Lee powder dippers--How best to tweak capacity?

[fjlee]

I am liking & using the Lee powder dippers more and more.

Often a dipper needs to have the capacity TEMPORARILY decreased a bit. ((I'd like to be able to return the dipper to its original capacity without major hassle))

I've tried aluminum foil, o-rings, and cardboard pieces.

None of these methods are working too well for me.

What are other folks doing to address this situation? What works better than the methods I've already tried?

Thanks, folks...... FjLee Denver CO

 

[Claude Clay]

just thinking whats laying around my bench--

mix some 2-part epoxy and put a drop or so at a time till you have the volume you want.
score the inside bottom of the dipper to give the epoxy some rough to bond to.
and if later you dont want it--it will pop out with no lasting effect.

 

[helg]

I would suggest a drop of paraffin from a lighted candle.

 

[dagger dog]

Trim some old brass with the primers left in and create the volume dippers to go in between the Lees'

 

[cougar1717]

hot glue?

 

[EddieNFL]

I have a RCBS Little Dandy and the bushings never seem to drop what I need. I filled the cavities with epoxy and drilled until I got what I wanted.

 

[Kernel]

A little Playdough smushed into the bottom of the dipper?

 

[fjlee]

Thank you for the excellent response!! I should have mentioned in my original post, that I'd like to be able to return the dipper to its original capacity without major hassle. I have now EDITTED my post to reflect that.

Also, I've done other experiments that I didn't mention......and it's a "bear" to find a substance to temporarily put into the dipper cavity that is not "sticky" to most powders. That factor then upsets the accuracy of the dips.

I've tried modelling clay, chewing gum!!, a "liquid rubber" stuff......and powders stuck to it something awful.

I have NOT tried "hot glue" droplets......that might work.

To enable removal of these various substances, shims, washers, etc... I drilled a tiny hole (.028 inch) in the bottom of the dippers......so I can use a small diameter pin to poke the stuff out from the bottom. That made my experiments much easier!!

Thank you for the suggestions.......and I certainly welcome any more ideas.

FjLee Denver CO

 

[helg]

How about threading a screw into the hole that you already have at the bottom? You may shrink head diameter of the screw on a drill for a perfect fit into the cave, and insert its head side into the cave.

Adjustable dipper...

 

[Walkalong]

Trim some old brass with the primers left in and create the volume dippers to go in between the Lees'

Easy to do and works great. Soft solder a little handle on it.

 

[flashhole]

I don't have a suggestion but I want to camp onto this thread to see the ideas. I like the dippers too. I bought a variable black powder "dipper" made of brass but it is a pain in the butt to use and has no handle.

 

[rfwobbly]

And make some extras while you're at it.....

They'd make great miniature beer tankards for your daughter's doll house.

Never can tell when you might start a new rage. Introducing "Guinness & Darts Barbie". Her breath actually smells of fish & chips. And yes, that's real motor oil on her boots, because she rode her BSA to the pub.



It's been a long day.

 

[flashhole]

I got a chuckle out of it. Thanks.

 

[jmortimer]

Lots of good ideas for those of us who use dippers. I hate using scales.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I use a machinist's punch set to punch out tight fitting discs of a paper plate or light cardboard - a primer box is a favorite. can really get to the 'nnth' with this method. I use this method for several different chamberings with different powders.

 

[flashhole]

"Lots of good ideas for those of us who use dippers. I hate using scales. "

I don't even like using my powder dispenser. I always try to develop a load where I can use a dipper cup for charging.

 

[mdemetz]

http://www.castbullet.com/makeit/dipper.htm

 

[blaisenguns]

A little Playdough smushed into the bottom of the dipper?

Try that, but cover the top with aluminum foil.

 

[kelbro]

Paraffin wax, as posted earlier,works great.