Brassaholic13 Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Since you guys seem to be a little more precise with your answers, and a bit more civil than ARFCOM, I'll ask here. I recently sold (within the past week) my Hornady L-N-L with Case Feeder and picked up a 650. Sorry Brian, but I didn't buy from you as I have access to wholesale pricing through Grafs & Sons. While I really like the precision of the Dillon, especially with not having to fiddle with anything so far, I do miss one thing from the Hornady...the Lock-N-Load bushings. Has anyone tried machining a Dillon Tool Head with the "female" bushings that are installed in the Hornady Lock-N-Load press as to be able to use the Hornady Lock-N-Load die bushings? Seems like it would make it really handy for certain tasks. For instance, I process a lot of brass for friends and family, some of which I load, some of which I dont. Some of which I sell. With the Dillon tool head, if I setup Decap/Size, Powder/Bell, Bullet Drop or Powder Check, Bullet Seat, and finally Crimp, and then I want to just process some brass, I either have to move my decapping/sizing die to another tool head, or remove the crimp die. It would save me a lot of time/hassle if I could machine the tool heads in position 1 to utilize the lock-n-load bushings so I could easily swap those dies out for when I simple process brass and dont do full loads. Your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjd78 Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 Why not just use a separate tool head for processing brass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usmc90 Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 I own/use a 650 also and I see what your saying but for the cost of maching You could probably buy a cpl of single stage presses to use for a brass processing??? Just saying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightUp_OG Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 (edited) I agree that the path of least resistance would be to get a sizing die and tool head for just processing brass. $60 and you are off to the races. Edited August 3, 2013 by StraightUp_OG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassaholic13 Posted August 3, 2013 Author Share Posted August 3, 2013 Well, I have access to a mill at no cost to me to use. However, after looking at the bottom of the tool head, I don't think there's enough material to allow machining for the Hornady insert. So much for that idea. Looks like I'll keep a tool head open for the resizing dies... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modly Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 I currently run an LNL, but plan to upgrade soon to a 650. I also have a single stage Hornady that came with something that gives me a possible solution for you. Hornady has conversion bushings, for 1-1/4" threads to fit their twist lock setup. I don't have a 650 toolhead handy to measure, but you could possibly overdrill and re-tap a toolhead to fit these bushings (which are $10 a piece with a quick google, might be sourced cheaper). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyPotty Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 You would probably have to buy that solid aluminum tool head then you could drill and tap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henny Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 The Hornady lock rings work great and make it quick to change out dies. They are what I use on my 1050. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glynnm45 Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 Maybe something such as this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Toolhead-Kit-for-Dillon-650-Reloader-38Spl-357Mag-44Spl-44Mag/121144029466?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D309264981076122358%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D281145637307%26 Seems to be enough metal to drill out and fit the Hornady inserts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassaholic13 Posted August 3, 2013 Author Share Posted August 3, 2013 Maybe something such as this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Toolhead-Kit-for-Dillon-650-Reloader-38Spl-357Mag-44Spl-44Mag/121144029466?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D309264981076122358%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D281145637307%26 Seems to be enough metal to drill out and fit the Hornady inserts. Might have to try it, but this place has tool heads cheaper. http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxerglocker Posted August 4, 2013 Share Posted August 4, 2013 OP just get a extra toolhead that's the beauty of the 650 over the LNL, all your dies stay together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 How many do you want? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassaholic13 Posted August 5, 2013 Author Share Posted August 5, 2013 How many do you want? If you're asking me... Just one toolhead, with one lock-n-load bushing insert in station 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Anything can be done but to have just one of anything built in a machine shop is going to be expensive. If you are just wanting to remove and replace one die without loosing settings just get one of the locking split set collar jam nuts or they make some that use a set screw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWFAN Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I currently run an LNL, but plan to upgrade soon to a 650. ..... That's not really an upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassaholic13 Posted August 5, 2013 Author Share Posted August 5, 2013 I currently run an LNL, but plan to upgrade soon to a 650. ..... That's not really an upgrade. After owning a Lock-N-Load and recently moving to a 650, yes, it is. Dillon's case feeder is superior, as well as the means of shell insertion into the plate, and retention of the shells in the plate. Dillon's primer feed is also superior to Hornady. The only thing the Hornady has going for it over the 650 is the die bushings, but that's personal opinion/preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassaholic13 Posted August 5, 2013 Author Share Posted August 5, 2013 Anything can be done but to have just one of anything built in a machine shop is going to be expensive. If you are just wanting to remove and replace one die without loosing settings just get one of the locking split set collar jam nuts or they make some that use a set screw. Maybe. I have a friend with a bridgeport and rotary table. Would rather have something CNC'd rather than having to hand retrofit it, but if need be, I can do it. It's so much easier to make changes in a CAD virtual environment. Broaching those vertical splines is going to suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glynnm45 Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Maybe something such as this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Toolhead-Kit-for-Dillon-650-Reloader-38Spl-357Mag-44Spl-44Mag/121144029466?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D309264981076122358%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D281145637307%26 Seems to be enough metal to drill out and fit the Hornady inserts. Might have to try it, but this place has tool heads cheaper. http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1333 That's the way I would go then. Whidden tool heads are solid and the machining should go fairly easy for your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyPotty Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 (edited) Anything can be done but to have just one of anything built in a machine shop is going to be expensive. If you are just wanting to remove and replace one die without loosing settings just get one of the locking split set collar jam nuts or they make some that use a set screw. Maybe. I have a friend with a bridgeport and rotary table. Would rather have something CNC'd rather than having to hand retrofit it, but if need be, I can do it. It's so much easier to make changes in a CAD virtual environment. Broaching those vertical splines is going to suck. No need to broach - just dill and tap. Then use this conversion kit. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/858110/hornady-lock-n-load-press-and-die-conversion-bushing-kit Edited August 5, 2013 by ScottyPotty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassaholic13 Posted August 5, 2013 Author Share Posted August 5, 2013 Anything can be done but to have just one of anything built in a machine shop is going to be expensive. If you are just wanting to remove and replace one die without loosing settings just get one of the locking split set collar jam nuts or they make some that use a set screw. Maybe. I have a friend with a bridgeport and rotary table. Would rather have something CNC'd rather than having to hand retrofit it, but if need be, I can do it. It's so much easier to make changes in a CAD virtual environment. Broaching those vertical splines is going to suck. No need to broach - just dill and tap. Then use this conversion kit. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/858110/hornady-lock-n-load-press-and-die-conversion-bushing-kit Have to broach. Not enough meat to drill/tap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modly Posted August 15, 2013 Share Posted August 15, 2013 Any progress on this idea? I finally have a 650, and can finally look at it. The factory Dillon toolhead is very weak looking for my idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassaholic13 Posted August 15, 2013 Author Share Posted August 15, 2013 Any progress on this idea? I finally have a 650, and can finally look at it. The factory Dillon toolhead is very weak looking for my idea. I dropped the idea. While I think it can be done, I'm not going to mess with it. I contacted Whidden Gunworks (http://whiddengunworks.net/dilloncnctoolhead.html ) and they said that the male/female LNL bushings are steel, and they didn't feel that their aluminum CNC toolhead would hold up to repeated insertion of the steel LNL die bushing. I respectfully disagree, however I have no means to economically broach one of their tool heads to the female pattern of the LNL bushing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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