"Adjusting" LEE Dippers

Twinsig · March 1, 2011, 01:05 PM

Anyone ever modified a Lee dipper? For example making a 5cc into a 4cc.

**Unclenick** · March 1, 2011, 01:10 PM

I always just took a rimless pistol or rifle case the right diameter and filed or trimmed it to the right capacity, then soldered or epoxied a large paperclip or piece of coat hanger into the extractor groove to serve as the handle. I'd like the numbers on my Lee dippers to remain an accurate reflection of their capacity.

Twinsig · March 1, 2011, 01:29 PM

i hear ya, thnx nick. i have (3) 5cc's & thoght about glue in the cup. 4cc is the sweet spot for my 38spl/HP38, but, prob need more than just 1, ill take the advice.

mikejonestkd · March 1, 2011, 02:37 PM

I once took one of my .5cc dippers and carefully and neatly trimmed the top off, and now it throws just about .4 cc, which was perfect for 38 special plinking loads. I took a sharpie marker and labeled the dipper to avoid confusion with factory dippers.

I no longer use dippers, but the idea is a good one, as long as you avoid any mistakes with non modified dippers.

Cary · March 1, 2011, 02:54 PM

I have several of the Lee dippers the same size as one comes with each set of dies. I took one of them and drilled an appropriate size hole in the center of the bottom and tapped it for a 6-32 screw. I put a nut on the screw and then installed it in the dipper from the outside of the bottom. As the screw is turned into the dipper it reduces the volume of the dipper and the nut allows you to lock the position of the screw. It works as an adjustable dipper.
Cary

FrankenMauser · March 1, 2011, 03:28 PM

Lee recommends not trimming the dipper to a smaller size, but filling the excess space with epoxy.

I've never done it. Lee always sends absolutely the wrong dipper with the dies for cartridges I own. For example: I got a 4.3cc dipper with .32 S&W dies. I can fit the entire case (almost an entire loaded cartridge) inside the dipper. There is no way I could modify that dipper enough to reliably dispense powder within safe tolerances.

mikld · March 1, 2011, 04:03 PM

I have a couple sets of the Lee dippers and a whole bunch of homemade dippers. I customize the capacity for a specific load and use epoxy or superglue to glue a BB in the cavity to make the dipper smaller or hone the interior to make it larger. Lots of fun when nuttin' else to do...

Twinsig · March 1, 2011, 04:24 PM

10-4 on the 6/32 screw, variable dipper, now Im an educated genious!

Recoiljunky · March 1, 2011, 05:08 PM

+1 for unclenick
I also use a paperclip on old brass cases works wonders

g.willikers · March 1, 2011, 08:10 PM

Carey is clever.
I made a couple like that, small and larger, using a screw and a plastic disc.
Works great and replaces a whole bunch of them.

jag2 · March 1, 2011, 10:06 PM

I cut a small piece of cardboard (like the back of note pad) and jam it in the
dipper to adjust the volume and then it is easily removed if you need to go
back to the original size. Very quick and easy fix.

chris in va · March 1, 2011, 10:10 PM

I'm thinking about making an adjustable powder dipper. Closest I've found is the Lee adjustable shot dipper, so something along those lines. It gets old trying to dremel down an empty case for every powder I happen to buy that month.

K96771 · March 1, 2011, 11:07 PM

Try dripping candle wax into the dippers or a cartridge. It's easy to add or remove to find the exact volume needed. The wax is smooth and doesn't hold onto powder flakes.

jmortimer · March 1, 2011, 11:16 PM

Love powder dippers and any thread discussing dippers. All good ideas. Hate using scales. Thanks for all the good ideas.

March 1, 2011, 01:05 PM	#1
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	"Adjusting" LEE Dippers Anyone ever modified a Lee dipper? For example making a 5cc into a 4cc. __________________ I also have Fire Extinguishers, hope I never need those either. Last edited by Twinsig; March 1, 2011 at 01:06 PM. Reason: Modifying

March 1, 2011, 01:10 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I always just took a rimless pistol or rifle case the right diameter and filed or trimmed it to the right capacity, then soldered or epoxied a large paperclip or piece of coat hanger into the extractor groove to serve as the handle. I'd like the numbers on my Lee dippers to remain an accurate reflection of their capacity. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 1, 2011, 01:29 PM	#3
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	i hear ya, thnx nick. i have (3) 5cc's & thoght about glue in the cup. 4cc is the sweet spot for my 38spl/HP38, but, prob need more than just 1, ill take the advice. __________________ I also have Fire Extinguishers, hope I never need those either.

March 1, 2011, 02:37 PM	#4
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,717	I once took one of my .5cc dippers and carefully and neatly trimmed the top off, and now it throws just about .4 cc, which was perfect for 38 special plinking loads. I took a sharpie marker and labeled the dipper to avoid confusion with factory dippers. I no longer use dippers, but the idea is a good one, as long as you avoid any mistakes with non modified dippers. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

March 1, 2011, 02:54 PM	#5
Cary Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 131	I have several of the Lee dippers the same size as one comes with each set of dies. I took one of them and drilled an appropriate size hole in the center of the bottom and tapped it for a 6-32 screw. I put a nut on the screw and then installed it in the dipper from the outside of the bottom. As the screw is turned into the dipper it reduces the volume of the dipper and the nut allows you to lock the position of the screw. It works as an adjustable dipper. Cary __________________ Shooters. We are a community. United we stand divided we fall.

March 1, 2011, 03:28 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Lee recommends not trimming the dipper to a smaller size, but filling the excess space with epoxy. I've never done it. Lee always sends absolutely the wrong dipper with the dies for cartridges I own. For example: I got a 4.3cc dipper with .32 S&W dies. I can fit the entire case (almost an entire loaded cartridge) inside the dipper. There is no way I could modify that dipper enough to reliably dispense powder within safe tolerances. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

March 1, 2011, 04:03 PM	#7
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	I have a couple sets of the Lee dippers and a whole bunch of homemade dippers. I customize the capacity for a specific load and use epoxy or superglue to glue a BB in the cavity to make the dipper smaller or hone the interior to make it larger. Lots of fun when nuttin' else to do... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

March 1, 2011, 04:24 PM	#8
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	10-4 on the 6/32 screw, variable dipper, now Im an educated genious! __________________ I also have Fire Extinguishers, hope I never need those either.

March 1, 2011, 05:08 PM	#9
Recoiljunky Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2011 Location: Jupiter, florida Posts: 233	+1 for unclenick I also use a paperclip on old brass cases works wonders

March 1, 2011, 08:10 PM	#10
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Carey is clever. I made a couple like that, small and larger, using a screw and a plastic disc. Works great and replaces a whole bunch of them.

March 1, 2011, 10:06 PM	#11
jag2 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 773	I cut a small piece of cardboard (like the back of note pad) and jam it in the dipper to adjust the volume and then it is easily removed if you need to go back to the original size. Very quick and easy fix.

March 1, 2011, 10:10 PM	#12
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I'm thinking about making an adjustable powder dipper. Closest I've found is the Lee adjustable shot dipper, so something along those lines. It gets old trying to dremel down an empty case for every powder I happen to buy that month.

March 1, 2011, 11:07 PM	#13
K96771 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2006 Location: NJ Pinelands Posts: 120	Try dripping candle wax into the dippers or a cartridge. It's easy to add or remove to find the exact volume needed. The wax is smooth and doesn't hold onto powder flakes. __________________ Tom

March 1, 2011, 11:16 PM	#14
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Love powder dippers and any thread discussing dippers. All good ideas. Hate using scales. Thanks for all the good ideas.