Model19man
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Press lubrication
- Thread starter Dvus
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- Apr 21, 2021
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I use cheap spray brake cleaner as both presses are in the garage, wipe down then 3 in 1 oil. Friends with Dillons use spray grease.
NFrameFred
Member
I'm gonna buck the trend - I find light machine oils for most applications on reloading presses less than satisfactory. The press and everything in the process stays grimier in the long run.
But I also am a strong proponent of regularly breaking down the press, thoroughly cleaning/de-greasing, and lubricating when reassembling with quality heavy oil or sometimes good grease where appropriate, and powdered graphite in areas not suitable for oils . Have run two D550's and a Rock Chucker single press for a whole lotta years and find many who load great numbers of rounds don't clean their presses (and sometimes work areas) nearly as much as I think prudent for my taste.
A complete breakdown (especially for the Dillons) is not convenient and admittedly time consuming if done right. Using brake cleaner and such is quicker and not as labor intensive, but the major bearing surfaces with extremely close tolerances do not get as clean by spray cleaning as actually breaking down to the parts, and abrasive brass and burnt component particles and lead particles that migrate into these bearing areas are not flushed out efficiently simply because the tolerances are so tight.
But I also acknowledge it's comparable to someone who shoots a few boxes of rounds a year in their deer rifles as opposed to an action shooter who is active during the competition season. As designed, quality dies and presses by Dillon, RCBS, Hornady and others are in not much danger of getting worn out by most even over a lifetime. My opinion is more are ruined by poor storage, maintenance and upkeep than use. I'm getting long in the tooth and competition shooting is, for better or not, in the rearview mirror. But my presses are still in good shape, though not from lack of effort in attempting to wear them out.
But I also am a strong proponent of regularly breaking down the press, thoroughly cleaning/de-greasing, and lubricating when reassembling with quality heavy oil or sometimes good grease where appropriate, and powdered graphite in areas not suitable for oils . Have run two D550's and a Rock Chucker single press for a whole lotta years and find many who load great numbers of rounds don't clean their presses (and sometimes work areas) nearly as much as I think prudent for my taste.
A complete breakdown (especially for the Dillons) is not convenient and admittedly time consuming if done right. Using brake cleaner and such is quicker and not as labor intensive, but the major bearing surfaces with extremely close tolerances do not get as clean by spray cleaning as actually breaking down to the parts, and abrasive brass and burnt component particles and lead particles that migrate into these bearing areas are not flushed out efficiently simply because the tolerances are so tight.
But I also acknowledge it's comparable to someone who shoots a few boxes of rounds a year in their deer rifles as opposed to an action shooter who is active during the competition season. As designed, quality dies and presses by Dillon, RCBS, Hornady and others are in not much danger of getting worn out by most even over a lifetime. My opinion is more are ruined by poor storage, maintenance and upkeep than use. I'm getting long in the tooth and competition shooting is, for better or not, in the rearview mirror. But my presses are still in good shape, though not from lack of effort in attempting to wear them out.
I use white lithium grease....
...when it starts getting creaky, I wipe it off and put white lithium grease on all joints and sliding parts.
...when it starts getting creaky, I wipe it off and put white lithium grease on all joints and sliding parts.
Well I worked on reloading machines..P-Ws Mecs and many other older progressives. I used a P-W product called STOS which a 4 letter product which is Slicker Than Owl Stuff. It's a jelly grease and does vry well for lube. It does a great job on those collet resizers on Mec machines and on press rams. But as with any product that is wet it will collect dirt...so I apply it sparingly and wipe the areas where the dirt accumulates after an hour of working the press. Orherwise I use a light oil such as 3 in 1 oil or mommas Singer sewing machine oil...After oiling work the press for a bit and wipe off the excess just like you do greases. I have a Rock Chuck Bullet Swage press still in use since 1946 and 3 RCBS A2 pressses from late 50's early 60s that work like new. No matter what you use wipe off excss after a little use. You'll see shere it accumulates
Marksman
Member
I use Ponsness Warren STOS lube on my presses.
ggibson511960
Member
There is no critical lubrication service on a typical reloading press. Almost anything will work whether petroleum base oil or wax based. All the surfaces run with modest stress at very low speed and ambient temperature. Lubing your lawn mower engine is more critical. Corrosion protection and cleanliness matter more to me, and in that regard, light (low viscosity) machine oil or anything similar with hydrocarbon will coat and protect surfaces. Now that we've beat that topic to death, what works on a powder measure cylinder bore? My RCBS runs a blued piston in a white metal cylinder, impossible to keep from rusting. Any lube runs the risk of gumming up the powder flow. Dry mica or graphite as used for lock cylinders??
