Press Maintenance

[TCKev]

What do you guys lube your single stage press with?

Thanks
Kevin

 

[fdshuster]

The ram and linkage (RCBS Rockchucker, an older one made in 1991) with just a little CLP Breakfree.

 

[pdog2062]

I just use turbine oil,its a lightweight oil with no pariffin in it.I use it on small electric motors in my
appliance repair business

 

[nonliberal]

whatever is handy, usually Rem oil or CLP.

 

[fdshuster]

kevin: An afterthought: I get a bit of hard carbon deposits out of my brass, especially when sizing using a small base die, and can see it collecting on the press body at the base of the ram. Don't want it to get into the linkage, so keep it wiped off. Pic attached of just how much hard carbon deposits you can get from the inside of the cases. Sizing the case down more than normal squeezes the carbon layer cracking the surface, & some will leak out the flash hole.

 

[necchi]

I came about that very quandry myself shortly after I had my first press in operation, I looked around and there sat my gun oil right near the bench, ???

Guess what, it's been working fine for years. Wipe it down every once in awhile, couple drops of Hoppes #9 Lubricating Oil here-n-there and all is well.

 

[spclark]

What do you guys lube your single stage press with?

Anything handy. I've used 5W-50, ATF fluid, CLP, 3-in-1.... DON'T use WD40 though as it doesn't last long.

Biggest tip is: do your decapping some other way! Reduces the grit & grime (that otherwise collects everywhere on a press & bench) by 99%. I use Wilson's decapping punches & bases & will never go back to doing this operation on a press.

Another advantage: you can feel when primers are getting too loose. Easy either to cull the bad ones for recycling or segregate cases that might have only one more load left from those that are holding up better.

As for the carbon inside cases, switch to the wet SS pin method for cleaning cases & it'll cease being a problem. Cases as clean inside as out.

 

[nonliberal]

kevin: An afterthought: I get a bit of hard carbon deposits out of my brass, especially when sizing using a small base die, and can see it collecting on the press body at the base of the ram. Don't want it to get into the linkage, so keep it wiped off. Pic attached of just how much hard carbon deposits you can get from the inside of the cases. Sizing the case down more than normal squeezes the carbon layer cracking the surface, & some will leak out the flash hole.

That was one of the main reasons I like the Lee Classic cast press. All the junk and spent primers fall through the center of the Ram straight into the trash can below.

 

[bugman]

In a pinch, use bolt grease. Grease the large guide rods, and oil the small linkages, etc.

 

[Joe Maisto]

whatever is handy, usually Rem oil or CLP.

Rem Oil...
Don't know of anything finer, especially on the bolt assembly/spring.

 

[people]

I just keep adding oil and wipe it off every so often. The dirtier the brass the more I wipe and add oil. I just use anything that is handy.

 

[tenring]

About every 6 months, I clean my 3 presses, starting with brake cleaner on the ram and toggle pins. After drying with a towel, I use any oil availbale, mostly Butch's. At the same time, I wipe the outside of them with brake cleaner also.

 

[BigDMT]

I use "Castrol Syntec" full synthetic vehicle motor oil. I pour a small amount on a cloth then wipe the shaft down. That way it cleans debris off the shaft and lubes at the same time with a thin layer of oil.

 

[Shynloco]

Light coat of White Lythium grease on shaft and moving joints - wipe off excess - around once every 4 months or whenever the "feel" changes.