DeepVoid

Can't wait to see the detailed video!!! Please hurry!!! :-)

UPDATE: since I'm receiving some requests for the new bracket's 3D project file, I've decided to make it freely available to everybody interested in adapting the Lee bullet feeder to the Dillon 550b press. Here is the file: www.deepvoid.it/public/new_plate_dillon_550.3dm It's a Rhino 3D 5.0 standard project file. Let me know if you need more info or explanations about the project. I've also included the 2D source splines used to obtain the 3D surfaces, so anyone who can play with Rhino 3D should be able to modify the object with great ease . I had my new bracket made from a stainless steel sheet 3 mm. thick, with waterjet cutting, but I think it could be possible to build it also via 3D printing, even if the steel sheet is preferable for its rigidity. Ok, let me know what about, and have fun with your magnificent Dillon press!!!

I totally agree. But there is a solution to have a bullet feeder on the 550 without the need to seat and crimp on the same station, and that is to adapt a Lee bullet feeder on the third station. Check it out: As you can see, I've replaced the original 550's powder actuator arm with a new one, able to operate at the same time the powder arm and the bullet feeder arm too. I used Rhino 3D for the project, and the final piece was obtained by waterjet cutting a sheet of stainless steel: What's next? I'm building the electro-mechanic system to properly align the bullets and thus feed the feeder. I plan to make a device based on a step motor and an Arduino Uno platform. I do really love my Dillon 550, it's a magnificent device, and since I started to modify it and build new components I do love it more and more. I do love to spend time by reloading, it's a time somewhat outside the universe, far from the bloody daily routines, far from all the noise that really pollute my life. It's something like the Zen and the art of reloading press enhancement :-)

Hello Zzapp, do you have schematics or a 3D project file to share?

Just found on the web: "Crimping is best done separately from seating, while there are combination dies available they are a poor compromise. It has taken reloaders many years to get die makers to separate seating and crimping dies, and most would really not degrade their ammo by going backwards in the process. Single dies start the crimping process before the bullet is fully seated, which can cause all kinds of accuracy problems. Most combined dies roll crimp, which is fine for revolvers but auto calibers like 9mm and 40 headspace on the case mouth and should be taper crimped, and taper crimping isn't compatible with combined dies. That is the primary reason Dillon doesn't even offer a combined seating and crimping die". (Source: http://mp-pistol.com/mp-reloading/33202-there-seating-crimp-die.html) This really make me think that the use of the Mini Mr. Bullet Feeder on the Dillon 550 four stations press should be considered as a mistake.

Will the Mini Mr. Bullet Feeder work on a Dillon 550 press? When the third die (bullet seating die) is replaced by the Mini Mr. Bullet Feeder custom die, how a bullet can be seated? The 550 sports just four stations, how to properly seat the bullet before the final station (crimp station)? The press should have one more station, isn't it? Am I missing something? Second question: is it mandatory to use the powder funnel of the Mini Mr. Bullet Feeder kit for the Dillon's powder/expand die?

Yes, I can cut through metal up to 80 mm. in tickness. How many holes must have the collator wheel? What diameter? And thickness? I would like to build one for the 9mm calibre. I would really like to understand how to obtain the "magic" bullet flipping, if a bullet is inserted upside-down in a collator's hole. Do you have a drawing for me to study? What motor do I need? Apologize for all the questions, I can't wait to build the collator!!! :-)

Yes, the Lee bullet feeder is a raw and poorly designed object, but: it suits my current finances when the fingers start to behave erratically, I'll purchase new fingers for a bunch of coins I do love DYI solutions, and if DYI solutions are also cheap, I do love them much more :-) The next phase is to build the automatic plate for the feeder, it shouldn't be a tough task.

This is a little project I worked on during these christmas days: install a cheap Lee bullet feeder on my Dillon 550 press. In order to make the bullet feeder work properly, it was necessary to make its little brace to be linked to the shell plate's vertical movement. So, I redesigned the original Dillon powder vertical brace linking flange, in order to obtain a new piece able to operate both the braces at the same time. This is the original Dillon's flange: For the new project, I designed the new flange with Rhino 5.0, a fantastic 3d CAD I love since so many years. Here is a screenshot of the finished project: As you can see, there is still the original shape of the Dillon's flange, but now a new part is added to the geometry. This new part will catch the bullet feeder vertical brace end, thus transfering the vertical movement of the shell plate to its actuator, in order to put a new bullet under the seating die every time the press handle is operated. To move the virtual object into reality, I managed to cut a 1,5 mm. thick stainless steel with a waterjet machine: its 40,000 psi water flow went through the metal like a hot blade through the butter, and the cut came out so laser-accurate that no post-production finishing on the new piece was necessary! Here it is the brand new flange, nice and clean, ready to go: And this is the flange put into position, ready to make the Lee bullet feeder work properly on a Dillon 550 press: Note: in order to make the Lee bullet feeder operate properly on the Dillon 550, it is necessary to replace the original Dillon seating die with the corresponding Lee seating die. This is because the Lee die is correctely shaped at its bottom part in order to work with the bullet feeder moving fork. Dillon's die causes this fork to be stuck against the shell plate, thus preventing the bullet to be seated at the right height into the shell. If is anybody out there interested in this solution, please let me know, I'll be glad to share the flange project for free :-)

INSANELY WICKED!!! :devil:

I'm in Italy, I think it could be very expensive to ask for a restore, not to mention a full body replacement. God only knows how much I'd like to live in US... :-)

I really thank you guys for the hints, I'm going after "Old Ford Motor Blue", get its Pantone value, and see if I can find it for online purchasing. Thank you all again! :-)

I'm going on with restoring a 550B press, and would like to repaint its body and restore its blue to the original glory. Is somebody out there who can tell me what is the exact color code of the famous "Blue Dillon"?

IMHO, the case feeder is not a must have for the 550. The 550 is a pretty "manual" press, very good for the beginner because will ask for you to pay very great attention at every single step of the reloading process. Used without case feeder and without bullet feeder is a really good way to learn and correctely manage all the necessary steps. So, my advice is: go plain manual with the nice 550 press, perhaps get an used one if you want to save some money; you'll have a fantastic experience, will learn to reload with accuracy and commitment, and gather the proper knowledge to choose how and when to go with more sofisticated equipment.

The light you see is just a temporary solution. When the shelves and drawers will be finished, I'll setup the lights for the bench. I plan to use LED sources, and a tiny, small CREE source to be installed on the press, right under the tools holder, in order to enlighten the rounds from above during the building process, without directly hitting the operator's eyes.