Hornady LnL wrench - for tightening dies and shellplate anti-rotation

O

OldNewGuy

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Got a question for any Hornady Lock 'n Load AP progressive press owners......

What do you use for securing the shellplate from rotating when loosening or tightening the allen screw/flat washer? There are mixed (actually, more oriented towards negative reviews) on the Hornady Red deluxe wrench - this wrench has a semi-circle nub to slip into the shellplate and hold it in place. It's made from aluminum apparently, and people are reporting that the closed end of the wrench used to tighten/loosen the dies in the bushings is too wide when used on the progressive die mounting portion.

It's a lot of money for a wrench that couldn't be used for anything except keeping the shellplate from turning (over $30 + tax + shipping for a piece of stamped aluminum)

I've wondered whether I could weld an appropriately sized washer (the shellplate opening was measured by digital caliper at .8053 inches) to the side of a short steel 1" wide segment, but thought I'd ask for other alternatives if they exist.

It's a PITA trying to mount/dismount the shell plates without stabilizing them - they tend to turn when torque is applied to the allen screw.

Feedback appreciated.

O.N.G.
 
I use the Allen key... Although the shell plate turns a bit, it stops when one of the openings jams against the shuttle for the case feeder. It let's me apply enough torque to keep it down.

But even without that, it doesn't have to be very tight. Holding the shell plate with your hand should be good enough

BTW... I have the tool for tightening the dies and it's useless... It should have an open design instead of closed but even with that, it doesn't fit anywhere around the sizing die when the stations are loaded.... For me the only die that ever comes loose is the sizing die
 
Not much need for a specialized wrench. If you rotate the plate a little, you'll uncover the hole through which the used primers drop during decapping. Just insert a screwdriver in it while tightening the shell plate to keep it from rotating.

You don't need a huge amount of torque. What I did is add a lock washer to the shell plate holding nut, to make sure it doesn't unscrew itself during operation. Seems to work. :d
 
You don't need a lot of torque to tighten up the nut to spec. I just tighten with a normal allen wrench, holding the plate with my left hand finger-tips until the plate turns in my fingers. That's all the torque you need on that bolt. Any more than that and you risk deforming the plate, stripping the bolt, or seizing the plate against the base.
 
Many thanks!

Onagoth, Grawfr, Chrossphyre......

Thanks very much for your information. I was mistaken in my original belief that these shellplates had to be torqued down, I didn't see anything to the contrary in the instructions, and the availability of that overpriced Hornady wrench with the nub on it led me to think it was required.

Your feedback is very much appreciated!

O.N.G.
 
As others pointed out, you don't need to crank down on that shell plate bolt to lock it down. Just finger snug is good 'nuff.

Pickup a lock washer from HomeDepot etc and use that between the shell plate and bolt. It'll help keep that bolt from working loose during your session.
 
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