1. How do you guys change discs? especially if you are using the spring return?
I understand with the chain return you don't have to shut off the powder or remove the hopper to change discs? How do you keep the powder in the disc from spilling everywhere?
With the chain, I change the disk by:
- Turn the powder measure to OFF
- Drop several charges until no powder drops into case
- Push up PAD unit with empty case and continue lifting the PAD unit with hand which pushes the disk further forward and pull the disk out (towards you)
- Replace disk making sure the PAD actuator arm is in the bottom slot of disk
With the spring, do the same as chain but loosen the two brass nuts and lift the powder hopper to change the disk.
How do you remove and replace a case at station 2?
Move the shellplate carrier halfway up with the ram until auto index unlocks and rotate the shellplate with hand to remove the case.
2. what do you use to catch completed rounds? With the mounting plate and base in the way I can't get anything to stay there to catch them.
I am not using the mounting plate. I use a small bread pan (from the dollar store) to catch the finished rounds as the pan will hold several hundred rounds.
With the mounting plate, could you find a way to create a flat surface to put a container to catch the finished rounds?
3. How do you prevent the detent/snap of the shell plate from spilling powder out at station 3? Mine is throwing powder everywhere even with a relatively light charge of W231.
I place a bullet on case before the charged case reaches station 3 (bullet is going there anyways right?).
4. Priming seems okay except I already had one sideways/crushed primer. The chute is full, the tray is full.
If your shellplate index timing is off, it can cause flipped/sideways primers. Adjust the index timing so the shellplate clicks into station BEFORE shellplate carrier reaches the bottom.
Make sure you are using a cover over the primer attachment chute as even a few granules of powder can cause the primers to not slide smoothly and flip/turn as they slide into station 2.
bds, can you post pics of the mods to your case collator for 9mm?
What's the deal with 9mm in the case collator? Is it too small? does it not orient them properly?
You drill a hole in a penny so a spent 22LR case will fit. The holes in the collator work well with larger 40S&W/45ACP cases but with smaller 9mm case, you will get occasional flipped case.
I can take a picture of the mod but here's a link to one (pic shows dime but penny works well) -
http://postimg.org/image/mpgt9o8iz/
Oh, I also pulled the shell plate carrier off of the ram on my 2nd round... even though i'm using carbide dies and cases which have been sprayed with one shot. I looked up the solution for that and it seems to be working now. The hex screw was already pretty damn tight though, which makes me nervous.
I have resized dry tumbled brass with untreated and treated media (with NuFinish polish) and do not have problem with shellplate carrier pulling off the ram.
If the shellplate carrier pulls off the ram, there isn't enough friction/tension on the ram:
- Make sure the top of ram and inside of shellplate carrier is clean without oil
- Loosen the hex bolt and make sure the shellplate carrier is FULLY SEATED on top of the ram (I even brace an empty plastic primer tray against the top of frame to make sure shellplate carrier is fully seated on the ram)
- Tighten the hex bolt (I use regular Allen wrench, not the ones with longer handle)
- If carrier pulls off ram (especially with once-fired NATO spec ammo fired in loose chambers), tighten the Allen bolt until it won't