Dillon Square Deal Question

[campfire]

Can anyone tell me if the Square Deal has always been manufactured with the "Powder Measure Failsafe System"? (The bent rod which goes from the powder measure mechanism to the bottom of the machine).
I have a Square Deal which I bought second hand in excellent working order about two years ago.
I suspect my loader was made many years ago and it has the failsafe on it, I also have, what I believe would be the original operating instruction booklet.
I can't find any date of manufacture either in the book or on the machine.
I have recently seen a photo of a Square Deal for sale which isn't showing the failsafe device.
Did the very early models come fitted with these gadgets or was this a more recent modification.
Also, is the Low Primer Early Warning Alarm System a more recent addition or were these included on the original models.
As always, your comments greatly appreciated.
Campfire

 

[Skip Sackett]

I have two Square Deal presses and one Square Deal "B". The two Square Deal presses didn't have the fail safe rod as they were made before that option was available. The "B" model had both of the options you mention.

Since I bought all of my presses used, I have less than $600 in all three, I can't tell you the exact date that those enhancements were originally installed. I do know this, you can send the press back in for an upgrade and for a minimal price you can get all of the current revisions installed.

They are worth the price. The warranty is worth an extra $100 in my opinion. The only parts you cannot get sent to you free of charge is the frame and the ram. They want the press back to get those installed. One of the ones I bought had an ear on the ram that was cracked. I had to send it back for that. They went through it and now my son has it and will be cranking out rounds soon enough!

Hope this helps.

 

[dla]

I have an 1998 SDB and it has it.

The low-primer beeper has always been an option as far as I know.

 

[Bart 44]

I would think you would be best served by asking Dillon this question. They're very good people to work with.
I have several SDs, the earliest ones didn't have the rod but a quick call to Dillon and I had everything I needed to upgrade my old SDs.

The early ones didn't have the low primer sensor.

Dennis.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Because inquiring minds have to know, I did just as Dennis suggested and called Dillon.

It seems that the only two things that make a "B" a "B" is the fail safe rod and primer warning buzzer. It seems that the SD classification is from the middle to late 80's.

Hope this helps!

 

[Bart 44]

Because inquiring minds have to know, I did just as Dennis suggested and called Dillon.

It seems that the only two things that make a "B" a "B" is the fail safe rod and primer warning buzzer. It seems that the SD classification is from the middle to late 80's.

Hope this helps!

Sounds right. I bought my first one around 1984 and it was just a SD. The SDB came later.

Dennis.

 

[Steel609]

My SDB is from around 1994-95 and it has it.

 

[campfire]

Thanks to all for the replies, so now I know the difference between a Square Deal and a Square Deal "B".
This forum is a wonderful source of knowledge.
Campfire

 

[chief38]

As others have stated above, the SD-B does have these features. I have owned one for about 20 years now and use the hell out of it. Dillon actually rebuild it once about 10 years ago (no charge of course) and it's still going strong. The only disadvantage to this model is that it will not load rifle calibers. I have purchased a RCBS Rockchucker for that purpose. My rifle caliber reloading requirements are so low (probably less than 200 rounds a year) that I felt I did not need a progressive press. My SD-B probably gets over 10,000 rounds a year (.38 spl. 45 ACP, 45 LC) through it. Great press!

 

[girvin02]

I have nothing to add, other than to agree that the Square Deal (and SDB) is a great press. I reloaded 1,000 rounds, just yesterday - .38 Special in (4) different bullet/powder configurations - all in just under 3 hours. I love this thing.

 

[JIM BO]

I bought a 550B years ago and was completely satisfied with it and the company.I'm retired now and thinking more and more of getting back to reloading.

 

[kdiver58]

The safety was added in 1992.
What are the major differences between the Square Deal and the Sq. Deal 'B' ??

 

[socal s&w]

You can prolly find out a lot more on the Brian Enos Forum as well. He not only sells them, but the Forum is dedicated to the Dillon machines and has some really good information and tips.