550B maintenance
Quote from Reloader on September 12, 2010, 1:26 pmJust finished reassembling my 550B after experiencing some stiff handle movement. I spoke with Mike and Tim of Dillon on what to do about my situation....they were very helpful! My machine now operates as it did the day I pulled it out of the box about ten years ago. The secret is to use black moly grease on all pivoting pins: upper, lower, etc. Then use motor oil on the mainshaft. Once the machine is properly cleaned and lubricated, the handle movement will be as smooth as a knife going through warm butter.
Just finished reassembling my 550B after experiencing some stiff handle movement. I spoke with Mike and Tim of Dillon on what to do about my situation....they were very helpful! My machine now operates as it did the day I pulled it out of the box about ten years ago. The secret is to use black moly grease on all pivoting pins: upper, lower, etc. Then use motor oil on the mainshaft. Once the machine is properly cleaned and lubricated, the handle movement will be as smooth as a knife going through warm butter.
Quote from Reloader on November 8, 2010, 5:18 pmI had to take everything apart in order to thoroughly clean and re-grease the upper and lower pins. I used black moly grease (about $3 for a can, which will probably last a lifetime). I first cleaned the pins and then generously applied the grease to them, then wiped away the excess upon reassembly.
I had to take everything apart in order to thoroughly clean and re-grease the upper and lower pins. I used black moly grease (about $3 for a can, which will probably last a lifetime). I first cleaned the pins and then generously applied the grease to them, then wiped away the excess upon reassembly.
Quote from Reloader on December 31, 2010, 5:09 amI have a 550b, purchased April 1995. Just took it out of storage and the mecanisim is stiff, hit it with some WD 40 and the main shaft with 30w, should I take it apart and grease the pins or is this a job best left to Dillon>?
I have a 550b, purchased April 1995. Just took it out of storage and the mecanisim is stiff, hit it with some WD 40 and the main shaft with 30w, should I take it apart and grease the pins or is this a job best left to Dillon>?
Quote from Reloader on January 20, 2011, 4:42 pmWhere did you spray the WD-40? If you just used it to clean the main shaft and then lubricated it with motor oil you should be fine. If your handle movement isn't smooth now then disassemble the upper pivot pins and grease them and use a grease gun on the lower pin. Disassembly and reassembly is fairly easy and shouldn't require a Dillon technician.
Where did you spray the WD-40? If you just used it to clean the main shaft and then lubricated it with motor oil you should be fine. If your handle movement isn't smooth now then disassemble the upper pivot pins and grease them and use a grease gun on the lower pin. Disassembly and reassembly is fairly easy and shouldn't require a Dillon technician.
Quote from Reloader on February 5, 2011, 6:13 pmAnother lube to use is: Super Lube http://www.super-lube.com/ It is a synthetic lubricant with PTFE and a little goes a long way for a long time. I use it on my guns as well.
Cleaning all the old grease and oils off first before using Super Lube is important...brake cleaner works well for this. Use it sparingly and you will be surprised at the preformance.
Another lube to use is: Super Lube http://www.super-lube.com/ It is a synthetic lubricant with PTFE and a little goes a long way for a long time. I use it on my guns as well.
Cleaning all the old grease and oils off first before using Super Lube is important...brake cleaner works well for this. Use it sparingly and you will be surprised at the preformance.
Quote from Reloader on January 4, 2012, 4:33 amWould not use WD-40, over time the carrier solvent in WD-40 evaporates and leaves behind a yellowish gummy residue. I learned this when woking as an auto mechanic years ago.
Would not use WD-40, over time the carrier solvent in WD-40 evaporates and leaves behind a yellowish gummy residue. I learned this when woking as an auto mechanic years ago.
Quote from Reloader on February 13, 2012, 5:50 pmI finally got around to cleaning and re-lubing my 550 after 6 years of use. The handle was sticking and there seemed to be a lot of resistance that was getting worse as time went on. I didn't notice ho much resistance until I saw another reloader at a local shop. I worked the mechanism and the difference was surprising. That made me think that something was bent or that my press was damaged to cause so much friction.
I tore the whole thing apart cleaned it thoroughly and re-assembled it. I used Case Blaster to get rid of all the old lube and then WD-4D to get into areas that I could not disassemble to flush out anything. during the reassembly I found that one of the lower pins had a lot more resistance then the other and that it seemed to be binding...Don't know if this was normal or not, since it still works. After the cleaning the pin seemed to loosen up quite a bit but is still a lot stiffer than the other side. I re-assembled everything and lubed it up and now I could not be happier!
This machine is the BEST investment I have made.
I finally got around to cleaning and re-lubing my 550 after 6 years of use. The handle was sticking and there seemed to be a lot of resistance that was getting worse as time went on. I didn't notice ho much resistance until I saw another reloader at a local shop. I worked the mechanism and the difference was surprising. That made me think that something was bent or that my press was damaged to cause so much friction.
I tore the whole thing apart cleaned it thoroughly and re-assembled it. I used Case Blaster to get rid of all the old lube and then WD-4D to get into areas that I could not disassemble to flush out anything. during the reassembly I found that one of the lower pins had a lot more resistance then the other and that it seemed to be binding...Don't know if this was normal or not, since it still works. After the cleaning the pin seemed to loosen up quite a bit but is still a lot stiffer than the other side. I re-assembled everything and lubed it up and now I could not be happier!
This machine is the BEST investment I have made.