Micrometer for Dillion Powder Bar

[Waldo]

Just read an article in Gun Week about a company called Unique Tek. They make a micrometer dial to replace the adjustment bolt on the powder measure bar of the Dillion presses. It is supposed to make repeating your charge weights very easy when you change powders or weights on your Dillion press. There is also another company called Mr. Dial that makes a similar product. Has anyone had any experience with either of these products? I love my Dillion press and don't want to mess it up. But adjusting the powder measure is very time consuming. Thanks, Waldo

 

[Waldo]

Just read an article in Gun Week about a company called Unique Tek. They make a micrometer dial to replace the adjustment bolt on the powder measure bar of the Dillion presses. It is supposed to make repeating your charge weights very easy when you change powders or weights on your Dillion press. There is also another company called Mr. Dial that makes a similar product. Has anyone had any experience with either of these products? I love my Dillion press and don't want to mess it up. But adjusting the powder measure is very time consuming. Thanks, Waldo

 

[Dale53]

The Unique Tek works well. However, I have fitted one Dillon measure with the Unique Tek micrometer and the other two Dillon powder measures with a knob that just pushes onto the bolt head and REALLY eases the adjustment process. Frankly, I will not bother to add the Unique micrometer to my other measures as I like the knob THAT well.

Here is the thread where it was discussed on the Cast Boolit Forum:

http://castboolits.gunloads.co...wder+adjustment+knob

Dale53

 

[Skip Sackett]

I have a rather large bag of them that I got from MSC. They are all red and work pretty well. I also have an assortment box with knurled knobs that are a little smaller. I used some of them in other places on the press.

Here is a picture of one of my Square Deal B's with one on it.

Here are the small knurled knobs:

 

[ChuckS1]

I have one of those Mr. Dial knobs on my SDB. Works fine, no real problems, though I suppose it would have been just as good to get a knob from Home Depot.

Two real advantages to a dial on the powder bar. First, it's easier to adjust than that stupid bolt that was on there. Second, the reference marks make it easy to adjust the measure between my two .45 ACP loads I use. I could just as easily (and more cheaply I guess) used a knob from the hardware store and painted a couple of reference marks on it to distiguish between the two loads.

 

[Dale53]

I could just as easily (and more cheaply I guess) used a knob from the hardware store and painted a couple of reference marks on it to distinguish between the two loads.

That's EXACTLY what I do.

Of course, for newbies here, it is extremely important to use your accurate powder scale to check when you change ANY load without totally relying on a mechanical mark. I can just see some child or visitor idly turning a knob... Use your own imagination. Every time I walk away from my reloader, I re-check the powder charge whether it has been an hour or a week.

Dale53

 

[Sgt Preston]

Sgt Preston here. I use the Mr. Dial dispensor knob. I have chosen to own just I dispensor to serve the 3 calibers I load on my Dillon 550. To do that I wanted to be able to quickly move from the setting for I caliber to another. Mr. Dial is graduated similar to a micrometer. I have recorded all the settings for my 3 calibers & can quickly get to within + or - 1/10 of a grain with a turn of the knob. My situation may be different that a lot of you because I also (KISS) keep it simple by using just 1 powder (Win 231). So I sat down one day and measured, weighed & charted the exact dropped charge weight delivered at each graduation on Mr. Dial scale. When I decide to try a new weight, I look at my chart & dial it in. www.mrdial.com. Hope this helps. Sgt Preston USMC LLA

 

[sar4937]

I looked at the hardware store knobs yesterday. Then I looked at the bolt in the powder bar, and the bolt is machined so that it is retained from in/out movement. The hardware store knobs are not, are you modifying them?

 

[VonFatman]

sar4937,
I'm using the "Home Depot" knobs on my Dillon powder drops...no need to do anything but press the knob on to the bolt head on the drop.

If you would like to try a "knob"...e-mail me your address and I'll send you one.

Same goes for Waldo. I've got a stash and will be happy to send you one too.

Bob

vonfatmanATyahoo.com

 

[sar4937]

Thanks for the offer, but now I see where I went wrong. I was looking at the knobs that were made on to a threaded rod. Thank you for posting a picture.

 

[Amici]

Originally posted by Waldo: I love my Dillion [sic]press and don't want to mess it up. But adjusting the powder measure is very time consuming. Thanks, Waldo

As has been noted, the press-on knobs are MUCH cheaper than buying a powder measure for each caliber. You'll likely end up doing that, anyway - I did - but the larger knobs are a great improvement to what is arguably the poorest-designed part of what is an excellent press.

And it's DILLON; not "Dillion."

 

[Sgt Preston]

Quote:
"As has been noted, the press-on knobs are MUCH cheaper than buying a powder measure for each caliber. You'll likely end up doing that, anyway - I did - but the larger knobs are a great improvement to what is arguably the poorest-designed part of what is an excellent press."

Sgt Preston back again. Actually I had separate powder measures for each caliber. When I bought the Mr. Dial, I sold off the "extra" powder measures & used the money to buy more reloading components. Adding the Mr Dial made it as easy as a TV dial to change calibers. Hope this helps. Sgt Preston USMC LLA

 

[Jeff423]

I had a Mr. Dial and currently have the Uniquetek micrometer. They have very different applications.
The Mr. Dial will show where you are in any single revolution(360 dgrees). If you turn the dial more than 1 turn you need to count the turns.
The Uniquetek will give you a readout over it's entire range. This is handy if, like me, you only have one powder measure. For 231,with the Arredondo powder bar, a reading of .25 gives me 1 gr. and a reading of 6.75 gives me 15 gr. (I always confirm the amount with a scale, but the micrometer gets me close).
When I'm making up a new load I write down the micrometer reading and that way I can get back to the proper charge quickly when I want to repeat that load.

Jeff

 

[Waldo]

Thanks to every one who replied.
Dale53, I read your link and went to the Home Depot today and purchased two of the knobs. I will try them and see what I think. They are a lot cheaper then either MR Dial or the unique tek micrometer.
VonFatman, thank you for your generous offer. After reading the link in the other forum I thought it might be an interesting challenge to try to find the knob at Home Depot. The first Home Depot I went to was a small one and they did not have it. But the lady was very helpful and looked on the computer and found twelve of them at the next closest Home Depot. I went there and got two.
I will work on my spelling, I do not want to upset anyone here.
Thanks again, Waldo

 

[VonFatman]

Waldo,
You better not get two good at spelling...I don't need to look any worse with my spilling than I already due!!

 

[Revoman]

Does anyone know a part number or what section Home Depot keeps these in.

I looked and asked in hardware but the guy was clueless and I didn't see them.

Thanks Jay P.

 

[VonFatman]

Jay P.,

Here you go...

They are kept in a bank of drawers with other "knobs"...in Hardware....same isle as wood screws, washers, etc.

Bob

 

[Dale53]

revoman;
Print that package information that VonFatman provided and take it to Home Depot with you.

I have been in several Home Depots in my area, and the "Crown Bolt Inc" has everything in their own little drawer set. Go to information at Home Depot, have them scan the SKU number off the picture of the package then they will direct you.

Dale53

 

[Revoman]

Bob, thanks that will get me there.

Dale, I got it copied down I hope they all carry it.

We have three local Home Depots one of them must have these.

 

[m657]

I keep intending to find one of those knobs but I refuse to even go into the local HD any more.

I keep a very small crescent wrench handy should I need to change the setting....often only a 1/8 or 1/4 turn is plenty. And sometimes I can just grab the bolt head with my fingers to turn.

I've printed out the bin photo and some day will make it to another store.