The DIY RCBS Rebel/GMI swagging kit

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csdilligaf

csdilligaf

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Nov 15, 2015
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AZ, United States
I wanted to give an up on this project. Both Coxworkshop and I were interested in swagging and wanted something we and others with some skills and tools could DIY and share the info. We ended up starting with an RCBS Rebel press and making the parts to convert it to a swagger. We've made dies which are maybe more work than most could do so it makes sense to use dies that someone already make and sells. GMI was willing to aid in the project. I sent them CAD files that we will be shared in an open source now. Meanwhile GMI made and sent me a set of parts to be a turn key type thing for someone who has no tools or machine skills.
I purchased the Rebel Press on ebay for $218 shipped. Maybe I got lucky? and here are the parts from GMI. The shaft is hardened and fits the Rebel press great. It is machined for the GMI dies. The knuckle increases leverage so it swagges easily. It has two 6mm set screws for adjusting a solid stop as needed. Then the smaller part is the ejector stop pin. All the other parts needed are the Rebel components.

IMG_9033.jpg
 
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Here is one modification I did so seat the ejection pin securely. It puts a little dimple in the far wall of the casting and the pin will rest in it making it stronger by supporting it. It's just is the right thing to do. You will notice I switched rams when I install one. Putting the hole in the ram allows it to be used as a bushing of sorts and I let GMI know that it should have one in the future if someone was to order the parts. So I put a hole in the old one since I can not drill the hardened one. There are a few tweaks to be made still. Next I will epoxy the magnet for the handle. The upper die will need a lock ring to secure it. I have lots of reloading dies and will use one of them. Just saves money to re-use what we can since this is intended to help people get into swagging cheaply. But dont let cheaply lead you into thinking this is sub standard in any way. I really like how heavy duty the Rebel press is and its Made in USA. The pivot pin for the ram that is re-used from the Rebel press might need some washers to tighten up a little looseness or wonky feel as I call it. But over all I'm really happy so far.

 
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Is this something that the company you are working with intends to make available to others as a turn key solution? Also, it appears this will require the use of a dedicated press, any plans (or is it feasible) to have reloaders be able to easily go back and forth between traditional reloading and swaging or will this require the use of a dedicated press?
 
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@Coxworkshop and @csdilligaf and myself @Engg.Ken are of the consensus that RCBS rebel press can be converted into a slug swaging press, So we will be releasing drawings of DIY parts that some folks can use to make their own conversion kits, The only input GMI did was to make die sets and punch holders that worked with the designs made and perfected by @Coxworkshop and @csdilligaf .

Now GMI also makes a swaging press its called as Freedom 2, the thing about it is that its purposely made and is 10x rigid than the RCBS one, The Freedom 2 is made to be the sophisticated unit @jwrabbit123 can describe it, other presses such as those made by Corbin are superior over RCBS rebel press, but what the RCBS allows is the liberty to make some slugs casually while not spending more on buying a purpose built one, kind of 80% of what slugs swaging presses can.
 
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Rob_in_NC said:
s this something that the company you are working with intends to make available to others as a turn key solution? Also, it appears this will require the use of a dedicated press, any plans (or is it feasible) to have reloaders be able to easily go back and forth between traditional reloading and swaging or will this require the use of a dedicated press?
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Coxworkshop, engg.ken and I wanted it to be an open source DIY for guys like us who can make stuff and GMI got involved so there will be dies and parts for those who don't have a complete cnc shop like I do. I'm hoping GMI will make and sell the parts needed to everyone. But the files and blueprints will be available to all of us who machine the parts ourselves. I don't see any reason you need a dedicated press. The only thing I did was swap a few parts and it's ready to go. That's the reason we wanted to go this route.
 
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csdilligaf said:
Coxworkshop, engg.ken and I wanted it to be an open source DIY for guys like us who can make stuff and GMI got involved so there will be dies and parts for those who don't have a complete cnc shop like I do. I'm hoping GMI will make and sell the parts needed to everyone. But the files and blueprints will be available to all of us who machine the parts ourselves. I don't see any reason you need a dedicated press. The only thing I did was swap a few parts and it's ready to go. That's the reason we wanted to go this route.
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Thanks... Will definitely be looking out for this. I dont have the CNC shop so would need a kit. Thanks for sharing! If this does come to market at a rate I am comfortable spending, I'd likely get another press just to have it dedicated. I like the idea of swapping back and forth, but I've learned in practice, I prefer dedicated setups.
 
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Rob_in_NC said:
Thanks... Will definitely be looking out for this. I dont have the CNC shop so would need a kit. Thanks for sharing! If this does come to market at a rate I am comfortable spending, I'd likely get another press just to have it dedicated. I like the idea of swapping back and forth, but I've learned in practice, I prefer dedicated setups.
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Yeah, a used RCBS rebel and some conversion parts can be the bang for the buck dedicated setup for the task.
 
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csdilligaf said:
This is where I want to put some spacers or stack washers. It's not worth making a special cross bolt but I need to fill in the gaps.

View attachment 534741
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I had the same gap in the DIY modified knuckle. I ended up just 3d printing some nylon washers. I don't think 3d printing washers is normally advisable but in this case they aren't acting so much like washers as they are spacers. Stack of washers would likely work just as well maybe even better. For those interested you can see the modified knuckle starting at 2:05
 
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