Descreet38
02-02-2009, 06:46 PM
Not my design but thought this would be great for any Dillon RL 550 owners. I do like the design but am a little confused by the number of people who produce squib rounds using the 550. I have produced over 350,000 rounds on 550's and never had one.
If any of you decide to go with this - make two - I'll pay your for it just for the sake of directed lighting on the case.
Designer wrote:
Thought I would introduce myself by posting a neat gadget I made for my Dillon. If you get distracted while loading, you could drop a double powder charge or no charge at all. I made this Light Kit so I can confirm each powder drop.
I used a bright bulb from a mini mag-light that shines down so you can see in the case. With straight wall cases, you can see clear to the flash hole. It also works with rifle cases but you can only see the top third or so. The bulb plugs in and a 1/4" brass tube acts as a lampshade so the light is directed into the case and not your eyes.
The arm automatically swings over the "just been powdered" case when you push the handle forward to prime. A micro switch turns the light on. When the handle is in the "at rest" position, the arm swings back and switches the light off. When you pull the handle down, the arm swings way back so the ram won't hit it.
There is a "manual" mode too. When the press is in the at rest position, you can push the arm forward to activate the light.
The arm is made from brass tubing and is a conduit for the lamp wires. The wires to the switch are all contained in tubing or RTV so none are exposed except the battery leads. You don't want any sparks when a pound of powder is close by. The lampshade can be rotated so it positions directly over the case.
When you load, you have to train yourself to look in the powder station case when you prime. After you get used to it, you can easily spot a case that is under or over charged. Squibs or double charges are very obvious. I've loaded more than 3000 rounds since I made the light kit. It functions perfect and I'm still on the first set of AA batteries and light bulb.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-3/982477/lightkithandlenormalc.JPG
If any of you decide to go with this - make two - I'll pay your for it just for the sake of directed lighting on the case.
Designer wrote:
Thought I would introduce myself by posting a neat gadget I made for my Dillon. If you get distracted while loading, you could drop a double powder charge or no charge at all. I made this Light Kit so I can confirm each powder drop.
I used a bright bulb from a mini mag-light that shines down so you can see in the case. With straight wall cases, you can see clear to the flash hole. It also works with rifle cases but you can only see the top third or so. The bulb plugs in and a 1/4" brass tube acts as a lampshade so the light is directed into the case and not your eyes.
The arm automatically swings over the "just been powdered" case when you push the handle forward to prime. A micro switch turns the light on. When the handle is in the "at rest" position, the arm swings back and switches the light off. When you pull the handle down, the arm swings way back so the ram won't hit it.
There is a "manual" mode too. When the press is in the at rest position, you can push the arm forward to activate the light.
The arm is made from brass tubing and is a conduit for the lamp wires. The wires to the switch are all contained in tubing or RTV so none are exposed except the battery leads. You don't want any sparks when a pound of powder is close by. The lampshade can be rotated so it positions directly over the case.
When you load, you have to train yourself to look in the powder station case when you prime. After you get used to it, you can easily spot a case that is under or over charged. Squibs or double charges are very obvious. I've loaded more than 3000 rounds since I made the light kit. It functions perfect and I'm still on the first set of AA batteries and light bulb.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-3/982477/lightkithandlenormalc.JPG