Ideal no.55 questions
- Thread starter Grassman
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NCsmitty
Member
Well good, I take it that you got the #55 measure to function?
NCsmitty
NCsmitty
qajaq59
Member
Sometimes you come up with the answer to your own question when you start trying to explain the problem to someone else. I'm glad you're all set. Go shooting and have some fun.
GP100man
Member
just got here & got caught up .
glad it all came together Grassman!!
i live out in the land of dial up & was thinking of sat. ?????
it would make dealing with pics alot easier!!!
GP100man
glad it all came together Grassman!!
i live out in the land of dial up & was thinking of sat. ?????
it would make dealing with pics alot easier!!!
GP100man
loneviking
Member
Well, I'm still struggling with my 55 and I've been over the manual till I'm sick of it.
The parts on mine aren't froze up as I've cleaned everything up. There is a large, black cylinder that just pulls in and out--right?
And then there is a brass slide with no numbers on it that has a screw with a knurled knob on it that slides in and out with that knob, right?
And a third, brass slide with another knurled knob that slides in and out. This slide has numbers on both sides of the slide.
The handle is on a collar that moves up and down. There are two more screws on this collar. The smaller of the two seems to lock the black cylinder, right? So, first pull the black cyliner out just a bit and then lock it with the smaller screw on the handle collar?
Then, with the top screw loose, the middle slide slides out by turning its' screw counterclockwise, or back in by going clockwise.
The top slide seems to be the problem. There is a dimple or small hole in the second slide, and this top slide has a nubbin that fits into that hold and the set screw will work the slide back and forth. Question--where does the set screw need to be when you put these two slides together?
Then you throw and weigh charges until you get to what you want. Then,lock both set screws and both knobs on the collar? I'm asking as I can't get this measure to throw consistent charges. Sometimes they are way light, sometimes very heavy and I'm dumping the charges in the same way. The only thing I can figure is that maybe the slides are moving somehow?
Comments? Corrections?
The parts on mine aren't froze up as I've cleaned everything up. There is a large, black cylinder that just pulls in and out--right?
And then there is a brass slide with no numbers on it that has a screw with a knurled knob on it that slides in and out with that knob, right?
And a third, brass slide with another knurled knob that slides in and out. This slide has numbers on both sides of the slide.
The handle is on a collar that moves up and down. There are two more screws on this collar. The smaller of the two seems to lock the black cylinder, right? So, first pull the black cyliner out just a bit and then lock it with the smaller screw on the handle collar?
Then, with the top screw loose, the middle slide slides out by turning its' screw counterclockwise, or back in by going clockwise.
The top slide seems to be the problem. There is a dimple or small hole in the second slide, and this top slide has a nubbin that fits into that hold and the set screw will work the slide back and forth. Question--where does the set screw need to be when you put these two slides together?
Then you throw and weigh charges until you get to what you want. Then,lock both set screws and both knobs on the collar? I'm asking as I can't get this measure to throw consistent charges. Sometimes they are way light, sometimes very heavy and I'm dumping the charges in the same way. The only thing I can figure is that maybe the slides are moving somehow?
Comments? Corrections?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well, I think you have it figured out, except how the two brass slides fit together?
As I recall, I screw the small slide adjustment screw out a ways, and assemble them so the adjustment screw pulls the slide in & out properly.
Then put the two slides together back in the black drum.
Then screw both adjustment screws in until first the bottom slide, then the top slide stop.
At that point, all three adjutments are completely closed.
You have to loosen both set screws to move the whole drum assembly.
But only the top set-screw next to the handle to move either of the brass sliders.
Now, on to your powder charge problem.
What kind of powder & charge weight are you having problems with?
For instance, you would want to leave the black drum completely closed up and only use the brass slides for small charges of pistol powder. Set the charge with both slides together, and fine tune with the smaller one.
The only time the black drum adjustment would be used would be to get close with large charges of rifle powder. Then fine tune with the two brass slides together.
Those two methods will give you the least surface area for powder shearing/packing to take place when the drum rotates.
rcmodel
As I recall, I screw the small slide adjustment screw out a ways, and assemble them so the adjustment screw pulls the slide in & out properly.
Then put the two slides together back in the black drum.
Then screw both adjustment screws in until first the bottom slide, then the top slide stop.
At that point, all three adjutments are completely closed.
You have to loosen both set screws to move the whole drum assembly.
But only the top set-screw next to the handle to move either of the brass sliders.
Now, on to your powder charge problem.
What kind of powder & charge weight are you having problems with?
For instance, you would want to leave the black drum completely closed up and only use the brass slides for small charges of pistol powder. Set the charge with both slides together, and fine tune with the smaller one.
The only time the black drum adjustment would be used would be to get close with large charges of rifle powder. Then fine tune with the two brass slides together.
Those two methods will give you the least surface area for powder shearing/packing to take place when the drum rotates.
rcmodel
rfwobbly
Member
Grassman -
I'll give you $5 for it seized up and all, just like it sits.
I'll give you $5 for it seized up and all, just like it sits.
loneviking
Member
RFWobbly,
I'm trying to meter out 3.3 gr. of Bullseye, so I guess I won't be using the big drum for that. The problem must be in that top slide and the way I have it lined up with the second slide. I can get the measure to throw 3.3 gr., but then five or six shells later it's either way light or way heavy.
Thanks for the help, and I'm going to go tinker with it some more and see if any other problems come up.
I'm trying to meter out 3.3 gr. of Bullseye, so I guess I won't be using the big drum for that. The problem must be in that top slide and the way I have it lined up with the second slide. I can get the measure to throw 3.3 gr., but then five or six shells later it's either way light or way heavy.
Thanks for the help, and I'm going to go tinker with it some more and see if any other problems come up.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well, I don't think it can change with the two set-screws tight, no matter how you have it lined up.
The two adjustment screws on the ends of the slides have no bearing on it holding adjustment.
rcmodel
The two adjustment screws on the ends of the slides have no bearing on it holding adjustment.
rcmodel
loneviking
Member
Thank you! I was coming to that conclusion from further tinkering this morning. Why don't they include stuff like this in the manual? I coudn't even figure out from the manual which set screw locked down what as the drawings were so vague. I'm glad you guys here at THR have the answers!
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
You probably know this, but:
When you fill a powder measure, you need to discard 5-10 charges until the powder settles down in the reservoir.
With the Lyman, always use the little flip-hammer each time, and always use it the same way.
Set up a rhythm when you pull the handle, flip the hammer, push the handle back up, flip the hammer again.
Do it the same way every time.
When you add more powder to the hopper, throw away several charges again until the powder settles.
rc
woodsoup
Member
rcmodel, You do mean RECYCLE back into the hopper, rather than DISCARD or THROW AWAY. right???? 
cochise9424221
Member
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If you have a 55 with just set scews and no micrometer screws it is a really early one.
I think the confusion is the manuals you are looking at and almost every 55 out there is a micrometer version.
I have three of the 55's two with the micrometer and one oldie with out.
On the non micrometer version, you need to pull out the drums and use a scale then lock it down when you get what you want.
They are great measures.
I think the confusion is the manuals you are looking at and almost every 55 out there is a micrometer version.
I have three of the 55's two with the micrometer and one oldie with out.
On the non micrometer version, you need to pull out the drums and use a scale then lock it down when you get what you want.
They are great measures.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
My rather limited vocabulary is going to be the death of me! :banghead:
Yes, "Recycle to the hopper or can" would be what I should have said.
rcmodel
rfwobbly
Member
Oh yea, right!
Oh sure RC, give away all the trade secrets of reloading here on the internet where God and everybody can see it.
I almost had a nice #55 for $5.
Oh sure RC, give away all the trade secrets of reloading here on the internet where God and everybody can see it.
I almost had a nice #55 for $5.
loneviking
Member
Five to ten charges? O.K., I'll try it and see what happens. So far, the charges start getting light after three or four shells. I finally gave up and for this batch of reloads went to throwing the powder by hand as it's faster than tinkering with this thing. But, I'll try again and see what happens.
And yes, this is an oldy---somewhere around thirty years old.
And yes, this is an oldy---somewhere around thirty years old.
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