Hornady LnL 9mm case catches on V-Block. Suggestions?

[sbwaters]

When the 9mm case drops it frequently catches on the case slide V-Block. I’m interested to learn what others have found to be the source of such problems to be. I did clean and reset the Cam Wire, case slide, and V-Block.

The picture makes the cam wire seem at an angle but it really isn’t.

Possibilities:
1. Torqued Pivot and drop tube (has been a problem before but I tightened it)
2. Cam Wire not bringing case slide back far enough (seems unlikely)
3. Need a shroud on the end of the drop tube (I have some masking tape on it now)
4. Worn case slide rod guide (Inspected - seems okay.)

Also, what third party components might help. I know 3D pivot bushings help the drop.

 

[Allen One1]

It looks like you may be dropping the case just a little early.

 

[45+9]

It looks like the drop tube might be tilted away from the press frame. I've had my case feeder about 6 years, and always had a problem with the pivot block rotating around the single bolt connecting it to the upright tube. I had occasion to call Hornady about a broken primer slide and mentioned that. There is a clamp available that connects to the tube and captures the pivot. If you don't have that, call them. It fixed the single biggest issue I had with my press.

 

[Blue68f100]

2 things are going on. like mentioned the upper housing is rotating on the square post. You may also have too much push on on the operator rod. 2nd Hornady has a alignment guide that slips over the down tube to help out on alignment. Free if you call and talk to CS.

I added a Al block to the square tubing to prevent it from rotating.

 

[Reeferman]

It looks like the drop tube might be tilted away from the press frame. I've had my case feeder about 6 years, and always had a problem with the pivot block rotating around the single bolt connecting it to the upright tube. I had occasion to call Hornady about a broken primer slide and mentioned that. There is a clamp available that connects to the tube and captures the pivot. If you don't have that, call them. It fixed the single biggest issue I had with my press.

What is this clamp you speak of and post a picture please.

 

[45+9]

It's part number 78 on the drawing. You also want to ask for part number 77. That's the short extention for the drop tube. I don't have that, but will ask for it next time I call for parts. Hope this helps, it will keep the drop tube from tilting, which will make the case drop straight onto the base plate.

 

[Ruger 15151]

Check out the highboy76 videos on YouTube. He has some great tips and tricks for Hornady LNL AP. They will be a big help with the setup and adjustments of your press.

 

[sbwaters]

Thank you all. Life is so much easier when those who have gone before make it easier for those who follow.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It looks like the pivot is dropping the case too early...which number V-block are you using? Check to see if the rod tip (#25) is pushing pass the edge of the pivot block.

Be careful when tightening the bolt holding the pivot to the support bar. The largest contributor to the torquing of the pivot is over tightening the bolt and compressing the support tube. Mine doesn't torque, but I cleaned up the interface between the pieces and added a large washer to the back of the support to spread the bolt force across the support

It also looks like the drop tube isn't straight..,but I can't tell from the picture what might be causing it. Mine rides against the frame of the press.

The Tip Stop (#77) is really helpful in stopping cases from bouncing when they drop

 

[Reeferman]

I will be getting ahold of Hornady for that one. Thanks 45+9.

 

[sbwaters]

Thank you all. 45+9, Hornady is sending me the cam block assembly and the case feeder tip stop under warranty. 45+9, the customer service guy loved that you had the part numbers pic.

For anyone else, the cam block clamp is 399691. The whole assembly with bolts, nuts, and washers is 399699.

I recommended THR to Hornady customer service for the quality of advice here.

 

[45+9]

Glad it worked out for you.

 

[DRAINSMITH]

45+9 +1 here

 

[45+9]

There is also a new(er) manual out for the feeder that goes through how to install it. My original manual had gotten dog eared so I went looking and found the new one. It looks like there have been a couple of other changes since I bought mine, but they don't really affect anything.

https://www.hornady.com/support/user-manuals#!/

 

[sbwaters]

There is also a new(er) manual out for the feeder

Worth getting for the clamp installation instructions. Although I bought the feeder some six months ago, the instructions were back a level. Thank you.

 

[Kaldor]

View attachment 778024 View attachment 778025 View attachment 778026 It's part number 78 on the drawing. You also want to ask for part number 77. That's the short extention for the drop tube. I don't have that, but will ask for it next time I call for parts. Hope this helps, it will keep the drop tube from tilting, which will make the case drop straight onto the base plate.

Excellent, and its about time. The pivot body twisting is a major issue with the case feeder, and Im betting that @sbwaters issues are being caused by this. Add in the drop tube tip stop and thats another issue that is fixed. They just need to fix the issue with the pivot block galling on the pivot body and include something that prevents case stacking in the feeder bowl and they will have alot of the issues worked out. Only other thing I can think of would be a better feeder door in the case bowl that helps with jams at the top end.

 

[9mmepiphany]

...fix the issue with the pivot block galling on the pivot body

Polish the mating surfaces before you assemble them...I hit them with some 400 grit paper

Whenever you're dealing with cast parts, it is a good idea to clean off flash and polish surfaces while test fitting before assembly. I'm firmly convinced that this process avoided any tilting issues with my case feeder. I like to apply a light coat of grease to sliding/rubbing surfaces also. It might be overkill, but I don't really see a downside. YMMV

 

[AR-Bossman]

Polish the mating surfaces before you assemble them...I hit them with some 400 grit paper

Whenever you're dealing with cast parts, it is a good idea to clean off flash and polish surfaces while test fitting before assembly. I'm firmly convinced that this process avoided any tilting issues with my case feeder. I like to apply a light coat of grease to sliding/rubbing surfaces also. It might be overkill, but I don't really see a downside. YMMV

I did the same thing and I have 2 of them. Never had an issue with the assembly twisting. I think alot of people are way over stroking the pushrod and putting a bunch of extra pressure on the pivot body.

 

[Blue68f100]

^^^^^^ Did the same thing to mine. And may be over tightening the shoulder bolt.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The case feeders I've helped folks with had two common issues.

1. Over tightened bolt holding the pivot assembly to the vertical support. It was tightened so much that it caused an indention in the wall of the support...allowing more twist
1a. Not fitting the surfaces where the bracket met the support...allowing too much play

2. Adjusting the pushrod too high. If the nylon tip is higher than the edge of the inclined plane, you've reduced rotation of the pivot block

 

[sbwaters]

something that prevents case stacking in the feeder bowl

There is a gidgy on eBay that addresses this, although at a premium price.

+1 on the feeder door issue but the eBay cage and case traffic cop gidgy should minimize the need.

 

[Kaldor]

Polish the mating surfaces before you assemble them...I hit them with some 400 grit paper

Whenever you're dealing with cast parts, it is a good idea to clean off flash and polish surfaces while test fitting before assembly. I'm firmly convinced that this process avoided any tilting issues with my case feeder. I like to apply a light coat of grease to sliding/rubbing surfaces also. It might be overkill, but I don't really see a downside. YMMV

I did the same thing and I have 2 of them. Never had an issue with the assembly twisting. I think alot of people are way over stroking the pushrod and putting a bunch of extra pressure on the pivot body.

^^^^^^ Did the same thing to mine. And may be over tightening the shoulder bolt.

The case feeders I've helped folks with had two common issues.

1. Over tightened bolt holding the pivot assembly to the vertical support. It was tightened so much that it caused an indention in the wall of the support...allowing more twist
1a. Not fitting the surfaces where the bracket met the support...allowing too much play

2. Adjusting the pushrod too high. If the nylon tip is higher than the edge of the inclined plane, you've reduced rotation of the pivot block

Been there, done all those things.

Sanded both body and pivot flat on 600 grit sandpaper, and polished with red rouge, still galled.
Tried different lubes, silicone grease and graphite, still galled. FYI: silicone grease doesnt travel, and stays where you put it, great stuff
Pivot pushrod at correct height as to not over work the pivot block
Shoulder bolt at correct tightness

All of this has been posted here by me at one point or another in pretty good detail along with my fixes. Im north of 80k cases thru this press in the last 4 years, so it not like I am a new guy setting it up for the first time.

Went thru 2 pivot bodies and 4 pivot blocks. I got tired of dicking around with pot metal crap and huge stacking tolerances. I fixed it permanently.

 

[Reeferman]

Well called Seth from Hornady this morning and have the clamp assembly, pivot and pivot body assembly coming. Seth is now in the ballistic part of Hornady.
He was the best and I wish all the best to him in his new job function though it really SUCKS Seth that you are no longer in technical anymore!!

 

[Reeferman]

The case feeders I've helped folks with had two common issues.

1. Over tightened bolt holding the pivot assembly to the vertical support. It was tightened so much that it caused an indention in the wall of the support...allowing more twist
1a. Not fitting the surfaces where the bracket met the support...allowing too much play

2. Adjusting the pushrod too high. If the nylon tip is higher than the edge of the inclined plane, you've reduced rotation of the pivot block

I’ve done neither of those and still getting galling and twisting of the pivot assembly. My case feeder gets used a lot as I use it to decap cases before wet pin tumbling then gets used to prime and load.

 

[Reeferman]

Hey Kaldor I can’t remember if you mentioned it before but did you try pitching your fix to Hornady?