Return To Neutral Position Following Primer Insertion
Quote from Reloader on December 19, 2016, 1:03 amI have an XL650 that I've been using fairly extensively for a variety of pistol calibers and a few rifle calibers for the last year. I've probably put 10,000 rounds through it, and it is a fine machine.
When the machine was new, the neutral position of the handle was such that the primer punch (ram? pushy-thingy?) was fully retracted, and the primer disk could rotate freely. Now, after pushing the handle forward to seat a primer in the shell casing, it does not "spring back" to a neutral position. It seems that some spring tension somewhere that helps the handle remain in a neutral position when not being pushed forward to seat a primer is either loose, or the spring needs to be replaced.
The press operates well in all other ways. I get the occasional primer flip if I get going too fast, but no other chronic problems. The question is: what is the mechanism that holds the system in a neutral position, neither forward into the primer seating position or back in the shellplate-raised position?
I recently broke the press down for an extensive cleaning, and although I didn't have any extra parts after getting it back together, and I've put 2000 flawless rounds through it since, I wonder if I've misaligned or misadjusted something critical.
I have an XL650 that I've been using fairly extensively for a variety of pistol calibers and a few rifle calibers for the last year. I've probably put 10,000 rounds through it, and it is a fine machine.
When the machine was new, the neutral position of the handle was such that the primer punch (ram? pushy-thingy?) was fully retracted, and the primer disk could rotate freely. Now, after pushing the handle forward to seat a primer in the shell casing, it does not "spring back" to a neutral position. It seems that some spring tension somewhere that helps the handle remain in a neutral position when not being pushed forward to seat a primer is either loose, or the spring needs to be replaced.
The press operates well in all other ways. I get the occasional primer flip if I get going too fast, but no other chronic problems. The question is: what is the mechanism that holds the system in a neutral position, neither forward into the primer seating position or back in the shellplate-raised position?
I recently broke the press down for an extensive cleaning, and although I didn't have any extra parts after getting it back together, and I've put 2000 flawless rounds through it since, I wonder if I've misaligned or misadjusted something critical.
Quote from Reloader on December 19, 2016, 4:27 pmThe spring in the primer seating punch is what supports the platform. To see if it is bad, remove the shellplate and primer feed, then pull the handle down just enough to remove the weight from it. If the punch is flush or slightly below flush, then the spring is okay. If not, unscrew the primer seating assembly from the underside of the platform and disassemble it. Wipe off the punch and other parts, reassemble.
If the spring is okay, then the pivot pins need some lubrication. Don't forget to lube the short pin that connects the rear of the crank to the bottom of the shaft. We do have a couple of clean and lube videos on the XL650 on our website.
The spring in the primer seating punch is what supports the platform. To see if it is bad, remove the shellplate and primer feed, then pull the handle down just enough to remove the weight from it. If the punch is flush or slightly below flush, then the spring is okay. If not, unscrew the primer seating assembly from the underside of the platform and disassemble it. Wipe off the punch and other parts, reassemble.
If the spring is okay, then the pivot pins need some lubrication. Don't forget to lube the short pin that connects the rear of the crank to the bottom of the shaft. We do have a couple of clean and lube videos on the XL650 on our website.
Quote from Reloader on December 21, 2016, 11:29 pmThank you - works like a charm - I disassembled the primer punch assembly, cleaned and lubricated it, and reassembled. I also made sure to readjust the travel extent on the station 1 shell casing ram when I change calibers, since it seems to provide some support to the piston assembly, too. The mechanism returns to zero and moves freely again.
Thanks for the guidance -
Thank you - works like a charm - I disassembled the primer punch assembly, cleaned and lubricated it, and reassembled. I also made sure to readjust the travel extent on the station 1 shell casing ram when I change calibers, since it seems to provide some support to the piston assembly, too. The mechanism returns to zero and moves freely again.
Thanks for the guidance -