LNL AP major problems now: UPDATED

Onagoth

Onagoth

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Location
Florida
Well, I've been struggling with this press for a while now....can't get the cases to feed properly, (even after hornady replaced the shellplate), can get the primer shuttle to stop locking up when the ran is raised....and now, after a jam and small amount of force on my part, the priming system guide rod broke off at the base.

I didn't really force it to hard, but f**k.....I think I'm into the "haven't had anything but problems with this press" zone.

I loaded a few thousand rounds on it now and don't think I've had one fluid loading session without problems.

The casefeeder plate also from time to time gets a case stuck in the teeth and locks up when the casing doesn't drop down the chute....not a huge deal, just annoying as f**k when I have other problems to deal with.

The actual priming punch has been overcontacting the primer shuttle as well, slightly gouging out the shuttle, even though it was setup according to the instructions/destructions.


Seriously, if things don't go well when I call them tomorrow....I'm on my way to Dillon.
 
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Onagoth said:
can get the primer shuttle to stop locking up when the ran is raised
[...]
The actual priming punch has been overcontacting the primer shuttle as well, slightly gouging out the shuttle, even though it was setup according to the instructions/destructions.
[...]
Seriously, if things don't go well when I call them tomorrow....I'm on my way to Dillon.
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a) that can only happen if the "shuttle" is sticking on something, debris or casting flash etc. work it by hand and find out where it's binding.

b) that can only happen if the "shuttle" doesn't move all the way forward, which is caused by debris (especially building up in front of the slider in the groove in the sub-plate - there's a bevel on the slider creating space to accommodate some debris, but it can fill up with brass shavings, spilled powder or primer gunk), or casting flash etc.

c) out of the frying pan, into the fire. You'll most likely have a better experience, not because the dillon is made or designed better, but because it's a different press from the one you have now.

It's possible you got a lemon, but the basic design is sound. Sounds like the core issue is the primer slide not moving as it should. Beyond a clean-and-buff, check that the inner primer tube is not pushed too far into the primer body (it can interfere with the slider) and that it's installed in the correct orientation ("shoulder section" down). I run the slider dry, but a light (wiped-down) coating of CLP works too.
 
I too had some difficulties with the primer slider hanging up. I took a file and rounded off the slider a bit and that helped. Also I found that the rod was bringing the slider back a little too much, which caused a bit of a misalignment of the slider hole to primer drop which made the slider hang up a primer that didn't fall perfectly straight down (Kinda like what happens on the last primer, it gets flipped sideways, but not as bad as that obviously)

Also, I do have powder flakes and debris that gets built up at the front of the primer slide channel, and it would make it difficult to seat a primer, as it would hang, then crunch up into place.

I have tweaked it to the point where it works pretty much flawlessly, except for flipping the last primer (although I only have a coat hanger in there to add the weight on the primers, not a nice close fitting wood rod. Been meaning to get one...)

Keep tweaking, and it should run well. I didn't have to do much, though, to get it working well. Maybe you got an out of spec part?
 
Well, won't be tweaking anything right now since the primer guide rod is broken.

I am pretty sure its not debris in the shuttle channel as it does it when its perfectly clean. I think whats happening is that the shuttle fits 1 primer and a very small portion of the one on top of it.....and thats causing it to hang up.

If I file down the primer shuttle a bit, that might help....but I am just going to request a new one when I speak with Hornady tomorrow.

The casefeeder is jamming cases when entering the shellplate as well......still.....thats really irratating as well. Hopefully a new retaining spring will help.
 
I had a couple minor hickups too but it all comes down to keeping the press clean and lubed in the right places. Compressed air bottle and an old toothbrush help along with some oil :)
 
Mines been pretty good, only problem I've had is the ez eject system not kickin out the loaded shell, I've had the primer slide hang up if I had a powder spill, now with any powder spill I just stop and diassemble and clean every thing. I did have to adjust the timing when I first got it in order for the shell to line up sqaure to the die.
 
honkerhitter said:
I did have to adjust the timing when I first got it in order for the shell to line up sqaure to the die.
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Yep, I tweaked my timing on day 1 too. If I were having trouble with more than 1 station, I'd be going straight to the manual to review the timing settings. When they say the "2 clicks should sound as 1" they mean it. When the timing is correct you hear 1 clear click. I'm not suggesting that I know this to be your problem Onagoth, its just my impression that timing is everything with the L&L AP.

Now for some brand cheerleading. There have been plenty of posts on CGN related to problems with Dillons as well. I hope Hornady will be as proactive in helping Onagoth as Dillon is with their customers. I'm sure Onagoth will keep us informed.
 
Paulinski said:
The LnL fan club is acting the same way Glock fan club is when glocks malfunction.

They get butt hurt :)
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Ah yesss !

Originally Posted by t-star
carbide PISTOL dies- no lube required- first thing i'd do is get on the horn to dillon-and send pictures- there's DEFINATELY something wrong with both die and press
Ditto

"My 650 has been running like a swiss clock. I would send the whole shebang in and ask for replacement. "

It never hurts to be helpful, right Paulinski? :D:D:D:D:D
 
acrashb said:
Nice. Remind me not to buy your stuff. "One LNL-AP. Works great".
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I'd buy it... Cheap of course.

I can't really tell what's going wrong from Onogoth's writing's on the problems he's having with the press, but.... I'm confident enough in my inate mechanical aptitude that I'm sure I could get it running.
I bet it's a simple mis adjustment or something...
Like acrashb said... It's a sound design.

Don't give up so easily :)
 
Onagoth said:
and now, after a jam and small amount of force on my part, the priming system guide rod broke off at the base.

I didn't really force it to hard,
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I had a thought about that. If the primer punch does not lower itself (if it's jammed up with brass shavings or other debris), it will prevent the slider from moving back when you raise the ram (because the punch is stuck up in the slider hole). At that point you have a lot of leverage and could break things. No press should be forced - if something feels wrong, stop!

So, take the punch assembly out and ensure that it operates freely. Clean/lube as required.
 
I also had some primer shuttle jamming problems on my LnL. One thing I did is make up a little washer ( cut it out of thin plastic ) for the primer punch. The primer punch seems to have more than enough travel, so backing it down a little made sure that it wouldn't be sitting up high enough to jam the shuttle. I also filed the underside of the rounded end of the shuttle a little bit to give just a bit more clearance as it goes over the punch. All in all, it seems to have helped.
 
Lnl problems

I have had mine for 2 months and load 32 S&w long pistol ammo. No real problems. A little tweaking at first but the manual told me how to fix. Get a lock washer to keep the powder measure from twisting loose.
Works great.
 
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