|
|
09-01-2009, 12:03 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Dillon 550B set-up question
I'm slowly setting up my 550B and have a question. The best place for me to mount the press is on top of an existing cabinet in a workroom. Because the lip of the cabinet top is not wide enough for the Fender Washer on the Strong mounts I've had to push the mounting holes back to 3 5/8" from the edge in order to clear the wood underneath. This means that the handle is stopped by the edge of the cabinet top when I pull it down just at the end of its' travel. It stops when the Index Sprocket is about 1/4" from reaching the bottom of the toolhead.
My question is: does the handle actually need all of that travel to reach the bottom of the toolhead? I'd like to keep it mounted where it is if I can but, obviously, I'd figure out something else if this is going to present any issue now... or down the road.
|
09-01-2009, 12:14 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: southeast nebraska
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 731
Liked 330 Times in 166 Posts
|
|
Yes, it needs all that travel.
|
09-01-2009, 12:21 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 0
Liked 382 Times in 220 Posts
|
|
The 550 does not auto index so my guess is that you might be able to get away with it. One potential problem is that the dies would have to be adjusted that much lower. I use mostly RCBS dies and some of the sizing dies are adjusted down so far already that I might not have even 1/4" of adjustment to spare. I solved my mounting problems by bolting a steel plate to the top of my bench and then mounting the press to the plate. That should give you more latitude in adjustment. And I'd suggest that you mount it so you can load while standing and not sitting. I have found standing to be much more comfortable.
Dave Sinko
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
09-01-2009, 12:21 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sar4937
Yes, it needs all that travel.
|
Pretty much figured that. Thanks.
|
09-01-2009, 12:23 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 562
Likes: 3
Liked 35 Times in 16 Posts
|
|
+1 on the yes it needs all the travel. I have my old 550 mounted with just screws to allow it closer to the front of the bench. No need to use the bolts, washers and nuts.
|
09-01-2009, 01:27 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
I chiseled out a little slot under the counter top on the wood it's mounted to so the washers fit right in there. The press is now mounted correctly.
Thanks for the input.
|
09-01-2009, 01:49 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 8 Posts
|
|
I am sure you could make adjustments to work with it in that configuration but would NOT recommend doing so for a number of reasons and the most being safety.
|
09-01-2009, 02:48 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Western North Dakota
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 9 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxxpower
I'm slowly setting up my 550B and have a question. The best place for me to mount the press is on top of an existing cabinet in a workroom. Because the lip of the cabinet top is not wide enough for the Fender Washer on the Strong mounts I've had to push the mounting holes back to 3 5/8" from the edge in order to clear the wood underneath. This means that the handle is stopped by the edge of the cabinet top when I pull it down just at the end of its' travel. It stops when the Index Sprocket is about 1/4" from reaching the bottom of the toolhead.
My question is: does the handle actually need all of that travel to reach the bottom of the toolhead? I'd like to keep it mounted where it is if I can but, obviously, I'd figure out something else if this is going to present any issue now... or down the road.
|
Yes, you must have all the travel. If the handle does not go all the way down, the ram will not come down far enough to prime the cartridge.
|
09-01-2009, 02:58 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 801
Liked 3,058 Times in 1,012 Posts
|
|
Dan, my mind is getting fuzzy but I think my Dillon primes on the upstroke of the lever, not the down stroke.
|
09-01-2009, 05:53 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by walnutred
Dan, my mind is getting fuzzy but I think my Dillon primes on the upstroke of the lever, not the down stroke.
|
It does on the 550. A short DOWNstroke will cause problems with sizing, powder charge, seating and crimping - which is to say, all other operations of the press.
|
09-01-2009, 07:56 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
There is another option, such as the one I have called the Dillion Strong mount, shown below. Its the black part on the bottom of the press, which sets it up above the work bench, clearing the handle from the bench surface.
|
09-01-2009, 08:06 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnum12pm
There is another option, such as the one I have called the Dillion [sic] Strong mount, shown below. Its the black part on the bottom of the press, which sets it up above the work bench, clearing the handle from the bench surface.
|
I have two 550's; one with the Strong Mount, the other without. If you get the Strong Mount, get a tall chair or plan to load standing up.
Note that the latter is what Dillon recommends. It is easier to look into the case to check powder levels, as well as providing good leverage. Can be a tad tough on the feet after 250 rounds or so, however.
|
09-01-2009, 08:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amici
I have two 550's; one with the Strong Mount, the other without. If you get the Strong Mount, get a tall chair or plan to load standing up.
Note that the latter is what Dillon recommends. It is easier to look into the case to check powder levels, as well as providing good leverage. Can be a tad tough on the feet after 250 rounds or so, however.
|
I'm sitting on the chair I use, its quite comfortable.
|
09-01-2009, 08:14 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnum12pm
There is another option, such as the one I have called the Dillion Strong mount, shown below. Its the black part on the bottom of the press, which sets it up above the work bench, clearing the handle from the bench surface.
|
I have the strong mount. In fact, before I just moved it it was just about the same distance yours is from the edge. Isn't your handle hitting your bench edge?
|
09-01-2009, 08:22 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 8 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by walnutred
Dan, my mind is getting fuzzy but I think my Dillon primes on the upstroke of the lever, not the down stroke.
|
Yes it does, but remember, on the down stroke it catches/fetches a new primer then on the up stroke it inserts the primer.
So, if the down stroke isn't far enough it may not fetch a new primer.
|
09-01-2009, 08:24 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxxpower
I have the strong mount. In fact, before I just moved it it was just about the same distance yours is from the edge. Isn't your handle hitting your bench edge?
|
No, it runs smooth as can be, I have loaded 10 of thousands on it, never a problem. The handle bottoms out before touching the bench. If I lean forward a little I can see the powder in the case.
|
09-01-2009, 11:24 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnum12pm
I'm sitting on the chair I use, its quite comfortable.
|
It's also level with the table, thus qualifying as a "tall chair." Chairs normally go UNDER a table.
Bet it beats standing, though!
|
09-02-2009, 12:25 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 83
Likes: 4
Liked 15 Times in 5 Posts
|
|
I bought a pack of the rubber interlocking square floor mats from Costco, and have two stacked in front of the 550B. I can stand in comfort all day; so long in fact that boredom, not fatigue is the problem.
+1 for the strong mount and all the extras; bullet tray and brass tray holders. Really minimized shoulder and arm fatigue.
Mr. O
__________________
USMC/5803 '79-/91
FBINA- 163rd
|
09-02-2009, 09:02 AM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. O
I bought a pack of the rubber interlocking square floor mats from Costco, and have two stacked in front of the 550B. I can stand in comfort all day; so long in fact that boredom, not fatigue is the problem.
|
My wife uses them for her exercise. I'll have to borrow them.
|
09-02-2009, 04:42 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sar4937
Yes, it needs all that travel.
|
Yep, it does.
|
09-02-2009, 05:27 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Western North Dakota
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 9 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by walnutred
Dan, my mind is getting fuzzy but I think my Dillon primes on the upstroke of the lever, not the down stroke.
|
Talk about a fuzzy mind and feeling foolish; that will teach me to get old. You are absolutely right. I had just finished 500 .44s on one of my 2 550s when I wrote that nonsense. In the future, my advice should remain in my pocket as it could confuse someone.
Sheesh, I feel dumb.
Dan
|
11-21-2012, 11:07 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Simi Valley Calif.
Posts: 44
Likes: 59
Liked 19 Times in 14 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxxpower
I have the strong mount. In fact, before I just moved it it was just about the same distance yours is from the edge. Isn't your handle hitting your bench edge?
|
Has the strong mount a front and back to it? Maybe it can be reversed?
|
11-22-2012, 09:49 AM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 286
Likes: 5
Liked 98 Times in 59 Posts
|
|
It needs all that travel! Try mounting it without the riser. I don't have a riser. I don't think it's necessary.
|
11-22-2012, 11:26 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 477
Liked 325 Times in 148 Posts
|
|
The OP had the problem fixed by post #6....
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!
Hobie
__________________
Laissez les bons temps roulez!
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|