LnL AP Rotor Problem - Help!

[Kansan]

I recently bought a LnL AP & have been spending the last week or two setting everything up. It took a long time to set up since I'm a newbie on reloading, but it's all set to go with one exception...

The LnL AP powder measuring device comes with both a rifle rotor with metering insert (installed) as well as an addition pistol rotor with metering insert. There is a button you push on the rotor to remove the metering insert. You must remove the metering insert in order to remove the rotor to degrease it and clean it. My problem is that I CANNOT remove the metering insert on the installed rotor. I can easily remove the metering insert on the pistol rotor, but the metering insert on the rifle rotor refuses to budge.

Yes, I've pushed the button. I've tried pushing it halfway, full way, 3/4 of the way, etc. I've tried to wiggle the metering insert, push it, pull it, shake it, plead with it, etc. I've used WD-40 at the base of the metering insert to try to loosen it up. I've had my wife pulling the metering insert with vise grips while I while pull the rotor from my end (yes, while pushing the button on the rotor...)

Anyone else have this problem? Like I mentioned, the metering insert comes right out on the extra pistol rotor, so I know that I'm doing it it right on the rifle rotor. It just seems stuck. I emailed Hornady today but probably won't hear back until tomorrow. Any suggestions?

 

[BYJO4]

I have not heard of anyone having that problem. It would appear that the release button on the rotor must be defective. If possible, call Hornady's customer service in the morning. You will get immeditate help instead of waiting on an email.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

There is a small circlip (retaining ring) on the end opposite of the push button. See if KU can remove that ring and slide the piece out. That should allow you to remove the metering insert. Use caution, there is a spring somewhere in there that you don't want to lose. You probably want to make sure you can reuse that spring and the circlip.

 

[hAkron]

Hornady CS is top notch. They will either help you fix that one, or get a new one on the way to you.

 

[rajb123]

It took me 6 weeks to get the L-N-L press set up!

I had problems at every station. Customer service has bankers hours working from 8-5 central time monday through thursday.... parts they send you will take 5 business days to arrive...

....eventually I got it to run but barely....it still jams cases and gets stuck.... 1,000 of issues..

I would not recommend a L-N-L to anyone...

 

[Kansan]

Thanks guys for the replies. I made my first batch of 30 or so .223 tonight and the rotor was sticking on some of them but I worked through it. Kind of a pain, but I guess even without a thorough cleaning, the rotor will still work... probably temporarily.

KansasSasquatch (I KNEW we had Sasquatch in Kansas...) - I went back out and did find the retaining ring on the button. I'm going to call Hornady first before I start losing small rings and springs, but if they can't help me, that's the first thing I'll try.

 

[longdayjake]

It took me 6 weeks to get the L-N-L press set up!

I had problems at every station. Customer service has bankers hours working from 8-5 central time monday through thursday.... parts they send you will take 5 business days to arrive...

....eventually I got it to run but barely....it still jams cases and gets stuck.... 1,000 of issues..

I would not recommend a L-N-L to anyone...

I am sorry but this sounds more like a user issue than an equipment issue. Some guys just struggle with equipment. That doesn't mean you aren't good at a million other things, but maybe working with a progressive press is just not your strong suit. It took me about an hour to set mine up and about three hours before I had made my first 1000 rounds. I own two of them now as well as a dillon 650 and the two hornadys combined have given me less problems. Don't get me wrong, the Hornadys require a little bit of patience, but the 650s are not without their issues. The thing I like about Hornady presses is how easy the issues are to fix. The Dillons are not easy to fix.

 

[Waldog]

Kansan, Hang in there! Hornady CS is excellent. Once your press is set up and ADJUSTED PROPERLY, it is a dream to use. It will take a little tweaking to get it run smoothly.

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, I've pushed the button. I've tried pushing it halfway, full way, 3/4 of the way, etc. I've tried to wiggle the metering insert, push it, pull it, shake it, plead with it, etc. I've used WD-40 at the base of the metering insert to try to loosen it up. I've had my wife pulling the metering insert with vise grips while I while pull the rotor from my end (yes, while pushing the button on the rotor...)

When pushing the button, it is easy to push the metering unit up against the powder measure frame. It becomes difficult to remove the metering unit then.

When pushing the button, make sure the back of the drum is supported so that you are not pushing against the powder measure frame.

It also needs to be pushed fully in.

A little wiggling can be helpful.

When operating the press, it should move smoothly and fairly easily. It will only take a few strokes to figure out what "normal" is.

If the press suddenly jams or gets hard, STOP. Do not power through the name, you will only break something. Find the problem and correct it before continuing on.

The old axiom "Don't force it, get a bigger hammer" is not appropriate with progressive press.

Your life will be happier.

I had my L-N-L up and running on the first day following the directions and taking my time. I am pleased with it.

 

[whtsmoke]

rjgb i will give 50 bucks for that piece of junk you have, it will look nice to my other LNL that has turned out thousands of rounds with no problems that i didnt create myself.

 

[Otto]

Anyone else have this problem?

As a matter of fact, yes.
Rather than wrenching on it and risking damage, I just sent it back to the factory.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Kansan what part of KS are you in? If you are in the KC or Lawrence area I could possibly give you a hand getting your press figured out if Hornady can't. I've had issues with my LNL but it is my first and so far only press. Most of my problems were due to new operator error. It has been my experience that the rotor sticking is usually caused by improper adjustments, something isn't lined up correctly. Did you clean everything with dry lube (One Shot cleaner) before setting up the press?

 

[wardor]

You can pull off the hopper and get a small screw driver and push on the head of the insert (use some cleaning patches if worried about scratches) while pushing the button and pulling with the other hand (or get some help). Usually this happens when the insert is not perfectly squared up with the slot in the powder measure frame.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Kansan, did you get it figured out?

 

[noylj]

The first question I would like to know when you get it fixed is how come it let you put the rotor in but not out? Did something just happen to break right then or what?
I had NO issues with my L-N-L. However, after a move, the wire "cam" for the primer slide had gotten bent just enough that the slide wouldn't pick up a primer.
Call Hornady and they sent me a new one plus the plastic part that goes at the top and connects to the press. They said that the if the plastic part cracked, it could cause the same problem, so let's fix both at the same time...
Over the last 30 years of using a Hornady progressive, they have always been as good as Dillon is with my 1050s--and I have called Dillon a lot more.
Any one saying otherwise, I take with a grain of salt.
If I was the OP, I would have been on the phone the next day and gotten the problem taken care of.
If I had a problem getting in touch, I would at least try an e-mail or two to arrange a time.
No matter whose progressive press you use, DON'T FORCE ANYTHING.
If something doesn't work right--call!
If you come on-line, try to have a couple of pictures.
The shooting sports are the last bastion of customer service. Use them.

 

[Kansan]

Wow, lots of posts... thanks again for all of the advice. I received a reply from Hornady & I also talked to them on the phone. Here is what they recommended (and what finally worked):

you may have to take the hopper off and drop a wooden dowel into the part where the powder flows into the insert, unscrew the center of the insert and when it is completely at the open position hold the dowel firm and screw the insert back in and this should push the insert out. If you have to resort to this please call us as we will need to check it and probably replace the whole powder measure. We will take care of you with this issue cuz this is more than likely something that occurred here. My apology. If this is the case or you still can't get it out call tech services....

So, I dropped a small block of wood into the powder hole created by unscrewing the center of the insert. I rotated the rotor 90 degrees and screwed in the center of the insert (which pushed against the wood, thus pushing the entire insert out). I couldn't screw it in with just hand strength, so again I had to use a vise grip to screw it in, being careful to not damage the insert by wrapping a rubber band around the end where the vise grip held it. After a few turns, it finally came out.

The problem was evident when finally got it out. Portions of the inside of the rotor and the metering insert had a fair amount of rust on them. I suspect that that assembly was accidentally not coated in the factory by their anti-rusting agent. Perhaps a one time oversight by Hornady? I'm going to call Hornady back today to see what they suggest... clean out the rust myself or just return it. The Tech mentioned in his email above that I should call them back if I have to use that expedient.

The first question I would like to know when you get it fixed is how come it let you put the rotor in but not out? Did something just happen to break right then or what?

Noylj - it did not let me put the rotor in... that is the rotor that came already installed into the powder measuring frame body. I was just trying to get it out so that I could clean with with one-shot as directed in the instructions.

Kansas Sasquatch - I'm from the Wichita area, but am currently serving with Uncle Sam down Texas way. I'm heading out soon for my 5th deployment and this LnL is my attempt to have some fun before risking my life again half-way around the world in a desolate 3rd world country. Truly, "there's no place like home".

 

[wardor]

Rust in the rotor is a bad sign of things to come. I'd really want it replaced, if it is brand new. You'll be fighting that fight for eternity, most likely.

 

[Uncle Richard]

IMHO......new reloaders should start on single state press, not progressive.

Lee makes a $25 press that works great to learn on. Then graduate to progressive.

My 2cents.

 

[cfullgraf]

The problem was evident when finally got it out. Portions of the inside of the rotor and the metering insert had a fair amount of rust on them. I suspect that that assembly was accidentally not coated in the factory by their anti-rusting agent. Perhaps a one time oversight by Hornady? I'm going to call Hornady back today to see what they suggest... clean out the rust myself or just return it. The Tech mentioned in his email above that I should call them back if I have to use that expedient.

Hey, good solution. Glad you got it out.

The parts should have been better protected.

But, I have purchased a couple sets of dies recently that had obviously been sold at least once and returned to the vendor. One had a broken case neck jammed on the expander ball and the other had a bent decapping rod. Not problems the manufacturer would let get out the door, I hope.

So, I would not put it past the vendor to accept a product back that had been opened and then resell it again without doing a thorough check. Particularly with something expensive, large and complex like the progressive press.

So, the rust preventative may have already been cleaned off before you received the press.

Thank you for your service and be safe on your deployment.

 

[rsrocket1]

Rust on the rotor would be normal if it weren't coated with their packing grease. If you degrease the rotor as you are supposed to and do not regularly coat it (at least once or more every couple of months) with their LnL One Shot gun cleaner and dry lube, rust WILL start to form on the rotor. Many parts on the LnL AP are straight steel which will rust if not protected. Very simple, very strong, but prone to rust.

The good news is that the rust will come off pretty easily with a little elbow grease and steel wool.

 

[BYJO4]

Glad you found the problem. Call Hornady and tell them about the rust and I'm sure they will send you a new rotor and insert. I have not had any rust problems with my 2 LNL APs but but I keep moisture levels low in my basement.