Powder dispenser disassembly advice requested!

[lrrifleman]

Hello All!

As I am working back into full scale reloading, I am finding that a number of pieces of reloading equipment has suffered from my accident due to not-use.

The latest victim is a Hornady powder dispenser. The powder reservoir has disintegrated, but that is relatively minor. The rotating drum is the current big victim.

Due to almost 12 years of no movement and a little moisture from a leaking roof in my workshop, the drum has rusted/seized in place. In an effort to dissolve rust within the housing that holds the drum, I have been doing the coke bathes that worked well on my grandfather's farm equipment. This is the older style dispenser, where the lip of the housing slides into the reservoir.

My biggest question is, does this drum slide into the housing in only one direction? I think the last time I had this apart was in the early '90s when I purchased it.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I had one of Hornady's powder measures. I used a BP substitute, and emptied the measure when done, but no one told me I needed to disassemble and wipe the fine dust off every little part! Over one night or two the water absorbing nature of the powder, fused it together! Powders measurers are too important to have a pitted or sticky movement to their operation. I replaced the Hornady with a Lyman 55 Black Powder variant, That disassembles easily.

Ivan

 

[arjay]

All of the images google finds look like my RCBS measure which does come apart in either direction. (Your post inspired me to disassemble it and clean a light layer of "patina" off of it :-D )

 

[SMSgt]

My 1975 Herter's powder dropper just keep humming along.

 

[Nemo288]

Unfortunately, I suspect you are now in the market for a new powder thrower.
Even if you free up the rotating parts, it is never going to work to your satisfaction IMHO.
My Redding is still going after 35+ years.
The drum looks like it might be chrome plated or is polished that well.
The model I have (#3 Universal) is now called the Match-Grade Model 3BR Powder Measure.
match-grade-model-3br-powder-measure
bench-stand
It has 2 different micrometer inserts for small and large charges.
Looking around, Amazon is still offering the #3 universal for about $200.
Maybe try for a nice used one on eBay, gunbroker, or similar site?

Good luck and welcome back to reloading!

Sadly I had to take down the bench for a spell and convert it to my wife's work from home office.