, with the handle reversed, it might be nice to size with a lifting motion. Ima have to experiment. The hole is threaded, same as the standard position.

I mean no offense STS, but I'm just not seeing the horizontal thing. -- Maybe upside down? jd

 

[muleystalker]

I bet it was used more for during manufacturing than for use.If a handle was screwed in that hole it would have to be pulled back towards the bench and would hit the bench.

 

[STS]

The truth is that the Boss at RCBS had a son that needed a job. They gave him a tap and said "Run that tap in that hole." They paid him $1 a hole and passed the cost on to you.

 

[Ray123]

Old school... a place to store your bubblegum, after you're done reloading...so it will be there the next time, when you return to reload...a handy, well thought out, accessory from RCBS...forward thinking, long before the invention of cup holders...
Or...to reduce the weight so the loading handle doesn't fall at the top of the stroke, if you remove your hand from the lever...thereby falling and cracking your Christmas nuts before the Holidays arrive...And an added benefit, for those with light duty arms, especially over long loading secessions.

 

[Fuj]

Pull the toggle block pins, turn block 180 degrees and replace
pins. Linkage is now in front. Screw handle into that bottom hole.
Ram now lifts when handle is pulled up.....When I bought a third
RCBS Junior at a gun show, it was set up this way. The seller said
it makes it easier to prime cases by pulling down on the handle
instead of pushing forward in the standard set up. I used it that
way for years priming cases. The original owner said it saved his
hand and arm from abuse, since the press was dedicated for
priming de-milled and swaged Lake City brass by the bucket load.
Paid $15 for it and he threw in a handful of shell holders.