Resurrected Press

Crestliner · May 17, 2008, 08:55 AM

I had an old Herter's M-81 2-station C press which I purchased new back in 1969. I disassembled it, cleaned up a few small rust spots, re-lubed the pistons and bought some shell holders. My son, who is a machinist, had to make shell holder adapters (stainless steel) to use the newer holders available today. She cleaned up just nice and now, with a set of .357 Mag. dies, she'll be good to go shortly. Tell ya what folks, this is one hefty hunk of steel! And she looks not too awful bad either. Thought you might want to take a look at some history:

Here's a close-up of the shell holder adapters my son had to make for it:

Side views:

Now all I've got to do is buy some components! $$$$ It's only money

zxcvbob · May 17, 2008, 10:14 AM

Looks like it will take a "universal" priming arm, like from a Rockchucker. But I don't know if it'll work with that adapter.

I bought a C&H "C" press a few months ago (1-station.) I thought it was gonna be cast iron, but it's aluminum. Very sturdy anyway, and will make a nice backup press, or dedicated to resizing rifle brass or something. And mine takes standard shellholders without an adapter, so I can't complain.

You will love being able to set up 2 dies at once and leaving them that way. Especially for 2-die rifle sets.

Bob

Yoosta B. Blue · May 17, 2008, 10:38 AM

I've never seen one of those, Crestliner. You have it all pimped out now and ready to get it on! Thanks for sharing!

Yoosta B. Blue

thallub · May 17, 2008, 11:22 AM

That is a nice press.

Crestliner · May 17, 2008, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the kind words folks. Don't think I'll go the primer-arm-on-the-press route. I took off the original back in the '60's because it was difficult to line up the primer squarely with the pockets of the brass cases. Back then I used an "Ideal" (Lyman 310) nut cracker, hand type primer tool. I still have that and will probably use that again as well. Can't wait to get started!

arizona98tj · May 18, 2008, 11:03 PM

I remember thumbing through the Herter's catalog as a kid in high school....oh yeah, that brings back memories.

Thanks for sharing!

DMMikey · May 27, 2008, 11:05 AM

By coincidence, I was just at the CH4D website. They make shell adapters for your press.
http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/?p=63
is the web address for the parts.

Rembrandt · May 27, 2008, 06:47 PM

I found this Herters turret press at a garage sale for $5.....they don't make 'em like that anymore.

Crestliner · May 28, 2008, 09:20 AM

WOW! What a deal! Wish I'd find another of these bears. Guess I'm going to have to go "tag sailing" again

. Thanks for sharing.

mikenbarb · July 4, 2008, 08:24 PM

Crestliner, I just picked up the same one that you have for 25 bucks.Its a Herters Super 81 with the 2 die system. It looks like a beasts and I cant wait till I get it and give her a try. Im all excited that I actually found one in good shape.

Im gonna PM you for a little info if you dont mind.

May 17, 2008, 08:55 AM	#1
Crestliner Member Join Date: March 6, 2008 Location: Western MA Posts: 79	Resurrected Press I had an old Herter's M-81 2-station C press which I purchased new back in 1969. I disassembled it, cleaned up a few small rust spots, re-lubed the pistons and bought some shell holders. My son, who is a machinist, had to make shell holder adapters (stainless steel) to use the newer holders available today. She cleaned up just nice and now, with a set of .357 Mag. dies, she'll be good to go shortly. Tell ya what folks, this is one hefty hunk of steel! And she looks not too awful bad either. Thought you might want to take a look at some history: Here's a close-up of the shell holder adapters my son had to make for it: Side views: Now all I've got to do is buy some components! $$$$ It's only money __________________ "A voyage in search of knowledge need never abandon the spirit of adventure"

May 17, 2008, 10:14 AM	#2
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Looks like it will take a "universal" priming arm, like from a Rockchucker. But I don't know if it'll work with that adapter. I bought a C&H "C" press a few months ago (1-station.) I thought it was gonna be cast iron, but it's aluminum. Very sturdy anyway, and will make a nice backup press, or dedicated to resizing rifle brass or something. And mine takes standard shellholders without an adapter, so I can't complain. You will love being able to set up 2 dies at once and leaving them that way. Especially for 2-die rifle sets. Bob __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth Last edited by zxcvbob; May 17, 2008 at 01:46 PM. Reason: spelling

May 17, 2008, 02:39 PM	#5
Crestliner Member Join Date: March 6, 2008 Location: Western MA Posts: 79	Thanks for the kind words folks. Don't think I'll go the primer-arm-on-the-press route. I took off the original back in the '60's because it was difficult to line up the primer squarely with the pockets of the brass cases. Back then I used an "Ideal" (Lyman 310) nut cracker, hand type primer tool. I still have that and will probably use that again as well. Can't wait to get started! __________________ "A voyage in search of knowledge need never abandon the spirit of adventure"

May 18, 2008, 11:03 PM	#6
arizona98tj Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 980	I remember thumbing through the Herter's catalog as a kid in high school....oh yeah, that brings back memories. Thanks for sharing! __________________ stu-offroad.com Largest Jeep TJ project site on the web! (now with guns)

May 27, 2008, 11:05 AM	#7
DMMikey Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2008 Location: upstate NY Posts: 291	shell adapters By coincidence, I was just at the CH4D website. They make shell adapters for your press. http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/?p=63 is the web address for the parts. __________________ "We have normality. I repeat, we have normality. Anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own problem." Douglas Adams

May 17, 2008, 10:38 AM	#3
Yoosta B. Blue Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Just a tad NE of the Alamo... Posts: 252	I've never seen one of those, Crestliner. You have it all pimped out now and ready to get it on! Thanks for sharing! Yoosta B. Blue

May 17, 2008, 11:22 AM	#4
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,112	That is a nice press.

May 27, 2008, 06:47 PM	#8
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	I found this Herters turret press at a garage sale for $5.....they don't make 'em like that anymore.

May 28, 2008, 09:20 AM	#9
Crestliner Member Join Date: March 6, 2008 Location: Western MA Posts: 79	WOW! What a deal! Wish I'd find another of these bears. Guess I'm going to have to go "tag sailing" again . Thanks for sharing. __________________ "A voyage in search of knowledge need never abandon the spirit of adventure"

July 4, 2008, 08:24 PM	#10
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	Crestliner, I just picked up the same one that you have for 25 bucks.Its a Herters Super 81 with the 2 die system. It looks like a beasts and I cant wait till I get it and give her a try. Im all excited that I actually found one in good shape. Im gonna PM you for a little info if you dont mind. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle