Ring Indexer Breakage
Quote from Reloader on January 11, 2010, 5:16 pmI recently purchased a XL650 to reload primarily 45acp and 9mm handgun ammo. Within the first 2 weeks or so the ring indexer below the platform broke while reloading. A quick call to Dillon and the replacement part was in my hands in a few days.
Now a couple weeks later and the new one has broken too. Fortunately I picked up a spare parts kit in the meantime so I am able to repair it again and not have to wait on a warranty item tobe shipped. However, I am a little disappointed that a machine that is only weeks old has suffered the same failure twice now. Has anyone else had problems with the indexer breaking on their XL650? Is there someting I can do to increase the life of this part? To date I have only run maybe 2000 rounds through it.
I recently purchased a XL650 to reload primarily 45acp and 9mm handgun ammo. Within the first 2 weeks or so the ring indexer below the platform broke while reloading. A quick call to Dillon and the replacement part was in my hands in a few days.
Now a couple weeks later and the new one has broken too. Fortunately I picked up a spare parts kit in the meantime so I am able to repair it again and not have to wait on a warranty item tobe shipped. However, I am a little disappointed that a machine that is only weeks old has suffered the same failure twice now. Has anyone else had problems with the indexer breaking on their XL650? Is there someting I can do to increase the life of this part? To date I have only run maybe 2000 rounds through it.
Quote from Reloader on January 14, 2010, 7:36 pmSame problem when I initially started loading. Dillon sent a couple ring indexers. No problem with change out and I just keep it lubed. No problems after >4000 rds. loaded since. I think initial problem with mine was clearance between platform and ejector chute. Not enough clearance and chute would bind during reloading. I could push it though, but bust ring indexer doing so. Since then, I bent/squeezed ejector chute to inhibit binding and experienced no problems.
Same problem when I initially started loading. Dillon sent a couple ring indexers. No problem with change out and I just keep it lubed. No problems after >4000 rds. loaded since. I think initial problem with mine was clearance between platform and ejector chute. Not enough clearance and chute would bind during reloading. I could push it though, but bust ring indexer doing so. Since then, I bent/squeezed ejector chute to inhibit binding and experienced no problems.
Quote from Reloader on January 22, 2010, 2:57 amStrange enough I just broke the same part today . Called Dillon , par(s) in the mail . Actually they said they would send me a spare so it is obviously something they have had problems with as on going. Not sure what caused the break , sorry I can't help you . Maybe Dillon has some ideas???
I hope it is not too big of a job to replace as I am not the most mechanically adept person ...that's why I bought the Dillon :).
As well I may have 2000 rounds loaded since I got the 650 in October.
If any one has any tips on replacing this ...appreciate the replies.
Session data
Strange enough I just broke the same part today . Called Dillon , par(s) in the mail . Actually they said they would send me a spare so it is obviously something they have had problems with as on going. Not sure what caused the break , sorry I can't help you . Maybe Dillon has some ideas???
I hope it is not too big of a job to replace as I am not the most mechanically adept person ...that's why I bought the Dillon :).
As well I may have 2000 rounds loaded since I got the 650 in October.
If any one has any tips on replacing this ...appreciate the replies.
Session data
Quote from Reloader on January 27, 2010, 9:23 pmYou have to remove the shell plate, primer feeder, bullet tray, to get the platform assembly off. You pretty much have to take the machine all the way down to get to the ring indexer. I found that an extra pair of hands and some long thin needlenose pliers makes the job a lot easier when you go to reinstall the indexer return spring.
You have to remove the shell plate, primer feeder, bullet tray, to get the platform assembly off. You pretty much have to take the machine all the way down to get to the ring indexer. I found that an extra pair of hands and some long thin needlenose pliers makes the job a lot easier when you go to reinstall the indexer return spring.
Quote from Reloader on January 28, 2010, 2:07 pmThe most common causes for breaking the ring indexer are:
failure to snug the brass tipped set screw that secures the shellplate bolt. If the set screw is left loose, then the shellplate bolt tightens as the shellplate rotates. Quickly this can cause a bind, and if you apply sufficient upward pressure to the handle, there is plenty of leverage to fracture the ring.
If the primer seating punch gets dirty and fails to retract, that can bind the shellplate enough to cause the ring to snap if excessive force is applied.
If the handle is slammed upward, or slips out of the user's grasp on the upstroke, the velocity can cause the ring indexer to break.
If the stamped steel chute/bracket is catching under the platform, again the application of excessive pressure can snap the ring once the shellplate rotates.
The most common causes for breaking the ring indexer are:
failure to snug the brass tipped set screw that secures the shellplate bolt. If the set screw is left loose, then the shellplate bolt tightens as the shellplate rotates. Quickly this can cause a bind, and if you apply sufficient upward pressure to the handle, there is plenty of leverage to fracture the ring.
If the primer seating punch gets dirty and fails to retract, that can bind the shellplate enough to cause the ring to snap if excessive force is applied.
If the handle is slammed upward, or slips out of the user's grasp on the upstroke, the velocity can cause the ring indexer to break.
If the stamped steel chute/bracket is catching under the platform, again the application of excessive pressure can snap the ring once the shellplate rotates.
Quote from Reloader on February 5, 2010, 10:42 pmI've had my XL650 since July-09 and have loaded just north of 16,000 rounds while breaking at least 8 of those silly little plastic rings (3 in the last week).
I love the press and the customer service people are the absolute BEST...but the engineers need to look at the materials used for this part and comments made by Dillon in this forum:
"...slips out of the users grasp on the upstroke, the velocity can cause the indexer ring to break."
COME ON GUYS!!!
I'm glad there is a weak point that is designed to break before something really important does but that damned ring is a pain to replace. I can't be alone in thinking a product update might be in order.
I've had my XL650 since July-09 and have loaded just north of 16,000 rounds while breaking at least 8 of those silly little plastic rings (3 in the last week).
I love the press and the customer service people are the absolute BEST...but the engineers need to look at the materials used for this part and comments made by Dillon in this forum:
"...slips out of the users grasp on the upstroke, the velocity can cause the indexer ring to break."
COME ON GUYS!!!
I'm glad there is a weak point that is designed to break before something really important does but that damned ring is a pain to replace. I can't be alone in thinking a product update might be in order.
Quote from Reloader on July 7, 2010, 8:51 pmI've had my XL650 for about 3 months now and I reload constantly, every night for several hours. I've done over 30,000 rounds (mostly .45acp) and have broken about 10 of these "cheap" plastic indexing rings so far. Nice press overall but I've spent over $100 on replacements and now keep at least 3 on hand. Usually when I break one it's due to a primer not being ejected properly. The top of the primer pops up but is stuck to the sides of the primer that are still stuck in the case, like a partially opened can of tuna. When the shell plate goes to index it hangs up on the primer top and that's the end of the indexing ring. Usually it breaks around the pawl spring housing and I lose the spring also.
I've had my XL650 for about 3 months now and I reload constantly, every night for several hours. I've done over 30,000 rounds (mostly .45acp) and have broken about 10 of these "cheap" plastic indexing rings so far. Nice press overall but I've spent over $100 on replacements and now keep at least 3 on hand. Usually when I break one it's due to a primer not being ejected properly. The top of the primer pops up but is stuck to the sides of the primer that are still stuck in the case, like a partially opened can of tuna. When the shell plate goes to index it hangs up on the primer top and that's the end of the indexing ring. Usually it breaks around the pawl spring housing and I lose the spring also.
Quote from Reloader on July 7, 2010, 9:56 pmThe material was recently changed on the ring indexer. Current production are a gray color. Older ones were black. They still need to be greased, but are a bit more flexible.
The material was recently changed on the ring indexer. Current production are a gray color. Older ones were black. They still need to be greased, but are a bit more flexible.
Quote from Reloader on January 6, 2015, 7:11 amIn my experience, the two reasons for breakage of this part are:
1: Not tightening down the set screw on the side of the ram, which secures the hex bolt (which goes through the shell plate) to keep it from rotating. If this is not tightened down properly, the hex bolt will tighten itself up and cause binding and breakage of the index ring if you force it.
2: This problem occurs while depriming brass. The decapping pin is not set deep enough and not pushing every primer fully out of the case. Then when the shell plate is rotated, the protruding primer stops the rotation of the shell plate. The answer to this is to make sure that the decapping pin has plenty of protrusion through the shell case, more than enough to push out any primer completely.
If you have a binding problem, don't force it. Start troubleshooting by removing all shells in the shell plate, one at a time, and see if removing any one of them will solve the indexing problem.
It is also possible that a barely seated primer might cause pretty much the same stoppage as in (2) above. Check that you are using the right primer punch and that the punch is fully screwed into the frame. Check for restrictions on your ability to perform a complete upward handle stroke.
And, make sure you're not attempting to prime any brass that has not had the primer pocket crimp removed.I've never seen the index ring break for any reason other than those I have described.
BTW, I need a new index ring. Snapped one tonight.
In my experience, the two reasons for breakage of this part are:
1: Not tightening down the set screw on the side of the ram, which secures the hex bolt (which goes through the shell plate) to keep it from rotating. If this is not tightened down properly, the hex bolt will tighten itself up and cause binding and breakage of the index ring if you force it.
2: This problem occurs while depriming brass. The decapping pin is not set deep enough and not pushing every primer fully out of the case. Then when the shell plate is rotated, the protruding primer stops the rotation of the shell plate. The answer to this is to make sure that the decapping pin has plenty of protrusion through the shell case, more than enough to push out any primer completely.
If you have a binding problem, don't force it. Start troubleshooting by removing all shells in the shell plate, one at a time, and see if removing any one of them will solve the indexing problem.
It is also possible that a barely seated primer might cause pretty much the same stoppage as in (2) above. Check that you are using the right primer punch and that the punch is fully screwed into the frame. Check for restrictions on your ability to perform a complete upward handle stroke.
And, make sure you're not attempting to prime any brass that has not had the primer pocket crimp removed.
I've never seen the index ring break for any reason other than those I have described.
BTW, I need a new index ring. Snapped one tonight.
Quote from Reloader on April 30, 2017, 3:54 pmHi
Just have my 650 running for 2 days, maybe 2000 strokes (only depriming).Cannot see any problems but afraid that this is a major problem for the future.
Not very stable in technical english, do not understand the causes that are described above.
Could any body help me to get the point of the descriptions?
THX
Hi
Just have my 650 running for 2 days, maybe 2000 strokes (only depriming).
Cannot see any problems but afraid that this is a major problem for the future.
Not very stable in technical english, do not understand the causes that are described above.
Could any body help me to get the point of the descriptions?
THX