Fine Tuning the Pawls H-LNL-AP

[Hungry1]

Are there any Zen-Full folks with words of wisdom. Or at least people with links?

My Hornady LNL-AP is giving me fits.

Last night, I was reloading some 9mm and at first, I had problems with the shell plate advancing far enough to allow the spent primer to drop... Give it a "wiggle" and it would drop, at the cost of some spilt powder.

I got frustrated...should of walked away...mashed the handle forward and busted a pawl :banghead:

I've got the pawls "working". However, they are not smooth.

I've read the manual. I've twisted, twerked, and tweaked...



Grateful for any helpful input.

 

[BYJO4]

You need to adjust one pawl at a time getting it to index the shellplate to the exact spot. When adjusting, turn the screw in very small increments and then test. Keep doing this until it indexes to the correct spot. Then do the same to the second pawl. It's possible that since you pushed the operating handle hard enough to break a pawl that something else was also effected. You might be wise to call Hornady on Monday and have a tech walk you thru adjusting the press while sitting in front of it. They are excellent in helping you solve any issue and will spend whatever time is needed on the phone to get the press to index properly.

 

[John3921]

Don't adjust the pawls too high. You'll see that the top surface of the pawl is ground at an angle. If you get them too high then the angled surface wont engage the indexing gear - instead the unground side of the pawl will. That will jamb it up hard and make it easy to break something.

 

[Hungry1]

Don't adjust the pawls too high. You'll see that the top surface of the pawl is ground at an angle. If you get them too high then the angled surface wont engage the indexing gear - instead the unground side of the pawl will. That will jamb it up hard and make it easy to break something.

I know that you're on to something John3921. It's a steep learning curve, but I'm learning the intricacies of this press.

thanks

 

[GJSchulze]

Call Hornady and they will help you. Their customer service is great.
Now please tell me how you spilled powder by just wiggling the shell plate.

 

[Blue68f100]

Try to run the ram up and down using the same speed as you would reloading when adjusting the index. Also listen for double clicks. If you stopping a hare short or going past you will get a double click. This second click it the detent snapping back into the hole. A lot of times you can feel this in the shell plate if you ride your fingers on it lightly.

If a spent primer is not clearing the base you need to extend the pin down further. Primers can stick on the pin and can be pulled back into the primer pocket. Jamming a press. This is why some are spring loaded to knock them free. Those that are spring loaded need the pin sticking out around 1/4" since the spring compresses under use.

 

[Urban_Redneck]

Here's a good explanation of pawl adjustment with pictures
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368171

I got frustrated...should of walked away...mashed the handle forward and busted a pawl

Don't load angry

 

[moonman16]

YEP,

Use the link Urban Redneck supplied.

I keep the adjustment diagram posted in front of my press.

REMEMBER - - ADJUST ONE AT A TIME IN VERY SMALL INCREMENTS.

 

[grubbylabs]

When they say small or tiny adjustments they mean it. My press showed up just a little out of time on the down stroke. Less than a 1/8 of a turn on the left pawl had it back in time.

Also make sure you have the shell plate just tight enough that it does not wobble to much. I picked up a lock washer for it. I put a flat washer below it so it does not mar the shell plate, but it keeps the shell plate tight like it should be.

 

[gojones]

I want to say that I screwed the pawls in and then backed them out 1 1/2 turns to set them to factory. I then adjusted each pawl, one for upstroke and one for downstroke in quarter turn increments. When cycling the handle at your normal speed, you should only hear one click and not two clicks. Mine work really good since then and I only hear on click on the cycle. Don't hesitate to call Hornady, they were very patient and actually made it simple.

 

[Blue68f100]

1/4 turn is too much of a change. Normally 1/8 or 1/16 turns is all that is needed. Once these are adj they should not move. If they are need to correct it. I have not adj mine in 5+ yrs.

 

[gojones]

Blue is correct, I used 1/4 turns until I got the clicks close, then barely touched to achieve small increments.

 

[GJSchulze]

Primers can stick on the pin and can be pulled back into the primer pocket

That used to happen to me a lot. Hornady suggested flattening the end of the pin so it wouldn't stick in the anvil, but I found that making the pin thinner and with a slight point worked much better. The pin hasn't broken on me, either.

I don't see how making the pin extend more will prevent the primer from sticking on the end nor being pulled back into the pocket, except, perhaps, that the longer stroke gives it more of a chance to fall off.

 

[Hungry1]

Thanks for the many helpful responses, much appreciated.

I've got the press cranking out ammo, however I still have to "work it".

I have noticed that the pawls "break in". What I mean is that, what at first felt rough, will smooth out. What at first worked well, will wear out.

I've loaded about 10K rounds of pistol ammo with this press and still haven't mastered it.