Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure Return Spring

[leadchucker]

The Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure (and the Auto Disk Pro too) both come with a stiff spring that pulls the disk back under the hopper after operation. That's the intended setup for using the measure on a single stage or a turret press.

I see that there is a different actuating arm/lever that is used on the measure when it is on a progressive press. There is no return spring, but instead a chain connects between the lever and the ram of the press. The operation of the press ram is what pulls the disk on the powder measure back under the hopper after operation.

It seems that either type of return would work on either type of press, as long as there is some means of attaching the chain to the ram. Or am I missing something? Is there a reason for the different setup on the progressive press?

 

[theslasher]

The spring is used on turret presses because the chain cant follow it around when the turret indexes. Neither the dies or the carrier turn on a progressive so the chain can be used. i tried the spring on my loadmaster and didnt like it. Takes enough muscle as it is to push 5 rounds up into the dies at the same time as it is. You dont need that spring working against you. Btw alot of people complain about the chains breaking. If its adjusted properly, it wont!

 

[kingmt]

The chain is to keep you from double charging on a progressive from a short stoke.

 

[jfh]

In the beginning, so to speak, Lee

did not have the return lever on its auto-disk measures. My Pro 1000 used the spring return, as did the Load-Master I purchased about a year after they first came out.

The need for it is because it not only will usually prevent double-charging on a progressive operation, but it also alleviates the mysterious 'hangup' that can occur with the measure.

A few years ago, we (members of this forum) discussed the reason for this hangup, and the reason for it still remains murky. Generally, it seems to occur when 1) the hopper screws are too tight, or 2) when wear has occurred on the various components--on the bottom of the standard hopper, for example, or on the disk / bar in use. Use of the Deluxe hopper and the Chrome-plated base reduces the liklihood of a hangup as well.

I generally no longer use my Pro 1000, but I do use the Load-Master. I would not load without the chain operation now; it really does minimize the problems with a uncharged case.

Jim H.