I looked through many of the old Dillon threads here and could not find any actual sizes.

In preparation for adding one of the Dillons to my existing loading set up for 38, 45ACP and some 223, I ordered some Dillon accessories like the strong mount, some blue boxes , etc.

The reason I got the strong mount on in was to see how it might set up for a steel floor pedestal next to the bench for putting either the 550 or 650 on. While the Dillon machine will stay set up - and I am getting the quick change heads, primer system, etc I would still like to minimize the foot print of it and keep it off of the main bench.

Would a couple of you Dillon-a-Holic users please provide me with a couple of dimensions.

1.) What is the frame opening on the 550 and 650? With the ram down of course

2.) What is height of the roller handle above the base (mount point of the lower frame) of the machine?

In my case my benches are 41 inches tall and I am setting up the pedestal to accept the 8.5 inch tall Dillon strong mount. So I am trying to work it back from the handle to the pedestal next to the bench.

3.) About how high for the roller handle from the floor is comfortable for standing operation for a 6 ft guy? I assume you have the frame opening of the machine at waist or a bit higher.

I want to have all this set up before I order in one of the machines and the various goodies to trick it out.

Thanks in advance.

Tex, Possibly some of these dimensions will help you, although my Dillon set-up isn't exactly what you're asking.

First, my Dillon is a 450, but I believe it is the same frame as the 550. Mine is also mounted directly on my bench which is 31 3/4" high. I do all my reloading sitting down.

As for the Dillon,
The opening (blue to blue) = 5 1/2"
Top of shell plate to blue = 4 1/4"
Bottom of dies are up to 1/2" below the top blue.
The center of the pivot pin to floor = 24 1/2"

Hope this helps.

WIth a 41" tall bench, the strong mount will place it pretty high off the bench. Fine if you are say 6ft tall or more & do not want to sit while loading. Mine is on a 36" high bench & I stand while loading, it's just about right for my 5'-10" ht.
The strong mount stands 8 1/2" high, 13" wide & 10" deep.

Thank you Buffy for those dimensions.

Fred - I am not mounting it on the existing bench - but next to the bench on a pedestal attached to the floor.

I am using the Dillon Strong Mount as the Dillon bins and bullet tray bin ALL require the strong mount to attach to.

Is yours on the strong mount or just on the bench?

I am trying to build and mount the steel column riser and a base plate for the machine ahead of its arrival. The riser height including the 8 inches for the Dillon strong mount has me stopped.

Buffybr dimensions have helped too!

Are either of you using the roller style handle?

Thanks for your help.

FYI Life's too short to be loading standing up .

My bench is 34.5" in height an both my 550 an 650 mount too the bench not on stands .

I sit in my favorite African Walnut leather Bankers chair, with a seat height of 18.5" I'm 6'-4"

an after loading for 44 years I prefer COMFORT while doing so .I also load 2-3K rounds a month !

The Bank Chair is a match too an African Walnut Custom Desk which I made years back .

It's Enormous 9' long an shaped like an elongated aircraft wing Similar too ;



But that's another story an When I clean it off and Polish the Top I'll take a picture an post it .

I kept a log from Africa for myself , dried milled an built it myself .

Doc: I have high back shop swivel chair/stools if I need them but I would generally rather stand - and on the 550 it looks mo' betta to me in the demo.

The 650 or the 1050 with the auto trimmers - hey thats a sitting machine. Just hire me somebody to fill the hoppers.

How high is your handle fromt he floor if you dont mind? And are you using the aluminum roller style?

quote:

Originally posted by TexKD:
Thank you Buffy for those dimensions.

Fred - I am not mounting it on the existing bench - but next to the bench on a pedestal attached to the floor.

Is yours on the strong mount or just on the bench?

I am trying to build and mount the steel column riser and a base plate for the machine ahead of its arrival. The riser height including the 8 inches for the Dillon strong mount has me stopped.

Are either of you using the roller style handle?

Thanks for your help.

Yes, both my 650 & 550B mounted to the strong mount, mounted to 36" high bench. I stand while loading. I use the roller handle on both. I rarely load for more than an hour at a time on either machine. That's 450-650rds/hr, more than enough, even for an avid competitor.

Allright ! Now I am fixing to get at the right numbers

Fred - How high is that roller above the machines mounting base, Please Sir?

4 inches above - or 6 inches - or more???

If the bench is 36, plus 8 for the mount, plus say 4-6 for the roller above the mount - that places the handle up at 48-50 inches from the floor.

Not uncomfortable at that height obviously.

Anybody else ?

Thank you Fred.

I may turn the metal saw and welder on later .

quote:

Originally posted by TexKD:
Allright ! Now I am fixing to get at the right numbers

Fred - How high is that roller above the machines mounting base, Please Sir?

4 inches above - or 6 inches - or more???

If the bench is 36, plus 8 for the mount, plus say 4-6 for the roller above the mount - that places the handle up at 48-50 inches from the floor.

Not uncomfortable at that height obviously.

Anybody else ?

Thank you Fred.

I may turn the metal saw and welder on later .

Tex, the roller handle sits 16" above the bench w/ the strongmount.

Wow - 52 inches height at the roller. I am going to look at that height.

Now I have the dimensions and I will lay it out.

Thank you for measuring that and for posting it too.

quote:

Originally posted by TexKD:
Wow - 52 inches height at the roller. I am going to look at that height.

Now I have the dimensions and I will lay it out.

Thank you for measuring that and for posting it too.

No problem. It's why I load standing w/ that setup. If I were sitting, I would mount it to the bench & save 8.5". Even then, you'll need a tall barstool to be able to see into the case for each powder charge. I reload standing, but rarley for more than 30min at a whack. It's what is nice about a progressive. 250-300rds in 30min, I can almost do that at halftime of a Monday night Fb game.

I had to go measure mine the center of the roller handle is 15 ½ off the top of my bench using the strong mount. This is on the 550. This should let you adjust the height of your stand.
Bill

I wasnt keeping up with my posts as I had computer problems !

Thank you very much Bill - and it does let me adjust the height of the stand. Now I will get to building hopefully some time this week.

Fred - Thanks again for your help. If I get 250 rounds in 30 minutes I will be off the chart. I went and got some 45 bullets - they only had 500. So I got 300 and left some for somebody who might need some.

After I get the stand "up" I am past ready to call Dillon and get this thing off the ground.