650 problems - poor advice
Quote from Reloader on February 4, 2009, 3:35 amI thought I'd share a problem in the event anyone else has a similar experience. I have had a 550 for years and thought I'd upgrade to a 650 from Brian (glad I kept my 550). I received a pleasant call from Brian, placed the order and in a few days had my 650. Setting it up was no real problem. BUT, I ran into a strange problem with the case feeder. I ordered it set up for small rifle (in my case, .223). However, when I would place anywhere from 25 - 150 cases in the case feeder, cases would consistently get under the case plate and jam the mechanism to a halt. I checked and there was no obvious problem, e.g., burrs, improperly positioned case plate, etc. And, when it did feed (rarely, only with about 10 cases), cases would frequently fall in upside down. So, I called Dillon Tech.
The answer I got was not what I expected. I was told that the weight of the cases flexes the plate on the lower end, allowing brass to get under it from the upper side. Dillon techs' solution? Place the large washer that comes for other caliber conversions in the bottom of the case feeder, below the case plate (not on the drive shaft). It provides enough support to remove the flex. My question is, "Why doesn't Dillon fix this properly?" This is a backyard engineered approach. If they know about the problem, why don't they put a spacer in from the factory or mold in a spacer? As far as the brass feeding upside down, the answer was, well they do that sometime.
I've got to say I was blown away. I always heard great things about the 650, but no mention of issues like this. The washer DID NOT solve my problem. Likewise, the feeding upside down. If I have to continually remove the feed tube and clear out upside down brass, I am not getting the full benefit of the equipment I bought.
In a word, I was torqued (not what I really want to say, but I am trying to be civil)! I expected a better answer (this was a non-answer!). Dillon should be better than this.
Come on, guys, you've got to have a better solution that what I was told. Was the tech outsourced from India???
I thought I'd share a problem in the event anyone else has a similar experience. I have had a 550 for years and thought I'd upgrade to a 650 from Brian (glad I kept my 550). I received a pleasant call from Brian, placed the order and in a few days had my 650. Setting it up was no real problem. BUT, I ran into a strange problem with the case feeder. I ordered it set up for small rifle (in my case, .223). However, when I would place anywhere from 25 - 150 cases in the case feeder, cases would consistently get under the case plate and jam the mechanism to a halt. I checked and there was no obvious problem, e.g., burrs, improperly positioned case plate, etc. And, when it did feed (rarely, only with about 10 cases), cases would frequently fall in upside down. So, I called Dillon Tech.
The answer I got was not what I expected. I was told that the weight of the cases flexes the plate on the lower end, allowing brass to get under it from the upper side. Dillon techs' solution? Place the large washer that comes for other caliber conversions in the bottom of the case feeder, below the case plate (not on the drive shaft). It provides enough support to remove the flex. My question is, "Why doesn't Dillon fix this properly?" This is a backyard engineered approach. If they know about the problem, why don't they put a spacer in from the factory or mold in a spacer? As far as the brass feeding upside down, the answer was, well they do that sometime.
I've got to say I was blown away. I always heard great things about the 650, but no mention of issues like this. The washer DID NOT solve my problem. Likewise, the feeding upside down. If I have to continually remove the feed tube and clear out upside down brass, I am not getting the full benefit of the equipment I bought.
In a word, I was torqued (not what I really want to say, but I am trying to be civil)! I expected a better answer (this was a non-answer!). Dillon should be better than this.
Come on, guys, you've got to have a better solution that what I was told. Was the tech outsourced from India???
Quote from Reloader on February 4, 2009, 5:25 pmI wish you knew who you spoke to! The purpose of the washer is to shim the case feed plate upward so it can pick up the taller handgun cartridges, such as .357, 41 mag, 44 mag, 45Colt, etc. It has nothing to do with stabilizing the case feed plate.
The usual cause for cases getting under the shellplate is the case feed plate is not fully onto the motor shaft. Correctly installed, the casefeed plate should almost drag on the interior surface of the bowl. The plate should not be able to lift enough for cases to roll underneath it.
I wish you knew who you spoke to! The purpose of the washer is to shim the case feed plate upward so it can pick up the taller handgun cartridges, such as .357, 41 mag, 44 mag, 45Colt, etc. It has nothing to do with stabilizing the case feed plate.
The usual cause for cases getting under the shellplate is the case feed plate is not fully onto the motor shaft. Correctly installed, the casefeed plate should almost drag on the interior surface of the bowl. The plate should not be able to lift enough for cases to roll underneath it.
Quote from Reloader on February 11, 2009, 4:20 pmI got an XL650 that was set up for 223 as well. Took it out of the box, put it together, running in less than an hour, case feeder and all.
I have had an occasional upside down case, 1 in 1000? Not enough to worry about!
Sorry to hear about your problem. If it wasn't for the case feeder, does the equipment work all right?
Just wondering.
I got an XL650 that was set up for 223 as well. Took it out of the box, put it together, running in less than an hour, case feeder and all.
I have had an occasional upside down case, 1 in 1000? Not enough to worry about!
Sorry to hear about your problem. If it wasn't for the case feeder, does the equipment work all right?
Just wondering.
Quote from Reloader on March 15, 2009, 6:48 amInterested topic...
I recently purchased my 650 mostly for pistol loading, but I did hope to load up some .223/5.56 eventually.
I will make not of this issue and see what comes out of Dillon on this.
Thanks!
Interested topic...
I recently purchased my 650 mostly for pistol loading, but I did hope to load up some .223/5.56 eventually.
I will make not of this issue and see what comes out of Dillon on this.
Thanks!
Quote from Reloader on March 21, 2009, 3:33 amSorry to take so long to get back, but everything was done in a first class manner. Dillon shipped me a new case feeder and tested it beforehand to make sure it worked (handwritten note included). This one works great. I am not sure what the problem was on the first one, I can only speculate that the shaft that the plate rotates on was slightly high, allowing cases to roll under . In any event, Dillon came through in the manner that they are known for - first class!! Big Blue is still #1.
Sorry to take so long to get back, but everything was done in a first class manner. Dillon shipped me a new case feeder and tested it beforehand to make sure it worked (handwritten note included). This one works great. I am not sure what the problem was on the first one, I can only speculate that the shaft that the plate rotates on was slightly high, allowing cases to roll under . In any event, Dillon came through in the manner that they are known for - first class!! Big Blue is still #1.
Quote from Reloader on March 30, 2009, 6:59 pmI recently converted my 650 to load .223, I'm having the same problem. Cases under the feed plate, half or more going into the tube upside down.
I was given the same advice about putting the washer down in the bottom of the hopper, it did nothing to solve the problem so for now I load the by hand.
I'll try they're tech depatment again and see if they offer anything different.
I recently converted my 650 to load .223, I'm having the same problem. Cases under the feed plate, half or more going into the tube upside down.
I was given the same advice about putting the washer down in the bottom of the hopper, it did nothing to solve the problem so for now I load the by hand.
I'll try they're tech depatment again and see if they offer anything different.
Quote from Reloader on March 30, 2009, 9:30 pmDefinitely DO NOT use the washer under the case feed plate for .223!
The case feed plate should almost drag on the surface of the case feed bowl. With no cases in the feed bowl, remove the plate and disassmble the clutch plates from it. Then put it on a flat surface and see if it is warped. Then run a ruler across the surface of the case feed bowl and check to see if the bottom of the bowl is warped. There should not be enough room for a case to get under the shellplate.
Also check where the metal plate is attached to the side of the bowl, with the casefeed plate installed. There should not be enough romm for two .223 casses to lie side-by side there.
Definitely DO NOT use the washer under the case feed plate for .223!
The case feed plate should almost drag on the surface of the case feed bowl. With no cases in the feed bowl, remove the plate and disassmble the clutch plates from it. Then put it on a flat surface and see if it is warped. Then run a ruler across the surface of the case feed bowl and check to see if the bottom of the bowl is warped. There should not be enough room for a case to get under the shellplate.
Also check where the metal plate is attached to the side of the bowl, with the casefeed plate installed. There should not be enough romm for two .223 casses to lie side-by side there.
Quote from Reloader on April 1, 2009, 12:44 pmI took the clutch plates off and checked for warped plate, after reassembiling the clutch it now drops down on the shaft farther than before. Problem appears to be cured.
I think the hole's in the clutch plates were misaligned slightly not allowing the plate to drop all the way onto the shaft.
Thanks
I took the clutch plates off and checked for warped plate, after reassembiling the clutch it now drops down on the shaft farther than before. Problem appears to be cured.
I think the hole's in the clutch plates were misaligned slightly not allowing the plate to drop all the way onto the shaft.
Thanks
Quote from Reloader on July 12, 2013, 3:32 pmI have the exact same problem as described by the OP and have sought advice from tech helpline.
Dillon, I received the following advice this week
"If you still have it, the casefeeder came with a fender washer (13703). Lift out the CF plate, toss washer in to deep end of bowl, reinstall plate"
This has made no difference, in fact it's worse. I have replied to the e-mail and await a reply.
I have the exact same problem as described by the OP and have sought advice from tech helpline.
Dillon, I received the following advice this week
"If you still have it, the casefeeder came with a fender washer (13703). Lift out the CF plate, toss washer in to deep end of bowl, reinstall plate"
This has made no difference, in fact it's worse. I have replied to the e-mail and await a reply.