If your belts are new the pockets will need to be stretched out some to make it easier to load. With the included tool, unscrew the allen bolt a few turns. It doesn't have to open up very far, just to make it easier for the loaders awl to go in.
Dewat Belt Loader
- Thread starter griffin86
- Start date
Thx for the tip. Much appreciated 
Here is a link guys to some pics as instruction:
http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/Beltloader1/library/2015%20Loader?sort=6&page=1&postlogin=true
And the link to the movies:
http://s81.photobucket.com/user/dewat/media/dewat5/My%20Movie_zpsc8bsdmeo.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0
Hope this helps
Here is a link guys to some pics as instruction:
http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/Beltloader1/library/2015%20Loader?sort=6&page=1&postlogin=true
And the link to the movies:
http://s81.photobucket.com/user/dewat/media/dewat5/My%20Movie_zpsc8bsdmeo.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0
Hope this helps
First bolt the loader onto your table, it will make things easier. Next install the handle. I chose not to install the belt winder, I have a long enough bench that I can stretch the belt out. Also I prefer to start loading from the end of the belt since I have metal starter tabs on my belt. My guide will probably differ from Jim's instructions.
1. Pull handle back to bring the awl in the retracted position. The awl is the polished, spike that opens the belt's pockets up.
2. Open the belt guide up by unscrewing the wing nut.
3. Feed the belt in, make sure the pocket is open for the awl.
4. Close the belt guide cover and tighten the wing nut, you don't want it too tight incase the belt is caught in it.
5. Remove the cartridge from the feed path and put it back in the tray.
6. Push handle forward carefully and make sure the awl goes into the pocket.
7. Pull handle back
8. Make sure only one cartridge falls into the feed path, sometimes it double feeds.
9. Push handle forward, make sure the awl goes into the belt pocket and then the cartridge goes into the pocket.
10. Repeat steps 7 to 9
1. Pull handle back to bring the awl in the retracted position. The awl is the polished, spike that opens the belt's pockets up.
2. Open the belt guide up by unscrewing the wing nut.
3. Feed the belt in, make sure the pocket is open for the awl.
4. Close the belt guide cover and tighten the wing nut, you don't want it too tight incase the belt is caught in it.
5. Remove the cartridge from the feed path and put it back in the tray.
6. Push handle forward carefully and make sure the awl goes into the pocket.
7. Pull handle back
8. Make sure only one cartridge falls into the feed path, sometimes it double feeds.
9. Push handle forward, make sure the awl goes into the belt pocket and then the cartridge goes into the pocket.
10. Repeat steps 7 to 9
No adjustments except to the allen key for the push rod under the cartridge tray.
NavyShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- XMU Local .303
Mine arrived, but no time to play with it yet!
Alas!
Alas!
belt loaders pfff
for those who didn't buy enough of the preloaded stuff........my last 2 crates of 8x63 Swedish..... had 15K rnds at one time cant recall how many rnds per crate but it all came on ww2 dated cloth belts its was like $100.00 per 1000 I think back in 2006-7ish
for those who didn't buy enough of the preloaded stuff........my last 2 crates of 8x63 Swedish..... had 15K rnds at one time cant recall how many rnds per crate but it all came on ww2 dated cloth belts its was like $100.00 per 1000 I think back in 2006-7ish
At the beginning of the video wen you can't pull the handle back it is because awl is not retracting out of the belt and allowing its carriage to slide sideways to regripe the belt and advance it. I have not had time to play with mine lately but have to manually pull the awl every time.
Beltloader
New member
- Location
- NW Arizona
Gentlemen,
I hope everyone is getting to know the loader better, one way is to take off the hopper and single load the rounds, this gives you a clear view of
what going on.
Belts are a big variable, usually too tight especially with ,308's . If the needle ( awl) isn't reliably retracting from the belt, new or
thick belts can be a cause, or you may need more spring pressure on the ball clutch.
When I'm building these, I completely assemble the machine and cycle it beaucoup times, looking for anything that needs attention, load some ammo,
then take it apart for bluing. After reassembly I adjust for caliber and belt , then run some more ammo
griffin86, looks like you might need to stretch a little more, also it may help to load the first 2 loops by hand. you can close the jaws on a loaded round by hand.
The long allen key/wrench is for adjusting both the seating depth and the needle height, you have to go through the hopper.
The guide is adjustable from 1.000" to 1.250" , I have one of the 1" belts,it's stamped with the Fleur De lis 1965, most belts are 1.125" an 1/8" isn't much
but it can be a problem with seating.
I hope everyone is getting to know the loader better, one way is to take off the hopper and single load the rounds, this gives you a clear view of
what going on.
Belts are a big variable, usually too tight especially with ,308's . If the needle ( awl) isn't reliably retracting from the belt, new or
thick belts can be a cause, or you may need more spring pressure on the ball clutch.
When I'm building these, I completely assemble the machine and cycle it beaucoup times, looking for anything that needs attention, load some ammo,
then take it apart for bluing. After reassembly I adjust for caliber and belt , then run some more ammo
griffin86, looks like you might need to stretch a little more, also it may help to load the first 2 loops by hand. you can close the jaws on a loaded round by hand.
The long allen key/wrench is for adjusting both the seating depth and the needle height, you have to go through the hopper.
The guide is adjustable from 1.000" to 1.250" , I have one of the 1" belts,it's stamped with the Fleur De lis 1965, most belts are 1.125" an 1/8" isn't much
but it can be a problem with seating.
NavyShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- XMU Local .303
I've been able to put about 20-25 into the belt.
My issue is that the belts I have appear to be brand-new. Never Used. Never stretched.
The rounds don't want to go in smoothly, so I'm having to stretch every single loop. Joy!
My issue is that the belts I have appear to be brand-new. Never Used. Never stretched.
The rounds don't want to go in smoothly, so I'm having to stretch every single loop. Joy!
Beltloader
New member
- Location
- NW Arizona
But you only have to stretch then once, something to do while watching TV ?
Hi Beltloader,,having problems with mine,is there supposed to be a small ball bearing under the little spring under the set screw?,if there is, I don't have one and cant seem to tighten the set screw enough so the rod will not fall out,,if there is supposed to be one just need to know the size and I can pick one up in Calgary,,,thanks
Last time I messed with it it fell out buy it self, now I want it out so no luck lol. Mine has the spring and ball but the rod still comes out, usually when the carriage that advances the belt and inserts the belt opening "pin" has failed to come back due to binding. Hope this helps.
no need to reply,i found a ball bearing I think is the right size(it fits into the groove in the slide rod nicely)but it kept working its way into the spring,when I would tighten the set screw so I found a spent 308 primer and put it between ball bearing and spring,the belt loader runs flawlessly now
Beltloader
New member
- Location
- NW Arizona
Hi romar, sorry to hear you're having problems, the correct size of the ball is .250" . That part was made so that the ball shouldn't touch the rod until the end.
It sounds like you found a ball that's close enough.
It sounds like you found a ball that's close enough.
