Dillon 550 tool head pins not seating fully

[NCWalrus]

I have an older Dillon 550 and the tool head pins do not go all the way in to the top of the press. They sit up an inch or so over the tool head.

Has anyone ever experienced this and know of an easy fix?

Thanks

 

[Catpop]

Haven’t experienced that but the following comes to mind
Either the tool head groove is blocked by something- dirt, debris, even a spent primer- not allowing it to fully seat
Or
There is something blocking pin holes

I think the first most likely

jmtcw

 

[TonyAngel]

Yep. The first one above. I’ve had it happen a couple of times. I’ll bet the dies don’t line up with the shell plate when you raise the ram.

 

[NCWalrus]

Tool head groove is clean and dies line up. Even with the toolhead removed the pins do not fully go into the press. I'll try to post photos later

 

[TonyAngel]

Wow. That’s weird. Can you look through the holes.

 

[Erief0g]

Do the pins seat fully without the tool head installed? Do they push through the tool head fully when not mounted on press?

 

[DukeConnor]

is this new ?

 

[jmorris]

Even with the toolhead removed the pins do not fully go into the press.

They sit up an inch or so over the tool head.

The pins are only 1 3/8” long over all. Do your pins look like this and measure ~1/8” in diameter?

 

[Catpop]

Is this a stock Dillon toolhead or a new CNN billit type? Dillon is cast with cavities on the bottom side, I think the billit is solid (I don’t know I never used one)

 

[jmorris]

From the OP’s post #4.

Even with the toolhead removed the pins do not fully go into the press.

 

[rfwobbly]

Just as an outside chance....
I'm wondering if the die lock nuts are interfering with the tool head position ? When you use non-Dillon dies on a 550, you may need convert the dies over to the Dillon 1" lock nuts to get the necessary physical clearance. Some brands of lock nuts are simply too large. They can overhang the die position, and may keep the Tool Head from properly locating in the press.

https://www.dillonprecision.com/1-steel-die-lock-ring-10-pack_8_4_26723.html
.

 

[whughett]

DILLON CUSTOMER SERVICE.

 

[Barman54]

When I first Got my 550 back in 1986, the pins were long, they are now shorter, by me!!
Adjusting Dies, I "Made" them shorter!!
I think the newer 550, come with shorter pins, than the ones I had.
My original ones still are working

Barman54
Out

 

[Kp321]

I think the newer 550, come with shorter pins, than the ones I had

Bingo. Dillon changed the depth of the holes and consequently the length of the pins in the past few years.