Excellent video. Thank you. I experienced the same problem - except I didn't stop attempting to turn the shell holder in time. Ham-fist. So the shaft spins in the holder. I was able to contact F/A, and a very good C/S rep is sending me a new press. Very nice, but replacement parts that fix the issues would've sufficed. We'll see if the new generation of M-Press addresses that design-flaw. I'll do the fix you advise on the old one. I've already decided that the M-Press is de-cap and seat only. Re-sizing...? That calls for my 20 year old Rock Chucker! Cheers, Dan
Just an update for anyone considering this press. I received mine a few weeks ago. They still have all the same problems, AND my light switch is broken (doesn't stay on). Customer service is non-existent. I started sending emails, web-form contact messages, and phone calls the day after I placed the order (3 weeks ago!). No reply to email, no call-back from phone calls. Stay far away from FA. I bought the M-Press AND X-10 so I could teach my son to reload on the single stage before turning him loose on a progressive. I doubt I'll even open the X-10. I'm through with Franklin Arsenal. the entire $2k order will be returned (if I can talk to a customer service rep before the warranty expires).
Hey dude, I saw over on JRB's channel about your mod to the press, You know, many improvements and innovations have come from people just like you, and may I add, the people that make the presses or reloading tools also take note of such things. I just want to say keep up the good work. -Dave
12.45. Thank you thank you thank you! Same thing happened. My first proper foray into reloading. Decided to get a decent press for my first time. Got a stuck(ish) case. Pulled a bit harder. Popped the dinky bolts which have about 1 turn of thread. Will now continue to watch the rest of the vid.
This is a really helpful video, I bought the press knowing it's issues after watching this. Ripped the bolts out of their threads first time using. I've had it replaced, and then done the fix on new one ... FYI the holes are 3.5mm metric and already drilled more than double the length of the bolts.. not sure if they were tapped deeper or not , but I tapped them anyways.. and used longer bolts . Not sure how long as I bought 20mm ones and cut them down . But probably 12-14mm .. really pleased ... thank you
thats why they suggest and make it so an open end wrench fits on the shell holder wheels. You have good solid force on spring when you use the open end wrench to push shell holder wheel back into the adjustment pocket and then just turn into proper size.
if u get a stuck case its better to release case from shell holder and take die out and deal with case in a vise that way u can never damage the press. also i will relief cut the base and just weld turning handles in place plus add screws to front of case holder plate, other than that its a good design
Awesome video that lets others know what they are getting into and how to fix. Yes there are other presses out there but not in the same price range. Your video helps to make an informed decision. Keep bringin' em.
Thank you! I read the reviews on the Frankford website about this issue. It made me hesitant about purchasing one. However after watching your fix. I going to by it for sure.
@cwlongshot - I agree, you should know how to fix or modify to your own needs, but repairing bad or cheap manufactured items should not be a part of that
@@jaylockwood8701 Since the time of my comment, I picked up a Lee Challenger & LoadMaster and have loaded several thousand rounds easily getting Sub MOA results .
My issue is the brass will not align with the die. Every time I press the ram down to resize I have to guide the brass into the die with my finger. Any fix for that?
WRT the inability to full length size issue, before you go messing with your high quality die, try fitting a separate shell holder into the FA shell holder. This will have the case riding much higher in the base assembly. The shell holder you use needs to have something at the bottom of it that the FA shell holder can clamp on to. I saw this done in another video on this press.
I had the exact same problem with the shell holder. I modified mine quite a bit more. I removed the entre detail. and trashed it I redesigned the entire base. I created floating shell holder base that accepts all standard shell holders.
Good Idea I wanted to put something out there that most people can do with hand tools. We should not have to do this. We buy a product trusting that it will work as advertised.
Hi been dealing with this for almost 2 years thanks for the fix and what do u think the fix is for the shell holder bolts mine are bad call them they have no parts I just j b weld them in it last for a while before I have to do it again
Thanks for the video. Convinced me I made correct choice to avoid the F.A. M press. The RCBS Summit is miles ahead of the F.A. in simplicity, quality and ruggedness. The quality of the machine work was the real turn off for me. I hope it works out for you.
Excellent video, I recently bought that press and have not received it yet. I wish I’ve seen your video before I bought it! I will hate to buy something new to turn around and have to modify it. I wonder if since you made that video FA have done anything to modify the manufacturing. I have subscribed to your channel and will be an avid viewer. Thank you!
@@backnine I just received the press, the only thing different according to different videos I’ve seen, is that it now includes an owners manual. On first impressions it has the same flaws you point out in your video. A lot of grinding to turn the shell selector, the same screws which makes me even afraid of using the press and stripping them. I have the option of returning it or perform all your modifications. What will you suggest? Is it worth it to go through all that “jumping through the hoops”? I valued your opinion, I’m pretty handy in the customizing area, you wrote that the press is working fine after the mods. I paid $189 for it, so thats a good deal. I will wait for your answer to make a decision. Thank you in advanced. Rafael
@@rafaelgil9343 Hi Rafael I had had the tools and screws to do the mods so it wasn't a problem. You will have to buy the tap and tap handle and drill bit for the tap. If you don't have to buy a bunch of tools it is worth it. It has been a good press. I have probably reloaded at least 1000 .223/5.56 with no problems. I have used it on .308 with out any issues. My bigger calibers 300 win mag and .338 Lapua I use my big press.
@@backnine Thanks Harold, I do have some of the tools, if it is that good, I don’t mind doing it. What will be the tap size? Did you modify the size too or you just made the same deeper? Hope you don’t mind my tapping your ideas to. Make this work. Thanks.
No brainer this press is not designed strong for extracting cases because of the universal case holder. Any mechanically inclined person can see that. I purchased one of these myself. I am intending to purchase the Frankfort F-1 to do sizing or even extraction of bullets with. I watch a lot of videos to see what others think of products and sometimes research something before purchasing. I like this product to seat bullets but honestly, I would never purchase this with the intent to do the entire process. The shell holder is great being universal, but the drawback is it doesn't have the strength for it to withstand full length sizing a case. On the other hand, if one were into neck sizing it would be plenty strong enough for that.
You have to take some material off the bottom of the die so you can the head space you need (bottleneck brass). I have had to do that with shell holders on my RCBS press. Some dies not all
Those little screws are absolutely ridiculous there is no excuse for that B's on a press I expect better from Frankford arsenal.. but I got mine new for $90. Plus $30 shipping .. Figured at that price it's worth tinkering with..
Thank you for this video, I just bought one as my first reloading kit and until now I was in panic because I was not able to use it properly with the full sizing die. Best regards from Switzerland.
The shell holder is too deep, you cannot resize on this press they sent me a new press, they refuse to recognize the problem. New press same as the other one.
This looks like a well designed press until it comes to the fancy shell holder, I cannot understand why they make these one size fits all things, the Forster has a similar set up, but it will not work with thin rims as well as thick rims, far better to use a dedicated shell holder, they are cheap, problem free, and once you are set up for caliber work much better with no problems, I notice that this press has a much better die holder lock ring, with many more threads engaged than the awful Forster design which uses only 4 threads to take the thrust loads on the reloading sequence. Good luck with your modifications. Chris B.
Send it back or get in touch with the customer service they need this kind of feedback so the improvements can be made. I have some problems with their product, but they have great customer service people, they will make it right unless you modify it, tell or show them these types of problems, they will fix it or send you an updated version. Unless you don't want to wait. The choice be yours.
Harold why are you spending so much time on that press? I’m sure you have a lot of money in it! my opinion, just my opinion, buy once cry once get a Dillon press. If I have a problem they fix it I don’t have to.
Hey Dave It looked like a good concept. Forster makes one. Don't know how good it is. Have that issue fixed. Now I have to change the set screw for the die block. They put a brass set screw in and it will not hold the die in position. Starts loosing up after about 10 rounds. I will add a extra set screw. I have a good heavy press. Dillon is the Cadillac.
Excellent video. Thank you. I experienced the same problem - except I didn't stop attempting to turn the shell holder in time. Ham-fist. So the shaft spins in the holder. I was able to contact F/A, and a very good C/S rep is sending me a new press. Very nice, but replacement parts that fix the issues would've sufficed. We'll see if the new generation of M-Press addresses that design-flaw. I'll do the fix you advise on the old one. I've already decided that the M-Press is de-cap and seat only. Re-sizing...? That calls for my 20 year old Rock Chucker!
Cheers, Dan
Just an update for anyone considering this press. I received mine a few weeks ago. They still have all the same problems, AND my light switch is broken (doesn't stay on). Customer service is non-existent. I started sending emails, web-form contact messages, and phone calls the day after I placed the order (3 weeks ago!). No reply to email, no call-back from phone calls. Stay far away from FA. I bought the M-Press AND X-10 so I could teach my son to reload on the single stage before turning him loose on a progressive. I doubt I'll even open the X-10. I'm through with Franklin Arsenal. the entire $2k order will be returned (if I can talk to a customer service rep before the warranty expires).
Hey dude, I saw over on JRB's channel about your mod to the press, You know, many improvements and innovations have come from people just like you, and may I add, the people that make the presses or reloading tools also take note of such things. I just want to say keep up the good work. -Dave
12.45. Thank you thank you thank you! Same thing happened. My first proper foray into reloading. Decided to get a decent press for my first time. Got a stuck(ish) case. Pulled a bit harder. Popped the dinky bolts which have about 1 turn of thread. Will now continue to watch the rest of the vid.
This is a really helpful video, I bought the press knowing it's issues after watching this. Ripped the bolts out of their threads first time using. I've had it replaced, and then done the fix on new one ... FYI the holes are 3.5mm metric and already drilled more than double the length of the bolts.. not sure if they were tapped deeper or not , but I tapped them anyways.. and used longer bolts . Not sure how long as I bought 20mm ones and cut them down . But probably 12-14mm .. really pleased ... thank you
I just had my first stuck case! Ripped the little screws on 3 of the 5, gonna take it apart and do the bigger screws. Thanks for the fixes.
thats why they suggest and make it so an open end wrench fits on the shell holder wheels. You have good solid force on spring when you use the open end wrench to push shell holder wheel back into the adjustment pocket and then just turn into proper size.
if u get a stuck case its better to release case from shell holder and take die out and deal with case in a vise that way u can never damage the press.
also i will relief cut the base and just weld turning handles in place plus add screws to front of case holder plate, other than that its a good design
Awesome video that lets others know what they are getting into and how to fix. Yes there are other presses out there but not in the same price range. Your video helps to make an informed decision. Keep bringin' em.
Thank you! I read the reviews on the Frankford website about this issue. It made me hesitant about purchasing one. However after watching your fix. I going to by it for sure.
Great video, As someone who wants to start reloading, I do not want to fix or modify my first Press, so I will pass on this Frankford unit
@cwlongshot - I agree, you should know how to fix or modify to your own needs, but repairing bad or cheap manufactured items should not be a part of that
its a good press which needs some miner upgrades which will make it a great press but it is made in china so that doesn't help either
@@jaylockwood8701 Since the time of my comment, I picked up a Lee Challenger & LoadMaster and have loaded several thousand rounds easily getting Sub MOA results .
what size are the large hex bolts that hold the guide rods to the head unit?
I have a bonanza coax and than this press which allows me to do 45-70 cases with x-large case head holder both are good presses
My issue is the brass will not align with the die. Every time I press the ram down to resize I have to guide the brass into the die with my finger. Any fix for that?
WRT the inability to full length size issue, before you go messing with your high quality die, try fitting a separate shell holder into the FA shell holder. This will have the case riding much higher in the base assembly. The shell holder you use needs to have something at the bottom of it that the FA shell holder can clamp on to. I saw this done in another video on this press.
I had the exact same problem with the shell holder.
I modified mine quite a bit more. I removed the entre detail. and trashed it
I redesigned the entire base.
I created floating shell holder base that accepts all standard shell holders.
Good Idea
I wanted to put something out there that most people can do with hand tools.
We should not have to do this. We buy a product trusting that it will work as advertised.
Had to wait till the end for you to talk about the problem of Depth,
Hi been dealing with this for almost 2 years thanks for the fix and what do u think the fix is for the shell holder bolts mine are bad call them they have no parts I just j b weld them in it last for a while before I have to do it again
Thanks for the video. Convinced me I made correct choice to avoid the F.A. M press. The RCBS Summit is miles ahead of the F.A. in simplicity, quality and ruggedness. The quality of the machine work was the real turn off for me. I hope it works out for you.
great video and great information
Excellent video, I recently bought that press and have not received it yet. I wish I’ve seen your video before I bought it! I will hate to buy something new to turn around and have to modify it. I wonder if since you made that video FA have done anything to modify the manufacturing. I have subscribed to your channel and will be an avid viewer. Thank you!
I don't know. But let me know if they did.
The press works great now. But it should have been that way out of the box.
@@backnine I just received the press, the only thing different according to different videos I’ve seen, is that it now includes an owners manual. On first impressions it has the same flaws you point out in your video. A lot of grinding to turn the shell selector, the same screws which makes me even afraid of using the press and stripping them. I have the option of returning it or perform all your modifications. What will you suggest? Is it worth it to go through all that “jumping through the hoops”? I valued your opinion, I’m pretty handy in the customizing area, you wrote that the press is working fine after the mods. I paid $189 for it, so thats a good deal. I will wait for your answer to make a decision. Thank you in advanced. Rafael
@@rafaelgil9343 Hi Rafael
I had had the tools and screws to do the mods so it wasn't a problem. You will have to buy the tap and tap handle and drill bit for the tap. If you don't have to buy a bunch of tools it is worth it. It has been a good press. I have probably reloaded at least 1000 .223/5.56 with no problems. I have used it on .308 with out any issues. My bigger calibers 300 win mag and .338 Lapua I use my big press.
@@backnine Thanks Harold, I do have some of the tools, if it is that good, I don’t mind doing it. What will be the tap size? Did you modify the size too or you just made the same deeper? Hope you don’t mind my tapping your ideas to. Make this work. Thanks.
@@rafaelgil9343 I think 6-32. Check the video. They were metric screws.
Well done.
do you lube the rods ?
PJ's and boots, AWESOME ! LOL
No brainer this press is not designed strong for extracting cases because of the universal case holder. Any mechanically inclined person can see that. I purchased one of these myself. I am intending to purchase the Frankfort F-1 to do sizing or even extraction of bullets with. I watch a lot of videos to see what others think of products and sometimes research something before purchasing. I like this product to seat bullets but honestly, I would never purchase this with the intent to do the entire process. The shell holder is great being universal, but the drawback is it doesn't have the strength for it to withstand full length sizing a case. On the other hand, if one were into neck sizing it would be plenty strong enough for that.
The depth of the shell holder won't allow you to fL resize.
You have to take some material off the bottom of the die so you can the head space you need (bottleneck brass).
I have had to do that with shell holders on my RCBS press. Some dies not all
Those little screws are absolutely ridiculous there is no excuse for that B's on a press I expect better from Frankford arsenal.. but I got mine new for $90. Plus $30 shipping .. Figured at that price it's worth tinkering with..
Thank you for this video, I just bought one as my first reloading kit and until now I was in panic because I was not able to use it properly with the full sizing die.
Best regards from Switzerland.
The shell holder is too deep, you cannot resize on this press they sent me a new press, they refuse to recognize the problem. New press same as the other one.
Good info, thanks!
This looks like a well designed press until it comes to the fancy shell holder, I cannot understand why they make these one size fits all things, the Forster has a similar set up, but it will not work with thin rims as well as thick rims, far better to use a dedicated shell holder, they are cheap, problem free, and once you are set up for caliber work much better with no problems, I notice that this press has a much better die holder lock ring, with many more threads engaged than the awful Forster design which uses only 4 threads to take the thrust loads on the reloading sequence. Good luck with your modifications. Chris B.
it also won't take large head cases either
Good modifications...Otherwise it’s a piece of crap
Hey Harold good to see ya buddy, hey do you have Email ?
chucknorbid@gmail.com
Send it back or get in touch with the customer service they need this kind of feedback so the improvements can be made. I have some problems with their product, but they have great customer service people, they will make it right unless you modify it, tell or show them these types of problems, they will fix it or send you an updated version. Unless you don't want to wait. The choice be yours.
Harold why are you spending so much time on that press? I’m sure you have a lot of money in it! my opinion, just my opinion, buy once cry once get a Dillon press. If I have a problem they fix it I don’t have to.
Hey Dave
It looked like a good concept. Forster makes one. Don't know how good it is. Have that issue fixed. Now I have to change the set screw for the die block. They put a brass set screw in and it will not hold the die in position. Starts loosing up after about 10 rounds. I will add a extra set screw. I have a good heavy press. Dillon is the Cadillac.
@Harold Demes you drill another hole and set screw or replace the brass with a steel one?
Sent you an email
Boo that's a 150 dollar press not a 300 dollar forester
You are boring, you keep repeating yourself.