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Old May 27, 2010, 04:24 PM   #1
zippy13
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Cylinder Loading Press that's different

Wishing to try conical bullets in my replica Remington without cutting away some of the frame, a separate cylinder loading press seemed like a simple solution. The available basic loaders are of the lever and ram variety. They don't have a toggle link and guide (to provide parallel action) as is found in the revolver's loading assembly.

HisSoldier made a very nice toggle link loader (similar to the Triple-P unit); but, he has the advantage of a computer controlled machine shop. Having only a saw and a drill, I set out to design something I could build with my limited capabilities. From red oak, with a 6-to-1 ratio and a 2-inch stroke, I finished them last night:

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Old May 27, 2010, 04:29 PM   #2
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Really nice photos, looks pro all the way around !
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Old May 27, 2010, 06:00 PM   #3
Dino.
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Wow! Those look REALLY nice!
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Old May 27, 2010, 06:23 PM   #4
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Very nice, did you find the leverage sufficient?

Looks like a simple wood block that slips on the axis pin would convert it into a nut cracker, dual use.
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Old May 27, 2010, 08:12 PM   #5
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HisSoldier,

Don't know about the leverage, yet -- I'll find out tomorrow at the range. I can always make a longer handle.
Edit (later): It worked fine -- the leverage seems spot on.

You're right about the nutcracker. It could also be converted to a wad cutting punch, too. Just after I finished putting the concavity into the ram face, I realized that it could have made to accept a standard Lyman lubricator/sizer top punch.

Last edited by zippy13; May 28, 2010 at 08:58 PM. Reason: report field results
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Old May 28, 2010, 06:44 AM   #6
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WOW! Nice work, I could never do that, they would have blood stains everywhere.
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Old May 28, 2010, 07:21 AM   #7
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Zippy

Very very nice.

Perhaps you know that I am on a self imposed quest for a small loading press and have been as yet only moderately successful.

Your press is a thing of beauty as well as utility.

Tnx,
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Old May 28, 2010, 11:06 AM   #8
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Doc,
Yes, I'm very familiar with your efforts. I pondered a screw press; but, I agree with you, it's too slow and provides more mechanical advantage than needed. Your latest lever press seems to be an elegant solution based on your design requirements. Since I go to the range with a veritable baggage train, a compact size wasn't one of my requirements. That doesn't mean I wasn't thinking about your efforts: Had I dovetailed the column to the base, instead if screwing from below, then my unit could be knocked down. But, since I'm not a proficient dovetailer, I passed on that idea.
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Old May 28, 2010, 11:28 AM   #9
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Nonetheless....

....the presses you made are exquisite.
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Old May 28, 2010, 12:11 PM   #10
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How much do you want for one?
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Old May 28, 2010, 04:51 PM   #11
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It never ceases to amaze me how imaginative, creative, and talented a good number of folks are on this forum. Great job zippy!
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Old May 29, 2010, 03:01 AM   #12
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Those are just lovely and I agree that you could easily sell them they're so nice. Well done!

Oly
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Old May 29, 2010, 03:12 AM   #13
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Stand Alone Beauty

Zee, presses, zay air zo byooteeful ...

zay mast stand alone in zee peektchers ...

zee pistole ... can send to meee ... no problemo ...

we must not have zee peektcher cluttered with such stuff ...

onlay zee presses ... for me ... the burden ... the revolvair ... OUI !

ovair zee night to MOI !
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Old May 29, 2010, 10:41 AM   #14
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Very nice indeed. I think I would tend to make the lever longer, but that is just a personal preference thing.
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Old May 29, 2010, 02:55 PM   #15
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Zippy work of art's for sure, I don't suppose you have a set of plans you could share?
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Old May 29, 2010, 03:03 PM   #16
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zippy

Fit, form and function in one stylish package! So when are you taking orders?
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Old May 29, 2010, 04:33 PM   #17
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Forklift, olyinaz, TomADC and emishi
Sorry, I'm not into manufacturing; but, I'll be pleased to send anyone a measured drawing (for non-commercial purposes). There's not much to the actual construction; yet, there were many hours of hand work fitting, sanding and finishing. If there was enough interest I could make-up some kits with the oak roughly shaped and drilled, or just some sticky-back templates. I was flabbergasted when I saw a simple lever Pietta loader priced at $54. Similar ones in the Dixie catalog are $37.95 and $45.

Delmar,
The lever grip could be easily made longer. I settled on the length I used after discussing it with HisSoldier. His loader has a 8-inch lever which seems longer than needed.

CajunPowder,
Zee pistole, she is kaput!
The loader works great, and the Cabela's Pietta Remmy shoots MUCH tighter groups with the LEE 200 gr REAL conicals than with balls. The first time out I used 20gr FFFG equivalent of Pyrodex-P with Wonder-type wads. There was light recoil and it hit a pinch lower than point of aim. For the second wheel, I loaded 25 gr FFFG equivalent with the same wads. Recoil seemed a pinch heaver, and impact was right on POI. With the fourth shot, the loading lever swung down -- the additional recoil was enough to cause the loading lever to pop off the infamous Pietta barrel stud. Wish they had dovetailed it into the barrel like the originals and the Uberti. Now I have a good excuse to turn a bit of steel into a lever-less base pin latch.
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Old May 31, 2010, 07:36 AM   #18
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Real nice job on them cyl. loaders ... i have the Mr. Six Guns one with a .45 punch Tim sent me with it.

But if yours are gonna be porduced for sale ,,,I'd be interested in one one or two of them...
please pm me at let me know how they turn out. Got a Son that could use one, and I'd like one too.
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Old May 31, 2010, 11:10 AM   #19
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Zippy thanks for the plans, now I have something else to make!
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Old June 1, 2010, 09:46 AM   #20
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zippy13, wow - great work. Thanks for the thread!
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Old September 19, 2011, 08:41 PM   #21
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Zippy13, if you were serious, when you said; "Sorry, I'm not into manufacturing; but, I'll be pleased to send anyone a measured drawing", I would like to take you up on your offer.

Thanks.
Mule
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Old October 13, 2012, 09:38 AM   #22
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Cylinder Loading Press that's different

Zippy13, I did a search for a cylinder press and I got directed to yours. That press is awesome. I am just getting into Black Powder shooting and I would like to get hold of the measured drawing you used to make it.
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Old October 13, 2012, 12:38 PM   #23
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Very nice job.
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Old October 13, 2012, 01:44 PM   #24
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zippy13 I would also be interested in your measured drawings, your loaders are a thing of beauty and functional too.
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Old October 13, 2012, 04:00 PM   #25
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Completely agree

This has got to be the nicest looking press I have ever seen.
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