Dillon Primer Tube filling

[00-Guy]

I have been looking (reading lusting) after one of the Dillon RF 100 Primer Tube filler machines. I found the Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime Automatic Primer Tube Filler at Midway. I know about the NO BS warranty from Dillon. (love it) The problem is that the Frankford costs $35 while the Dillon is $225. Anyone tried the Frankford tool/toy? happy? sad? confused?

00-Guy

 

[Nero Steptoe]

There's a good thread over on Glocktalk, under "reloading" about this very subject. Most were really pleased with the Vibra-Prime. However, they work better if you remove the plastic adapters from the tubes and just hold the tubes into the machine. They'll fill a primer tube in under 10 seconds. (You also might need to deburr the hole where the cotter pin goes.)

I used my Vibra-Prime just this afternoon, loading four hundred rounds or so through my 650...sure makes things go a lot quicker.

 

[Jeeper]

No need to buy the tubes that midway suggests. Just use the dillon ones. I love that vibra-prime. It is faster than the dillon one and works great.

 

[JPM70535]

The Vibra prime is one of those products that casts doubt on the old adage that you get what you pay for. IMO you get much more. I found mine to be reliable and fast. Only problem I ever had was a primer that fed upside down as it entered the tube chute. Watching the primers as they track towards the chute allows for catching the errent primer before it drops.

One other thought. After I fill the Frankford filler tube, I found the best way to tranfer the primers to the Dillon tubes.( I like to keep enough primer tubes filled to last my entire reloading session.) Take a small section of yinyl tubing that will just fit over the end of the Frankford tube that has the primer retention clip, remove the plastic primer pick-up from the end of the Dillon tube, mate the bottom end of the Frankford tube to the top end of the Dillon tube, pull the pin and all the primers will be transferred. Replace the pick-up on the Dillon tube to retain the primers and repeat the process until all your tiubes are full.

 

[MoNsTeR]

Guess I'm unlucky, my Vibra-Prime doesn't work for %$#!. Glad I only paid $25.

 

[Jeeper]

Whats the problem with it? Once you figure out how to hold it then it really kicks butt.

 

[MrMunster]

Since I was one of the main posters in the GT thread, I'll summarize my comments here.

The device is not the best made piece of machinery on the planet, but for the $26 Natchez is charging right now, it is a worthwhile investment. As already stated, throw away the plastic adaptors that come with it and simply hold the primer tubes in place by hand.

For the price difference between the FA and the Dillon, I'll take the FA and spend the money I saved on primers, powder, and bullets. (The savings should be enough for at least a couple thousand rounds of 9mm.)