Dillon 550B primer feed sticks @ primer fill

[solman]

I have had this problem come up recently where the primer shuttle sticks in the primer fill station and doesn't return. It happens once or twice every 100 rounds. I took it apart and cleaned up everything and used a little powdered graphite on the slide base and on the top. Still the problem persists. If I can't get it resolved I will call Dillon on Monday and see what they say.
Anyone else have this problem?

 

[eldon519]

Happens to me periodically. I clean the assembly and then either coat it in grease or spray it with Remoil. Or both works too. Grease seems to last longer between sticking. There can also be some play in the primer tube assembly so make sure it is bolted down inline with the spring and isn't binding sideways. Lastly, you might need a new spring if you've got lots of rounds through it.

 

[SwaneeSR]

I am not sure how long you have had your press. Does everything seem ok with the accuator rod and the white plastic wheel that pushes the primer shuttle back away to pick up a new primer?

I had to make a slight bend in the rod and make sure rod and wheels in alignment once.





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[solman]

Thanks Eldon: I was reluctant to use oil or grease in the proximity of primers. I guess it should be fine if I go sparingly and stay away from the primer cup area.

Swanee, I have had the press for about 27 years. Perhaps some grease and a new spring will do the trick. The wheel and rod seem fine and just the slide sticks, all I have to do is tap it and it returns to position.

This used to happen perhaps once in a rare while but lately it has been occurring more frequently.
I guess, some more time and closer examination is in order

 

[Jim Watson]

Polish the bar or ask Dillon for a replacement.
Don't tighten the screws so much as to distort the mung metal primer feed housing. Level the bottom flat if the holes are pulled already. I had to loctite mine.
Look at the long guide plate from Unique Tek. I have a prototype and it helps.

 

[SwaneeSR]

Ok. I have lubricated with the smallest amount of rem oil after cleaning.
You have a few more miles on your press than me.

Good luck! Sounds like you are on the right path.


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[RPegram]

I've always just cleaned well and put everything back together dry when it starts sticking. It takes almost nothing to cause the bar to hang. Most times it is a little fouling from depriming brass or a little piece of tumbler media. I've found any kind of lubricant, whether dry or wet causes it to foul faster. After cleaning, it will work great for another few thousand rounds.

 

[rbernie]

The issue is that the actuating rod is trying to cant the slider, because it's pushing on the slider too far away from its centerline (on the white wheel). I have used all of the above solutions, with modest results.

Eventually, I got tired of having black spooge on the primer slider and took a bastard file to the underside of the primer tube assembly to lightly remove any casting artifacts that were causing friction. I also recurved the rod so that it would move the white wheel inward towards the outer 'pickup' end of its stroke and then move it back out as it moved back towards the ram/shellplate.

 

[X-Rap]

If it's 27 yrs old I think you'll find that Dillon has improved that part by coating it with teflon/powder coating or something to limit friction.
I know they replaced mine from the raw aluminum to a black coating.

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[eldon519]

X-rap, the primer bar is black or the little metal shim plate it rides on?

Also, I am pretty liberal with the use of Remoil for that application. As long as you don't spray it on the primer cup, I have seen no harm. Gravity will carry it away from the primers. If I'm not in the mood or don't have the time to clean it, I'll just hose the under plate and the top and sides of the bar. Probably within 10rds it'll work into where it needs to go and quit sticking for a few hundred to a few thousand rounds. I'm sure it would appall some folks, but I run my press like I run a Glock or AR15. My first response is more lube. Only if that doesn't fix it do I really deep clean it. Occassionally I get it with a vaccuum too just to get the loose grit off.

 

[solman]

I loaded 500 rnds yesterday and was good until number 499. Thats way better than its been lately. I guess it was due a good cleaning and some lube.
I looked into the uniqutek slide plate it seems like a good idea.
I was turned off by 10 plus dollars to mail a small piece of steel in a padded envelope.

 

[X-Rap]

I'm thinking both parts should be black but I'm away from my machines so I can't check. I'd call Dillon, they have been great every time I've ever needed anything. I've also found that the mechanism can only get so filthy and it will begin to have the problem you describe.
Periodic wiping and some canned air will prolong the inevitable need to breakdown and fully clean.

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[orionengnr]

I just added the UniqueTek plate recently.
Not sure it was absolutely necessary (wasn't really having a problem) but the physics/engineering principles behind it look sound.
Seems to work just fine--I think it might be worth a try.

 

[solman]

I ordered the plate and bearing assembly from evilbay. Seems to be a good mechanical concept for the primer feed shuttle.
I will report back on its efficacy after it arrives and I try it out.

 

[njl]

It should work fine. A couple of years ago, when this came up on brianenos.com, I had a friend make an extended primer track bearing for my RL550B. Mine doesn't have the roller bearing on it...it's just a piece of sheet metal cut like the original bearing, but extended to better support the primer slide. I've been using it a little more than 2 years. It solved my primer slide sticking issues.