Unexpected response from Hornady today. Not ~good~ either...

[Skgreen]

Press in question is an LNL AP. Well over 30k rounds through it so far,,,

I hate asking for parts. I'd rather buy them outright, or if its something simple, make something else ~work~ instead.

As a result, when I do get to a certain point where I can't buy it/find it, or fab it otherwise, I'll break down and make that dreaded call, often for multiple items, just to get back to 100% ~OEM~.

I had (4) items on my list. One was the shims they send out to help tighten up the LNL bushing system.

This is the 'unexpected' part,,,,

Most of us find the powder drop station, for whatever reason, is the first to ~loosen up~, allowing the drop to come loose/rotate. I've been buying oversized rubber O-rings for that station (as well as others) for a couple years now. Works 'good enough' I suppose, but finding the exact right size (not too loose/not too tight) isn't always easy.

As I had I heard the 'Official Hornady fix' for this was to send out shims, I finally decided to ask for some.

I was told by Hornady Customer Service today that they had 'found out' that the root cause of all this was folks using other manufacturers items, namely case cutters, and they are no longer providing shims.



Umm,,, The case cutters I have are stand-alone units, impossible to be used in any press, and the only other things (besides the Hornady Powder drop) that I've used in the LNL AP are standard, over the counter, Hornady, RCBS, and Lee dies.

The shims are still available,,, 0.005 thick, and $1.90 each

Come to think of it, I spent more on shims today than I have on O-rings,,,,

YMMV

 

[Dudedog]

I ordered some of the thicker ones and they charged me.
I got there is probably something wrong with the press if the inserts won't stay tight, you need to send the press in. (on my $)
Just paid for the shims...
I have found that a couple wraps of teflon plumbers tape around the insert seems to solve the issue. Tape is cheap and in almost any hardware store.

I mangled a decap pin my fault, told them so and they sent me that for free.
Maybe just depends on who you get.

 

[skeeterfogger]

I do not reload so I do not know about the shim issues. But I do know that with the correct thickness material I can pretty much make any shim. I'm curiously interested why just making them won't work.

 

[earlthegoat2]

What are the specs on the whims besides .005 thickness?

Im sure you can source them from somewhere else.

 

[2ndtimer]

In my experience, Hornady customer service has been less than stellar. They fall far short of RCBS and Dillon, IMHO.

 

[peels]

Didn't even know there were shims available. I just put a layer of masking tape under the rim where the o-ring goes and that was enough to hold it in place.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I found that the easiest fix was to just change bushings.

I have three Powder Drop dies that I have set for different case lengths...I just move the powder measure when changing cartridges that I'm loading. The powder measure would always rotate on one...it is cause by the off-set linkage...but never on the other two. I changed bushing on the Powder Drop die of the one that always loosened and it solved the problem. It was just stacking tolerances between the male and female bushing parts

 

[IMtheNRA]

What is a case cutter? Do they mean a case trimmer? How does that contribute to the powder station bushing loose fit in the toolhead?

 

[CharliesHammer]

My powder station came loose from day one. Fortunately they sent me shims for no charge and have not had any further problems. Unfortunately I have had to call them for several parts. The lady that usually covers the calls can be difficult.
There are some parts you just can't find online. It seems like they grudgingly honor their life time warranty.

 

[Trashyshoots]

In my experience, Hornady customer service has been less than stellar. They fall far short of RCBS and Dillon, IMHO.

Dillons customer service has been incredible for me. I dont even reload (yet) and I had a lot of questions about my father in laws set up I inherited. Walked in and was treated like family.

 

[gotboostvr]

I noticed the clip on the outside of my seating die was a little too long (and sharp!) and scratching my brass. I trimmed it a little too short and they had one (and a box of bullets) in the mail to me for free within the day.

So it may very well be the case of it depends who you get on the phone.

 

[Blue68f100]

Before I received the shims for my powder dispenser I was using a strip of paper. I place in in the press bushing before inserting the powder die. This tighten everything up and did not have any more problems. When I needed to contact them for something else I told them the problem of the powder die loosening up and they sent me an assortment of shims. Once I put the shims on between the o-ring and bushing, I never had the problem again. This was over 10 yrs ago.

A lot of times it depends on the tech you get to talk too. I've learned to just give them the problem then see what the suggest. Then ask question on what you think the problem is if it does not match theirs. This has got me parts that I have not thought of. In most cases they would rather send all the parts that may be causing the problem instead of just 1 solution

 

[Bandit67]

I've called Hornady customer service twice and they were excellent both times. First time was a messed up thread on a seating die stem adjuster and the other was a broken powder hopper tube that was my fault and I wanted to buy a new one. Both times they sent what I needed free of charge.

 

[rfwobbly]

Walked in and was treated like family.

You ARE family !!

When can we come to dinner ?

 

[Charlie98]

I like Hornady stuff, I do not like the LNL system. I bought a LNL single-stage press for my brother, that I eventually got back and started to use as a size press. I found the amount of slop in the LNL bushings too much for my taste and the press was replaced by a Rock Chucker... which has it's own problems, but tolerances not being one of them. I think the LNL system is a solution to a non-existent problem, and can create more problems than it solves.

 

[Texas10mm]

The case cutter in question is most likely the Dillon RT-1500. It's press mounted.

 

[alfsauve]

I just took the bull by the horns, or the bushing by the flange so to speak. I put notches in the flange of the bushing that align with the "bolts". Then I drill a very small hole in the top of the press that aligns with one of the notches. When I put the powder measure in, I then slip a very small Allen wrench in the hole that locks the bushing in place. <PICTURES at 11. Sorry I can't find them right now>

 

[9mmepiphany]

The case cutter in question is most likely the Dillon RT-1500. It's press mounted.

Having re-read the OP, I'm inclined to agree

 

[Skgreen]

I do not reload so I do not know about the shim issues. But I do know that with the correct thickness material I can pretty much make any shim. I'm curiously interested why just making them won't work.

Back on the Farm, we had all kinds of stuff to make shims from. Since 85 or so, I've moved 1,000 miles away / currently reside in 'suburbia'. Don't really have access to that kinda stuff anymore. (not even a ball peen hammer) That, and I had heard Hornady would "give you shims".

What are the specs on the whims besides .005 thickness?

Im sure you can source them from somewhere else.

Probably so, and I can provide the dims when they get here, but finding / buying stuff like that (small 'should be inexpensive' stuff) usually requires a min quantity as well as shipping, which often adds up to more than Hornady's price.

What is a case cutter? Do they mean a case trimmer? How does that contribute to the powder station bushing loose fit in the toolhead?

I assume they may be speaking about an electric case trimmer similar to this one from Dillon: https://www.dillonprecision.com/rt1500-electric-case-trimmer_8_8_26196.html,

Or, perhaps this one from Lee: https://leeprecision.com/deluxe-power-quick-trim.html

Can't see why anyone would use it in the powder drop location of an LNL AP, but I wasn't specific w/Hornady about 'what station' I was talking about as just about all of them are loose in varying degrees. That, and it didn't take long after asking for shims to hear "We don't provide those anymore"

Decided it wasn't worth my time to fuss,,, "They can't be that expensive / I'll buy them" was my response (I bought 10)

More:

I mentioned 4 items in the OP. Shims were #4, Item #3 was spring washers for the linkage.

There are 4 locations in the linkage that use (1) spring washer each. I pulled my press apart about a year ago for maintenance. Linkage had a total of 3 spring washers, with 1 @ 1 location, and 2 at another. (Built on a Friday??? LOL!)

Figured I could find some at Ace Hardware. Nope, so I bought some 'thinnish' flat washers. (Combinations of Brass, steel, nylon, whatever they had)
Put it back together w/ 1 original spring washer in 3 out of the 4 locations + some of the 'store bought flats' where ever they would fit.
With the amount of slop I had with that combination, I figured removing my combination of stuff and 'doubling up' the spring washers (2 at each location,X 4 = 8) would be worth a shot. (Hey, I had Hornady on the phone, so why not get some?)

Just a soon as I said 'I need 8' I heard "I can't give you 8 as it only calls for 5" so,,,,,,,,
"They can't be that expensive / I'll buy them"

Did I mention I dislike calling for parts?

 

[Dudedog]

I'm curiously interested why just making them won't work.

Should work fine if you had something to make them out of.....

 

[Skgreen]

Used to make quite a few back in the day. Made several for the thermostat housing / timing covers on cars.
Farm equipment as well.
Made 'em with a Ball peen hammer and thick paper or thin/dense cardboard. (shoebox)

I could snag one of the wifes shoeboxes and take a sharp blade to it, but I'm not 'dead in the water' and still have assorted o-rings out the wazoo.

 

[Blue68f100]

When Hornady sent me shims there were 2 different sizes. 0.003" and 0.005" , there may have been a 0.010" too. I still have some of the shims in my parts drawer. The 0.005" was the correct one to fix my powder dispenser. If I recall the tech said that the problem was traced to sockets being on the large size. They may have tighten the spec up so they were no longer needed.

I remember tomorrow when I go out to my shop I will see what I have. And send send you one if still needed.

 

[HDMontana]

I saw a video where a gentleman drilled and tapped the side of the press. He then put in a set screw to hold bushing in place.

 

[Texas10mm]

Hornady's bushing system is the weak point.

Even on my single stage they work loose.

 

[Rule3]

All this over a "shim"? Bet if you call and get someone else they will send you one. What about the other items on your list" Whay should then "give" you more than required, Where they broken?

I called them and they sent me a few of the shims plus a small primer feed "arm". No problems excellent service

As Dudedog mentioned some Teflon tape works even better, Heck put several wraps and the powder measure will not come off!

Lets bash Hornady and all praise to Dillon.

I need to edit this post. I actually E Mail them and did not tell them I NEED this or that.


Mr. xyz
Thank you for contacting Hornady. I have a couple heading your way!


Thank you

LNL Ap press, Serial # xxxxx. The Powder measure while in the LnL bushing inserted in the press comes lose. It is bushing that is lose in the press. not the measure lose in the bushing It is not the O ring as I tried another new one. Perhaps
due to the weight of the measure and more torque ? The other dies in bushings are very tight, I understand (from online websites) there is some type of shim you offer that will keep this bushing tight?? Thank you