Worthwhile Dillon upgrades

[AbitNutz]

I think most of us that have run Dillon's for a while have come to the conclusion that most of the upgrades really don't do a whole lot. But heck, I tried them any way.

I tripped over one the other day that did improve the smoothness of the press. It replaces the index cam block with a roller bearing. My delrin indexing cam is in need of replacement. I've got a decent divit where the index cam block first contacts it.

After replacing the metal block with the bearing, the action became noticeably smoother. I suspect that it brought it back to what it used to feel like. Once I replace the delrin cam I probably won't notice any difference but here's the thing. I think that the bearing will prevent any wear what so ever on the delrin cam. Its initial touchdown area is round and is much larger than the metal block. Also, the initial movement of the bearing is instantaneous.

All in all, I think this widget actually is an improvement on my Dillon 650...

[TexasGrunt]

The best upgrade to my 650 was the upgrade to the ski ramp for the unused primers. I love having them collected into a bottle instead of being launched into never never land. Second is the upgrade you've mentioned.

[jmorris]

One of these is a worthwhile mod on a 650 as are GSI tool head/bullet feeders.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/bearing.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sheoKARPGIg

I just put a drop of oil on the index cam while I am hitting all the other spots, haven't worn one out yet.

[jeepyj]

One of these is a worthwhile mod on a 650 as are GSI tool head/bullet feeders.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/bearing.jpg



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sheoKARPGIg

I just put a drop of oil on the index cam while I am hitting all the other spots, haven't worn one out yet.
Interesting, I think I'll try this.

[sparky45]

jmorris is spot on about the Timken Bearing mod, worked wonders on my 650. Also the roller bearing add on is excellent.

[LUBEDUDE]

I'm glad to hear that mod is available Nutz. That delrin indexer is what prevented me from ever buying a 650 and another SL900 which I previously sold.

[David2011]

The roller handles are pretty nice, too. I put them on my 550 and 650. They eliminate blisters that the ball handle caused in long loading sessions.

[sukivel]

Did you just buy the bearings, or that kit the feller sells on ebay?

What about using a bullet feeding die/tube without the collater on a 550? Does that help any?


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[RMII]

- spent primer catch (into bottle)
- Ski jump catcher
- roller handle

I did try one of the copper washer kits sold out there for the shell plate, but it ultimately fell to pieces. I'll give roller bearing a try.

thanks.
js

[Kenstone]

Did you just buy the bearings, or that kit the feller sells on ebay?

What about using a bullet feeding die/tube without the collater on a 550? Does that help any?
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oops, nothing to see here [smilie=f:

[jmorris]

Did you just buy the bearings, or that kit the feller sells on ebay?

I just bought them from my local bearing supply. I didn't feel the need to pay someone $20 for a $2 bearing, they stuck in a different package and renamed it "kit".

[TexasGrunt]

I just bought them from my local bearing supply. I didn't feel the need to pay someone $20 for a $2 bearing, they stuck in a different package and renamed it "kit".

Help out the slow kids. What size do we need?

[VHoward]

Help out the slow kids. What size do we need?
What size is the bolt you want to use it on? JMorris' picture shows you the part number. Most shops carry the same brands. Or you could measure your bolt and tell them you need a thrust bearing with an inside diameter hole you bolt will fit through. And you will need to buy 2 of those washers to go with it. The shop will know what you need.

[Mytmousemalibu]

I have the Torrington bearing upgrade and roller rod, very worthwhile one to do as is the roller handle and the ski jump fix. I also have the crud catcher for the case feeder, and Smoke's primer follower rod holder. Also the spent primer cup to hose conversion, knurled/scaled powder measure knob and put a Press Monitor III system on mine along with my own hard mounting for the micro switches and did my own press LED lighting.

I got the indexing cam roller but for the life of me it doesn't fit like it should. I get it set to contact smoothly and it won't index right, if i get it adjusted to index properly and it is so far over it contacts the cam poorly.

[Reddirt62]

My favorites:https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170530/5634feeaccb03751fc48b98deea40f0d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170530/45fe752d81faadbf58eaf924eebb7d06.jpg

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[TexasGrunt]

Where did ya get that roller?

[M-Tecs]

My favorites:https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170530/5634feeaccb03751fc48b98deea40f0d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170530/45fe752d81faadbf58eaf924eebb7d06.jpg

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Very nice. Same question where did you get them.

[Reddirt62]

Entirely Crimson
http://entirelycrimson.com/

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[jmorris]

It doesn't look near as sexy as the $42 CNC machined billet aluminum one above but if you just don't want primers jumping off to the floor you can use a 1/2" section of clear vinyl tubing.

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv5/qvideo/650/image_zpsh0jaix5i.jpeg

[6bg6ga]

My selection of upgrades may differ from what others have selected. I recently received a nice missed primer collector that includes a collection bottle and a machined piece that replaces the famous ski chute that seems to throw primers on the floor.

Also ordered was a roller assembly that activates the plate advance instead of the rod that drags along the plactic ramp. Ordered the rod with the roller bottom, brass oilite bearing, and spring and ball kit.

Never saw a need to order anything to accept the spent primers because the little collection box seems to work well.

I am in the air about the oilite bearing for the case plate verses a roller bearing and two washers so maybe I will order several roller bearings to try.

I didn't see the roller bearing Part Number in any of the threads. Would someone mind sharing the thrust bearing part number?

[6bg6ga]

Is McMaster-Carr the supplier for the thrust bearing and the 2 washers needed? If so are the part numbers as follows?

5909K44 Washers (2)

5909K31 Bearing (1)

[6bg6ga]

Cost on the above items were $3.11 for the bearing and $1.02 each for the washers for a total of $5.15 plus shipping and any taxes.

Shipping ended up to be $5.33 in addition to the parts cost. So, its still a savings. Instead of paying someone $20.00 for the parts you can save over $9.00 purchasing the parts yourself.

[garym1a2]

Has anyone tried this?



What about using a bullet feeding die/tube without the collater on a 550? Does that help any?


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[6bg6ga]

If your talking bullet dropping tube assemblies then Yes I use them.

I have a Mr. Bullet bullet dropper assembly at about $100 and I have two different RCBS bullet dropping assemblies and I believe they are around $46 or so and they work great.

I used the Mr.Bullet bullet dropper for 45acp and the RCBS for 380, 9mm, 38/357, and 40 cal. If I were to do it again they would all be RCBS units.

Oh, you can use 1/2" ID X 5/8" plumbing pipe for additional tubes for the 45acp and 40 cal droppers.

Sorry, didn't read your post all the way... mine is a 650. Not sure if the 550 has an open spot for a bullet dropper. I guess it depends maybe on if your die set is Dillon or other. I'm using some setups with RCBS dies ond others with Dillon dies. The RCBS setups leave me one spot open where the Dillon dies take up all spots.

[jmorris]

A bullet dropper on a 550 would have to go in station 3 and seat and crimp in #4.

I generally don't do both in the same station but have before just to have the bullet feed.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9pjmuHAkBU

You might notice that on the above both the case and bullet feed are fed by collators. The speed feeders add is almost completely eliminated if you don't have a collator to keep them fed. Not a big speed difference between grabbing bullets and flipping them base down to drop in a tube vs dropping them into a case.

[jmorris]

If this is all you have to do every 100 rounds, your going to be loading many more per hour of your time.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WTZ-_v6Mks&t=6s

[garym1a2]

I am mixed up, what I interest in is the 550B case feeder without the power loader. As a lefty I am ok with hand bullet placement as I can inspect for powder when placeing powder.

[anothernewb]

Geez.. These threads are both a godsend - and cruel Lol. I just got an XL 650, then come across things like this... well... some time and vanished money later. I've got a whole host of new things for the press. and I've never even used it yet!

got the roller for the indexing cam, primer catcher, ski jump bottle, and this nifty kit off fleabay.

201611



as far as loading primers go. I bought 10 each large and small of the primer tubes. yeah, I spend a while loading them up. but that can be done anytime ahead of time.

[Rick45Colt]

I ordered mine from McMaster-Carr

[6bg6ga]

A bullet dropper on a 550 would have to go in station 3 and seat and crimp in #4.

I generally don't do both in the same station but have before just to have the bullet feed.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9pjmuHAkBU

You might notice that on the above both the case and bullet feed are fed by collators. The speed feeders add is almost completely eliminated if you don't have a collator to keep them fed. Not a big speed difference between grabbing bullets and flipping them base down to drop in a tube vs dropping them into a case.

Its a time savings when your setup to automatically load the sized and lubes bullets from the Star sizer into dropper tubes ready to be used. I simply line up my already full tube that has the sized lubed bullets already put into the Star for me and load the bullet dropper tube. Takes less than 10 seconds to load the bullet dropper tube on the press doing it this way. Its a poor mans collator. Someday I will pop for one. Probably when I retire.

[engineer401]

I am mixed up, what I interest in is the 550B case feeder without the power loader. As a lefty I am ok with hand bullet placement as I can inspect for powder when placeing powder.

I have a case feeder and love it. The only problem is it can't feed rifle or cases 380 and smaller. It's no big deal to me as I load it idle on single stage.

[6bg6ga]

Cost on the above items were $3.11 for the bearing and $1.02 each for the washers for a total of $5.15 plus shipping and any taxes.

Shipping ended up to be $5.33 in addition to the parts cost. So, its still a savings. Instead of paying someone $20.00 for the parts you can save over $9.00 purchasing the parts yourself.

Update

Received my part today 8/11/2017 from McMaster Carr

[6bg6ga]

Received the rest of my Dillon upgrades from ebay today. Put them on the press got them adjusted up and I can say I wasted some money with some of them.

The ones that provided the most bang for the buck were the thrust bearing (for large center bolt going thru shell plate) and the Rotocam actuator.

The fancy ball and reduced pressure spring did nothing over the stock ball and cut back stock spring.

The case feed ram cam setup that is supposed to make the case movement into position did absolutely nothing for the case feed.

So, if I were to offer advice it would be as follows:

Cut back the stock Dillon spring under the shell plate and retain the stock ball.

Add the thrust bearing and the two washers for the shell plate bolt.

Add the rotocam setup ( left side of press) advances the shell plate.

The operation now is like butter. It was good with just adding the thrust washers and bearing but is far better with the rotocam actuator

[jmorris]

Its a time savings when your setup to automatically load the sized and lubes bullets from the Star sizer into dropper tubes ready to be used.

To save time you still need a collator for that operation too. I use the same collators for my sizing machines that I use on my presses.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cc1hUj343w


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eANEMBS_V_0

[6bg6ga]

Just to be fair I had to re-try the "special ball and spring" again. Using the same procedure of a torque of 10 inch lbs and a back off of 15 degrees the ball and spring that were supposed to have a better feel than the stock cut back spring and stock metal ball produced more drag and not as smooth a feel. Tried the aftermarket ball and went back to the stock metal ball.

I would encourage people to bypass the fancy ball spring combo along with the roller assembly that is supposed to provide a smoother case drop. The thrust bearing for the case plate adds the most bang for the buck followed by the roller assembly at less than $20 that provides the case plate movement for the next cycle.