Replace plastic hopper on Lyman 55

[Follow Me]

Seasons Greeting to all,
Need to replace the darkly opaque hopper on my #55 Lyman. I've pushed and pulled everything on the thing and it still won't come off. As an old army guy I was taught to hit it with a hammer and if that didn't fix it hit it with a bigger hammer. Well, I'm at the first hammer stage now. I'm sure the hammer will get the old one out of the way.
I have a new hopper in hand and I see a a slot has been routed around the bottom. A hammer is probably not the way to install the new one or Is It? I would appreciate your advice on a less violent installation method.
Thanks for your time.

"I am the Infantry, Queen of Battle, Follow Me"


22Dec , 0216 Hrs.
I got that Bad Girl replaced/fixed in no time at all and with no casualities.
The way to remove the old hopper was simply suspend the measure between two fulcrum points and give it a sharp karate chop with a gloved hand. The old hopper popped right out. No problem. After a bit of clean-up, place the new hopper in position. With a gloved hand karate chop the hopper popped right into place. Miller Time.
Thanks to all that responded with ideas.

Col C. "I am the Infantry, Queen of Battle, Follow Me".

[troyboy]

If it is an older version the hopper is threaded. Try unscrewing the hopper with a strap wrench.

[Smoke4320]

a heat gun on the metal might help some as well (not on the plastic just the metal to get it to expand a little and let loose its many year grip )

[Skirmisher]

If the hopper material is thicker than your replacement then it's threaded and probably glued as the threads in the hopper are quite thin/light. The replacement which is the only kind that Lyman has will be too large in diameter to insert because of the threads in the base. I've replaced a number of 55 hoppers with the replacements by patiently sanding/thinning the hopper until it will start taking the threads, sand some more until you get a full mating and seat. You might also try Kroil or Liquid Wrench for a while to get in and break the seal.

[jeepyj]

Interested in the results. Please post after you find out the secret.
jeepyj

[salpal48]

To replace a lyman snap in Hopper . to an Old Threaded Model. Is very simple. . Use a heat Gun. . Generally Place the Hopper into the measure . It will be a little larger Than the edge. . Heat the edge of The metal and the tube together. . The n as the Hopper Get softer start to screw it . It will create The threads needed.. Do not heat to much to melt..
after Threading several times . it will be easy to Remove On and Off
I have done this several times on several that I have

[bedbugbilly]

Sorry . . can't help myself! LOL

Since you freely admit you are a "get a bigger hammer" guy . . . and nobody has mentioned it yet . . .

Before using a heat gun . . . remove all gun powder! :-)

Then try unscrewing it first . . . that'a boy! Lefty loosey . . . . rightsy tightsy! :-)

Seriously . . .hope you can get it off without too much of a struggle. I've been looking for an older one and I see a lot of 'em with cloudy tubes and was curious as to what the replacement involved. Good information to file away!

[salpal48]

I have several old lyman threaded tubes. , amber color , pitted, or cracked. . all will work fine without replacement. . Yes they do not look to good but They all work.. I have replaced a couple with Extended 12" tube ., again Makes no difference
Sal

[ndnchf]

BACO has threaded brass tubes for the 55. I put one on mine a few years ago. I added a baffle too, it works great.

[ole 5 hole group]

Just a suggestion - maybe look at the Sinclair bottle adapter, as a replacement.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/powder-handling/measure-stands-accessories/sinclair-powder-bottles-and-adapters-prod32959.aspx?avs%7cManufacturer_1=sinclair+inter national