Does anyone make a roller handle for a Dillon 450? I upgraded my 450 decades ago to a 550. Everything works for the 550 except the Dillon roller handle. The hole in the press linkage for the handle is different for the 450.
Dillon 450 Roller Handle
- Thread starter BE Mike
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
Are you sure about that? My Dillon started life as a 450 and several I upgraded it into a 550b. The "O" part of the press is all that changed. I have the roller handle upgrade (Dillon Brand) and it went right in the same hole! Call Dillon, either way they will have the part you need!
There were two roller handles available one was a metal and the other was the plastic. I don't thing the plastic is offered any more. (Shame on you!) there are more than two companies that offer them, but they are "Universal Fit" and have a smaller threaded section, so a bushing would be required!
I ended up using my original Dillon handle on my Rock Chucker Supreme press! The RCBS handle broke off one day, and I had the Dillon laying around, so I put it on. It is about 2 inches longer, and gives far more leverage, but the bottom of the handle stroke is a long ways down now!
Ivan
If you are looking for an aftermarket Roller handle
There were two roller handles available one was a metal and the other was the plastic. I don't thing the plastic is offered any more. (Shame on you!) there are more than two companies that offer them, but they are "Universal Fit" and have a smaller threaded section, so a bushing would be required!
I ended up using my original Dillon handle on my Rock Chucker Supreme press! The RCBS handle broke off one day, and I had the Dillon laying around, so I put it on. It is about 2 inches longer, and gives far more leverage, but the bottom of the handle stroke is a long ways down now!
Ivan
If you are looking for an aftermarket Roller handle
You can buy a Dillon roller handle on ebay and there is also a knock off roller handle sold there.
mmaher94087
Member
Try Inline Fabrication.
muddocktor
Member
I will second Inline Fabrication too. I have their roller handle on my 450, which hasn't been upgraded to a 550 chassis. It does have the upgraded powder measure and priming system though. The roller handle works very well. And I also use the Inline Fabrication 4" tall Micro Ultramount with quick change base plate assembly with my 450, my Redding T-7 and my RCBS bench mount priming system. It's really sturdy and mounts everything very solidly.
OP
You are correct that only the O frame is replaced in switching from the 450 to the 550. The old 450 linkage is where the handle fits. I bought the roller handle many years ago and it wouldn't fit my press. It only had to do with the bend. I believe it contacted the press frame. I called Dillon at the time, and the rep. I spoke with said something to the effect of, "We don't custom bend the handles!" I sent it back. My 450 was one of the original ones, so maybe the angle of the hole where the handle fits was changed with later models.
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OP
I contacted Dillon and they say that unless I replaced the bottom crank (I didn't), that their roller handle wouldn't likely fit. I'm awaiting a response from Inline Fabrication.
OP
I sent photos to Inline Fabrication of the press. After looking at them, they said that their roller handle wouldn't work either. Looks like this old man will have to keep loading with the original handle. I hope that this saves someone with a setup like mine some hassle, buying something that doesn't work and having to send it back.
muddocktor
Member
Hey Mike, can you post up a pic of the lower part that the handle screws into? I'm curious as to how it differs from the one on my 450.
OP
This is the view from the front. Inline Fabrication said the place where the handle is attached is where the wrong angle is.
This is the side view where I'm holding the handle full forward as if the primer is seated:
OP
The difference seems to be that the hole in my press (converted RL 450) for the operating handle is drilled more upright than the hole in the RL 550B. If you compare the handles, mine is closer to the primer catcher cup.
muddocktor
Member
Yeah, that is different than on my 450. On my 450, that bottom piece has a slight slant in it on the end that the handle screws into. On yours it looks straight across and the handle itself is bent.
If you have access to an oxyacetaline rig, I don't see why you couldn't buty a rosebud to a roller handle (with the roller part not screwed on) to heat and bend a handle though. Clamp the base of the handle in a vise, apply a rosebud to the handle low down where your present handle has the bend, heat and bend it as needed. Then let it cool down and spay with some paint to protect it.
If you have access to an oxyacetaline rig, I don't see why you couldn't buty a rosebud to a roller handle (with the roller part not screwed on) to heat and bend a handle though. Clamp the base of the handle in a vise, apply a rosebud to the handle low down where your present handle has the bend, heat and bend it as needed. Then let it cool down and spay with some paint to protect it.
OP
Thanks for the suggestion. That is way out of my wheelhouse.
muddocktor
Member
Heck, if you lived closer to me I would get together with you and help you do it. It's not a hard job to do, but I don't know if your typical consumer grade propane torch puts out enough heat to get that metal handle rod hot enough to bend it easily. It might though, but a oxy acetylene rosebud definitely would. You got any welder buddies by any chance?
OP
Yes, I have a buddy who is a retired machinist and has a great reputation. He lives about 20 miles away. My trouble would be to figure out exactly what I wanted him to do. Maybe just weld a piece to make a severe angle that would be parallel to the floor and put some kind of roller handle on it.
A simple solution
I broke the "bottom bracket" on my 1982 Dillon 450 press 14 years ago. Dillon sent me a new bracket that fits D450 / D550 presses. It will also accept the Dillon roller handle.
Order the new bracket (free) and the roller handle (pay for it) and you are ready to rock and roller. That's a lot of and.
I broke the "bottom bracket" on my 1982 Dillon 450 press 14 years ago. Dillon sent me a new bracket that fits D450 / D550 presses. It will also accept the Dillon roller handle.
Order the new bracket (free) and the roller handle (pay for it) and you are ready to rock and roller. That's a lot of and.
OP
I just got off the phone with Dillon. I explained the problem. I bit the bullet, so to speak and ordered a new "crank" for the old press. It was $46.00 and change. I ordered a roller handle at the same time. That old press has paid for itself many, many times over, so it was time to give it a face lift! 
Problem solved!
Problem solved!
muddocktor
Member
I was going to suggest that, Mike, but I didn't know how much you wanted to invest in upgrading the old press. Good for you for upgrading it.
OP
I used to use my 650 more (it has a roller handle), but the last couple of years I've been loading primarily on the old converted 550. This old man considers the new roller handle a good investment, as it will be easier on the old hand and shoulder.
OP
I got the new parts from Dillon yesterday. After disassembling the press and wrestling with the "arms" to get them to fit with the new "crank", I was almost done. The new pin that attaches the "arms" to the crank has a grease fitting. Not having a grease gun, I had to make a trip to Harbor Freight to get one. The roller handle fits and functions well. Now that the press is cleaned, oiled and greased, all I have to do is make sure that the powder charge is ok. I plan on trying the press out next week. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to like the roller handle.
