XL650 - main body defect i.e. porous casting
- Thread starter UR2X3M4ME
- Start date
- Location
- West Quebec
Dillon recommened that the grease fitings be lubed on a "regular basis" when I spoke with them recently....
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
Looks like a bad casting to me. Can happen to any product.
do a "TEST"
Push the pin through the press and see if it snags or binds, the main body has casting flaws and I would request a new one. I would also remove the ram and check for flaws there also.
You photos should make Dillion feel "GUILTY" when they see them and make them wakeup the quality inspectors and replace the unit.
Push the pin through the press and see if it snags or binds, the main body has casting flaws and I would request a new one. I would also remove the ram and check for flaws there also.
You photos should make Dillion feel "GUILTY" when they see them and make them wakeup the quality inspectors and replace the unit.
I'd just take any grit and chips out of there if there's any, fill it up with grease and keep using it until they figure out if they'll replace it.
Castings without flaws come about as often as chicken with teeth, its really just down to how bad a casting is acceptable, regardless of where its made.
Castings without flaws come about as often as chicken with teeth, its really just down to how bad a casting is acceptable, regardless of where its made.
- Location
- Banana Republik of Kebekistan
As shown in the pictures, the area was degreased/cleaned so no more snags there. Fitting the pin in the press is very easy, there is a little play that is nearly gone with grease. I would have liked a tighter tolerance. I suspect that under load and well greased, more fragments will detach and resume the slow self-destruction.
That was done soon as I saw what I suspected to be porosity. Indeed there are several several tiny pin holes randomly located, but no visible concentration. Not ideal but not that bad either. Unlike the pins, there are no grease channels machined on the ram, so nothing to catch on the thin edges. The visible light porosity in the ram well is certainly not a pleasant sight but in itself, it would not make a warranty case. However, it does support the evidence of a porous casting.
Such castings are typically made in large lots (several hundreds). I can only suggest a good inspection of yours in due time. I bet a glass of my best scotch I am not the only unlucky reloader with a unit I consider flawed.
Last edited:
- Location
- Banana Republik of Kebekistan
Here's "Cut & Paste" of the email received from Dillon:
"The porosity is not unusual and common on 550 and 650 frames. Rarely does it cause a problem with the frame. Cranks periodically fail due to it and re replace them as necessary. Properly lubed with a good wheel bearing grease, it should be fine. You could send it in for a new frame, but it will be on our shop for 3 to 4 weeks. Summer time what goes down to 1 to 2 weeks. Fall to spring we get deluged with repairs.
Thank you!
Dillon Precision Products, Inc."
Because I'm running short on ammo, I strapped everything back together and I'm back at cranking away. To prevent/minimize more damages, more grease gets pumped in than usual.
As suggested by Dillon, the frame will be shipped back to Scottsdale AZ in June for a new replacement.
Cheers to all that chimed in.
"The porosity is not unusual and common on 550 and 650 frames. Rarely does it cause a problem with the frame. Cranks periodically fail due to it and re replace them as necessary. Properly lubed with a good wheel bearing grease, it should be fine. You could send it in for a new frame, but it will be on our shop for 3 to 4 weeks. Summer time what goes down to 1 to 2 weeks. Fall to spring we get deluged with repairs.
Thank you!
Dillon Precision Products, Inc."
Because I'm running short on ammo, I strapped everything back together and I'm back at cranking away. To prevent/minimize more damages, more grease gets pumped in than usual.
As suggested by Dillon, the frame will be shipped back to Scottsdale AZ in June for a new replacement.
Cheers to all that chimed in.
I can't see anything that has been pictured being pitting or anything caused by poor maintenance. They are quite obviously casting flaws from the sand casting process. I've machine quite a few aluminum, magnesium, steel, and cast iron castings and flaws like that are quite common just below the surface. Since they're all on machined surfaces that is what would have revealed them. So long as the area around them is solid (which appears so from the pictures) it shouldn't affect the mechanical function of the press. I would blow them out with compressed air to make sure there is no sand or bits of oxide that could come out and seize things up but I wouldn't have an issue using it. Unless the flaw is right on an edge or joint where it can cause weakness or part failure, they are usually considered cosmetic flaws if they are visible. On the inside of a hole with a shaft they would be considered acceptable everywhere I've worked.
