So, I figured it would be nice to have a place to share mods that we have done to LNL's. Some guys really seem to have problems getting them to run smooth. If your not very technical It could be quite a chore, but here are some tips, tricks and mods I have had success using. I hope you like my 60's wall paper!
First things first, The mounting of any press is very important. Make sure you have a solid bench, and if its not solid..... BEEF that puppy up! Use any means necessary, just make sure it IS SOLID! The desk I used was flimsy... so I supported to the studs in my walls. May not be pretty, but its solid.
Then make sure you solidly mount your press to the bench. Through bolts here guys (or threaded rod, min 3/8"), no screws! Use washers on the bottom side and get em tight. Don't for get the lock washers.
Cord management. That is all.
Good lighting is essential, I used the hornady light strip, but any LED strip works well.... in addition to that, I mounted a lamp to shine down on all the action.
The nice thing about the "old desk setup" is the pull out shelf for a keyboard makes a nice place to put bullets when not using the feeder. Also, I changed handles with a old projector I had, the projector one has a bend in it, I used it so I didn't have to reach so far down when cycling the press....
Once your press is mounted, you can do your self some favors and add a larger Oring on the powder meter bushing, this will stop the powder meter from backing out as some have experienced. Also add a small Oring on the top screw of the linkage.... If your powder meter is completely new, make sure you de-grease it completely. Twice. 3 times actually, and then run some powdered graphite through it. That will solve a lot of the problems guys have with inconsistent charges right off the bat.
Next take some emery cloth and run it over the e-zject to take off any rough edges. Also, take your primer slide and set it flat on a polishing stone, polish the underside and lube with a small amount of dry graphite.
Add a Lock ring to the Shell plate, I don't know why hornady does not include one with the press......
Here I support the "finished" round tray, keeps it from sagging, and allows you to put more in it before emptying it!
I also did the shim kit mod to tighten up the shell plate to the sub plate. The shims Go on the shoulder of the drive hub essentially pulling the shell plate closer to the sub plate. This helps with shell plate "snap", inconsistency in oal, and shallow primer seating depths. For shell plate snap specifically, I've heard of guys re-setting the locator balls in the shell plate, I haven tried it, but sounds like it would work.
I glued a dime under the primer ram, to make sure I get my primers seated fully.... nothing new here
I also added a old bottle to the spent primer tube..... once again, been done a million times, but hopefully some one sees it here for the first time.
I know, I know I have socks and sandals on.
If your running a case feeder you really need to make sure of 2 things primarily.
1) its clean, tumbling media under the shell plate will cause havoc.
2) It does not move when cycling the press, If it does, you need to remount the whole setup. Or support the case feeder separately.(a very slight amount of movement is OK) but if its swaying its gonna cause problems.
Those 2 things cause a lot of jam ups..... don't ask how I know!
I also put a zip tie on the clear plastic feed tube to hold it as far up as it can go. This stops them from getting hung up on the upper lip of this tube.
One thing I recommend is a cheap air compressor... They go on sale at CT for 40/50 bucks..... I use it to clean my press and powder meter after every time I use it.
All done... time for a whiskey.
Let me know what you guys have done, what works for me may not work for everyone, Hopefully new owners of the lock and load system can find a lot of information here and some answers to their questions. Happy Reloading!
First things first, The mounting of any press is very important. Make sure you have a solid bench, and if its not solid..... BEEF that puppy up! Use any means necessary, just make sure it IS SOLID! The desk I used was flimsy... so I supported to the studs in my walls. May not be pretty, but its solid.
Then make sure you solidly mount your press to the bench. Through bolts here guys (or threaded rod, min 3/8"), no screws! Use washers on the bottom side and get em tight. Don't for get the lock washers.
Cord management. That is all.
Good lighting is essential, I used the hornady light strip, but any LED strip works well.... in addition to that, I mounted a lamp to shine down on all the action.
The nice thing about the "old desk setup" is the pull out shelf for a keyboard makes a nice place to put bullets when not using the feeder. Also, I changed handles with a old projector I had, the projector one has a bend in it, I used it so I didn't have to reach so far down when cycling the press....
Once your press is mounted, you can do your self some favors and add a larger Oring on the powder meter bushing, this will stop the powder meter from backing out as some have experienced. Also add a small Oring on the top screw of the linkage.... If your powder meter is completely new, make sure you de-grease it completely. Twice. 3 times actually, and then run some powdered graphite through it. That will solve a lot of the problems guys have with inconsistent charges right off the bat.
Next take some emery cloth and run it over the e-zject to take off any rough edges. Also, take your primer slide and set it flat on a polishing stone, polish the underside and lube with a small amount of dry graphite.
Add a Lock ring to the Shell plate, I don't know why hornady does not include one with the press......
Here I support the "finished" round tray, keeps it from sagging, and allows you to put more in it before emptying it!
I also did the shim kit mod to tighten up the shell plate to the sub plate. The shims Go on the shoulder of the drive hub essentially pulling the shell plate closer to the sub plate. This helps with shell plate "snap", inconsistency in oal, and shallow primer seating depths. For shell plate snap specifically, I've heard of guys re-setting the locator balls in the shell plate, I haven tried it, but sounds like it would work.
I glued a dime under the primer ram, to make sure I get my primers seated fully.... nothing new here
I also added a old bottle to the spent primer tube..... once again, been done a million times, but hopefully some one sees it here for the first time.
I know, I know I have socks and sandals on.
If your running a case feeder you really need to make sure of 2 things primarily.
1) its clean, tumbling media under the shell plate will cause havoc.
2) It does not move when cycling the press, If it does, you need to remount the whole setup. Or support the case feeder separately.(a very slight amount of movement is OK) but if its swaying its gonna cause problems.
Those 2 things cause a lot of jam ups..... don't ask how I know!
I also put a zip tie on the clear plastic feed tube to hold it as far up as it can go. This stops them from getting hung up on the upper lip of this tube.
One thing I recommend is a cheap air compressor... They go on sale at CT for 40/50 bucks..... I use it to clean my press and powder meter after every time I use it.
All done... time for a whiskey.
Let me know what you guys have done, what works for me may not work for everyone, Hopefully new owners of the lock and load system can find a lot of information here and some answers to their questions. Happy Reloading!
