lyman all-american turret press

[akaral]

hello everybody,
First time posting but have been browsing your forums for awhile, always been a great place for info and experience(s). I've got this old lyman press, works great - but I'd like to do a general overhaul : take apart, clean, repaint, and re-lube everything. . . I spoke to lyman and they sent me an instruction manual, (which I have) but they don't have a parts list or take-down manual. Most of it came apart easy but I cant seem to get the large knob atop the turret off. I'm not sure if its reverse thread or not but I don't want to break it, so I put it all back together and am letting KROIL soak into it for a few days. Does anyone have some info or insight to my dilemma? Thanks in advance! BTW, the receipt in the box was from 1973, so I don't know when the last time that turret knob was removed. . .

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[/IMG][/IMG]IMG]http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l513/akaral/photo5.jpg[/IMG]

 

[akaral]

oops! wrong pic. . .

 

[akaral]

 

[loadedround]

I had a Lyman AA press sometime ago and it gave excellent service until such time I switched to a progressive press (Dillon 550). I actually sold it for more than I originally paid for it. To answer your question, I believe the round ball was press fitted to the handle. It won't screw off.

 

[Blackrock]

Did you remove the allen set screw in the large nut on top? Should come right off after that is loosened or completley removed.

 

[akaral]

Hello Blackrock - I did remove the set screw before I tried to spin the knob off, I could even see the threads on the support through the hole in the knob. I tried by hand and managed a 1/4 turn or so. . . and then no more. I sprayed a little KROIL and let it sit till I got back from work, then decided to give a pipe wrench a try. As you can it was a relative boneheaded move as evidenced by the tool marks on the knob. I am letting it soak some more and see what happens . . . I'll keep you updated.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I will be able to answer your question tonite after work when I have a chance to look at mine.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I took a look at my AA and unscrewed the the topknot. The only thing holding it to the main shaft is the hex screw you apparently already removed.



When it moved only 1/4 turn, that movement you felt might be the main-shaft rotating. It is press-fitted onto the base and is designed to only move that far to aide in die alignment. This means that your topknot is rusted to the main shaft.

I don't know anything about Kroil, so I can't comment on its ability to penetrate rust. What I use to get rusted parts to separate is PB Blaster. I spray that on and let it set for a couple days.

What I suggest you do is after using a penetrant oil like PB Blaster, get a couple pieces of leather and wrap them around both the topknot and the main shaft. Then grip the leather-wrapped topknot and main-shaft with expanding pliers and try separating them. Heating up the topknot might also work.

 

[akaral]

Hey Kevin - thanks for the tip! Incidentally, the top nut was seized so badly that I snapped the pin that located the post in the base . I ended up removing the main post, turret, and seized top nut as a complete unit. I set the assembly turret side down on my bench and decided to walk away before I destroyed anything else . . .
This is where things get better . The next day I went back to the bench, and decided I would just put it all back together and live with. I replaced the post by turning the seized top-nut and lined up the post with the locating pin. For whatever reason, I thought I'd give it on more try - I don't know if by sitting overnite, upside down, but the Kroil must have run down into the top-nut and soaked in good. When I tried to remove it, well, it spun off without too much drama. . . So now I've disassembled the whole press and I'm cleaning and repainting, and re-lubing the whole thing! Thanks again for your posts, and pictures - I am hoping mine turns out as well as yours did! I will post some before/after pics - Alex

 

[loadedround]

Akaral: Pleas disregard my original post. I reread your question and thought you were referring to the knob on the handle. My bad!

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Akaral,

We're pretty much neighbors. I live at the south end of I271.

When you prep the press, the paint will last a lot longer if you prime it first w/ aluminum primer. Let me know if you need any help or suggestions.

Mine came out pretty nice

 

[akaral]

 

[akaral]

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[akaral]

 

[akaral]

 

[akaral]

 

[akaral]

sorry about the wacky picture posting - my 14 yr old daughter wasn't around to help me out , but I think I figured it out. . . Anyway, the Lyman is back together AND running! The press was running fine as it was, but now it is definitely smoother with all the innards cleaned out and freshly lubed. Of course, the fresh coat of paint will obviously PRODUCE better ammo! Thanks for all the input to all those here at THR! Always seem to find good info and help here - sounds like an Oscar acceptance speech don't it?