Thanks "dixie" for the photo's and that is pretty much what is I have. Been awhile since I looked at the Slot so forgot how big it was.
Dennis, when you have the bottom unit attached to your Arbor Press and it's at normal height position the bottom unit shoud be clear of the press housing. Put something under it like a Wilson Die just clear of the Force Measurement Unit and bring the Arbor Press arm down. You should see the washers compress and the shaft moves upwards slightly, more pressure the further it travels until it compresses all the washers.
If you still say all your washers are already compressed and cannot move, how about a photo. Especially with the unit not attached to anything. 9/16" is a long way from where it should be at around 3/4" as is mine and "dixie". Photo's tell a thousand words....
Sounds like something is very wrong or broken perhaps.
Dennis, an after thought.
Was the unit purchased new. I have not tried to dissmantle the bottom section but I'm wondering if someone has done so. I would imagine that the washers are held in place by the ram on the bottom which must perhaps screw into something in the unit. Perhaps someone have very much over done the pre-tension on the washers. I'm now thinking that unless someone knows how the bottom section is assembled then it may be a lot easier to email or even ring K&M who no doubt will solve your drama in a flash. If the unit is faulty I would imagine it would be fixed without hesitation.
Not quite the Topic but I am still not convinced using the Force Measurement Unit is of much value in general, let me explain.
For a long time I have simply relied on my own feeling on the seating pressure felt by my hand and I will say that came with a lot of practise / use seating the same bullets in the same cases which I work on a neck tension of about 0.001" so anything out of the ordinary be it heavier or lighter was felt and then duely marked so as to not use for competition score shots. I had an accident and broke my hand therefore loosing most feeling so a friend (K&M Australian Dealer) sent me the Force Measurement Unit for free so I could test and get a visual aid rather than feel with my hand which was in Plaster. It worked, when I remember to go slow and keep a close eye on my 0.0005" Dial Gauge.
Now my hand is almost back to normal after 11 months I still forget to keep an eye on the dial gauge but when I do it is very visual what the difference in pressure is but the hand gives me the best indication of when things aren't consistant so I mark those rounds for fouling, warmers and/or sighters.
I think my system works good enough to give me 5 shot groups at 550 yards (500 metres here) of around 1.20", best being 1.182" and I know I can do better. My aim is to beat the 1.00" mark and get closer to our Range record of 0.965" one day. I am not a very experienced benchrest shooter, in fact only starting out at 65yo for a bit of fun.
I'd come and have a look but you are a long way from me in Australia.
