Modding your 550...

[SlammedDime]

So what have you done to your 550 to make it more user friendly? I'm thinking of attempting to install a Lee bullet feeder on mine. After loading up 600 .40's today, and crushing my finger twice while guiding the case/bullet up into the die (habit, dunno why), I'd like to give it a shot.

Don't forget the pics... :)

[WalterGA]

The Lee Bullet Feeder is a p.o.s., when used on a Lee press. If you want a bullet feeder, get a 650 and pay some real $$$ for a real bullet feeder!:) The Lee feeder uses flimsy, fragile, feeding fingers that are problematic. Additionally, you have to load the bullets into the tubes, one-bullet-at-a-time, so how are you saving any time?

If you can't work a 550 without pinching your fingers, then you need just concentrate a little more, and don't let yourself become distracted.

[Steve Koski]

Bell a bit more to let the bullet stand upright easier, and get your hands clear.

Alternatively, you could use a kid as a bullet feeder.

[KCGunnr]

I'm thinking of attempting to install a Lee bullet feeder on mine.
Don't forget the pics... :)

No pics, but here is a video...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5155507193813194425

[KCGunnr]

Double post

[DssG19]

No pics, but here is a video...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5155507193813194425


Does it save you time, considering you have to load the bullet tubes?

[WalterGA]

Does it save you time, considering you have to load the bullet tubes?


It actually COSTS you time, since you have to load the tubes, one-at-a-time, and because the flimsyass plastic fingers are always screwing up, requiring you to stop everything and fix 'em.

[Shadowdog500]

I used to use the bullet feeder on my loadmaster. After some tinkering I did get it to work. I stopped using it because it really doesn’t save any time. If Lee developed a bullet collator to orient the bullets it may be worth using, but if you have to load the tubes by hand IMHO it is not worth the time.

Last month someone posted a video showing a high rate on the Dillon 550. I adopted their method and the rates are more than adequate. I grab a bullet while raising the ram, place it while priming, and then advance while grabbing another case. I am very happy with the rates that I am getting using this method.

If you really want to speed things up get an auto indexing press that can use the KISS system. From what I hear that works very well.

Chris

[Phunahm]

Yeh I removed the bullet feeder when I had my LM I couldn't keep the thing from dropping bullets.....:( But I put a Nytrol washer under the indexer bolt with a little lithium grease so it doesn't rub metal to metal its a lot smoother and you can tighten the bolt a little tighter to take up more play...

[Bush Pilot]

I'd like to see Dillon develop/sell an automatic bullet feeder for the 550 or 650. I realize there are other manufacturers,would like to see Dillon come out with their own.

[Steve Koski]

I have a left hand bullet feeder on my 550. Works fairly well, a bit lazy at times though.

[Bush Pilot]

I have a left hand bullet feeder on my 550. Works fairly well, a bit lazy at times though.

See, I told you there were other uses for your left hand.

[Steve Koski]

Other than what?

[jawjaboy]

:rolleyes5:

[-terry]

I use the "Station 2" bullet placement algorithm as promulgated by Big Slick. Works for me.

[KCGunnr]

Does it save you time, considering you have to load the bullet tubes?

I don't know, it's not mine.
I just found the video...

[SlammedDime]

Yea, I've moved from the bullet feed idea to the case feed idea... After playing a bit, a bullet feeder really does cost time more than save it on the 550, but a case feeder would more than save time, and I've got a pretty slick idea lined up for one too... and it only costs around $40-50 to make. :)

[cohutt]

Mogo posted recently that by Dillon adding a bullet feeder to a press it becomes classified differently, something like an "automatic ammunition manufacturing machine" or the like.
Without it the press is a press, nothing too complicated according to big bro.
With it comes more paperwork and export restrictions.

Maybe he'll chime in and correct me.

found it on gtr. pretty good memory considering it was 6 weeks ago when he posted, in a thread about the KISS bullet feeder:

Dillon has no plans to offer a bullet feed, nor to offer someone elses bullet feeder. The primary reason is that doing so changes the UN classification of our equipment from hobby level to military level. Once that were to happen, every item we ship outside the US would require State Dept approval, and export licenses, and approval of each shipment out of the country. Too much pain for a limited-market item.

[WalterGA]

As long as you still have to pull the handle, you're not running an "automatic ammo manufacturing machine," not that I think that makes any difference, anyhow. If you can afford one of the fully-auto loaders, what difference does it make to ANYBODY in the government, as long as you're not selling the ammo that you make??

[Tailgunner]

When I modified my 550, it didn't end up anything like what you guys are talking about, in fact it only does one round at a time now.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j212/Tailgunner1954/Tommy001.jpg
CZ-550 (Safari Mag) converted to a single shot 300 Tomahawk (300 RUM Improved 35^). Ya, I know, OT, but it's the only way I can get in on a dillon thread *silly grin*

[Coloradoglocker]

I made a number of cheap and easy to do mods.

I needed to be able to remove my bullet bin so I came up with this bracket to hang a AKRO bin on. It's the bench mouned finished bullet bin bracket which is excess when you use the strong mount, with the bracketry cut off and mounted to the front of a 7" long 2x4 cut diagonally the long way. The rear of the 2x4 is used for storage of your allen wrenches. Made from scrap mtls, total cost $0:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/BulletBracket.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/100_1768.jpg

I made a empty case bracket before Dillon offered one. It's an angle bracket bolted to the finished bin bracket with some mod to the bracket and to the angle. Made from scrap mtls, total cost $0:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/100_1399.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/100_1402.jpg

I got a second primer assy for $30 - $35 and made a stand for it. Primer changes were a 2 screw, 1 minute no big deal. Made from scrap mtls, total cost $0:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/PrimerTubeandStand.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/TubeStand.jpg

I made some powder measure knobs from scrap 1/8" oak I had laying around. I used a 2" hole saw to make the knobs, trimmed the center hold to push fit on the bolt head, and filed a small notch in the rim for an index point. Made from scrap mtls, total cost $0:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/PowderMeasureKnob.jpg

I also made a primer tube holder from scrap mtls, total cost $0:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/100_1867.jpg

[Coloradoglocker]

As long as you still have to pull the handle, you're not running an "automatic ammo manufacturing machine," not that I think that makes any difference, anyhow. If you can afford one of the fully-auto loaders, what difference does it make to ANYBODY in the government, as long as you're not selling the ammo that you make??Walter, Mogo may not have had the actual name classification nailed down correctly, however, what he was trying to say is that as a simple reloading press, the Dillon machines are subject to Commerce Department rules concerning exporting and they want to keep it that way.

Dillon feels that adding a bullet feeder to their designs will, or has the risk of, putting their products into one of thousands of categories subject to a US regulation entitled "International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)".

This regulation requires that each shipment to a foreign country, or US citizen representing a foreign country, must have a specific export license granted by the US State Department each time they sold a machine. In addition, Dillon couldn't provide "technical assistance" to a foreign country, or US citizen representing a foreign country without a separate license. Technical assistance is as simple a explaining how to fix simple reloading problems.

These licenses are very detailed, cumbersome, and restrictive. In addition, they take from 4 - 7 months (more likely 7) to get processed through State, are issued for only a specific shipment to a specific customer, and are both expensive to process and a real pain in the neck.

Failure to process a license, processing it incorrectly or incompletely, or failing to ensure that the 'End User' isn't on a State Department prohibited list could result in a fine of $1,000,000 per offense for either the company or individual(s) responsible (or both) as well a jail time.

I spent 41 years in the defense business and many of our customers were foreign or represented foreign interests and the ITAR licensing process is a real pain.

[Murphy's Law]

Compared to some of you folks who have made modifications (starting to think we have a bunch of engr's) because there are some well thought out ideas for making the 550b a bit better out of the box. Although I'm new to reloading, I was always paranoid about station 2 and either not throwing the powder or double charging. Consequently I've had a 60 watt light close to that area for I could see better. Need-less-to-say, with the light bearing down on me, I'd get cooked after a while and decided to try something else. Just so happens, I saw on Fleabay under reloading equipment a cheap bore light for $4 bucks that utilized one (AAA) battery, had a four inch flexable extension and had a simple on/off switch. I ended up purchasing and mounted to my 550b with a nylon tie-down (see attached pictures). Now I can look right down in the case and see the powder and have a warm fuzzy feeling everything is well on station 2. This may be a bit simplistic but works like a champ. Obvisiously no PHD after my name..LOL

[Phunahm]

I have the same basic set up Murphy's Law Except mine is strapped to the Primer tube and I have a single LED....They work great don't they :thumbsup:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/Phunahm/3f73d881.jpg

[Murphy's Law]

Just goes to show you Phunahm.........great minds think the same...:animlol:

[Phunahm]

Just goes to show you Phunahm.........great minds think the same...:animlol: :thumbsup:

[colorado4wheel]

This is my bore light made out of a spare .45acp case and some poster putty. Doesn't wiggle and easy to adjust.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r215/98sr20ve/DSC_2436.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r215/98sr20ve/DSC_2437.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r215/98sr20ve/DSC_2433.jpg

[Murphy's Law]

Darn!!!!! and I was going to see about patenting my idea and make a quick millon bucks.... :rofl:Funny though how several of us saw a need to really look hard at station 2 and ironic we all came up with the same idea......I was first....LOL

[colorado4wheel]

My plan is to sell .45 cases with big holes in them for $5 each, Plus a free dab of putty. :)

[sparky241]

My plan is to sell .45 cases with big holes in them for $5 each, Plus a free dab of putty. :)

will you offer a no:icon_bs: warranty?

[colorado4wheel]

will you offer a no:icon_bs: warranty?

Yes, uhmmm No, uhm Maybe? Darn, I can't decide.:banghead:

[Phunahm]

Darn!!!!! and I was going to see about patenting my idea and make a quick millon bucks.... :rofl:Funny though how several of us saw a need to really look hard at station 2 and ironic we all came up with the same idea......I was first....LOL Ill spilt it wit ya


My plan is to sell .45 cases with big holes in them for $5 each, Plus a free dab of putty

Your included too C4W

[Murphy's Law]

Just remember who gets the royalities!

:yikes:

[Phunahm]

Just remember who gets the royalities!

:yikes:

:cheers2:

[colorado4wheel]

Just remember who gets the royalities!

:yikes:

I think someone is already collecting the royalties on "zip ties". Not so sure if anyone has collected anything on a 45ACP case with a big hole in it.