Auto disk problem... and solution

[Doc Samson]

Been using a Lee Auto Disk powder dispenser for several years and it has done well for me. Of late though, I noticed I was getting more and more powder (Ramshot Silhouette) between the drop and the disk. Enough that I was having to clean it off every 15-20 rounds. I tried cleaning the areas where everything mated up but to no avail so I took a moment, a.k.a. stood in my garage staring off into space, and decided to try something that made changing out my motorcycle tires much easier.

303 Aerospace Protectant! I took the powder holder (minus the lid) and the disk I was using, put them in a plastic bag, soaked them down with the 303, and let them sit overnight. The next day, I took it all out, dried everything very thoroughly, set it back up, and... 100 rounds later, I have seen nary a nugget of powder!

 

[noylj]

Were you getting leakage between the wiper at the bottom of the hopper and the disk? Did the wiper swell from the soak?

 

[CQB45ACP]

I’m happy for you. I tried the auto disc and auto drum and perfect measure. They all leaked too much for my tastes so I moved to another mfr.

 

[Lennyjoe]

1680 leaks quite a bit for me in my auto disc so I might give this a try

 

[wst38tx]

I have an Auto Disk that I never could get to an accuracy I trusted. I'm thinking it may be the powder, but not sure. Red Dot wasn't good at all, Bullseye and Varget both would meter OK except for the occasional barf or leakage. Tried about every fix I read about on forums to no avail. Guess it could be operator error, or just a trust issue (I started with 38 special). Now for volume loading I drop powder with an RCBS Uniflow onto an electronic scale and trickle to perfection. For this old retired dude with plenty of time - works well.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I have an Auto Disk that I never could get to an accuracy I trusted. I'm thinking it may be the powder, but not sure. Red Dot wasn't good at all, Bullseye and Varget both would meter OK except for the occasional barf or leakage. Tried about every fix I read about on forums to no avail. Guess it could be operator error, or just a trust issue (I started with 38 special). Now for volume loading I drop powder with an RCBS Uniflow onto an electronic scale and trickle to perfection. For this old retired dude with plenty of time - works well.

I now use the RCBS also—failsafe.

 

[kmw1954]

I have an Auto Disk that I never could get to an accuracy I trusted. .
Now for volume loading I drop powder with an RCBS Uniflow onto an electronic scale and trickle to perfection. For this old retired dude with plenty of time - works well.

Sorry to hear that. I use 3 different ones and they are so consistent with AA #2, AA#5, Silhouette, HP-38 and TAC for me that they are absolutely boring.

 

[Sistema1927]

Are you talking about the older Auto-Disk with the screws holding the hopper that strip out, or the newer model with the bolts and brass nuts?

I was just using my newer one yesterday and today. Yesterday I was throwing Trail Boss, and measuring the first, middle, and last loads showed no deviance. Today, I was weighing every load of Unique since I was loading near max, and each one tipped the scale the same.

I have both kinds of Auto-Disk, old and new. I replaced the hopper on the older one, and have the adjustable powder charge bar permanently in place, With the newer one I have the double disk set-up, which works quite well. Between the two versions, I am pretty well set-up to do anything that I want.

 

[noylj]

I’m happy for you. I tried the auto disc and auto drum and perfect measure. They all leaked too much for my tastes so I moved to another mfr.

The only one that leaked for me was the PPM (never tried an auto drum, but it is just an improved PPM), and I just did what Lee said and put a piece of paper under it. It wore in after 3-6 months and no longer leaks. Of course, it is just a bench-mounted measure that I use for rifles and the very rare pistol cartridge.
Sorry about your results with the others, but Auto-Disk leakage would seem more a question of the fit of the wiper to the disk. Wipers, I think, can be replaced. Not even True Blue or AA9 leak in my Auto Disks.

 

[Tilos]

Reducing the clearance between the hopper and disc will put more pressure seal for a better seal, less leakage.
With a disc in place, draw file across it to remove material from the red circled areas until the file touches the disc.
The pictured disc has been used after the filing mod and you can see the area the seal smeared across it due to the added pressure


Over tightening that hopper holding-screw will cause uneven pressure on the top of the seal and another potential leak point.
*note the almost even smear on the seal

I put on this parallel clamp over the hopper and base to correct the angled hopper/uneven seal pressure caused by that off-center screw.


Probably over-board on the mods for powder leakage...but that's just me

 

[Tilos]

Been using a Lee Auto Disk powder dispenser for several years and it has done well for me. Of late though, I noticed I was getting more and more powder (Ramshot Silhouette) between the drop and the disk. Enough that I was having to clean it off every 15-20 rounds. I tried cleaning the areas where everything mated up but to no avail so I took a moment, a.k.a. stood in my garage staring off into space, and decided to try something that made changing out my motorcycle tires much easier.

303 Aerospace Protectant! I took the powder holder (minus the lid) and the disk I was using, put them in a plastic bag, soaked them down with the 303, and let them sit overnight. The next day, I took it all out, dried everything very thoroughly, set it back up, and... 100 rounds later, I have seen nary a nugget of powder!

The soft seal may be worn out
Lee sells replacements...

 

[Doc Samson]

Were you getting leakage between the wiper at the bottom of the hopper and the disk? Did the wiper swell from the soak?

Yes to both. The 303 helps "rejuvenate" rubber and plastic. I don't think it swelled because my charge weight has stayed steady...

Reducing the clearance between the hopper and disc will put more pressure seal for a better seal, less leakage.
With a disc in place, draw file across it to move material from the red circled areas until the file touches the disc.
The pictured disc has been used after the filing mod and you can see the area the seal smeared across it due to the added pressure

Over tightening that hopper holding-screw will cause uneven pressure on the top of the seal and another potential leak point.
*note the almost even smear on the seal

I put on this parallel clamp over the hopper and base to correct the angled hopper/uneven seal pressure cause by that off-center screw.

Probably over-board on the mods for powder leakage...but that's just me

Great pics and tips! Thanks!

The soft seal may be worn out
Lee sells replacements...

It very well could be but it's working for now. I didn't think to see about just replacing that part but will likely order a few to have on hand. Thanks!

 

[scott511]

The soft seal may be worn out
Lee sells replacements...

I definitely can confirm that the wiper will cause leakage on the Pro Auto Disk.
A new wiper solved my leak immediately.
$1.00 each from Titan;
P/N: AD3396