Dillon RL550B Question

[oldvette]

I've been cleaning up my high mileage RL550B lately.

I was wondering what sort of rotational "play" in the mainshaft one should expect when you hold the handle horizontal and move it from side to side? I estimate about 3/16" movement taken at the outer circumfrence of the base plate. What would it have been like when new?

I could not help but notice the new zerk lube fittings on the RL550C model at these points.

I have the suspicion that there may be excessive wear in the 2 crank bores and/or side links which could be affecting reliable primer cup alignment.

I am detecting some slop in the aluminum pivot points with the side-to-side test, but no wear is evident on the top pin which is held in with the "C" clips. The lower pin pivots have more play than the upper pin when placing one's forefinger and thumb on either end of the lower pivot points.

I also seem to be crushing a few more cases at the first 3 of the 4 stations than I recall from the past.

I did not attempt to punch out any of the friction fit pins - yet.

Thanks Jack

 

[scattershot]

I just checked my 550 B, which is probably 40 years old, and it has some rotational play, but not to the extent you describe. Maybe half that. I never noticed it before, and my press doesn't crush cases. If you're using Dillon dies, the leadin to the mouth of the die should be sufficient to prevent that.

Dillon technical support is outstanding. Maybe they could tell you why you're crushing cases like that.

Please keep us posted on your findings.

 

[max503]

Crushed cases? Whoa. That shouldn't be. I'm on the second life of my SDB. Wore it out once and Dillion rebuilt it for me - no charge!
When running the Dillion I have to become "part of the machine". Always aware, always feeling what's going on. If something catches - stop.

OP said, "I have the suspicion that there may be excessive wear in the 2 crank bores and/or side links which could be affecting reliable primer cup alignment."

I especially make sure the case is lined up to take the primer at stage two before pushing forward in the handle to seat the primer. If it's not perfectly lined up, and some time it doesn't, the case gets a tiny nudge from my finger and that solves the issue. I can feel it in the handle if it's not perfectly lined up. Other than that I've become so familiar with it over the decades that it works pretty well. Never checked mine for wear. As long as it cranks out the ammo I'm good.

 

[Golphin]

Call Dillon and ask what they charge to refurbish it. If they will do it you will get a like new press back.

 

[oldvette]

Hi,

I don't crush many, because I don't race through the process. Just a few more than I remember lately from years past. I have taken it easy since the primer cups started hanging up on the down stroke, even after I aligned it using the Dillon tool.

I use Dillon dies (with the radius) except for an RCBS 30-06 set. Not enough volume there to justify the upgrade so far.

Thanks for your input.

Jack

 

[max503]

I've added that extra little step where I touch/tap the case at station two, just to make sure it's lined up properly to take the primer, before giving the handle the forward pressure needed to seat the primer.

 

[Birdhunter6]

My 550B is 30+ years old. I keep spare springs and other wear parts on hand.

I don't hurry. I do occasionally smash a case, always a .38 special or .41 Magnum. Those are the only calibers I don't load with Dillon dies.

 

[max503]

Let me get this right; You can use other dies on the SDB? If so, how do you charge the case with powder?

 

[scattershot]

Let me get this right; You can use other dies on the SDB? If so, how do you charge the case with powder?

I believe the OP is referring to the 550B, not the Square Deal B. The SDB takes proprietary dies..

 

[Dale53]

I don't believe that I have seen this mentioned in print, before. However, one thing I do with my Dillon 550B's as well as my Lee Turret presses is when you originally install the dies, do NOT tighten the lock rings without running a case up into the die at each station. While the case is in the die, it aligns it (there has to be "wiggle room" in the threads to allow you to screw them in and out by hand. So, adjust the dies as you normally do when installing them in the tool head mounted on the press. Then, run a case into the die and that centers the die. With the case still in the die, THEN tighten the lock ring. Do it to each dies station in turn. That will insure that the dies are properly centered and should minimize alignment problems, even after some wear takes place.

With the dies properly aligned, there will be far fewer problems at ALL stations.

Just a thought or two...
Dale53

 

[terry_tr6]

got to love that dillon service. My SDB was bought used almost 30 years ago and I just noticed the whole powder measure assembly had a lot of wobble in it. didn't affect the actual case handling, only happens on powder dispensing and it still dispensed fine. sent an email and picture of the issue and got a response that parts were on the way, both cast pieces plus the long springs, no plastic hopper. turns out the hopper changes slightly and now uses 2 screws to lock it in place. Could not see how to remove my old one so i could swap it and another email went out asking for advice. a week later a new powder hopper arrived, NC for any of it. And WOW has the price of a SDB gone up over the years!

 

[Paul in Nevada]

...do NOT tighten the lock rings without running a case up into the die at each station...

I don't have a 550 but that step is in the instructions for the 750 and I think the Lee turret.
This is also why Lee dies have the o-ring. A couple custom die makers have copied this feature.