Lee Disk powder measure stoppage

[wrangler5]

After defending Lee equipment on this and other forums for the past several months I'm a bit reluctant to ask this, but . . . Tonight while loading some 9mm on a Loadmaster using a Disk powder measure, I got occasional cases with little or no powder in them. At first I was using the measure with the spring return system, because the chain return tends to work its way around to where it is unscrewing the turret locking knob with each down stroke. But I noticed that on occasion the spring wouldn't return the powder bar to the rear of the measure (to pick up the next charge.)

So I changed the system, and reinstalled the chain return lever. Even with positive return at the end of each ram stroke, there were times when a case would show up empty after going through the powder stage. I could see that the powder bar was moving, but occasionally a case would come through with little or no powder in it (0.3 to 1.1 grains, with the powder bar set to dispense 4.5g.) I'm using Universal Clays, a fine flake powder which normally meters very consistently. I was using the adjustable charge bar in the powder measure. The opening in this bar is a sort of long, narrow oval shape when it's set to dispense 4.5g of Universal. I got to thinking that maybe powder was packing up somehow just above the charge bar - I've heard of stick powders "bridging" the powder channels, but wouldn't have thought this was possible with small flakes. The powder showed no clumps when I poured it back into the can at the end of the session, so I don't think it got wet or anything.

I switched to the traditional disk, which has a round hole that aligns perfectly with the outlet port of the powder hopper, and for the last 50 rounds or so had no problems. But I'm wondering if anyone else has an explanation for what might cause this sort of interruption?

Thanks for any suggestions (other than that I should just buy a Dillon and be done with it.)

 

[JA]

A-The bottom of the charge bar has several slots and the lever must be in the front slot.
B-The tightness of the powder hopper screws is really important. If too tight the charge bar/disk will drag and hang up in the foreword posistion. If too loose it will allow a flake or two of powder to get betweeen the hopper and disk causing it to drag/hang up. If one screw is tighter than the other either of the above problems can occur.
C-Putting the return spring on backwards will twist the spring causing the disk to hang up. The spring has a front and back. The front the hook is horizontal and the rear hook is vertical.

 

[rick_in_lb]

Ahhhh

Like JA mentioned ,but when it happened to me I had the screws TOOOO tight. Check them out. Don't forget to get some spare O rings for the slide. Keep them handy just incase:banghead: ! You see that wasn't hard!

 

[The Bushmaster]

I have an Auto Disc that I mount on my Lee turret charging/expander dies. When I first got it, it functioned fine. But as it got older (it's now around 12 years old) it started to stick due to flakes getting between the disc and hopper. It would not retract far enough to pickup a new charge or would suddenly snap back scaring the snot out of me. After a little fiddling around and a few choice cuss words I figured out how to correct the problem, at least for me anyway. I removed the hopper and using a fine bastard file draw filed the surface of the hopper that makes contact with the disc. I found this area to be a little warped and scratched from time and use. I also, very carefully draw filed the two support areas of the dispencer frame where the hopper is held in place by the two screws. I filed this area to decrease the clearence between the hopper and the disc. Be careful not to file this area too much or you will have to shim out to allow the disc to move freely again. Make sure you file this area straight and level (evenly) or one side or end will be uneven. This works for me. I would suggest that you give it some thought and planning before attempting this...

 

[wrangler5]

Thanks for the comments. I suspected powder buildup of causing the return problem when I was using the spring. What surprised me was that the problem persisted when I switched to the positive return chain system. This insures that the charge bar gets pulled ALL the way back - it would pop the chain if the bar got jammed any distance from the full return position.

As I said in my original post, I switched from the adjustable charge bar to a disk, and have now loaded about 400 rounds without any shortfall, so I'm going to take the position that it was a problem with the Universal powder mixed with the adjustable charge bar combined with the particular setting on the charge bar. I've never had a problem feeding Accurate powders with the adjustable bar, so I don't think it's a bar flaw. But for this particular turret, I think I'll just leave the disk in. (Knocking on wood, just to be sure. )

Rick-in-lb, thanks for the reminder on the o-ring. I keep a lot of small maintenance parts for these presses on hand, but none of those. I'll order some next week.