Abstract: A set of laterally extending rails which facilitate translation of a die into a die opening of a reciprocating cutoff press from a storage area and vice-a-versa. A first set of rails are secured to the longitudinally reciprocable press carriage; and, a second set of rails extend laterally therefrom to function as a storage platform. A rack and pinion system is used to accomplish translation of a die from a storage area into the press opening. In addition, a cylinder is extended so as to index a follower along a cam profile which elevates the follower to facilitate engagement with the die assembly to further translate the assembly into final position in the press opening.