Ross reloading press

[Hollowbuilt]

http://i387.photobucket.com/albums/oo318/hollowbuilt/IMGP1108.jpg

This is a small press for reloading PPC cases. It was made by Don Ross back in the early nineties.

Don made some great stuff. Reloading boxes, powder measures, arbor presses.

Chris

[Bob Ford]

Simple yet nice looking press. Is he still around?

Bob

[Hollowbuilt]

Bob, I don't know. I will put up another picture of his arbor press.
Regards,
Chris

[Hollowbuilt]

Bob, also, the C press has an adjustment to take up any wear on the lower ram/housing. Takes standard shell holders. Really a conversation-starter.
Chris

[ulav8r]

Since this is a forum for people who are mostly machinists and interested in gunsmithing, thiw could be an interesting thread if the pictures were clear enough that we could get some idea of the actual construction and working of the press rather than just be able to see that it has a die installed and some type of handle.

[Hollowbuilt]

Since this is a forum for people who are mostly machinists and interested in gunsmithing, thiw could be an interesting thread if the pictures were clear enough that we could get some idea of the actual construction and working of the press rather than just be able to see that it has a die installed and some type of handle.

I'll get some more pictures up, before the morning cup of coffee gives me the jitters. I'll run a case through, and take some pictures as I do it.

I'll also take some shots around it, so you can get an idea of the constrution.
Regards,
Chris

[flutedchamber]

That is a very nice piece of workmanship. Is the base of the press where the ram goes through in two pieces? It looks like there is a parting line in the photo. Also, does the ram ride directly on the aluminum, or in a bushing?

[Hollowbuilt]

That is a very nice piece of workmanship. Is the base of the press where the ram goes through in two pieces? It looks like there is a parting line in the photo. Also, does the ram ride directly on the aluminum, or in a bushing?

The c is one unit. The parting line is a means to adjust the tension, as the ram rides against the aluminum. There are 3 screws to take up any slop should the aluminum wear. It does ride directly in the aluminum.
http://i387.photobucket.com/albums/oo318/hollowbuilt/IMGP1115.jpg

The mount is attached to the body with two screws:
http://i387.photobucket.com/albums/oo318/hollowbuilt/IMGP1119.jpg

There is a port that drops the spent primer:
http://i387.photobucket.com/albums/oo318/hollowbuilt/IMGP1123.jpg

The top is threaded for 7/8-14 dies. The die in the picture is a Hammonds shoulder bump die.
Chris

[JCHannum]

That is a nice, compact press. it would not bedifficult to make in the home shop.

It is kind of surprising that there are not more examples of shop fabricated reloading presses, they are not that complex, but don't seem to turn up on other forums.

As food for thought, here are a couple of threads of other presses;

This is a nice one Quetico Bob built from scratch;

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=35038

This is a manufactured one I purchased that could be easily duplicated from barstock;

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=33922&highlight=reloading+press

[rws]

Very interesting thread, and I hope more is contributed. I have used the small presses made by Harrells, and they work fine. There is always those that say the 'C' type press has flex in them, and I've seen where there have been studies with mounted indicators showing this. The 'O' type greatly reduces that flex, but still show some. Evidently the Bonanza press has the least amount of flex due to the "pull" point is at the die level, not from the bottom. Redding has a similar design in one of theirs.

In reality though, a PPC or BR size case probably does not have enough size to create the flex. I carry a big Bonanza to matches where I reload, but that has to end, it's WAY too heavy. I'm gonna get a small press.