What tools for dies on a progressive?

J.T.King · December 16, 2001, 02:09 PM

Hey guys!

So after futzing with my 5 station XL650, I am having a tough time making wrenches/pliers/visegrips, etc, fitting in the cramped space in order to adjust the dies and lock down the lock rings without gouging the heck out of my locking rings.

Made me wonder, is ther an easier way or is this just always a PITA?

So the question is:

What type of tool do you use to adjust and tighten down your dies? Crescent wrench, open-end wrench, all-in-one-tool, self-adjusting pliers, pipe pliers, vise-grip, something else?

JT

Jim Watson · December 16, 2001, 03:29 PM

The Dillon Bench Wrench does better than regular hardware but is still not great. I wonder if you could get a real deep socket that would go over the whole die body.

Steve Smith · December 16, 2001, 04:44 PM

One thing that has helped me is a Vise-Grip Crescent wrench. You run the crescent down to a snug fit, then squeeze the handles for a better fit.

WESHOOT2 · December 16, 2001, 06:59 PM

Deep sockets, slip-jaw pliers, moaning and bitching...........

renaissance7697 · December 16, 2001, 08:29 PM

I had the same problem with my PiggyBack II from RCBS.
I called their Customer Service and they sent me a special
tool that they have.
It is sort of like a Spark Plug Wrench
Deep and thin walled.
With a lever hinged into the top
So you can crank it.
It works PERFECTLY......

Gratis - Zip - Nada !

Green rules over Blue (at least in this case)

J.T.King · December 16, 2001, 10:30 PM

I assume since these dies are a lthe same size that the RCBS tool will fit my lee and dillon dies?

I think I shall be contacting them green boys!

JT

JerryM · December 17, 2001, 09:27 PM

That's the reason that I stopped using Dillon seating dies. I use any brand which has an insert which adjusts the seating depth. The dillons were just too much trouble. I would like to have one of the special wrenches that RCBS sent renaissance7697.
Jerry

dick w. holliday · December 18, 2001, 09:27 AM

i got one of the RCBS wrenches the other day and was initially dissappointed with it because dies are so close together that is a set screw or something was sticking out that it would not go down completely----However now i've found that if you can get it cocked over one side or the other it works good....Dick

December 16, 2001, 02:09 PM	#1
J.T.King Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 345	What tools for dies on a progressive? Hey guys! So after futzing with my 5 station XL650, I am having a tough time making wrenches/pliers/visegrips, etc, fitting in the cramped space in order to adjust the dies and lock down the lock rings without gouging the heck out of my locking rings. Made me wonder, is ther an easier way or is this just always a PITA? So the question is: What type of tool do you use to adjust and tighten down your dies? Crescent wrench, open-end wrench, all-in-one-tool, self-adjusting pliers, pipe pliers, vise-grip, something else? JT

December 16, 2001, 04:44 PM	#3
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	One thing that has helped me is a Vise-Grip Crescent wrench. You run the crescent down to a snug fit, then squeeze the handles for a better fit. __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

December 16, 2001, 06:59 PM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	*%^&^#^&%()^$%($)&^^#^)THING!* Deep sockets, slip-jaw pliers, moaning and bitching........... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

December 16, 2001, 08:29 PM	#5
renaissance7697 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 203	The Answer! I had the same problem with my PiggyBack II from RCBS. I called their Customer Service and they sent me a special tool that they have. It is sort of like a Spark Plug Wrench Deep and thin walled. With a lever hinged into the top So you can crank it. It works PERFECTLY...... Gratis - Zip - Nada ! Green rules over Blue (at least in this case) __________________ An Armed Society, Is a Polite Society.

December 16, 2001, 10:30 PM	#6
J.T.King Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 345	Nice! I assume since these dies are a lthe same size that the RCBS tool will fit my lee and dillon dies? I think I shall be contacting them green boys! JT

December 16, 2001, 03:29 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	The Dillon Bench Wrench does better than regular hardware but is still not great. I wonder if you could get a real deep socket that would go over the whole die body.

December 17, 2001, 09:27 PM	#7
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	That's the reason that I stopped using Dillon seating dies. I use any brand which has an insert which adjusts the seating depth. The dillons were just too much trouble. I would like to have one of the special wrenches that RCBS sent renaissance7697. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

December 18, 2001, 09:27 AM	#8
dick w. holliday Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2001 Location: NC Posts: 589	i got one of the RCBS wrenches the other day and was initially dissappointed with it because dies are so close together that is a set screw or something was sticking out that it would not go down completely----However now i've found that if you can get it cocked over one side or the other it works good....Dick

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