Changing powder measures Dillon 550B

[MoreIsLess]

I am getting ready to change calibers for the first time on my Dillon 550b, I just got it last week. I have separate tool head and powder measures. In order to remove the tool head that it currently attached, it appears that I have to loosen/disconnect the failsafe rod from the slotted bellcrank. Is there an easy way to do this without having to remove the stripper wing nut and pull it out from the return bracket

 

[skipsan]

I just loosened the wing nut enough to get enough slack in the system to allow the tool head to be rotated sufficiently to disconect the rod from the bellcrank.

Probably an easier/better way, but it works for me and is quick.

 

[jack44]

I dont loosen the nut all the way! just enough

 

[Cfish]

Pull the handle down about halfway and this will loosen the tension on the failsafe rod. Once the rod is loose pop the washer in the slot loose and slide the rod out the open notch.

 

[gahunter12]

^^^ Ditto. I do the same thing. The white teflon bushing can be a job to get off. I carefully removed a little of the rem on top of the bushing on one side to make it easier to remove. I just rotate the white bushing so the shaved side lines up with the bracket on the ram, and with a little presure it pops out.

 

[Samari Jack]

After loosening the wing nut, I use 1/2 a wood clothes pin to push the teflon the rest of the way out. Sometimes a light tap on the wood clothes pin is necessary. My fingers are not that strong in recent years.

 

[guzzi]

This is how I over came this issue.

I took out the crook in the linkage and drilled a hole in it so that a pin could be inserted.

 

[ExMachina]

To remove the toolhead without removing the powder measure:

1) Loosen hex bolts on measure collar to ensure that the measure it rotates freely on the powder die (my press is set up like this always)

2) Remove the tool head pins and raise the ram slightly

3) Slide the toolhead out, rotating the powder measure as needed to keep the fail safe bar from bending

4) Remove fail safe bar from measure and you're DONE!

This is how I change out powders too--much faster than removing/re installing the measure

 

[Nanook]

Guzzi, that's an elegant solution. Very clever.