Help ID MEC 600 jr press parts (edited)

[jrfoxx]

So, I have 2 MEC 600 jr shot shell presses my dad bought in the early 80's, and I inherited last year. I have not used them for 15+ years and don't recall all the details of them, and a few items I have are not shown in the manual. I am planning to sell them later on, as I have no use for them, but I want to make sure I include everything needed for the to at least do basic reloading, and set them up once real quick to make sure everything is as it should be. They were almost completely assembled still when I got them, but I have some parts I cant identify, so don't know if they are extras/options, or are necessary items that need to be included, and so need to know what they are and/or their function.

I want to be 100% sure I accurately list and describe, as well as include, everything. so some help ID'ing, and making sure I have them both set up to a 100% functional minimum would be a great help. Below are pics of one of the press (they are identical except one is set up for 12ga and 1 for 20ga, and one says "MEC 600 jr", the other, just "MEC Versa-MEC", which from what I can gather, is the same as a 600 jr, just under a different model name for whatever reason). Also shown are the parts I am unsure of.
Thanks a TON in advance. I know some of the hard core gunnies here will know what everything is, and can tell me every obscure detail there is to know on these. Someone always does.....

Edit: OK, thanks to Virginian and Dave, only 1 part now I'm not real sure on. I seem to have everything in the right place now, and this part isnt anywhere on either press, or in the instructios or accesories pamplet.


MEC 600 jr (as per the sticker on the base plate)



unknown item top? view


same item again, bottom? view, looking into it as it "funnels" inward

 

[Virginian]

Go here.
http://www.mecreloaders.com/
They have owners manuals and anything else you need to help ID parts. Easier than me trying to read that HUGE picture and the screwed up text. If you still have a question please come back with a NEW post with SMALLER pictures.

 

[jrfoxx]

thanks. I'll check that link out. And I again apologize for the pics. No idea where my cd is.

As for bad typing, my laptop has some issue where it drops random letters (lots of them too), or gives a totally different one from what you typed, etc. paid $80 to have it looked at, and the techs were totally stumped.

Even with spell check and multiple proof readings, there is just SO many mistakes, that some still slip thru, as spell check misses alot that end up as actual words (just not the right ones), and the brain does the same.

Sorry. I'll Proof read yet agian and try to correct, and see if I can use paint or something on the pics.

Edit:OK, CD was under kids bed (***?), and I got most questions answered with Virginian's manual I somehow couldnt find google-ing.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The little aluminum cylinders are powder bushings, there's a range of them for different powders and velocities.

MECs come with just three. Any dealer will carry these separately for other loads.

Dunno about the bottom piece, it may be the base for station 2 where the new primer is inserted,

Station 1 is, using the pic at the top, the far back one on the right. Clockwise movement from there.

HTH....

 

[jrfoxx]

Thanks Dave. The cylinders thing makes sense. Hadn't thought of that. AS for the other, tapered item in the bottom pics, thats what I thought at first too,but I have what is basically a 1/2" thick, flat washer that fits and functions in stage 2, and based on color and shape (hard to tell in the pics in the manual, but it seems to be the case) that seems to be what goes in there. The tapered thing fits in also, but the diameter is a little smaller, and it tilts to the side on the spring a little more than would seem normal, so it seems like the fat "washer" that fits better is more likely, but I could be wrong.

At this point though, I don't know that its a big deal, as it looks like I have all the real necessities to start out, so I may just include a pic of any unknown "extra" stuff when I list the presses as there are identical "extras" in the same quantity for each. At least that way I know I gave everything I had with both, equally.

Thanks all. Much appreciated as always.

Unfortuately, my dad isnt around any more to ask, as I know he would have rememberd what it all was,or at least had it written down somewhere (he was a seriously anal, meticulous pack rat. He saved, and gave me, 2 pamphlets from MEC advertising all their current models at the time, and their accessories line too.vintage 80's gun advertising that no normal person would have kept for 20 years...)

FWIW, they apparently had an MSRP of $79.95 at the time.

 

[Dave McCracken]

JR, my old 600 JR has that "Washer".

Mine includes a later Autoprime. After the 20K plus rounds I've made with mine, all the parts needed have included the base for the bottles, a new sizing ring and a crimp starter.

Oh, yes, I picked up some charge bars in various weights and a goodly number of bushings..

I piad $80 for my setup. That included manual, components,scale and the auto-prime. Mine has a 5 digit serial number and MEC says only that it was made before 1980.

 

[jrfoxx]

I piad $80 for my setup. That included manual, components,scale and the auto-prime.

I'd have to think you got a pretty good deal there. They really sse like good presses. I recal it being fast and easy to use. I know dad and I used to load several hundred a week for 12 and 20 gauge for a few years there when we were going to the Saginaw Gun Club shooting keet and trap every weekend till my shouder was killing me, and just looked all beat to heck.

That, plus him having been in hier skeet league for like 5 years before that, Im sure a LOT of shells went through these, and I dont remember any trouble with them, and even after sitting in his basement unused 15+ years now, they still feel good and smooth. Heavy too. They seem to be built like a Soviet tractor.

Almost a shame to sell them, but I know they'll just go unused and collecting dust, as I know I just wont be shooting enough shotgun to make reloadng worthwhile. I still have 40+ boxes of skeet and trap loads we had done way back, plus plenty of hunting ammo, so I just hate to see them sitting around collecting dust and taking up space. Plus, I could use the money for magazines, ammo, and various accessories for my milsurp colllection. I'd rather see someone else get some good use out of them.

I figure they must be a pretty good/popular press, since MEC is still making them over 25 yrs now,with what looks like only some minor changes (as the 600 jr MK 5 now it appears).I also have 6 bottles (2 are pretty dark from use now though) and a "12ga #2" charge bar, which looks like one of the fixed ones that I'm guessing was the "stock" one that came with one of the presses originally. The pess currently rigged for 20ga looks really good, and the 12ga one just has some peeled paint on the base, and a little light surface rust on the base, handle, a little on a couple of the dies, that I'm sure some 0000 steel wool will clean up just fine.One of mine has a 210,000 serial, the other, the one thats identicle except for how the "stop" on the deriming die works, and is marked as "Versa-MEC" I cant read the number on. the sticker is dameged in that spot.

oh, almost forgot the big, main spring seems to have been greased. should I use grease or oil on that when I clean it up, or does it really not matter?

 

[Virginian]

I have a 700 Versa-Mec that is still cranking them out after 35 years. But man, I bet I have run thru more wad guides.....

 

[Dave McCracken]

Come to think about it, I have put in a new wad guide. And also, it's more like 30K.

MEC loaders border on immortality.

I also have a MEC 8753 model Grabber with some new parts. I prefer the 600 JR. When a progressive messes up, there's a lot of shells to tear down. Getting a stray pellet in the collet sizer is a major pain.

Someone wants this Grabber, it's up for sale. Getting the stray pellet out of the collet sizer is up to the buyer....

 

[870]

That bottom piece looks like a crimp starter.

 

[Virginian]

Yep, I agree, roll crimp starter. Haven't seen one of those in a looooong time. Will also often work on previously crimped plastic shells. The six and eight fold crimp starters have a 6 or 8 point star in them.