Modifying a press to have camover ?

[Wolfdog91]

The small little RCBS Partner press would be a much, much better press for you.

I'll be giving it a look thanks

 

[K22]

I like it and it's given me better results ever since I started using a press that's let me do it . Plain and simple.
If you don't need it ,or don like it's that awsome but it's been a game changer for me

It's not that I don't like it, I have to use it because of my press requires it to optimally FL size my cases. But I just as soon not have to place additional stress on my press to obtain the optimum sizing.

 

[BoydAllen]

This what I'm talking about when I say cam over. Skil to the 50sec mark

I agree. That is my understanding as well. I have the same press....and several others.

 

[Florida Wally]

Wolfdog, I agree with you, the “cam over” action helps with consistent shoulder bump. I have an RC press and like you, it was a game changer when I first started to “cam it over.” My shoulder bumping became significantly more consistent. I have a long explanation as to why I think this happens, but I’ll save it for another thread.

Although the term “cam over” is technically incorrect, most if not all experienced reloaders know exactly what you are referring to. The linkage on your press converts a rotary motion, the bottom of the linkage, into a linear motion, the motion of the ram; therefore, it is a cam action. However, “cam over” connotes going beyond the apex of the elliptical rotary motion and reversing the linear motion, which doesn’t happen since the RC ram only goes up, it doesn’t move back down. There are presses that actually “cam over” where the ram reaches the top of its travel then moves down slightly. Tomāto, tomàto, potāto, potàto - when you say “cam over,” everyone knows your meaning.

To answer your original question, I don’t think you can modify that particular Lee press to “cam over” easily, but if you still have your Challenger press, I have heard you can grind the stops off of the linkage to allow the handle to continue its motion and you will be able to “cam it over.” I have a Challenger press and have thought of trying just that, but I only use it to deprime cases with, so I don’t need it to “cam over.” If you do try grinding the stops off of you Challenger press, please post your results. I think my Challenger press would be much more useful if it would “cam over.”

 

[Lucky Shooter]

I have a big heavy Lee press and it seems to be OK except for the lack of cam over.

I talked to a guy at Lee about grinding the "ears" off the arms----he advised against
because of the type metal used in the arms. His concern was the possibilitythe arms
couldn't withstand the stress.

Mine still has ears.

A. Weldy

 

[muleystalker]

A used RCBS RS or JR would also work, a bit heavier than the Partner but still small enough to take with you and clamp to a bench at the range or elsewhere and very strong.

 

[dcali]

Never understood cam over. After the die hits the shell holder it's all over.

It is, if the stop hits at the same time as the shellholder and you don't apply anymore pressure. Seeing as the stops on most presses aren't exactly precise due to slop and manufacturing tolerances, a little cam over and stretching of the press helps ensure that things are consistent. That's my experience at least. It's also my experience that it doesn't matter very much. I've loaded plenty of very accurate ammo without cam over, and when the shellholder doesn't even touch.

 

[RGRobinett]

When the Lee CLASSIC CAST press was introduced, I followed second hand advice, provided by Ferris Pindell, to a pair of my pals, which they chose to ignore. Mr. Pindell had advised them, that for bullet making, they should obtain some of the new LEE offerings, as they were exceptionally "plumb" (my wording) . . . both of my pals though Mr. Pindell had lost his mind . . .

So, for a measly $65.00 each, I acquired six of the Lee CLASSIC CAST presses and checked them out - indeed they were/are excellent. Additionally, with the exception, of three Ulrich B&A [horizontal] clones, they proved to be not only the best axially and radially aligned, but also, the most readily modifiable and durable presses I have owned and "WORKED". The linkages have proven far superior/durable (now, 16+ years worth) to all but the cast linkages on the OLD RCBS RockChucker, A2, etc.

A few pics of my initial modifications along with the "dead-stop" as they came out-of-the-box:


Top displays the stock stroke limiter//stop.

Middle pic is my hill-billy cam-over modification (stop ears removed) - the circles highlight the [adjustable] stop-screw imprints. This press has been in constant use (making high end -BR quality - hand-swaged bullets - not reloading ammo) for over 16 years without discernible wear on [strap] pivot points.

Bottom displays yet another CLASSIC CAST, modified for both cam-over adjustment, and increased leverage: moving pivot-pin holes forward increases the leverage, but reduces stroke length. RG

 

[WSnyder]

which they chose to ignore.

I didn't! Got me one years ago shortly after your initial proclamation I still use my faithful Redding Ultra-Mag alongside the Lee!

 

[GeoW]

Hay everyone got a question, anyone happen to know if you can modify one if these little lee c type presses have a bit of cam over ? From my understanding no lee presses have cam over Need a small press about it's size for a mobile reloading deal I'm trying to make .
And before the big conversation starts, look I know you don't need cam over I just personally really like having it. I don't use a don either just enough so that I get that little lock over action Used to do Everything on a lee challenger with none then I switched to an RCBS RCII that had it ,my sizing and shoulder bumps got way more consistent along with my seating and it's just something I've found I like for my reloading. But like I said need something small.
Would do an arbor press but I need to be able to full length size too.
Thanks
View attachment 1499919

That cam over does give one a feeling of accomplishment, a completed step in the process.

 

[Doom]

Without cam over, the force exerted on the ram can/will very with every stroke, the extent to which is determined by the operator. There can be minor variances in die compression, ram deflection and press deflection. It is also difficult to tell whether the travel is restricted by the die or the press stop. When the press/die have the ability to cam over the travel between the die and ram remains the same on each stroke. Further, the case is sized and the shoulder set back on the down stroke and then the compression is released on the cam over, then effectively compressed and released a second time on the upstroke resulting in reduced springback.

Cam over also has some benefit on bullet seating, especially when using compressed loads. The same feature reduces the possibility of the bullet being pushed out by the compressed powder.

 

[ebb]

Wolfdog the mobile reloading set up you are building, is this to load on the tugboat? Have you left the Depot?

 

[Wolfdog91]

Wolfdog the mobile reloading set up you are building, is this to load on the tugboat? Have you left the Depot?

O just something I can have while I'm home . Would like to be able to do some load development at the range or more likely be able to go to a friend's house and load them some rounds for their deer rifle real quick but have them shoot and test the loads. Mabye just watch them load and advise. Have a few friends who talk about wanting to learn. Would be nice to just pull in my car walk in with a lil box and tell them to bring there rifle out and be able to load up some nice ammo don't want to go full on bench rest but I do like these

 

[ebb]

Yea I do too!!! That one set up by the kitchen sink is sweet!!! the only thing I don't see is a wind screen to allow the scale to function outdoors. I tried a take to the range set up with an electronic scale and a screen but the scale was set up for and auto off that would shut it down before I could get a round loaded and weight the second. The leader of our group got cancer and we never could put a range trip together after he passed and loading at the range never happened.