Adding failsafe kit to old Dillon 550 - SOLVED

[JSolie]

So I've got this old Dillon 550. I've had it for over 10 years, and I'm tired of relying on this carburetor spring to return the powder bar.. The plastic part that sits on top of the powder dispenser never did sit there very well, and it came unglued from the dispenser so long ago. I've lived with it this way--I can always see how much powder is left, and if I'm doing a large batch, I'll just add more powder when it gets low.



As you can see, the powder die doesn't look anything like the current ones. So I ordered the failsafe upgrade kit from Dillon, and it arrived today. Here are the main parts, minus the bracket I installed on the press before taking these photos.





So I get everything installed--I think.



While I'm checking it out with an empty .38spl case, the transfer rod gets jammed in that new mechanism that I bolted onto the side of the dispenser:





More in the next post.... I've hit the limit of photos for this post.

[JSolie]

If I push on the rod so that the bent finger part gets disengaged, I can lower the press handle. Once this started happening, it did it on every pull of the handle.

Since this type of mechanism is new to me, I'm wondering if there's something I'm overlooking.

Or could it be that my powder dispenser is so bloody old, I should get get a new one?

[lpspinner]

I have a 550 (well actually 4) with the same type of powder dispenser. While taking pictures of a Dillon product for the Dillon rep, I also snap one of my press. While talking on the phone he suggested I send my powder measure back and get it "repaired". He issued a RMA and I will be receiving a new powder measure with the failsafe.

You should call them about a warranty since your unit came apart. They will replace it with the new one.

[ivanimal]

That is right I had an issue with one of my powder drops and sent it in, it was tho old style. Gave me a whole new one. Took 3 total days.

[pisarski]

did you try turing the rod around the other way so the end of the rod comes out the small hole and not the slot

[grant22]

did you try turing the rod around the other way so the end of the rod comes out the small hole and not the slot

^^^What he said. Every Dillon pic shows it reverse from how you have it.

[Bill Steele]

I would still send the powder drop into Dillon. I have run my failsafe bar on my 550B both ways (through the long slot first and last) and never had it jam up.

Couldn't hurt to have them take a look, at a minimum, you will likely get a new hopper with its integrated powder baffle out of the deal.

[erik_26]

^^^What he said. Every Dillon pic shows it reverse from how you have it.

did you try turing the rod around the other way so the end of the rod comes out the small hole and not the slot

Put the rod in from the other side. You will be much happier.

[cj cake]

Put the rod in from the other side. You will be much happier.

+3
I did the same thing when I upgraded my 550. After switching the side I inserted the rod, the problem fixed.

[JSolie]

Put the rod in from the other side. You will be much happier.

That was it! No more binding!

I guess this is what I get for trying to put the thing together after a full day at work...

[bohoki]

mix up some epoxy and put your powder reservoir back it just looks wrong yea you put the rod in wrong but that was said my problem is that the primer arm seems to be slow i got 2 springs on it and it still sometimes doesnt reset back under the plate

[JSolie]

mix up some epoxy and put your powder reservoir back it just looks wrong yea you put the rod in wrong but that was said my problem is that the primer arm seems to be slow i got 2 springs on it and it still sometimes doesnt reset back under the plate

I'll probably do that once I start reloading rifle rounds. For .45ACP or .38SPL, I can usually get 100 rounds loaded with what stays in the top of the dispenser. If I'm loading up a bunch of rounds, 100 is a good break. Time to fill up the primer tube again and top off the powder.

I did re-mount the failsafe rod in correctly, and things work so much better.

The primer arm and spring on mine seems to be holding up, so I'm glad for that.

[erik_26]

That was it! No more binding!

I guess this is what I get for trying to put the thing together after a full day at work...

This is why Calguns is awesome!

Glad it worked out for you. Happy reloading!

[JSolie]

This is why Calguns is awesome!

+10000000000