Square deal B problem

[MisterStyx]

Anyone with any troubleshooting knowledge for the Dillon Square Deal B?

I was gifted a used one from my father in law a few months back. It was set up for .40 and I went to change the caliber, but I'm having difficulty getting the powder arm situated. The manual shows a tiny thing called a lock link, that I appear to be missing. It might have bounced off, but I'm not finding it. Any ideas what this thing is supposed to be and if I can pick up a replacement at Home Depot or something?

I've put in a call to Dillon, but seeing as it's New Years, I don't expect to hear back anytime soon.

[ATCDoktor]

Are you are talking about the clip that attaches the fails safe rod to the lock link or the entire lock link itself?

[MisterStyx]

in the manual it's a little circular piece. There's not a good picture, and I'm not sure what it should look like. It looks to be slideable and sits on the rod on top of the bracket.

[ATCDoktor]

Here’s a picture of one of my Square Deal B Powder Measure


Which piece is missing?

[MisterStyx]

It's not the plastic nut at the bottom, or the spring or washer. It's the small piece that supposedly goes over the bracket on top of the bar.

[MisterStyx]

And the picture I posted didnt show.

https://imgur.com/a/3LyJyPF

[ATCDoktor]

This thing?

[MisterStyx]

I have that one. It attaches up at the top nicely.

The nut and washer that lock it in at the bottom are there too, but I can't really lock it in because I'm missing whatever small piece that goes above the bracket at the bottom.

I'm sorry I'm not explaining it well.

[ATCDoktor]

Here’s the entire powder failsafe system:



Which part is missing?

[MisterStyx]

Ok, cool. I'm missing the white plastic piece on the left at the bottom above the spring.

I'm not certain I ever saw that piece so I'm guessing my father in law had the thing rigged somehow.

[ATCDoktor]

Neither one of my square deals have that part on the fail safe bar.

This is how mine are configured:



Edited to add:

My machines may have had that part originally (both of mine are over 25 years old and have been back to Dillon for refurb more than once.

[MisterStyx]

Ok cool. Thank you. I will give that a go shortly.

[Alvarez Kelly]

The early failsafe versions used a black plastic shoulder washer. The white piece in the photo above came later. It is part number 18086. Dillon just calls it a “Delrin Shoulder Washer.”

[Cougar Hunter]

You don't need the white delrin washer (its actually a bushing) to use the press. I've replaced mine twice, they break in half. The bushing centres the fail safe rod in the bracket that holds the rod. It's really not needed to use the press.

[MisterStyx]

If I don't need it, then I've somehow tried to put it together wrong.

It seems without something on top of the bracket, the rod won't engage.

[Big Wes]

FWIW That thing appears to be installed incorrectly in the photo above, it should be straddling the powder measure actuator/lever one hole on each side of the actuator lever then clipped to the rod.

[imashooter2]

If I don't need it, then I've somehow tried to put it together wrong.

It seems without something on top of the bracket, the rod won't engage.

On the bottom of the rod with the rod out of the machine, place a washer with large enough ID that it slides easily on the rod, it can be sloppy as long as the ID is too small to allow the spring to pass through. Next slide on the spring. Then thread on the blue wing nut.

With the carburetor clip or hairpin removed from the top of the rod, insert the rod from the bottom of the press and wiggle it up to the gold cad plated fail safe bracket on the measure. Insert the rod through the bracket hole and secure with either the carburetor clip or hairpin.

The rod does not actuate the measure. The measure activates by a cartridge case pressing up on the expander/funnel. The rod is a fail safe that pulls the measure closed if the measure return spring fails. It should be loose at the bottom of the stroke, and the rod spring should compress slightly at the top of the stroke with the measure closed.

[MisterStyx]

Ok, in that case I think I'm set up correctly. I'll load up some powder and test.

[jmorris]

There are at least 3 versions of the powder measure linkage. One is in #4, another in #9 and the first one that was not plated that had no fail safe rod. The #4 prevented a stuck measure throwing squibs then the #9 linkage came around for squibs and prevent short stroke doubles.

With the springs installed the style in #4 will work without the rod.

The #9 style just has to have the rod pulled down to reset, you can let the threads of the rod saw on the bracket if you wish and don’t mind the extra noise to go along with the “clunk” of that style linkage.

[MisterStyx]

I just loaded up a few .38's and things are looking good. Powder loads up nicely.

I had an issue with the .40's where the primers wouldn't seat all the way the first time. I'd have to prime everything by itself so I could go back and seat them better if I needed to, but these 38's flew through first time no problems.