I found a cover for my 550 I had forgot about. I can't remember how to install it. Any advice?
How to install dillon press cover
- Thread starter max
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OP
Thanks, that seems to work.
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I have a Dillon 650 but this should also work with a 550. When I purchased the press I also purchased the full sized press cover. Because my press is mounted close to the shelf i have in the rear and close to the ceiling (I'm 6 foot and like the press mounted higher than many do) putting the real full cover on was a royal pain in the butt!!
Solution:
I returned the official cover, bought an extra cover for the quick change Die set stand and slit it about 8 inches from the bottom. I put a few reinforcing stitches in so that it will not continue to split. This cover works like a charm! It covers all the areas that you want covered and the ones that are not covered make no difference. Not only does it work great, but it takes 3 seconds to install & remove!
Costs a whole lot less too!
Solution:
I returned the official cover, bought an extra cover for the quick change Die set stand and slit it about 8 inches from the bottom. I put a few reinforcing stitches in so that it will not continue to split. This cover works like a charm! It covers all the areas that you want covered and the ones that are not covered make no difference. Not only does it work great, but it takes 3 seconds to install & remove!
Costs a whole lot less too! Attachments
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dwpmusic
US Veteran
I tried for the umpteenth time to put mine on today. Don't understand how to do it anymore now than I did six years ago when I got my 550. Mine has been up on a shelf all these years. I'm glad reloading is not quite that hard.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
In the decades that I've owned Dillon reloading equipment, I've never covered them. If, I did something like wood working and dust was flying around my equipment, I'd consider it, but then, I'd probably get a tarp and cover the whole reloading bench.
kraynky
Member
Mine has a pouch on the bottom, that slips over the bottom of the ram and handle leverage arm. Finish covering the press and zip it closed. The handle stays on the outside if I recall correctly.
dwpmusic
US Veteran
I never saw the need to cover my 550 either. I just want to be able to figure out how to put it on and then throw it back on a shelf. There are things you don't need when ordering a Dillon but if you've never owned one (like I was and everybody else at one time) you just don't know. How about a low powder warning gismo? Now who can't look up and see when your powder is running low? Duh?? I can see (somewhat) with the low primer warning buzzer. Anyway, I use it. But, hey, as hickok45 says, life is good. Anyway I just returned from the range where I fired 200+ of my first efforts with my .44spl and .44mag reloads. AND, they all fired. Not the best shooting by me but I had a "blast". Later on, guys.
dwpmusic
US Veteran
Maybe that's why I've never been able to put mine on.
OP
It does work with the mount. The zipper goes to the rear and you use the "pouch" on the bottom of the press.
I do find the low primer warning on the Dillon 650 useful, because it moves up and down so it isn't as obvious to me that the primers are getting low. The primer tube is static on the 550, so it stands out more to me and don't see a need for the low primer warning.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Since 1984, I haven't covered my Dillon. The powder measurer's reservoir is clear, but I marked the best consistency area with masking tape (top and bottom) and a post-it sticks to the masking tape better. The post-it has the powder type and charge. The tool head is marked for cartridge (before changeable toolheads the post-it was marked with all the round info). The primer magazine tube has a full length piece of coat hanger that follows the primers down and locks the primer bar open when empty! (Dillon notified me in a different post, that they DO NOT recommend any metal follower! However I've been loading longer than the rules policeman has been alive, so I'll continue to risk it! Plus, I never place my eye directly above the primer magazine.)
The big advantage I see for the zip on covers is: If you have adults or children that won't leave your stuff alone, you can lock the Dillon cover so an adjustment doesn't change "by itself"! That was never a problem at my house!
Ivan
The big advantage I see for the zip on covers is: If you have adults or children that won't leave your stuff alone, you can lock the Dillon cover so an adjustment doesn't change "by itself"! That was never a problem at my house!
Ivan
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Its amazing.
I find Dillon stuff to be of very high quality, except for that cover.
Ever look at the pic on there website of the cover?
Try to get it to look like that, no way.
I have the cover on my 550, but it looks like ****.
Cant help it I have to cover it when not in use.
Ya, Im a little weird.
Varooom
I find Dillon stuff to be of very high quality, except for that cover.
Ever look at the pic on there website of the cover?
Try to get it to look like that, no way.
I have the cover on my 550, but it looks like ****.
Cant help it I have to cover it when not in use.
Ya, Im a little weird.
Varooom
Benchrest1
Member
I've been using a large pillow case for years. Its cheap and works fine.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
I think the cover for the 650 was designed to fit the press without bullet tray or completed round bin in place, I couldn't see taking them off every time so I cut off the little codpiece on the bottom and just let it hang over the press, then I got a bullet feeder and it wouldn't even come close to fitting. My wife found some nylon that color matched the Dillon cover and spliced a piece in so it would fit. It looks kinda baggy but it keeps the sawdust out of it when I'm not handloading.
Attachments
My 550 (or the old Texan or the MEC 9000) have ever been covered. Luckily are is a separate room dedicated to reloading and gun maintenance, and the door can be locked if needed. Since 'm the only one that normally ever goes there it stays pretty clean.
