Aurgh, leaking powder from Lee Pro Auto Disk!

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WhoKnowsWho

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Any suggestions on how I can try to stop the leaking from the Pro Auto Disk measure? Different disks all leak the same, every upstroke, powder flys from where it has fallen in the base, and I had to clean tons of powder off the floor and bench after only 10 rounds. I don't think I did anything wrong... but some help would be nice!
 
Odd ........ I have used auto-disk measures for years ... they are now upgraded to the ones where the hopper can come off.

It really sounds like the hopper may not be screwed down tight enough .. otherwise hard to see how powder escapes. Also .... is the actuator arm in right place under disk?

If a really major prob then check with Lee themselves. I have to think tho something has been overlooked here. Wish I could eyeball the setup for you.
 
I tried screwing it down more, but I am using the double disk kit, maybe those risers are too tall and not letting me screw it down enough?

The powder is escaping underneath the disks, just gathering there, when the disks are actuated, it doesn't catch any of that powder, it just spreads it around some more.
 
What powder(s) are you using?

My change to using fine grain ball powders like AA#5 drove me to stop using my Autodisk and move to a Hornady measure.

The fine grained powders just leaked out all over the place.
 
I'm using AA#5 :(

It works fine with only one disk, except the charge I need isn't achievable with one disk, it's either too low or too high.

I have some Blue Dot I can use for these .41 Magnums also, but the #5 worked better when I tried it.

If the actuator arm wasn't in the right place, the whole thing wouldn't work at all would it? I got it in the slot and everything...
 
Email Lee see what they say, can't hurt. I use the Pro Auto Disk / the adjustable charge bar with #5 without any problems. I have the dbl disk kit but haven't used it with the fine ball powders.
 
Ahhh ..... double disking eh ...... well have to confess, never gone that route so yeah ... maybe a word with Lee on this.

I also go to my Hornady measure for big loads of powder ... slower i know but ..... just put thru the flare top with auto disk off.

If a solution presents ... be interested to hear result.
 
The Lee site under the FAQ's lists sanding down the risers that allow the double disks to be used, but I already checked, and they are even thickness with the disks.

I e-mailed Lee, the last time, they e-mailed back pretty quickly, so I'll see what they suggest about this.
 
Mine does the same thing with fine ball powder and a single disk setup. Using H110, I'll lose about half a charge over 100rnds, give or take. I simply vacuum it up every few hundred rounds. It's annoying, but I load in the basement over a concrete floor, so the mess is minimal. The measure is consistent, so I'll live with that mess. I don't have this problem with Bulleye or Unique.

Chris
 
That is one problem with the leaking, I'm losing about a round of charge every 10 rounds, that's how much it is leaking.

And it's not leaking from that elastomer wiper, I watched it for the first charge, once the disks slide over, and then back, there is powder all over under the bottom disk, but the top disk is clear.

Lee hasn't e-mailed back yet, dang them, they should have 24 hour e-mail support! :D

I can load some .45 ACP in the meantime though, the dipper is about the charge I want to start at, and I already know that charge works fine.
 
Well, I know it stinks, but you may simply find that your Lee measure isn't usable with the fine ball powders no matter what you do.

I'm heading to Pennsylvania this weekend to visit my folks, and one of the things that I want to do is to pick up my RCBS Uniflow measure for when I want to measure AA powders.
 
Oh - my bad!! I had forgot what you'd mentioned some ways back re your PA connection ....... that looks like you'll go up sorta Gettysberg etc. A tad far to East!

I'm way to West ... Bedford County .... so hardly en route at all!! Sorry Mike, had my wires crossed i think but .... you or any THR member travelling near enough to my area would always be welcome to call by.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.:)

Chris P95
 
I modified an adjustable charge bar so that I could use two adjustable charge bars with the double disk kit. Worked very well.

BTW, are you using the larger or smaller disk opening on top?
 
Larger disk on top as the instructions specify.

I think I am going to try adding tape to reduce the space between the bottom disk and frame. And then using some dryer sheets to make sure the tape does not have static cling.

But that will have to wait till next week when work is done.
 
Thank Gawd, I haven't had to use a Lee in quite some time, so I'm recalling from memory, but I believe the larger hole should be on the bottom; otherwise, the powder will collect on the exposed "ledges" of the smaller hole, causing muy problemo.

Might want to check those instructions out again. (Of course, I'm just using logic and recalling my nightmare years of using a Lee press)

Well , Eureka! My memory is still intact. Yeah, you need to read those instructions again. Bet that powder drop will work a lot better, if assembled correctly! I just checked out the instructions on Lee's website, and, voila, the small hole is supposed to be on top, just as I remembered!
 
Oops? I said large hole on top...

Sorry, I mixed myself up, I just checked and it is set up with the smaller hole on top. So it isn't something that obvious (which would have been nice and easy)

Lee e-mailed back, they seem to think it is leaking from the elastomer wiper and that I should replace that, forgot to tell them that it is leaking from the bottom of the bottom disk... I'll see what they say now that I updated them with more info.
 
Who,

Replacing the elastomeric wiper still may help you in this situation.

If it's worn, it may not be pushing down on the disk as forcibly, and as the disk cycles, the arm that moves it could be pushing up on it at the same time, just enough to let powder leak.
 
Maybe going to a little slower powder, eg., #7 or #9, and using the adjustable charge bar would solve your problems. If you use the adjustable charge bar, you probably can get a heavy enough charge that you don't need to go the double-disk route.
 
If it's leaking from the bottom of the bottom disk I would suspect that something is lifting the disks. You shouldn't be able to physically lift the disks from the bottom with moderate finger pressure. If you can make a gap you have excessive play somewhere.

Also make sure you are following the gudelines and that you don't have too small of an opening on too large of a base. You want both disk apatures to be as close as possible and still reach the desired volume.
 
Well, at least I can load my .45s with AA#5 without a problem. The disks and the adjustable charge bar work fine. About 2 fine balls of powder leak in an hour.

I'll try lowering the height of the standoffs a bit more, they seem flush with the disks, but maybe they need to be a bit more lower.
 
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