Herters 234 turret reloading press. Anyone use one?

[lewdogg21]

I was just given one by my great uncle, although it's frozen up with rust and I have no idea if I can unlock it but it's not covered in rust. Anyone use one of these? I currently have a RC and want to go blue when prices and availability on the used market return to a more normal even if that means waiting years but am wondering if a handful of hours restoring it would make for something worth fixing. A turret would be nice over my single stage but I don't want to put a lot of $ into something that could go towards a 550 instead.

I only know what I've googled in about 5 minutes while here at work. I know it's heavy AF, lol.

https://www.google.com/search?q=herters+model+234+reloading+press&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS887US887&hl=en-US&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjHxdiImZTrAhUN01kKHWshANsQ_AUoAnoECBAQBA&biw=1920&bih=937

[pacrat]

Herter's was like Sears. They didn't make anything. Only marketed "trade name" products.

With that in mind and the length of time they were in business. You IMO first need to determine if it uses "Standard" shell holders. And dies. Many older Herter's presses didn't.

My own choice for decrudding frozen parts. Is a 50/50 mix of ATF and lacquer thinner, in a small squeeze bottle with pointy top.

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-17042/Bottles/Boston-Round-Squeezable-Bottles-8-oz?pricode=WB1056&gadtype=pla&id=S-17042&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-MCyrKGU6wIVohx9Ch32SQoTEAQYBiABEgKNBPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

If the stars align and all is well with the old dog. Again IMO don't expect much precision from the design. Looks rather "Flexy". Should be GTG for quicker production of pistol rounds.

Have fun.

[lewdogg21]

I used some PB Blaster and hitting it with a hammer got the turret to break free along with the ram to come up about 2" last night before bed. This thing weighs about 40 to 50lbs so it's very stout. I started to thread in a RCBS die and it threaded on about 3 turns until the caked on rust stopped the die from going any futher.

What's a good way to clean out the die holes? Power drill with narrow bristle brush from harbor freight or something?

[lewdogg21]

I had to use a hammer on the handle to break the rust loose on the ram along with pb blaster and lubrication oil. I removed the pin and was trying to remove the ram/handle assembly out of the tube when part of the connection broke. Now it's headed to the garbage I guess as I looked on ebay and only saw complete presses for $100 shipped.

[justMike]

What's a good way to clean out the die holes? Power drill with narrow bristle brush from harbor freight or something?

Too late now I guess, and I'm not local, but somewhere in my accumulation of 'stuff', I have a 7/8"-14 tap. How many people have one handy though.

[pacrat]

I used some PB Blaster and hitting it with a hammer got the turret to break free along with the ram to come up about 2" last night before bed. This thing weighs about 40 to 50lbs so it's very stout. I started to thread in a RCBS die and it threaded on about 3 turns until the caked on rust stopped the die from going any futher.

What's a good way to clean out the die holes? Power drill with narrow bristle brush from harbor freight or something?

So 7/8-14 die threads. Good deal. How about shell holders? Dies were standardized before the shell holders were.

I have several of these [varying sizes] hack sawed off the handles, and use in a drill.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-3-4-in-Heavy-Duty-Fitting-Brush-80-719-111/204258909

I had to use a hammer on the handle to break the rust loose on the ram along with pb blaster and lubrication oil. I removed the pin and was trying to remove the ram/handle assembly out of the tube when part of the connection broke. Now it's headed to the garbage I guess as I looked on ebay and only saw complete presses for $100 shipped.

Don't trash yet Bro. Post a pic. maybe weldable. If you don't weld. Some one here does. If it takes standard SH. WELL worth fix'n.

ETA........SH adapters are also availabe with some shopping involved.

[fguffey]

Anyone use one of these?

Yes I do, it is not easy to remember when I didn't. I have at least 12 Herter presses that are different models. Most of the parts are interchangeable such as the ram, handle, pins and linkage.

So you took a hammer to it? I suggest you do not do that; there is something wrong with beating on one end and the other end not moving.

F. Guffey