Forster Co-Ax Issues?

[Gearheadpyro]

I'm graduating from a Lee Breeck Lock press. I went ahead and bit the bullet on a Forster Co-Ax last week and am currently waiting on the UPS guy to bring me my present. I was just wondering if anyone on here has had any issues with it. Anyone have any tips or advice on getting setup or running?

Like I said, I haven't got it yet. I'm just trying to make sure everything goes smoothly.

I am curious as to how to prime on this press. Will my Lee Auto Prime 2 (die) work on it or is the presses priming system pretty good?

 

[Steve Blair]

I used the priming feature for 7.5X55 before I received a Lee Auto Prime shell holder. Once adjusted, it worked perfectly and even had reasonable feel.

It seems unlikely that it would work with any feed system. It is at the top of the press, behind the die clearance cut.

 

[acloco]

Only one suggestion...clean all the moving parts and relube with a semi synthetic or full synthetic lube.

 

[Steve Blair]

That is a good point. I cleaned mine with mineral spirits and then lubed with teflon grease. The press came covered with what almost looked and felt like cosmoline.

 

[Gearheadpyro]

Cosmoline on a press? Interesting.

I'll be sure to clean that off and re-lube it.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Winchester69]

Will my Lee Auto Prime 2 (die) work on it....

I would anticipate a problem with the Co-Ax accommodating the AutoPrime II. You would need the Forster shell holder adaptor plate to hold the tool's push rod. The Lee lock ring could create a situation, too. Then the tray may block your access to the top of the die, but only until the first time the press's handle is operated. You may have discovered a use for your old press.

Off-topic, but have you found a way to make the tray on that device feed? I think I understand the problem, but haven't implemented anything corrective.

 

[Laurie]

It's a very easy press to set up and use.

The only 'issue' I've found is that a little more care is required in placing a charged case into the automatic shellholder assembly for bullet seating. Unlike conventional slotted type shellholders, the Co-Ax setup doesn't support the case until you start to operate the press bringing the jaws together, so it's easy to tip the case and spill powder if you're clumsy or catch it with a finger as you withdraw the hand. Not exactly a big minus, is it?

Laurie

 

[JabaliHunter]

I just ordered a co-ax a couple of days ago too - can't wait to get it although its on back order for a week or so...

 

[Mikem]

Forester does make an adaptor so it will take a standard shell holder, and as I do so much BR stuff, and 308, I just leave it in, and use a Redding 308 shell holder. I also put a venal hose on the drop tube, in place of the primer catch jar, and ran it down into an old empty powder jug under the bench, and haven emptied it in over a year. I hope you ordered the short ball handle, if you did, you will use it more than its longer standard handle.
And make sure its mounted level, you want the ram to go straight up.
Mike.

 

[Gearheadpyro]

Winchester 69:

I've never had a problem with my tray feeding except when the primers get down a little low. When that happens usually one tap will get them moving again. I got a bunch of Forster lock rings to switch out all of the Lee ones with, so I'm good there.

Laurie:

I've heard that one must be careful when setting the dies as you can't let the base of the die come into firm contact with the shell folder setup. Will this rule out the use of a collet neck sizing die or a factory crimp die? Both of these require some force to close the collet. Thanks for your help, and I've dumped a case or two out of my Breech Lock press too. Think I'm past that now though.

JabaliHunter:

Where did you get your press from? Cabelas had them in stock.

Mikem:

I didn't order the short handle as I currently size with a collet die (until I get my Forster Bump Die from UPS) and crimp with a factory crimp die. Both of these require some force and I figured I'd be better with just the long handle.

Thanks to everyone for the tips.

 

[Laurie]

Laurie:
I've heard that one must be careful when setting the dies as you can't let the base of the die come into firm contact with the shell folder setup. Will this rule out the use of a collet neck sizing die or a factory crimp die? Both of these require some force to close the collet. Thanks for your help, and I've dumped a case or two out of my Breech Lock press too. Think I'm past that now though.

That's an interesting question. I have lots of collet dies for different cartridges but rarely use them these days, mostly using Redding and Forster now. I'll give one a try in the next few days. You may have to install the conventional shellholder adaptor kit to use a collet type.

Laurie

 

[Mikem]

Gearhead: The short handle is just a matter of time. This is a powerful press. I know guys that seat bullets with out using any handle.
Mike.

 

[Clark]

When the jaws are taken out and changed from big case head to small case head, the spring(s) can fly across the room.

I bought an extra jaw assembly, drilled and tapped for a screw that holds it all together.
I can now swap sizes in second while blindfolded.
I sent my free engineering to Forster, who ignored that one too.

I just got a very old Bonanza co-ax press.

Things change a glacial pace at Forster.

 

[memilanuk]

I've been using a Lee Collet die without any problems thus far in my Co-Ax press. I will second the short press handle... much nicer for leetle stuff like .223 / 6mm BR. I tend to run mine 'wet', as I keep a small bottle of Tri-Flow with the tiny applicator tube setting right behind my press. A few drops here and there on the guide rods; wipe off the excess, and it works smooth as butter.

Clark, I just might have to 'borrow' that idea. Sounds like it would solve my one minor aggravation with this press.

 

[gbp]

I have two, one is set up with the shell holder adapter and the other uses the normal jaws, i do not use the priming function on either one so i can not address that.
several things i have noted are,
1. at times (spacific cartridges) i can not bump the shoulder on resizing. i do not know if the issus is with the jaws being slightly thicker than a norman shell holder or just what. just my observation.

2. if you are using redding competition dies and set them up and want to leave them that way you will need to purchase Hornaday die boxes to hold your now longer dies (reminds me i need to order more)

3. i threw the primer catcher assembly away. spent primers always got held up in the tube, now i just have a trash can underneath it. less drama

4. if you reload for anything like the 408 CT get a corbon or another press capable of encompassing the large cases. the co-ax is limited by it's design as to the length it will take.

5. in my opinion it is one of the best tools on the market and i love it for what it does.

 

[Gearheadpyro]

Got the press today and got it all set up. Everything is working smoothly.

It surprised me how small it is. It looked a lot bigger in the pictures.

It did take me a couple minutes to get the hang of setting my dies up, but no biggy there.

Overall it looks like a very fine addition to the tool collection. Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

[Winchester69]

Does the AutoPrime II clear the press handle?

 

[Clark]

I've been using a Lee Collet die without any problems thus far in my Co-Ax press. I will second the short press handle... much nicer for leetle stuff like .223 / 6mm BR. I tend to run mine 'wet', as I keep a small bottle of Tri-Flow with the tiny applicator tube setting right behind my press. A few drops here and there on the guide rods; wipe off the excess, and it works smooth as butter.

Clark, I just might have to 'borrow' that idea. Sounds like it would solve my one minor aggravation with this press.

>From Forster:
028271-046 WEAR PLATE $3.60
028271-037 SHELLHOLDER JAW HOUSING $14.80
001231 LOWER SHELLHOLDER JAWS--S(STANDARD)$29.60
028271-039 JAW PRESSURE SPRING (2) ea.$1.44
Instead of the Allen head screws now used to hold down the jaw assembly:
028271-020 10-24 X 5/8 INCH BUTTON HEAD SCREW (4) ea.$1.55

>From Enco:
4-40 flat top screw
#43 drill
4-40 tap
90 degree countersink drill

The screw captures the springs and jaws between the wear plate and housing.
The countersink hole in in the wear plate.
The threaded hole is in the housing.

 

[SooStan]

I have had mine for over 26 years. Picked up another at a garage sale real cheap. I have no problem using a collet die or running the dies down against the shell plates. Several thousand of rounds over the years. The suggestion about screwing the plates together to keep the springs from flying is a good one. I will have to try that. The short handle works very well. I used a tubing cutter and shorten mine rather then buy a new one.

 

[Clark]

The semi circular .21" holes in the shellholder jaw housing is where the housing is weak, and can be bent by pulling a stuck case out of a sizer die. The bent housing tips cases so they miss the orifice of the die and smack into the base of the die, denting the case mouth.

The same hole is deep countersunk from the top, when it should be from the bottom. With the hole countersunk to accommodate the jaw opening screw. Then the jaws can open wider.

I finished one today. Email me for pics.