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2/25/2016 9:05:49 AM EDT
So I recently mounted up my RCBS Big Max to my bench. I was depriming some brass the other night, and realized I dont really care much for the "roller handle" on it.

I have used other brands of presses with the ball style handle, and I seem to prefer that more than the roller.

Am I mad? Crazy? Or is the roller handle a love-hate thing?

I have access to a lathe, so I was thinking about just making my own handle and threading the end to accept a cheapo shift knob.

What say you guys?

2/25/2016 1:21:25 PM EDT
[#1]
Mad, Crazy, maybe? One thing I like about my Big Max is the balance of the press arm. It seems perfectly balanced and if you lower the handle it will stay at any position you stop. The ram won't fall popping the handle upward nor pulling it down if the ram goes up. Maybe it's just the fit of the ram in the press or snug linkage but I think it's just balanced. Hacking off the handle would upset the balance of my press. Heavy tasks and the roller handle is easier on the hand.  However, I often turn the press arm so the handle is pointing away from me rather facing me. Kind of in the handshake position. Roller doesn't roll. I think I get better "feel" with the roller not rolling?  Great press but I wouldn't cut off the handle to add a ball grip. Your press though. Wish I could find more spent primer cups that fit on the bottom of the ram as mine has split and is taped to hold it on. Bought mine in the 80's when they were first introduced and a lower serial number. Could sell it for much more than I paid for it but it's priceless and I wouldn't trade or sell it for any reason or for any price. Can't believe RCBS or another company isn't still producing them.
2/25/2016 2:33:06 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:
Mad, Crazy, maybe? One thing I like about my Big Max is the balance of the press arm. It seems perfectly balanced and if you lower the handle it will stay at any position you stop. The ram won't fall popping the handle upward nor pulling it down if the ram goes up. Maybe it's just the fit of the ram in the press or snug linkage but I think it's just balanced. Hacking off the handle would upset the balance of my press. Heavy tasks and the roller handle is easier on the hand.  However, I often turn the press arm so the handle is pointing away from me rather facing me. Kind of in the handshake position. Roller doesn't roll. I think I get better "feel" with the roller not rolling?  Great press but I wouldn't cut off the handle to add a ball grip. Your press though. Wish I could find more spent primer cups that fit on the bottom of the ram as mine has split and is taped to hold it on. Bought mine in the 80's when they were first introduced and a lower serial number. Could sell it for much more than I paid for it but it's priceless and I wouldn't trade or sell it for any reason or for any price. Can't believe RCBS or another company isn't still producing them.
View Quote


Thanks for the input, but I think you may have mis-understood me.

I would NEVER cut the factory handle on something like this. Rather, I would turn a whole new one out of raw bar-stock. This way I can have the factory roller handle, AND a handle with a ball / knob on the end.

Currently, I am only doing small pistol stuff, so I don't think I would loose much if I went to a ball knob.
2/25/2016 3:59:13 PM EDT
[#3]
You are crazy, along with me.  I tried a roller handle on my 650.  Hated it and gave it away.  I love the ball handle.
2/25/2016 3:59:18 PM EDT
[#4]
I would turn a whole new one out of raw bar-stock
View Quote


Drill rod is more than adequate.
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