I have a friend who had an RCBS single stage press given to him and he was very excitied to have it but he was looking it over and under where the die screws in has a little crack. I told him to send it to RCBS and they would either fix it or replace it. It must have been dropped to get cracked in that area. The price was right and my experience with RCBS is their presses are lifetime guaranteed but it might cost him to send it . We live in Nor Cal and it shouldn't cost him that much. Would you think it would be worth it??
RCBS cracked at top??
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troy fairweather
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Call them
higgite
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I suggest your friend goes to this link and reads RCBS’s warranty for reloading presses so he won’t be disappointed if they don’t cover his press.
I’m not saying they won’t take care of him, they are good at replacing worn out parts and such, but his press actually falls outside their “defects in materials and workmanship” and “original owner” clauses in the warranty.
I’m not saying they won’t take care of him, they are good at replacing worn out parts and such, but his press actually falls outside their “defects in materials and workmanship” and “original owner” clauses in the warranty.
tightgroup tiger
Member
Can you take a picture of the crack and post it here? It may not even mean anything. It may have been there since it was cast. Granted, no one can tell if it's been there since it was cast from a picture, but I would still like to see a picture of it.
Those presses are built heavy enough that a small stress crack in the casting probably won't hurt anything as long as it doesn't grow. And I bet it won't.
Just don't swedge any bullets on it. That's what puts the stress on it and that's why they were built so heavy. Resizing brass doesn't put that much stress on them.
I doubt RCBS will do anything about it and I also doubt it will hurt anything but I want to reserve that statement until I see the crack. You may be better off just using it and if it does grow or break then call RCBS.
I'd still like to see a picture of the crack if you can take one.
Those presses are built heavy enough that a small stress crack in the casting probably won't hurt anything as long as it doesn't grow. And I bet it won't.
Just don't swedge any bullets on it. That's what puts the stress on it and that's why they were built so heavy. Resizing brass doesn't put that much stress on them.
I doubt RCBS will do anything about it and I also doubt it will hurt anything but I want to reserve that statement until I see the crack. You may be better off just using it and if it does grow or break then call RCBS.
I'd still like to see a picture of the crack if you can take one.
Twisted Chemist
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Newby question....
So wire welding is out of the question?
I've had a Rock Chucker since the middle 80's. It must have really taken a hard shot to crack.
For some reason I thought it was mounting hole that got bolted down unevenly which is common on castings. Zero flex
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
They way their presses are built, it must have been taken to the Empire State Building and dropped from the observation tower. I would contact them and call it a day. Why try a fix unless RCBS doesn't cover it.
jmorris
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No, but you would need a nickel based wire or one made just for cast iron. There are also different types cast iron but lots of carbon and in general heat sensitive as well as being brittle has me favor TIG welding with Silicon Bronze filler.
It can be a tricky material and cracks can go a long way or continue to grow very easily. Personally I would replace it unless it was something that was irreplaceable.
Twisted Chemist
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Thanks for the info!
243winxb
Member
Partner Press? I can see one crackjng, if abused.
Have it soldered. RCBS owes the new owner, of the free press, NOTHING.
Soonerpesek
Member
Put some earplugs in and ****……Question was answered in post #2
My friends car makes a funny noise, what should I do?
IWAC
Member
Find another friend with a better car!Question was answered in post #2
My friends car makes a funny noise, what should I do?
higgite
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Well, it depends. Is it funny haha or funny hmmm?Question was answered in post #2
My friends car makes a funny noise, what should I do?
nettlle
Contributing Member
It can be brazed.
bigpower491
Member
Exactly the proper fix. Silver solder and brazing, you'll be doing it again sooner than later. Or not.
Cast is not easy to even TIG, but a good welder should be able get er done. You will most likely need to get your hands on a 7/8-14 tap to chase the hole, as it may shift or slightly shrink, depending on how much you need to weld.
nettlle
Contributing Member
We did a lot of cast iron crack fixing when I worked in the machine trades. There is not perfect way to fix cracks in cast iron. Welding with NiRod or Tig crystalizes the metal and makes it brittle. Brazing heat is not as high and that fix seems to last longer. If I had something made of cast iron that was cracked I would replace it rather than fix it.
LiveLife
Member
This.
I had RCBS Reloader Special 5 that I PIF to an elderly hunter/reloader and it was made of aluminum, not cast iron. But it was built stout and heavy (Like my C-H 205 single stage and Dillon 550 which were also made of aluminum) and can't imagine cracking it even when dropped.
Looks like Partner press is also aluminum - https://www.rcbs.com/presses/single-stage/
Same here.
I would not mind keeping high load/stress equipment made out of aluminum repaired with TIG welding but would hesitate about repaired cast iron, especially reloading press. Instead of repair, I would get it replaced.
nettlle
Contributing Member
Aluminum is even more difficult to repair than cast iron.
bigpower491
Member
I disagree, but I do have access to a hi frequency welder. It's Miller time.............
nettlle
Contributing Member
If the crack is shallow enough for the high frequency to penetrate. Repaired cast metals for me? No thank you.
jmorris
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I don't think so but I guess it depends on what you have exactly, equipment and material wise.
