Homemade Press

[Lee Martin]

My dad and I were digging through reloading supplies yesterday and came across this:

Back in the 1970's he wanted a sturdy reloading press to take the range. I guess he didn't like the commercial versions so he made his own. The main body is aluminum and the only part not done in-house was the plastic knob.

Thought some of you DIY guys would like to see it.

 

[Robb Barnes]

Can you say "STOUT!"? Good thing he made it out of aluminum. Had he done it out of steel even you Lee, and your gorilla forearms wouldn't have been able to pack it!

 

[m657]

Impressive!!! Great karma....I'm in!!!!

 

[Lee Martin]

Thanks Robb. It's actually pretty light.

 

[WIL TERRY]

I AM IMPRESSED !!! Did Fred Huntington come calling for his royaties ??

 

[Lee Martin]

I never said he designed it....he just made the thing for fun

 

[GasGuzzler]

Very neat. Thanks for sharing.

 

[john guedry]

Very nice machine work.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

A buddy can do some machine work, and what he does is nice. His brother in law has a full machine shop in his garage and before health problems put an end to his use of it, did some fantastic things out there (aerospace machinist in his "day job.")

I've told 'em over and over I'm not normally a jealous type, but I do envy those of you who "can make stuff!"

Nice work your Dad did there, Lee!

Rick C

 

[Lee Martin]

Thanks guys. I'm going to start using it for reloading at the range. It's not as big as it appears and is pretty light.

 

[montana outfitters]

that sure looks like a Harrell press.........I got one in the living roon right now and it's anodized black but that's a Harrell........

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I am impressed. He even radiused the "inside" corners to avoid stress concentrations.

You guys certainly do neat stuff.

 

[Lee Martin]

that sure looks like a Harrell press.........I got one in the living roon right now and it's anodized black but that's a Harrell........

It's similar, but not a Harrell. Linwood's came along in the 1980's and is a tad smaller:



BTW, the first portable press I've seen like this was machined by Ralph Stolle in the 1960's. My dad had access to it in the 70's and patterned his after it.

 

[caryc]

Well Lee, I guess with all the other high tech stuff you and your Dad do, you guys just couldn't figure out how to make a plastic ball. :mrgreen: