Forster Co-ax - first time use questions

[amheck]

I've not been reloading for very long and only have experience with the Lee Classic Turret. I picked up the Co-ax on close out a while back and am finally getting around to setting it up.

I was going to use the press now as a decapping station, so I ordered a Lee Universal Decapping die. For these dies, you raise the ram all of the way up and install the die so that the shell holder is touching the bottom of the die.

I've installed the universal shell holder adapter into the Co-ax and the issue I'm seeing is that when I raise the ram all of the way up, it goes higher than the die at its highest position. I think I'm missing something obvious but I'm not exactly sure what at this time.

Any ideas?

 

[daboone]

I just change out The shellplate to the universal shellholder on my Bonanza CO-AX. I did have to back out the Lee decapping die till threads were flush at the base of the Forster lockring. But for me with the ram fully raised, the handle did hit the stops. It work using both an RCBS and Lee shellholders.

I wonder why you would want to use the universal shell holder on the CO-AX when either of the Forster shellplates will accommodate 98% of the cases that most of us reload for? The CO-AX shellplates work well with both the RCBS and Lee decappers. Also when using the Forster universal shellholder adapter it requires the set screw to be set to keep the shellholder from sliding out when removing a case.

 

[amheck]

TO be honest, I went with the universal shell holder cause shell holders were really all I knew and they adapter got good reviews, so I figured that was the way to go. Plus the fact that I really didn't understand how the shellplates worked. But watching a video last nite on the Co-ax, they do seem to be pretty handy.

Maybe I'll swap out the shellplate adapter and put the original back in and see how it goes.

 

[daboone]

Did your CO-AX come with the new spring retainer pins in the shellplate's jaw-holder? The pins really help keep the springs from flying across the room when replacing the shellplates. The springs are what cause the jaws to close and the pins fit inside the springs.

I just replaced my old jaw holder with this new upgrade. Sorry about hijacking you question but inquiring minds.....

 

[amheck]

yeah, I don't have the pins, but I did find a thread that showed what you are talking about. That would be handy as I can already see those things jumping around and never being able to find them.

In fact, when taking off the shell holder adapter and re-installing the shell plates, I already kinked up a spring and had to trim it a little off. One side of the shell plate doesn't totally move 100% but its workable. Guess I should probably put in an order for a couple of those things. I'm guessing that's going to be $1 in parts and $10 shipping for those springs......ugh

how much was your upgrade? I saw an aftermarket design but it was $60 and I'm not sure I'd do that.

 

[daboone]

If you bought brand new I just call Forster and ask them why it "missing" the pins on the Jaw Holder. Every time I've called Forster they been very helpful. See if they won't swap the part out. And yes it would be a good idea to order some extra springs.

 

[mikld]

I recently purchased a Co-Ax and once I figgered out the shell holder jaws, I much prefer them over a "universal" shell holder (one thing is I just set the case down on the plate and raise the ram, no pushing of trying to find the slot). My jaws do not contain the spring in the jaws and I'm not sure what the "pins" are (I have an extra set of the jaws for differing case heads). The jaws that keep the springs contained are after market, and one of the things I like/prefer with a Co-Ax is the shell holder system, mine has worked quite well from the beginning. Normally, I'll try a tool/equipment before I customize or modify it (if it ain't broke, don't fix it!)...

If you want to use a decapping die and run out of threads because the shell holder is too high, you don't have to raise the cartridge any higher than to kick out the primer. When the shell holder hits the die, stop and lower the deprimed case...

 

[daboone]

.....My jaws do not contain the spring in the jaws and I'm not sure what the "pins" are (I have an extra set of the jaws for differing case heads). The jaws that keep the springs contained are after market,

There is an aftermarket jaw holder housing that uses a recessed section in each housing to help retain the springs.

But the actual Forster jaw holder housing was recently upgraded by Forster which now have the pins on both ends of the recessed area in which the springs reside in the housing which also reduce the chance of the spring from disappearing instantaneously on disassembly. I wish I could post a photo but it resides in the Pompous Bucket and I ain't paying them to get what was mine.

I not heard of a jaw housing for the CO-AX jaw housing that doesn't require 2 springs to activate the jaw closure. Please tell me more about your CO-AX's jaw housing.

 

[mikld]

There is an aftermarket jaw holder housing that uses a recessed section in each housing to help retain the springs.

But the actual Forster jaw holder housing was recently upgraded by Forster which now have the pins on both ends of the recessed area in which the springs reside in the housing which also reduce the chance of the spring from disappearing instantaneously on disassembly. I wish I could post a photo but it resides in the Pompous Bucket and I ain't paying them to get what was mine.

I not heard of a jaw housing for the CO-AX jaw housing that doesn't require 2 springs to activate the jaw closure. Please tell me more about your CO-AX's jaw housing.

I meant the jaws don't have any way to retain or "contain" the springs. I've had to get down on my hands and knees a couple times with a bright flashlight and a magnet to find a "sprung" spring. Did not know the new OEM jaws had "spring keepers" built in. I'm either gonna have to get some new jaws or buy a bunch of springs...

 

[k22fan]

The over riding question is why decap on a Co-Ax? The press has the most leverage and longest arc of handle movement of any press I'm aware of. A Co-Ax offers the least feel for the decaping pin not entering the flash hole and the slowest operation. Heck, depriming with a mallet and the simple Lee GI crimped primer decaper might be faster. While I'll never part with my Co-Ax an inexpensive used C press is more appropriate.

 

[amheck]

For me, personally, I bought the Co-ax on closeout and its just been kinda sitting there. I tend to use my Turret for what little reloading I get around to doing. The decapping was just so I could use it for something, as opposed to just sitting around collecting dust.

Once I get 223 under my belt, I do wanna try some nice 6.5 creed, so I think that's probably when it'll come in handy for me.

 

[Skeet 028]

While I'll never part with my Co-Ax an inexpensive used C press is more appropriate.

I decap on an old Herter's Super Model 3..it was cheap. Guy gave it to me. Crud etc doesn't seem to bother it..or me. My Co-Ax is sitting unused on top of the bench. A great(unused) press though

 

[mikld]

The over riding question is why decap on a Co-Ax? The press has the most leverage and longest arc of handle movement of any press I'm aware of. A Co-Ax offers the least feel for the decaping pin not entering the flash hole and the slowest operation. Heck, depriming with a mallet and the simple Lee GI crimped primer decaper might be faster. While I'll never part with my Co-Ax an inexpensive used C press is more appropriate.

Perhaps because I have worked with hand tools all my life, or at least the last 60 years, I can "feel" when a familiar tool is working correctly. I have only deprimed and sized mebbe 2,000 cses on my Co-Ax, and have had no problem feeling when something is "off" (like a bit of media in the case or off center flash holes). I guess if I just slammed the handle back and forth I wouldn't notice something wrong. I just sized some 44 Magnum brass and I could tell which cases were fired in my Ruger and which cases were fired in my Puma, just by the feel of the operation...