I’d like to know why it’s a fundamentally bad design. I did some research on it and it seems to make very good sized and loaded brass. Is the rock chucker or crusher (?) a better design. My partner press is 30 yrs old and won’t resize right anymore so I need a new press. The Forster coax seems out of my budget. I need something that will go another 30 years. LOL
The issue is that the force down from the linkage is applied to the die plate on a different plane than the force from the resistance of the cartridge in the die up. This results in lateral force which is both inefficient, and will over time result in wear between the die plate and the support column. This will result in an angle in the shell plate over time.
For light duty work, it may be ok, but anything that requires much force will be a problem. If you look at the less stellar reviews on it, people mention these issues along with others.
If you want an open face to the press, I'd go with a Forster or a Redding Ultramag, otherwise I'd go with a conventional O press. Good luck with your decision.
I'd suggest you actually touch one before speaking of applied force. With the toolhead moving up and down on a solid 3" piece of bar stock, there is absolutely zero lateral movement of the toolhead. I would suggest having some experience with products you are going to slag before you speak.
Bar sock? Looks more like a casting to me. Any one with high school physics can see that the offset between the die and the linkage pivot will cause a twisting force in the plate. I like RCBS, I don’t like that press design.
Again because you have never actually looked at one. The toolhead rides straight up and down on a huge piece of bar stock. It doesn't move anywhere but directly up or down. Go find one to actually look at before you profess expertise on the workings of it. You don't have a clue.
Yes, the support column is round bar stock, you originally referred to the die plate as a 3" piece of bar stock, when in fact it is a casting. That said, the fundamental flaw in this press, is not the materials used to build it, it is the physical design that introduces a horizontal offset between the die and the linkage. This results in a horizontal component in the transfer of force to the cartridge. This means that you need to apply more force than a traditional press to get the same result.
That is not good, it's inefficient and will cause greater wear between the die plate and the support column. That's why they put a Zerk fitting on it so you could minimize the friction and wear with grease. Your emotional investment in the press, does not negate the fundamental laws of mechanics (Google "Force Vector" if you like). I have actually looked at one and found the design to be wanting.
In the Summit, RCBS resurrected an old design that had rightfully gone the way of the Dodo. If you're happy with it, more power to you, I prefer my RCII and my Utramag, for obvious reasons (Superior design and construction).
Sorry, where did I refer to a "die plate". Again you are mistaken about any lateral or horizontal force. You really, really don't know what you are talking about. By all means show us something that backs your statement. If you are going to try to convince us that the RC2 (which is a great press) has less lateral or horizontal movement between the tool head and the shell carrier than the Summit you are on crack dude.
editted to add: does the Co-ax have these same issues? Are you going to convince us that the RC2 is superior to the Co-ax as well?



























