My Old Lyman Orange Crusher

[Reloader762]

Bought this press in a kit back when I first started reloading back in the mid 80s, no telling how many thousands of rds. of rifle and pistol ammo I have loaded on this press. Has some time yesterday so I took her all apart and cleaned everything up and give her a new coat of paint. I think it turned out pretty decent and I still use it quite often.

 

[Ben]

WOW ! !
I'm impressed, that is nice.

Ben

 

[RicinYakima]

Good job! Now that you have it broken in, just keep it clean and it will last for a couple of million rounds more.

 

[Maven]

I have the next model of Lyman's Orange Crusher, which is a slightly smaller copy of RCBS' Rock Chucker, which I also have. Both are excellent presses, but the Orange Crusher is my "go to" press since it allows ambidextrous handle placement.

 

[Ian]

You added at least 25 horsepower with that Chevy Orange engine paint!

By the way, your loading bench looks very familiar, like the desk I used when I managed the parts department for a truck shop.

 

[Reloader762]

You added at least 25 horsepower with that Chevy Orange engine paint!

By the way, your loading bench looks very familiar, like the desk I used when I managed the parts department for a truck shop.

View attachment 20974

Basically the same desk just three smaller drawers on the right-hand side. I picked it up at the Habitat Restore a couple of years ago for $15. In the process of getting the lumber together to build a full length reloading bench against the wall behind me with plenty of shelving.

 

[Rockydoc]

Your orange crusher looks just like new. Atta boy.

 

[BudHyett]

I have a RCBS JR press over a half century old that is still used. My Bonanza Co-Ax press does the cartridge bullet seating. and resizing. The JR gets all the rest of the work.

 

[fiver]

I had to have a new ram made for my original RCBS rock chucker.
that's when I found out they changed the diameter on the ram from 0.98 to 0.94 somewhere around the turn of the century.

 

[RicinYakima]

I had to have a new ram made for my original RCBS rock chucker.
that's when I found out they changed the diameter on the ram from 0.98 to 0.94 somewhere around the turn of the century.

When they went from using US one inch stock, to Chinese metric stock, they reduced the size.

 

[Ian]

24mm. Ugg.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Nice work on cleaning and painting.

I don't know if Lyman copied the design of the RCBS JR but you can sure see the similarities in those presses..

A good "O" frame press can' t be beat for its value. They are simple, durable and always useful.

 

[Winelover]

My Orange Crusher is quite a bit different than the OP. For one, it's a hammered gray colored paint. I'm assuming the newer models had a paint change, cause the box was labeled Orange Crusher. I bought it new, circa late 80's or early 90's. Set it up for strictly rifle cartridges. My RCBS JR was reserved for pistol and is a much older press.

Other difference is the compound linkage. I'm not seeing it on yours. Or the ability to switch from right or left hand usage.




Personally, I don't think its all it's cranked up to be. Too much slop in the ram and the non captive pin that goes through the bottom of the ram moves and wears though the linkage. I've already replaced the side linkages, once. It sits on the very end of my bench and is only used for odd jobs, like pulling bullets.

I'll stick to the RCBS JR ( pistol cartridges) or my Hollywood Senior Turret for rifle.

 

[fiver]

I have an identical one as pictured above and it get used for most anything but bullet sealing.
I know if I jiggle the handle the ram will rotate slightly.
but so do most others, even the big rcbs patriot with that big 3" ram it has.

I think the only way around a little wiggling is to go to a 3 post type press like the Harrel, or an arbor press.
I fight the jiggle by holding the handle to one side all the time, and giving the die a little float in the press threads.

 

[STIHL]

Looks like she’s bran-r-new.

 

[JustJim]

Looks good! I had a similar one, got rid of it for some "good" reason (probably went in a late-night trade), picked up a Dillon and an RCBS Rockchucker. Those got lost due to a mix-up, so I got a Hornady. Then I returned to my early days, and now do most of my loading on a Pacific C-press and a C-H aluminum press that takes old-style rams rather than regular shellholders.

 

[Creeker]

Nice paint job.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Yup loks brand new man!!
I have my old Pacific 007 under the bench Id like to get it back out one dat too!

CW

 

[quicksylver]

HEY anyone know where to get a handle for a Lyman junior or T Press?Snapped mine off at the end of the threads. Didn't see that comming!

 

[Creeker]

Can't help with that quicksylver.