Redding Micrometer dies- Do not fit in Box- Please call Redding and voice your

[RAGGED]

The first time I called them (probably 10 or 11 years ago), they said it was "high on their list to do, but the cost of new dies was the problem."... ( HA! )

Since I lived in my last house (7 years ago) I called them about twice a year on die stuff, and ALWAYS mentioned the die boxes. Each time I spoke to them, they whined about the cost of new dies.

Now, I'm no expert in plastic molding dies, but once the new dies are made, there is no more increase.

I am pretty sure that the dies they were using 10 or 11 years ago, have long ago worn out.

It really gets old sometimes.

I would LOVE to see someone make a die box that held 4 dies (sizer, separate expander, seater, crimper, or other combination), and was tall enough to hold 338 Lapua micrometer dies.

But I'm not holding my breath.

Meow

Yeah I have been pestering them for some time, only recently I picked up yet another set of Comp dies, short action, nothing huge, and again no dice, Micrometer has to be removed or turned in all the way, it was sort of the hair that broke the camel’s back. I think until they release a new box I am done buying their products, I'll simply make do with what I have and commission some custom dies if need be, really breaks my heart as I am indeed in love with their Comp seating dies :'(

I hate to even suggest it but they could probably make money on it if they sold them separate, look at all the fancy cases Sinclair makes for their tools, and everyone buys them!

 

[JabaliHunter]

I think until they release a new box I am done buying their products,

exactly - money talks. If people aren't happy, but keep on buying, what is the incentive? My Forster dies fit in their box...........

 

[nfhjr62]

I am thinking of looking in to these Micrometer die to replace the micro top on my RCBS Comp dies BUT does anyone know if they are that much better than

 

[robbor]

I bought forster boxes for mine and i think they all fit not sure about the 300 rum. My dies always want to rust and i always soaking them in oil. My complaint is why they dont make them in stainless. Anyways i just bought dies again but i bought 2 stainless steel seaters from wilson and then sizers from forster because they will ream the necks for you. One of my redding boxes wont stay closed at all and the other one i had to cut holes in the bottom for the dies to stick out. Yes redding boxes suck.

 

[plinker625]

Robin Shaprless is the VP at Redding robin.sharpless@Redding-Reloading.com, tell him not the staffers that man the phones. The OP can whine, whimper, and publicly scold them but nothing is going to change. Priorities lie elsewhere, hell they have just started shipping product that was announced 6 months ago. There is a solution that does not cost much money, use the Forster die boxes! Problem solved. Hell, I bet if the OP asked John Walton at the Gunstop he may get Forster Die Box with the next purchase of Competition Dies..... there are bigger fish to fry and a better use of capital dollars to suit just a few people.....

 

[jonbearman]

The simple solution is to rout them out of wood like rcbsa used to.Then they cant whine about a mold cost.

 

[RAGGED]

Robin Shaprless is the VP at Redding robin.sharpless@Redding-Reloading.com, tell him not the staffers that man the phones. The OP can whine, whimper, and publicly scold them but nothing is going to change. Priorities lie elsewhere, hell they have just started shipping product that was announced 6 months ago. There is a solution that does not cost much money, use the Forster die boxes! Problem solved. Hell, I bet if the OP asked John Walton at the Gunstop he may get Forster Die Box with the next purchase of Competition Dies..... there are bigger fish to fry and a better use of capital dollars to suit just a few people.....

Thank you for the contact info. I will be contacting Robin with my issues.


As for a cheap solution, that has never been the issue. I’m well aware that there are cheap solutions, and beyond that I can make anything I want, I could go design a box, make a silicone rubber mold and pull as many bootleg XL Redding cases as I want, or CNC machine some out of solid aluminum, but if you notice the title of the thread it’s not about looking for a solution, it’s about principles and making a company do the right thing.

Bringing a product 95% of the way home is not acceptable when you are selling in the premium market. I like Redding, I like their products and buy many of them. I have all the respect in the world for the hard working machinist that put out top notch work, I do however have a problem with whatever bean counter decided it’s ok to forgo a new tool and pretty much screw the guys buying there most expensive stuff.

Call me a whiner, I could care less, this isn’t about putting $300 Redding dies in a $5 Forester box, this is about money being hard to come by in this economy and expecting top notch products and service when paying top notch prices.

I wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and put a $20 Autozone car cover on it, I wouldn’t put a nice Blaser OU in a $15 Chinese made case with half hazard zippers and thus I do not want to put my top of the line Redding dies in anything but a properly designed Redding case with a Redding sticker and part number. Clearly you expect less for your money and that’s fine, doesn’t mean everyone should be happy with the circumstances.


You also claim the reason they are not doing it because for one, the capital is high and two, there are not enough users to justify it. Well I hate to say it but you may have just made my case for me. I’m not sure how much you know about molding but there are steel tools that run forever and cost a fortune and then there are low run “soft” tools made from aluminum. These tools come at a fraction of the cost and are perfect when you don’t need a million parts from the tool. We have set up customers with soft tools and have pulled 30,000 units EASY from them, my guess is a soft tool for such a box would be in the 15K range, maybe a little more. When paying $200-300 a die set its not unreasonable to ask the company to sacrifice 1% profit to deliver a complete product.

And why should a proprietor of a small business have to take up the slack to make a multi-million dollar firm like Redding’s product better? That’s ludicrous and I’d never ask someone to do that, it’s not anyone fault but the smartest guys in the room at Redding, and again I for one am not looking to put my Redding dies in a Forester box.

Go read some of the articles on the web about profit In the firearms and reloading industries, these companies are NOT hurting right now, they are adding shifts and making more money than ever and I for one am glad they are, that’s the American way! But that same capitalist system that allows companies with solid products to thrive also allows the consumer to take their hard earned money elsewhere if they feel they are not getting a fair shake. This is of course is my personal opinion and only that, but as a long time supporter of Redding and their products I feel it’s their turn to pay it forward and bring a properly designed box to market that ACTULLY works with their current offerings, not the products for 20 years ago.

 

[fguffey]

I do not care for the labels on most die sets, I do not remove them because the type on the label to too small, but when something goes wrong with the label I have no reservation with replacing the labels with labels like the Hornady label, I stack the dies on the coping machine and run off a set or two, then cut the labels up and paste on green boxes, I have a few Redding dies, the 6.5mm55 is the only competition die, it fits the box, green cardboard, but, if it did not fit a green plastic box, I would place a Hornady red box on the copying machine and, wait! start over, I would check the red Hornady6 die case, makes me feel like I lit a candle instead of complaining about the darkness. All of my reloading rquipment is stored in drawers, very little is stacked on shelves and work benches, not easy to organize drawers with different size boxes and no, reloading components and equipment is not stacked in the drawers

F. Guffey

 

[KMart]

I agree with everyones comments that Redding should make a box that fits their equipment. I got away from the factory boxes in my most used die calibers as I have always run out of room and want to keep all of the stuff for one caliber together.
What I use is a small Plano tackle organixing box. It has good hinges and positive latching devices. the inside has 4 compartments that are 2" wide each and will hold a die that is 6 3/8" long. The depth is 1 7/8". Granted they cost extra, but you can get everythig in it. I have bought them from Gander Mountain, Bass Pro, Academy or other good fishing tackle stores.

 

[bozo699]

For some reason a lot of people aren't understanding what ragged is trying to convey, he understands you CAN put the dies in another box or storage compartment, his complaint is WHY should he have to!! and I 100% agree. His analogy of the Ferrari is spot on. Lee sell $20 dies and puts them accordingly in a cheap $2.00 molded non hinged box, cheap dies in a cheap box it fits.
( I am not bashing Lee dies, there very good for what you pay for them ) Redding $40.00 standard dies comes in the same cheap non-hinged cheap plastic box that the Lee comes in except it's green instead of red, that's still acceptable but Reddings $300.00 competition dies, that are obviously much better constructed then there $40.00 dies and quite a bit longer then the $40.00 dies, yet it still comes shipped in the same CHEAP non-hinged molded $2.00 plastic box as there cheapest $40.00 dies do! We as consumers of these fine products would probably be fine with the cheaply made box if the dies would FIT in the box but they don't!! When you buy a CHEAP Chinese made pocket knife it comes wired on a cardboard back with clear plastic stapled over it, you expect that But when you buy a expensive BenchMade or Boker knife it comes in a nice box when you open the box there is a nicely made fleece bag with silver and gold embroidered writing on it, inside the beautifully made embroidered fleece bag is a beautifully made knife, and everything FITS! Now that's all ragged want's, he want's his beautifully made custom competition dies to fit in the box they come in. Forsters cheaper dies come in a cheap plastic box, there custom competition dies come in a nicely made hinged box that there dies fit into with enough extra room for there competitors dies ( Redding ) will also fit pun intended.
Wayne.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Ragged, I couldn't agree with you more!

 

[plinker625]

No, I do understand the deal he is irked that after setting his dies up they do not fit in the box provided. Simple.
Understandable. But, the fact is that he is Whining! Period. Is there a work around, yeah there is. Does is SUIT him, NO! But, I can just about assure you that they will not be making a new die box any time soon, could I be eating crow? Not Likely!

The OP is just has his opinion, which he is entitled to. But, the stark reality he needs to wake up and take a wiff of reality!
But, frankly PISSING AND MOANING on internet Forum is WORTHLESS. Go to the source and state your case! The people in customer service like Dave or Sarah on the Order Desk at Redding are not policy makers! . And, remember this folks....in the end it is the people signing the front of the check for capital expenditures that matter....companies especially small companies are frugal with capital improvments.

I provided the direct link to the Executive VP. I am sure he will Listen, Smile and Nod and then move on to the next item.

And, no most reloading related companies are not adding equipment production lines. They are upgrading existing equipment but they sure as all hell are not increasing production capacity. Why because when bust comes, they will have to layoff people! And, prime example of this is Look at Federal ATK the hire and they lay off.... a great case in point Black Hills Ammuntion, the owner has flat out stated he will not add staff only to have to lay them off to meet a temporary spike in demand. A Very Good Businman that Jeff Hoffman ! Take care of you people and they will take care of the company.

 

[artbosco]

As I’m sure anyone with these dies is aware when using a Redding die with their micrometer top, such as the case of the Comp neck and seating dies, you can almost never put them in the box without taking them apart, whether it’s the overall length or the lock ring interfering with the silly shell holder indents they just don’t work.

Life's much too short to sweat the really small stuff.

If there's a problem we should definitely consider first, lets figure out how to prevent kids [where ever they are in the world] from going to bed hungry.

Let's work a problem ... that will make a real difference.

A die box? It seems kind of petty now doesn't it?

 

[bozo699]

Plinker625,
I don't understand your thinking on this whole matter, I thought the purpose of any forum was to discuss and debate,ask,and answer questions, throw out new ideas and the likes. The op made a statement, Redding Micrometer dies- Do not fit in Box- Please call Redding and voice your (concerns) he ran out of room but I imagine he was going to say concerns or objections or opinions. I haven't called and voiced mo opinions yet BUT I WILL!! Are you saying it would be perfectly okay for Cadillac to sell there $68000 SUV with a A.M radio, bias ply tires, electric seats and window optional? How many would they sell? When you buy a Cadillac you expect the BEST of everything, when we buy Redding dies were buying the Cadillac of the die industry. I don't feel the op is whining I think he through out a legitimate concern and was hoping his shooting buddies (US)
would back him up on his legitimate complaint! I don't even know who ragged is I never heard of him until this post,and Redding may not do anything, but it would be my guess he came on here to see what kind of response and backing he was going to get before he went to redding with his concerns, it looks to me that maybe he would have gotten more support from a anti-gun forum,...Geeeese!! I for one and I see there are others also,support your Legitimate complaints Ragged!!
Wayne.

 

[fguffey]

"For some reason a lot of people aren't understanding what ragged is trying to convey" that is something like "You are over thinking this" "You are making this more complicated than it needs to be" "You are not listening" "What you do not understand is,,,,,",

I understand he purchased the dies, the box did not shrink in shipping, the dies did not fit the box when he ordered them, all of my dies fit THE box, if the box was an issue because the die does not fit the box I have an option, WHO WANTS MY BUSINESS??? If color is an issue and the process used to manufacture the BOX in injected what ever, change the color of the injected plastic.

It meant little to me but when Hodgdon took over IMR and Winchester I was curious about the container, metal or plastic, their rational? there is only one company making metal cans, SO, we can not afford to continue using metal cans, we are going with plastic because we have three sources for plastic bottles.

F. Guffey

 

[RAGGED]

No, I do understand the deal he is irked that after setting his dies up they do not fit in the box provided.

In the case of the 338 dies simply assembling them, not just setting them up.

Understandable. But, the fact is that he is Whining! Period. Is there a work around, yeah there is. Does is SUIT him, NO! But, I can just about assure you that they will not be making a new die box any time soon, could I be eating crow? Not Likely!

The OP is just has his opinion, which he is entitled to. But, the stark reality he needs to wake up and take a wiff of reality!
But, frankly PISSING AND MOANING on internet Forum is WORTHLESS. Go to the source and state your case! The people in customer service like Dave or Sarah on the Order Desk at Redding are not policy makers! . And, remember this folks....in the end it is the people signing the front of the check for capital expenditures that matter....companies especially small companies are frugal with capital improvments.

I provided the direct link to the Executive VP. I am sure he will Listen, Smile and Nod and then move on to the next item.

I don’t look at this as “pissing and moaning” I look at this as a loosely organized case a consumer activism. If you honestly think a call once or twice a week will have the same effect as multiple calls a day, public threads with 600+ views in 3 days, 3 pages of replies, then with a due respect I think its you that’s may need to “wake up and take a wiff or reality”

Maybe I’m biased as I work in the new product development arena day in and day out, but I just don’t think it’s right that a company is essentially profiting from there good name a leaving the customer holding the bag. If some new company came out with a ultra high end die set in a box that didn’t fit they would likely be called on it and my guess is they would whip out a new mold pretty quick. Somewhere along the line Redding weighed their decision and decided they could in fact shaft the consumer with a 95% product and not suffer much if any consequences. This is unacceptable and I view it as a total disrespect to their customers. They could remedy this issue, short run tooling, companies do it EVERY day, it works, its cheap and it is perfect when you don’t need a million parts.

And, no most reloading related companies are not adding equipment production lines. They are upgrading existing equipment but they sure as all hell are not increasing production capacity. Why because when bust comes, they will have to layoff people! And, prime example of this is Look at Federal ATK the hire and they lay off.... a great case in point Black Hills Ammuntion, the owner has flat out stated he will not add staff only to have to lay them off to meet a temporary spike in demand. A Very Good Businman that Jeff Hoffman !

I never said add equipment and lines, I said they were adding shifts, and I know for a fact 3 years ago when stuff started booming many firms added shifts and have not backed off that. Also I stated they are making plenty of profit to afford to finish there highest end product line, it will not put the company at risk, it will not cause people to get layed off. The cost of a short run aluminum tool would likely be much much less than the top earners bonus’s last year.

Take care of your people and they will take care of the company.

Possibly the truest words spoken in this thread, but in my case the people are the consumers, take care of us and we will continue you buy your $200 die sets for every they caliber we add.




I wrote a respectful email to Robin the VP on 5/26/2011, when and if he responds I will post his response, I also included a link to this thread so he could see how Redding’s customers feel about this situation.





Also it should be noted the driving force for this campaign is for my friends and all the guys out there that want a nice solution to this issue. As I already said, I could design a box and make it any way I see fit, but that doesn’t help all the other poor souls out there that are not lucky enough to be in this position. To show I’m not the whiner that John makes me out to be, if Robin wants I’ll design a box, use feedback from this thread and even take the time to quote it with a local short run molder, I’ll post the unit price in this thread and then we will truly know how much Redding values it’s best customers. IMHO this is a truly generous offer, its like doing pro-bono work for a multi millionaire, doesn’t make sense but if I didn’t put it out there I feel it would open me up to more name calling along the lines of what John is saying.


P.S. John, are you John W from Gunstop?

 

[nosualc]

Ragged is perfectly within his right to voice his displeasure about this, and do a bit of rabble rousing. I've always found it annoying too. Once I set the die up, I don't want to change it just to fit into the box. It isn't the end of the world, but it is an annoyance and it does lead to a small amount of customer dissatisfaction.

There's also nothing wrong with expressing your displeasure (in a civil manner) to the customer service representatives. They're paid to represent their company to the public. They don't make policy, but they certainly communicate with those that do. A businessman would be a fool to ignore their input.

Redding (and all businesses big and small) should be HAPPY to hear their customers' feedback. Companies that ignore customer feedback do so at their own peril. It gives their customers a reason to consider a competitor. Give them enough reasons and they're no longer your customers.

Redding has heard about this issue, but just doesn't think it's a big enough deal to mess with. That's their prerogative. If they get more feedback, maybe they'll change their minds.

-nosualc

 

[RAGGED]

If they get more feedback, maybe they'll change their minds.

-nosualc

That's 100% how I see it, its takes very little time, may yield something many of us have wanted for years, no skin off my back if they continue to ignore our needs.

It just seems like its been long enough in coming, our dollars are getting harder to come by, Redding will have to step it up a notch to keep-em coming.

 

[memilanuk]

Which calibers are you folks having these problems with? Is it just the new add-on micrometer tops, or the regular Competition Seaters?

Somehow I've never had a problem, from .223 Rem thru .308 Win... on the rare occasions the top is adjusted out too far (or in too far) I just tweak the internal screw thru the hole in the top...

 

[RAGGED]

Which calibers are you folks having these problems with? Is it just the new add-on micrometer tops, or the regular Competition Seaters?

Somehow I've never had a problem, from .223 Rem thru .308 Win... on the rare occasions the top is adjusted out too far (or in too far) I just tweak the internal screw thru the hole in the top...

My 223 fits but from 308 on up if it's not too long the lock ring falls in an odd place, just a bad design plain and simple.