Lyman 4500 manufacturing screw up? (with pictures)

[dmclark523]

So I was so excited, plugged this in tonight after reading the manual and watching lots of videos on it, only to become very irritated and confused.

Basically, I cannot get the push rod to go high enough to make contact with the base of the sizing die. This results in the bullet getting stuck on the
last lube groove in the sizing die. Adjusting the threaded sleeve and lock-nut do not seem to adjust the height of the push rod.

As I began to re-watch videos, I noticed it didn't seem like my ram was extending up as far as everyone else's. It looks like my ram/handle arm stops about
1/4in to 1/3in before full extension. Manufacting defect? Assembly screw up? Or user error (more than likely)?
I've attached several photos of the ram, at full extension, and the machine itself.

Can anyone assist? I spent 2 hours fiddling with it tonight and feel like an idiot at this point. :???:

183301183302183303183304

[retread]

Is the rod that came with the die inside the die? That is what will contact the lower push rod to raise the bullet up and out of the die.

[dmclark523]

Yes, the guide rod that came with the sizing die is currently inside.

[retread]

Hard to tell from your pictures but is the threaded rod on the lower end adjusted up far enough. Looks like it should be higher.

[obssd1958]

Will the ram come all the way out the top if you disconnect the handle? Or is there something keeping it from going up all the way, like a burr or the set screw for the top punch?

[smoked turkey]

I have an RCBS sizer but the idea is basically the same I think. From your second picture, it appears the adjustment screw on the bottom of the sizer needs to either screw in(up), or out(down) in order to allow the u-shaped lifter arm to contact the pin pusher that rides up and down inside the adjustment screw. I know I am not calling the parts what they are called by Lyman but hopefully you can screw the adjustment up or down and see that the vertical location will allow more or less upward push on the lifter rod which in turn will push the inside steel cylinder to operate with more of less lift. Boy, sorry but I am afraid my ability to say what I think is lacking at this point.

[C.F.Plinker]

Looking at your picture no. 2, the locknut for the adjusting screw tightens against the bottom of the casting shelf. You will get more adjustment upward if you arrange it so that the locknut tightens against the top of the shelf instead of the bottom. This may solve your problem.

[Pressman]

I don't have a machine to compare with, but I did a bit of clean-up to the pictures, hope this helps solve the problem.
Ken

[Loudy13]

I had the same issue when I bought a replacement adjuster for mine. If I remember correctly and I don't have access to the sizer right now I had to put the locking ring on the top so I could get enough adjustment. I got the sizer in a lot of stuff that I bought and it was already broken so I didn't have an example and even worse I wasn't a member of this site yet so I just tried it different ways until I got it to work.

[OS OK]

See the threaded part that has the push rod running inside it?
*Back the knurled locking nut (that holds that threaded tube) off from where it contacts the press frame bottom. Unscrew it the exact distance that remains when you look down into an empty die that is pushed up as far as it is currently pushing it up. (unscrew the nut to make a distance between it and the press frame bottom that equals the amount your die is lacking from coming up.)
*Screw the tube upwards toward the die that distance and when the knurled lock nut touches the frame it will be almost perfect.
Test it and see if you like it. If so, lock the knurled lock back with finger pressure.
I leave mine a 'teewiddleybit' short so the next unsized boolit will self center in that tiny depression in the top of the die set.

Now...as long as I've confused us both...give that a try.

[swheeler]

That looks about the position of the handle when the set screw for the top punch is sticking out of the ram, even the tiniest bit. Take the set screw and top punch out and see if the handle will go back another 3-4 inches and ram fully up.

[fred2892]

That looks about the position of the handle when the set screw for the top punch is sticking out of the ram, even the tiniest bit. Take the set screw and top punch out and see if the handle will go back another 3-4 inches and ram fully up.
My thoughts exactly.

Sent from my GT-P5110 using Tapatalk

[EDG]

It looks like the ram cannot elevate as far as normal because the set screw for the nose punch is hanging on the casting.

[dsh1106]

I rebuilt my old 450 with the newer handle setup and had the same problem. Try taking the top off the lube cylinder and see if the handle will travel past TDC towards the back of the unit. I had to re-machine the lip of the on the lube cover.

Also make sure the linkage is not over tightened, the handle should go past straight up.

Scott

[runfiverun]

and they say the stars are complicated.

[Guesser]

I've suffered this complaint....on RCBS and Lyman. I take the adjusting lock nut off and put it on the top of the frame. That allows the tubular threaded adjustment to be turned in that much farther. I'm going to take epic of my RCBS set up and post. be back shortly. Back...got a pic of my LAM I and my LAM II

[OS OK]

#4500 BULLET SIZER & LUBRICATOR - PDF.TEXTFILES.COM (http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrSbmkti15Y5xMAfHJXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyc2ZyZGs 2BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwM0BHZ0aWQDQjMyNDZfMQRzZWMDc3I-/RV=2/RE=1482619822/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fpdf.textfiles.com%2fmanuals%2fFIRE ARMS%2flyman_sizerandlubricator.pdf/RK=0/RS=xfPN2.RVEydoOIX6aF1box4cOWY-) ....hmmmm, dang it...actual instructions..."who'd a thunk?"

[cheese1566]

i've suffered this complaint....on rcbs and lyman. I take the adjusting lock nut off and put it on the top of the frame. That allows the tubular threaded adjustment to be turned in that much farther. I'm going to take epic of my rcbs set up and post. Be back shortly. Back...got a pic of my lam i and my lam ii

bingo!!

[swheeler]

dmclark523, be sure to report back what you find, don't leave us hanging:roll:

[17nut]

It's hanging up on the toppunch grub screw!

[swheeler]

It's hanging up on the toppunch grub screw!

That's what I thought too, just waiting for OP to post answer.

[Guesser]

OK, I just gotta ask......WTH is a "grub screw"????

[billyb]

delete

[swheeler]

a little headless set screw that looks like a black grub worm

[17nut]

OK, I just gotta ask......WTH is a "grub screw"????

https://www.google.dk/search?q=grub+screw&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=M3diWMzAFJjvwQLM94O4DQ
183573

[Guesser]

Used set screws of all the different types all my 71 years, never heard any of them called "grub". Usually all that was said of them was: Where the hell did that little B------ go now?????

[Walter Laich]

Grub screw is pretty much what I've always heard them called but then I'm only 70

[OS OK]

Used set screws of all the different types all my 71 years, never heard any of them called "grub". Usually all that was said of them was: Where the hell did that little B------ go now?????

An old Millwright taught me to magnetize my allen wrenches and have a fighting chance at hanging on to the set screws.

[swheeler]

Grub screw is pretty much what I've always heard them called but then I'm only 70

Me too but I'm 29 and holding. Holding anything I can!:bigsmyl2:

[Guesser]

I see where my misunderstanding comes from. I ain't from or in Texas, never had orders sending my there. I'm from Montana, Idaho, Wyoming. We get winters cold enough to keep the population of grubs under control; we ain't never had to screw with them......

[swheeler]

Guesser you must be one of those High Liners from the banana belt of Montana!:kidding: Shorts and T-shirt weather today?

[Guesser]

Yeah, I'm on the North side of the Missouri down stream from GF

[swheeler]

God's country:drinks:

[SSGOldfart]

Check your linkage and handles to be sure,you have it assembled correctly. Mine has the old handle which fits three different ways depending on which way I turn the linkage, pictures from both sides would also help

[EDG]

I am from Texas and worked in machining and manufacturing all my life. I have seen set screws used on products from 1/2-20 down to 4-40 and they were always called set screws in the shops and in catalogs.
The only people that ever called them grub screws were in books that I read and they were Brits.


I see where my misunderstanding comes from. I ain't from or in Texas, never had orders sending my there. I'm from Montana, Idaho, Wyoming. We get winters cold enough to keep the population of grubs under control; we ain't never had to screw with them......

[swheeler]

I'm still waiting for DM Clark to let us know what the problem was.

[swheeler]

Guess we'll never know, musta been the top punch set screw?