XL 650 squeaking on handle upstroke?

[reckoner]

My 650 has started squeaking right at the start of the handle upstroke (lowering the platform). It's a very short metallic squeaking / rubbing sound that happens right as the platform starts to lower. I have no idea where it's coming from.

Things I've tried so far that did not make it go away:

• Greased / lubed the entire press (other than the powder measure)
• Lubed the roller handle
• Cleaned the crimp die
• Cleaned the sizing die
• Cleaned the powder die (definitely not it, since the squeak happens before the case is pulled off of the die).

Some other info that might be relevant:

• I'm loading 9mm
• I wet tumble
• I lube the cases with WD-40 Specialist Silicone spray
• The squeak seems to be dependent on how much force or torque I'm applying to the roller handle as I start the upstroke. If I relax on the handle before the upstroke, the squeak seems to go away.

Any thoughts on what could be causing this? I was hoping that it's being caused by one of the dies, but now I'm worried that something is wrong with the shaft and/or platform.

Thanks in advance.

[stilly]

Are you loading PC pills?

No comment on the wd-40. I will not let anything of the sort near my loading bench.


Does it happen with EVERY stroke?

I noticed that I was getting squeaks when I was loading PC pills on my LCT. I lived with it, but maybe put a tad small amount of case lube on a pill or two and see if it stops.


Hmmm. No, I bet none of those are the issue. On the downstroke... Could it be expander in cases?

[jericho89]

Does it squeak when there are no shells in the system? If not then try adding one shell at a time to system and see when it starts to squeak. If it is squeaking with a full rack of shells then start eliminating one shell from each station and see if it is a press issue or a die issue.

[mjmagee67]

Had a sqeek on my 550B it was the aluminum roller handle. I ended up taking the roller off and using a light grease. I tried squirting some CLP under the roller, didn't work. Had use my snapring pliers and pull it off. That was 25,000+ rounds ago. It's been golden since.

[reckoner]

Are you loading PC pills?

No, copper plated.

No comment on the wd-40. I will not let anything of the sort near my loading bench.

It's not the regular WD-40. It's a silicone dry lube. I checked the MSDS, and there's nothing in there that will hurt the powder or primer. It all evaporates off. I've been using it for a year with no problems. I like it because it doesn't need to be tumbled off after loading.

Does it happen with EVERY stroke?

No, it's a bit unpredictable. I'll do some more careful experimentation tonight.

Hmmm. No, I bet none of those are the issue. On the downstroke... Could it be expander in cases?

No, the squeak happens before the case starts to be pulled off of the expander.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

I have the same problem, just hasn't annoyed me enough yet to try and track it down.

[ghettojet]

Mine also squeaked from the aluminum roller handle after a while as well.

[CSACANNONEER]

You can always pull the press off your bench, remove little loose parts and soak the entire press in Diesel for a day to two.

[stilly]

Then I suggest you treat it like an asian girl and when it starts to squeak, move the handle back and forth until you can pinpoint the source of the squeak. If it finally let's out a large SIGH then it is done squeaking.

[Lead Waster]

Is there a mouse trapped in it?

Does it squeek with no cases?

Put a case in each stage one at a time, does it squeek?

Is it the primer loading arm thingy?

Take the toolhead off ... does it squeek?

Is it hte powder measure mechanism?

[xfer42]

Try moving the casefeed body (the thing that swings the case out) manually a few times. See if thats squeeking.

[bruce381]

lube the plastic shell plate slide thing that turn the shell plate

[Pauliedad]

I get squeaks sometimes from the resizing die coming up off the brass. I take it as a sign I needed a tad more lube.
At times, I turn up the music.
Next?

[reckoner]

It was the sizing die after all.

After cleaning the sizing die and removing all the galled brass from the flaring die, my 650 is running nice and smooth now.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

[bigbossman]

Then I suggest you treat it like an asian girl and when it starts to squeak, move the handle back and forth until you can pinpoint the source of the squeak. If it finally let's out a large SIGH then it is done squeaking.

This made me laugh out loud. Thanks Stilly, I needed it today.