RL550B ???

[MARKFP]

It was a case of right place at right time ! I was at LGS yesterday when a fellow long time customer came in and voiced his need to part with a Dillon system. I have been wanting one so I could use my single stage for custom rifle reloads, LGS owner knew this so let me deal direct and it turned out to be a divorce deal, after quick check of what he had I handed him the $200 bucks he wanted and loaded 'er up. It's a RL550B with 4 conversions, tumbler, separater, scale, lube and other items all Dillon products. I've down loaded manuals and schematics for parts check as it was mostly disassembled for storage. My question / request is for any advise or insight on this older machine. I realize this is a step back for most of you, but this machine should serve me well as I'm not a huge volume shooter. Thank you veteran Dillon guys for any info or heads up you can give me in advance, Mark

[baih777]

What a deal.

[nukeandjuke]

[kcstott]

It's not a step back at all. The only difference between a RL550B and C is the ability to lube the top pivot pins with a needle grease gun.

Outside of that it's all upgradable

1. read the manual and don't get in a hurry to reload.
2. I'd personally clean the machine up from top to bottom lightly scotch bright any surface rust on the ram, replace any fasteners that are buggered up and oil and grease everything.
3. Take your time setting it up and again read the manual
4. Once you have it up and running again take your time reloading and check rounds as you go.

5. I own two of these machines and now only use them for my bulk non match grade stuff. One machine has served me well for close to 30 years and survived the divorce. The other machine was previously owned and has been churning out loaded rounds for close to 35 years.
If you have any specific questions feel free to hit me up, I know these machines all to well and mine will never be sold but passed down to my daughter

edit: #6. yeah you scored big. I paid $289 for mine in 1993, they now list at over $400 stripped. correction Crap damn near $500. $200 more then i paid 25 years ago, Oh well Gas was $.90 a gallon to in 1993 so not bad

[MARKFP]

Thanks guys, I was a little nervous cause these things NEVER happen to me. Yes all conversions have powder system and stands. The previous owner said everything had been in storage for quite some time, but appears to have been stored in a quality manner. The press seems to be dry or sticky as in aged oil effect, no rust at all. Powder tubes are dis-colored from powder stain, the only surface rust, (very, very light ), is on the very top of the dies, most has already been removed with scotch brite. I had been watching sales posts here on calguns and there are some very good deals on complete set ups in all honesty, only the distance to sellers held me back. I had researched most Dillon items so had good idea of pricing, I think the guy was playing a game with future ex. Tomorrow will be taking to shop and part by part going through schematics to do part check and see what I'm missing, this will be one order that won't bug me !

[rsrocket1]

I think you are justified in being nervous. The "price police" may come to arrest you because you STOLE that press at that price!

Of course for a seller, everything will sell if you price it right.

Congratulations on your new press!

[kcstott]

Thanks guys, I was a little nervous cause these things NEVER happen to me. Yes all conversions have powder system and stands. The previous owner said everything had been in storage for quite some time, but appears to have been stored in a quality manner. The press seems to be dry or sticky as in aged oil effect, no rust at all. Powder tubes are dis-colored from powder stain, the only surface rust, (very, very light ), is on the very top of the dies, most has already been removed with scotch brite. I had been watching sales posts here on calguns and there are some very good deals on complete set ups in all honesty, only the distance to sellers held me back. I had researched most Dillon items so had good idea of pricing, I think the guy was playing a game with future ex. Tomorrow will be taking to shop and part by part going through schematics to do part check and see what I'm missing, this will be one order that won't bug me !

[Wookiee87]

You can always send it in for a refurb to Dillon, if you have any concerns about it or anything missing.

[MARKFP]

Had a slack schedule today so mock mounted press up on a welding table and commenced cleaning, lubing and assembly check. Amazingly my luck is holding out !! Easy clean up and working like charm with fresh lube, it had a sticky / binding feel from old dry lube before cleaning. Printed out assembly manual from Dillon and started assembly and parts check. Step by step with schematic in hand made a list of parts missing or broke and was quite surprised. Primer alert module broke where pinch screw tightens on thumb nut, new parts for fail safe linkage, one locater pin for 45acp shell plate, and spent primer cup was all we found to be missing, broke or chose to replace. Added roller handle, spare parts kit, and placed the order !! Due to limited space in my reloading room the Dillon will have to mount where my single stage mounts, can only use one at a time anyway, so will make aluminum adapter plate tomorrow and a storage stand / mount for Dillon press and conversion stands when not in use. If more things went this smooth more often I would be.......well I don't know what I'd be because it never happens !!!

[kcstott]

Had a slack schedule today so mock mounted press up on a welding table and commenced cleaning, lubing and assembly check. Amazingly my luck is holding out !! Easy clean up and working like charm with fresh lube, it had a sticky / binding feel from old dry lube before cleaning. Printed out assembly manual from Dillon and started assembly and parts check. Step by step with schematic in hand made a list of parts missing or broke and was quite surprised. Primer alert module broke where pinch screw tightens on thumb nut, new parts for fail safe linkage, one locater pin for 45acp shell plate, and spent primer cup was all we found to be missing, broke or chose to replace. Added roller handle, spare parts kit, and placed the order !! Due to limited space in my reloading room the Dillon will have to mount where my single stage mounts, can only use one at a time anyway, so will make aluminum adapter plate tomorrow and a storage stand / mount for Dillon press and conversion stands when not in use. If more things went this smooth more often I would be.......well I don't know what I'd be because it never happens !!!

yep you scored, good for you

[furrly]

Great machine, and an even better deal..

[BajaJames83]

very nice.
I still run my 550 next to my mark 7 1050 its just so much easier to setup and run

[Divernhunter]

A call to Dillon will get you any parts you need free.

[MARKFP]

A call to Dillon will get you any parts you need free.

Yeah I know, I've been told by some friends that Dillon is awesome that way but being I didn't support them by purchasing from them brand new I wouldn't feel right putting the squeeze on them like that, I thought about it 3,4 a dozen times, just didn't set well, I'll save the karma and use my get out of jail card when I have a bigger problem, besides I don't know how much further my luck could run on this deal !!!!!!

[kcstott]

Yeah I know, I've been told by some friends that Dillon is awesome that way but being I didn't support them by purchasing from them brand new I wouldn't feel right putting the squeeze on them like that, I thought about it 3,4 a dozen times, just didn't set well, I'll save the karma and use my get out of jail card when I have a bigger problem, besides I don't know how much further my luck could run on this deal !!!!!!