Dillon Hacks

[Ganderite]

In order to do a calibre change on the press, two different Allan keys are required. I sometimes had trouble finding those two tools.

The solution is a magnet I glued to the press. It holds the two Allan keys.

The powder adjustment knob on the Dillon is a bolt head. A bit stiff to turn by hand.

Solution is a dab of epoxy and a large coin. Being cheap, I used a Loonie. Small changes re now easy.

 

[Snider shooter]

The Alan keys I learn to keep in one box that is never far from the bench. Never thought of the coin thing. I usually don’t change my settings on the Dillion very often. I normally kept them set the same.

 

[B]

There are little plastic wheels to fit the powder measure bolt that don't cost much. I'm not sure I'd go the loonie route even if I didn't have any.

 

[woodchopper]

I got a bunch of those little rare earth button magnets all over my reloading bench to hold tools

the RCBS presses are aluminum but the Redding I just got is cast iron so the magnets stick to the press.

I am also mounting my presses to a 1/2" steel plate aprox 5"x6" and then screw the plate to the wood bench, they are solid mounts

 

[4n2t0]

There are little plastic wheels to fit the powder measure bolt that don't cost much. I'm not sure I'd go the loonie route even if I didn't have any.

$3.27 now, much less when I got mine. I kept the bag in case I ever wanted to buy another one.

P.S. That press is filthy Gandalf.

 

[I Dont Care About You]

There are loads of 3D printed adjustment wheels for Dillon powder measure. They can even be purchased if you don't have a 3D printer.

 

[OldDude]

$3.27 now, much less when I got mine. I kept the bag in case I ever wanted to buy another one.

P.S. That press is filthy Gandalf.

I think Ganderite is $2.27 ahead on this one....

 

[4n2t0]

I think Ganderite is $2.27 ahead on this one....

Yup but it looks like $hit. I could have glued a nickel and come out on top but...

 

[Janeau]

That press need a good clean up ! A picture of the whole reloading bench will be interesting..

 

[UR2X3M4ME]

Gandalf, tell them how many millions rounds have you rolled, commercially and personally.

Rather than hacks, I call them improvements. My most practical one is LED lighting.

 

[5.45]

IKEA USB LED light: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/jansjoe-led-usb-lamp-black-70291232/
Small wrench socket to adjust the powder dispenser (I rarely change the settings, maybe every 2-3k), keep in the same box with the toolheads and Allen wrenches.
The press is bolted to an oak stair tread, which is C-clamped to the bench. That way I can move it around easily and put away when not needed.

 

[dan belisle]

Gandalf, tell them how many millions rounds have you rolled, commercially and personally.

Rather than hacks, I call them improvements. My most practical one is LED lighting.

That really helps my old eyes. Been looking at 3d printers just for this kind of stuff though. - dan

 

[UR2X3M4ME]

Few years ago I purchased "Starlight" systems from Reloading Innovations in the States for my Dillon 1050 and Mark 7. Not a cheap option but works really well.

Here's a random video stolen from the y**tube. It is about a spill stop (at the bullet feeding station) but you can see the starlight fitted underneath the head.

 

[OldDude]

Yup but it looks like $hit. I could have glued a nickel and come out on top but...

If it doesn't bother him what it looks like....

 

[4n2t0]

If it doesn't bother him what it looks like....

You guys think that every slight criticism against this guy is an act of blasphemy. He glued a loonie to his press. I think it looks like $hit. No big deal.

I guess you're above reproach when you've loaded a million kajillion rounds both commercially and personally, lol.

 

[Gatehouse]

Ha, I think the Loonie looks like a fun solution. Nothing wrong with the plastic knobs but the Loonie is more creative.

I have a magnetic kitchen knife holder attached to the wall behind my presses where I store my Allan keys. I try to keep them sorted small to large but they seem to fight against that system.

 

[Scotty454]

Small changes. I see what you did thar. lol

 

[B]

A $1 pen organizer from the dollar store holds all my Dillon tools and then some. It's no more complicated to place the tools there than it is to place them on a magnet. Whatever works for you.

 

[woodchopper]

I have an old hockeypuck that I have drilled a bunch of holes in to hold tools

all the pilots for my case trimmer and the allen key I need to adjust and set the case trimmer are stuck in the hockeypuck.

 

[I Dont Care About You]

I have an old hockeypuck that I have drilled a bunch of holes in to hold tools

all the pilots for my case trimmer and the allen key I need to adjust and set the case trimmer are stuck in the hockeypuck.

3D printers are excellent for making custom tool holders and the like.