K & M Arbor Press

[Ranch Dog]

I always seem to get sucked into buying something from MidwayUSA with their annual birthday pricing. This year I filled the occasional itch that I have for an arbor press. I'm a fan of K&M tools and I will see how it works with the Lee Loader tools.

[mikld]

Does it look strong enough to F/L size a 44 Mag case in a Lee Loader? Been thinkin' of a small arbor press for a while (I have a 2 ton press handy but it's heavy and unwieldy)...

[Ranch Dog]

Yep, specifically made for sizing with the Wilson dies. Found enough forum topics were it was being used with the Lee Loader Kits; all the functions, including primer seating.

[Ranch Dog]

I'm really interested in trying it with the 303 British for neck sizing.

[daboone]

I'm really interested in trying it with the 303 British for neck sizing.

With L E Wilson die?

[Ranch Dog]

I'm really interested in trying it with the 303 British for neck sizing.

With L E Wilson die?

No, will use the Lee Loader die.

[daboone]

Let me plead ignorance once again. What is advantage of your new arbor press over my old ugly HF 1/2 ton arbor press? I've been using it to make gas checks.

[GasGuzzler]

I'd have to have an adult show me how it works and what it's for to have valid talking points.

[Ranch Dog]

Let me plead ignorance once again. What is advantage of your new arbor press over my old ugly HF 1/2 ton arbor press? I've been using it to make gas checks.

Probably none other than it is pretty



It does have a 7.5" stroke with round stock ram; the stand has height references though I wish they were in tenths vs. 1/4". The ram is also set up for the K&M force dial which I already have. $82 delivered is another reason. The HF offering would be $66 with an hour round trip each way. Bald Eagle, probably the most popular arbor press for reloading, $88 shipped and that press have absolutely no features.

I'm not into the precision shooting stuff, so the video below is not interesting to me, but it shows how the press can be used.

[BBvideo 560,340][/BBvideo]

I'm just curious as to if the Lee Loader die, which is a basic neck sizer, will cure some of the issues I've been having with loading the 303 British. I'm back from my trip to Long Island so that I will shoot the ammo I loaded with the standard Lee Pacesetter die set at the point where it doesn't influence the shoulder to see how that works. If that doesn't, then I will look at the Loader die. On SMLE specific forums, I'm told I need an RCBS or Redding neck die. Depending on the exact type you buy, there are choices within the choices, that can run from $35 to $100 plus the shipping. I'll see how it plays out with the Arbor and the Loader.

Also, I plan on using it with my Loader dies for the slug, buckshot, and BB loads. I have a 3" loader and have purchased a 2 3/4" Loader kit on eBay. This is where I probably will use the force indicator, in seating the star crimp.

My job, every morning, at my daughter's place, was to squeeze enough orange juice for the clan. So every morning I'm using this press. One thing leads to another in my simple mind. I'm actuating this thing, and the squirrel on the wheel in my head is going; 303, slug, 303, slug, 303, slug...

[daboone]

After watching the first video a comparison between the HF 1/2TON and yours would be a jack hammer and find wood chisel.

Thanks for the education.

Here's my juicer: