DRAINSMITH
Member
I own a Hornady Ammo-plant and I have been able to get it running perfectly, but I do know how Hornady could make it better right from the start.
Let's start with the press. I see 3 minor problems the first is the timing of the press. This could be fixed by having a timing plate with 1 small hole in it. Then on the top of the press between station 2 and three have a hole drilled straight down to where an alignment punch could be dropped straight down with the ram up into the hole on the timing plate making the dies perfect. Now with a hole drilled into the subplate the same alignment punch you could drop it down through the timing plate into the subplate making a perfect alignment for the primer punch.
Now for the second problem, the primer assembly. The first thing is the primer slide needs to be finished better.
The next thing is getting the primer to drop perfectly. This could be done with the alignment punch for the timing. The end of the punch needs to be the exact diameter of the primer housing body with a small nub at the end the same size as a primer. Drop the end of the alignment tool down the housing body and with the nub just off center move the primer slide to where the alignment tool will drop and tighten it down.
Now for the third and final problem. Even though I don't have this problem I have seen presses that do and that is the primer punch dimple. This could be taken care of by drilling straight down at the dimple and tap it and install a set screw.
Now to the case feeder. Once again three problems. The first problem is the pivot body has a tendance to cant to the left. This is because it only has one bolt holding it. With a piece of angle
iron double bolted to the pivot block and double bolted to the lower case feeder stand it would take care of this problem.
The second problem is the case feeder funnel is made to use on both pistol and rifle. A small spacer that could be inserted to block half of the funnel for pistol would make it work perfectly.
The last problem is the gap between the case feeder plate and the case bowl for pistol this could be fixed with a piece of plastic to take up this gap that could be adjusted out of the way when loading rifle brass.
O.K. now, let's address the bullet feeder. Once again three problems. First, This sucker is loud if you put a lid on it it will cut the sound down by half.
Second. This sucker is really loud. A bullet stop switch on the feeder tube would help a lot.
Third a piece of clear tube that would go into the bullet die would be very helpful.
Now, the Delux control panel, I can find only one thing I would improve on. And that is the wiring harness. The connection that plugs into the switches is very thin. I would add heat shrink tube to it to give it a little additional strength.
Now, I am driving over to the Hornady plant this spring and hopefully, I can address my suggestions to the R&D.
O.K. what suggestions do you all have for your brand?
Let's start with the press. I see 3 minor problems the first is the timing of the press. This could be fixed by having a timing plate with 1 small hole in it. Then on the top of the press between station 2 and three have a hole drilled straight down to where an alignment punch could be dropped straight down with the ram up into the hole on the timing plate making the dies perfect. Now with a hole drilled into the subplate the same alignment punch you could drop it down through the timing plate into the subplate making a perfect alignment for the primer punch.
Now for the second problem, the primer assembly. The first thing is the primer slide needs to be finished better.
The next thing is getting the primer to drop perfectly. This could be done with the alignment punch for the timing. The end of the punch needs to be the exact diameter of the primer housing body with a small nub at the end the same size as a primer. Drop the end of the alignment tool down the housing body and with the nub just off center move the primer slide to where the alignment tool will drop and tighten it down.
Now for the third and final problem. Even though I don't have this problem I have seen presses that do and that is the primer punch dimple. This could be taken care of by drilling straight down at the dimple and tap it and install a set screw.
Now to the case feeder. Once again three problems. The first problem is the pivot body has a tendance to cant to the left. This is because it only has one bolt holding it. With a piece of angle
iron double bolted to the pivot block and double bolted to the lower case feeder stand it would take care of this problem.
The second problem is the case feeder funnel is made to use on both pistol and rifle. A small spacer that could be inserted to block half of the funnel for pistol would make it work perfectly.
The last problem is the gap between the case feeder plate and the case bowl for pistol this could be fixed with a piece of plastic to take up this gap that could be adjusted out of the way when loading rifle brass.
O.K. now, let's address the bullet feeder. Once again three problems. First, This sucker is loud if you put a lid on it it will cut the sound down by half.
Second. This sucker is really loud. A bullet stop switch on the feeder tube would help a lot.
Third a piece of clear tube that would go into the bullet die would be very helpful.
Now, the Delux control panel, I can find only one thing I would improve on. And that is the wiring harness. The connection that plugs into the switches is very thin. I would add heat shrink tube to it to give it a little additional strength.
Now, I am driving over to the Hornady plant this spring and hopefully, I can address my suggestions to the R&D.
O.K. what suggestions do you all have for your brand?