First sip of blue Kool Aid

jetinteriorguy · July 2, 2022, 06:27 AM

I just picked up a used Dillon 550 with some added goodies for $400.00 and couldn’t resist. It needed some TLC, but with a good cleaning and lubing it’s running like a well oiled clock. It came with the Dillon stand, bullet tray, and roller handle and is set up for 9mm. The only missing parts were a couple of the locator pins, the primer catcher, and the cap for the powder measure. I see there are a good number of after market things available, but as smooth as this runs I’m just curious if any of these things are necessary? I really like the design of the Dillon dies, how you can remove the guts for cleaning by just removing a pin.

Seamaster · July 2, 2022, 09:46 AM

Recommend purchasing the spare parts kit from Dillon, good insurance.

olduser · July 2, 2022, 09:57 AM

The best after market item that I really like is the led light from Inline Fabrication. It mounts in the center hole of the tool head and allows you to see the powder level in the case before seating the bullet.

Sharkbite · July 2, 2022, 10:47 AM

^^^ THIS^^^

A must have in my book

jetinteriorguy · July 2, 2022, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olduser

The best after market item that I really like is the led light from Inline Fabrication. It mounts in the center hole of the tool head and allows you to see the powder level in the case before seating the bullet.

I’ll check it out. Gotta be careful on their website, so much great stuff it can empty your billfold pretty quick.

jetinteriorguy · July 25, 2022, 10:06 AM

I’ve been messing with this press for a while now and have discovered one indispensable item. Since I purchased it used and it was badly in need of cleaning and lubrication, of course I disassembled it and followed the videos on what to do. Everything went fine until after reassembly when I started having problems with the priming system. I fooled with it for a few days to no avail, then finally broke down and ordered the alignment tool for the carrier. After receiving it and readjusting things it now runs very smooth, with a few more minor tweaks. It’s been a real learning experience for sure and I’m really learning all the little ins and outs of this machine.

HiBC · July 25, 2022, 09:01 PM

I don't know if anything has changed at Dillon, but my brother bought a used Square Deal press. It needed some TLC. My brother did not particularly know Dillon setup.

He contacted Dillon. They told him to box it up and send it to them with a few inert dummy rounds suited to his gun.

Dillon cleaned,reconditioned and set up the press. A I recall, the press was returned with little or no charge.
Part of Dillon's product is exemplary customer support.

This occurred years ago, Its certainly not my place to obligate Dillon to these terms today.

But I think if I bought a used Dillon press, I'd call Dillon Customer Support and have a friendly conversation.

jetinteriorguy · July 26, 2022, 05:27 AM

I’ve been trying to contact Dillon for any kind of help or service and have had no luck getting through. The best I’ve gotten is an email stating they are having problems with their system and that’s it. So I got tired of waiting and just ordered parts and took care of things my self. Not a big deal, I spent about $50.00 on parts and tools and I’ve certainly fixed way more messed up complicated machines in my life. Funny though, when I ordered the alignment tool their service was pretty normal unlike trying to get any other help. Guess money still talks. I imagine it’s mostly just another casualty of the pandemic like every other business. I’m not trying to bag on Dillon, merely stating my personal experience. Considering all the fantastic reviews of their CS I’ve read over the years perhaps my expectations were too high.

akinswi · July 26, 2022, 06:32 AM

samething happened to me I had some questions on ordering parts to actuate the powder measure on my Dillion RL550 since I was an idiot and bought the basic version , Im still waiting on a response 6 months later. They still send me catalogs tho, with pretty women on them if that helps .

The press by far has been amazing. If you are going to load different calibers, buy extra tool heads. They are pricey but worth it

I never tried their pistol dies, but rifle dies are ok

Enjoy that Blue press!

jetinteriorguy · July 26, 2022, 08:26 AM

I do like the press, but I’m just going to leave it set up exclusively for 9mm. All my other pistol loading I’ll continue doing on my Lee Classic Turret since I have turrets for them and I shoot my revolvers at a much lower volume than 9mm. Have you checked for toolheads on Etsy? They have some pretty nice looking machined aluminum toolheads for a pretty reasonable price.

akinswi · July 26, 2022, 10:45 PM

I have not, I usually buy the Tool heads direct from Dillion. The caliber conversions are expensive so I bought 1 for 223 and the other for 30-06. Its funny because I wanted to buy a forster co ax but couldn’t find one in 2020 so bought the dillion. Best purchase by far

HiBC · July 27, 2022, 12:21 AM

A whole lot of enterprise just does not have adequate help these days. Choices have to get made.

jetinteriorguy · July 27, 2022, 04:54 AM

So true, I do hope things get better. I’m sure it’s not a matter of their policy getting bad, just a victim of the times. I’m sure just surviving in business for anyone is extremely difficult these days.

ed308 · July 27, 2022, 10:40 AM

Dillon has had problems with both their computer and phone system for the last month. The system crash when they were trying to update it. They are supposedly back up and working to clear a backlog of orders and emails. But I’ve read on other sites some orders and emails were lost when the system crashed.

ballardw · July 27, 2022, 12:10 PM

Today, 27 July 2022 the Dillon Precision website https://www.dillonprecision.com/
has this on the home page (in part)

"WE ARE NOW SHIPPING !
Our system issues have been resolved and we are now getting orders shipped out and delivered. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused, but rest assured your orders will be processed ASAP."
and
"NOTE: All orders placed on the old website were received and are being processed. If you log into the new website and do not see your order history, please request it HERE"

So if you have an outstanding order it may be worth going to the website and checking your order history.

Geezerbiker · July 28, 2022, 08:12 AM

One thing for sure was when I got my 550 set up and going for the first time, I wondered how I ever did without it and I've only loaded .45 ACP and 9mm with it...

Tony

akinswi · July 28, 2022, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezerbiker

One thing for sure was when I got my 550 set up and going for the first time, I wondered how I ever did without it and I've only loaded .45 ACP and 9mm with it...

Tony

Amazing how fast you can runout of components .

July 2, 2022, 06:27 AM	#1
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 2,559	First sip of blue Kool Aid I just picked up a used Dillon 550 with some added goodies for $400.00 and couldn’t resist. It needed some TLC, but with a good cleaning and lubing it’s running like a well oiled clock. It came with the Dillon stand, bullet tray, and roller handle and is set up for 9mm. The only missing parts were a couple of the locator pins, the primer catcher, and the cap for the powder measure. I see there are a good number of after market things available, but as smooth as this runs I’m just curious if any of these things are necessary? I really like the design of the Dillon dies, how you can remove the guts for cleaning by just removing a pin.

July 26, 2022, 06:32 AM	#9
akinswi Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: Bowling Green, Ky Posts: 386	samething happened to me I had some questions on ordering parts to actuate the powder measure on my Dillion RL550 since I was an idiot and bought the basic version , Im still waiting on a response 6 months later. They still send me catalogs tho, with pretty women on them if that helps . The press by far has been amazing. If you are going to load different calibers, buy extra tool heads. They are pricey but worth it I never tried their pistol dies, but rifle dies are ok Enjoy that Blue press! Last edited by akinswi; July 26, 2022 at 06:38 AM.

July 27, 2022, 12:10 PM	#15
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,112	Today, 27 July 2022 the Dillon Precision website https://www.dillonprecision.com/ has this on the home page (in part) "WE ARE NOW SHIPPING ! Our system issues have been resolved and we are now getting orders shipped out and delivered. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused, but rest assured your orders will be processed ASAP." and "NOTE: All orders placed on the old website were received and are being processed. If you log into the new website and do not see your order history, please request it HERE" So if you have an outstanding order it may be worth going to the website and checking your order history. __________________ -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ All data is flawed, some just less so.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

July 2, 2022, 09:46 AM	#2
Seamaster Member Join Date: February 8, 2013 Location: Vermont Posts: 36	Recommend purchasing the spare parts kit from Dillon, good insurance.

July 2, 2022, 09:57 AM	#3
olduser Member Join Date: August 10, 2020 Posts: 27	The best after market item that I really like is the led light from Inline Fabrication. It mounts in the center hole of the tool head and allows you to see the powder level in the case before seating the bullet.

July 2, 2022, 10:47 AM	#4
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,617	^^^ THIS^^^ A must have in my book

July 25, 2022, 10:06 AM	#6
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 2,559	I’ve been messing with this press for a while now and have discovered one indispensable item. Since I purchased it used and it was badly in need of cleaning and lubrication, of course I disassembled it and followed the videos on what to do. Everything went fine until after reassembly when I started having problems with the priming system. I fooled with it for a few days to no avail, then finally broke down and ordered the alignment tool for the carrier. After receiving it and readjusting things it now runs very smooth, with a few more minor tweaks. It’s been a real learning experience for sure and I’m really learning all the little ins and outs of this machine.

July 25, 2022, 09:01 PM	#7
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 7,851	I don't know if anything has changed at Dillon, but my brother bought a used Square Deal press. It needed some TLC. My brother did not particularly know Dillon setup. He contacted Dillon. They told him to box it up and send it to them with a few inert dummy rounds suited to his gun. Dillon cleaned,reconditioned and set up the press. A I recall, the press was returned with little or no charge. Part of Dillon's product is exemplary customer support. This occurred years ago, Its certainly not my place to obligate Dillon to these terms today. But I think if I bought a used Dillon press, I'd call Dillon Customer Support and have a friendly conversation.

July 26, 2022, 05:27 AM	#8
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 2,559	I’ve been trying to contact Dillon for any kind of help or service and have had no luck getting through. The best I’ve gotten is an email stating they are having problems with their system and that’s it. So I got tired of waiting and just ordered parts and took care of things my self. Not a big deal, I spent about $50.00 on parts and tools and I’ve certainly fixed way more messed up complicated machines in my life. Funny though, when I ordered the alignment tool their service was pretty normal unlike trying to get any other help. Guess money still talks. I imagine it’s mostly just another casualty of the pandemic like every other business. I’m not trying to bag on Dillon, merely stating my personal experience. Considering all the fantastic reviews of their CS I’ve read over the years perhaps my expectations were too high.

July 26, 2022, 08:26 AM	#10
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 2,559	I do like the press, but I’m just going to leave it set up exclusively for 9mm. All my other pistol loading I’ll continue doing on my Lee Classic Turret since I have turrets for them and I shoot my revolvers at a much lower volume than 9mm. Have you checked for toolheads on Etsy? They have some pretty nice looking machined aluminum toolheads for a pretty reasonable price.

July 26, 2022, 10:45 PM	#11
akinswi Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: Bowling Green, Ky Posts: 386	I have not, I usually buy the Tool heads direct from Dillion. The caliber conversions are expensive so I bought 1 for 223 and the other for 30-06. Its funny because I wanted to buy a forster co ax but couldn’t find one in 2020 so bought the dillion. Best purchase by far

July 27, 2022, 12:21 AM	#12
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 7,851	A whole lot of enterprise just does not have adequate help these days. Choices have to get made.

July 27, 2022, 04:54 AM	#13
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 2,559	So true, I do hope things get better. I’m sure it’s not a matter of their policy getting bad, just a victim of the times. I’m sure just surviving in business for anyone is extremely difficult these days.

July 27, 2022, 10:40 AM	#14
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,135	Dillon has had problems with both their computer and phone system for the last month. The system crash when they were trying to update it. They are supposedly back up and working to clear a backlog of orders and emails. But I’ve read on other sites some orders and emails were lost when the system crashed.

July 28, 2022, 08:12 AM	#16
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,867	One thing for sure was when I got my 550 set up and going for the first time, I wondered how I ever did without it and I've only loaded .45 ACP and 9mm with it... Tony