RCBS cracked at top??

[nettlle]

If the heat on a the aluminum too high the metal will just disappear. It will blow out. "Oh, by the way, the car you are buying has cast iron block that has been welded or an aluminum block that has been welded but rest assured it is as good as new." Said no one ever.

 

[jmorris]

If the heat on a the aluminum too high the metal will just disappear. It will blow out.

I do not have that problem with my TIG machines.



But yes, aluminum and cast iron are not "beginner" projects to me.

 

[nettlle]

By all means weld away on your RCBS press. All will be well. After all a couple of pop cans welded together proves anything can welded and it will turn out just as good as new. If not better.

 

[cfullgraf]

Aluminum is even more difficult to repair than cast iron.

Not all aluminum alloys are weldable. I make welded aluminum structures alot. Most I use is 6061 alloy and it welds easily with the proper tig machine.

For the OP, depending on the location of the crack, I drill a small hole at the end of the crack to reduce the stress concentration of the crack. If the crack continues to grow, have the crack tig brazed.

If the crack is near the die threads, have a 7/8”-14 tap on hand to chase the threads after brazing.

Of course, buying the tap may make the decision to get another press. Taps that large are pricey.

 

[jmorris]

By all means weld away on your RCBS press. All will be well. After all a couple of pop cans welded together proves anything can welded and it will turn out just as good as new. If not better.

Incase you just read the OP and started posting (like I do sometimes), I'll quote myself from before you joined the conversation.

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.

 

[243winxb]

To much heat in welding, may require a large tap to chase the threads?
As already said. -If the crack is near the die threads, have a 7/8”-14 tap on hand to chase the threads after brazing.

 

[bigpower491]

By all means weld away on your RCBS press. All will be well. After all a couple of pop cans welded together proves anything can welded and it will turn out just as good as new. If not better.

Good friend of mine worked down at the Cape for NASA. His job...weld the titanium heat shields for the shuttle. He would "warm up" for the task by welding a couple Juicy Fruit gum wrappers together. Of course with a high frequency machine. Not to drift off topic, but in alot of cases, the answer is yes
In this case, probably not, but it could get the OP by until he can afford a replacement

 

[LiveLife]

Good friend of mine worked down at the Cape for NASA. His job...weld the titanium heat shields for the shuttle. He would "warm up" for the task by welding a couple Juicy Fruit gum wrappers together. Of course with a high frequency machine. Not to drift off topic, but in alot of cases, the answer is yes

My welding instructor was an active contractor for NASA who welded parts in vacuum containment with micro laser welders. (One day he said he got a new welding "toy" for an upcoming contract work ... mere $35,000 and I thought Miller machines were expensive).

When we got our graduation certificates, he goes, "Don't get cocky with your welding certification" and cut an aluminum soda can in half then welded them back together. When our jaws dropped, he reached for two stainless razor blades and welded them together.

Of course we went, "We are not worthy ... We are not worthy"

He told us to never stop learning/practicing and strive towards his level of competency. (I should use that to justify a new multifunction TIG/plasma cutter machine to wife ... "But my instructor said to never stop learning ... And I am a lifelong student ... Like shooting and reloading and cooking" ... After making me bake all bread/rolls/cake/cookies now for retirement, she now wants me to make crossiants ... Yes, 163 layers! Oh my. )

During class, when I was filling a dime sized hole for neighbor's engine head surfacing machine cover, I layered Mig welding wire on top of each other to fill the hole. Instructor was impressed as he never seen that done and said, "Neat, waste of welding wire but neat" and smiled.

As to repair of "cracked" RCBS press, we haven't heard back from OP @74man as to whether the press is made of cast iron or aluminum. As many members posted, repair of either materials will heavily depend on the skill level and equipment at hand.

But I still think a call to customer service is the first logical step before any repair "attempt" is made as you never know, RCBS may offer new replacement for "cracked" press, at the worst possibly with discount.

 

[74man]

I don't know for sure if it is Aluminum or Steel, my bet is steel. It belongs to a friend and someone gave it to him so he wouldn't be out nothing if RCBS refuses to fix it. Next time I see him I will tell him to call RCBS and ask what he should do? He won't be out anything, if they refuse to fix it and take it to a reputable welder and have it welded, if steel or even if it is Aluminum. I will let him know.!!

 

[Bcwitt]

Cast iron picks up silicone from the mold, as they are usually made of sand. Care must be taken to not raise or lower the material temp too fast, as a layer of glass ( the cause of casting cracks) can form @ border of heat affected zone. Silicone content is what makes cast iron difficult to successfully weld. Use a filler w a high Nickle content(99%, ideally) stick welding works best. Use DCRP.

 

[LiveLife]

I don't know for sure if it is Aluminum or Steel

You can put a magnet to the press to be sure.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Put the welder away and call them.

 

[ih772]

Cast iron picks up silicone from the mold, as they are usually made of sand. Care must be taken to not raise or lower the material temp too fast, as a layer of glass ( the cause of casting cracks) can form @ border of heat affected zone. Silicone content is what makes cast iron difficult to successfully weld. Use a filler w a high Nickle content(99%, ideally) stick welding works best. Use DCRP.

Silicone? I highly doubt it.

Silicone - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[drband]

Silicone? I highly doubt it.

Silicone - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Silicon?

 

[Bcwitt]

Silicone? I highly doubt it.

Silicone - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Yep.

 

[Bcwitt]

Silicon?

Yes. Silicon is an element. It forms glass @ high temps. Sealants made from silicon are compounds

 

[Jim Watson]

Silicon is the element, silicones are chain compounds like organics but with silicon in the chain. Sand is silica, silicon dioxide.

 

[LiveLife]

Silicon is the element, silicones are chain compounds like organics but with silicon in the chain. Sand is silica, silicon dioxide.

How many people didn't know this?

I tell you, learn something new everyday on THR.

 

[jmorris]

It makes up a portion of the filler rod I mentioned in #11. The Si part.

 

[Laphroaig]

Sand is silica, silicon dioxide.

True if quartz sand, which generally is the case.

 

[Jim Watson]

Plus who knows what in the sand used for casting molds, that stuff sure isn't off the beach or out of junior's sandbox.

In the OP's bud's case I would be peering hard to see if there is really a crack or a scratch or a mold mark.

 

[jmorris]

Your reloading press, reloading die, manual case trimmer or bullet mould is warranted to be free from defects in material or workmanship for as long as the original owner owns it. This warranty is extended only to the original consumer purchaser.

Your Product Warranty | RCBS

Read more about the warranty from RCBS

www.rcbs.com

I didn't add the emphases either but I would still give them a call because their CS has always been Dillon like for me, even if I was not the first owner.

For phone inquiries please call (800) 533-5000, a representative will be available to answer your calls between 7 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PST Monday through Thursday.

If you don't like phones you can use the super highway...

Sites-HuntShootAccessories-Site

Hunt Shoot Accessories

www.rcbs.com

 

[jmorris]

In the OP's bud's case I would be peering hard to see if there is really a crack or a scratch or a mold mark.

Magnaflux or die penetrant will find fractures than can't be seen by eye. Putting a load on it probably would open up a significant crack in a press. If it doesn't move, you could probably just keep using it.

 

[Jim Watson]

There are a lot of things that COULD be done, but I think they begin after the warranty clerk brushes you off.

 

[Laphroaig]

I didn't add the emphases either but I would still give them a call because their CS has always been Dillon like for me, even if I was not the first owner.

Same here. I wonder if they might have tightened their policy since the Vista spin off in 2015? I once had a problem with a die set that I bought in a yard sale. I called them, specifically said they were used dies, and they still sent me the parts to make them whole again. Old habits are hard to break. Give them a call.