The fact is you didn't NEED to send it to MEC for service. If you've kept it going for 15 years, you already know enough to rebuild it. Besides that, there are folks on this site who have forgotten more about MEC loaders than the techs at Mec know, and are more than willing to help walk you through any trouble spots. I can say that with certainty as I have been the recipient of much tutoring from SteveY and CurlyN. There are others, but those fellows come to mind. So, before you spend money on shipping and service at Mec, post your question here and I bet our resident experts can help you...…..a lot.

 

I don't have a dog in this hunt. What I will say is that the people here, especially Steve Y are a wonderful resource. Many people like to do their own repairs, some do not. If the OP wants to have a Mec rebuilt, I think that is a great idea. I work on my own, I did give up on one 9000H a few years ago. I would probably try Steve Y at this point if I needed help. You do have to keep those big machines running smoothly.

 

I also took my 9000 to MEC. It is now working better than when it was new. Things were bad from the supplier or quality control at the factory. It is easier to have the complete unit refurbished at once than do piecemeal one area at a time. It took about an hour and half for them to do all the work. I'm sure I could have done the same thing in a week or two, maybe longer. Maybe missed something and have to do a tear down again. That is time away from reloading and shooting.

 

I also took my 9000 to MEC. It is now working better than when it was new. Things were bad from the supplier or quality control at the factory. It is easier to have the complete unit refurbished at once than do piecemeal one area at a time. It took about an hour and half for them to do all the work. I'm sure I could have done the same thing in a week or two, maybe longer. Maybe missed something and have to do a tear down again. That is time away from reloading and shooting.

All true, of course. However, you miss the satisfaction of learning something and doing the job yourself.

 

I also took my 9000 to MEC. It is now working better than when it was new. Things were bad from the supplier or quality control at the factory. It is easier to have the complete unit refurbished at once than do piecemeal one area at a time. It took about an hour and half for them to do all the work. I'm sure I could have done the same thing in a week or two, maybe longer. Maybe missed something and have to do a tear down again. That is time away from reloading and shooting.

All true, of course. However, you miss the satisfaction of learning something and doing the job yourself.

That and the $65.00/hour MEC charges.

Steve

 

That and the $65.00/hour MEC charges.

Steve

Steve Y…new to the forum, have some questions about mec loader repairs but I’m unsure of how to directly message you, if you could help me with that I would appreciate it. Thanks!

 

Reasonable rate for professional service, I'd loose money and time trying to do it myself.
I'm old enough to be beyond the stage of DIY, been there done that.

 

Is there such an age? Great! just learned something else about getting old.

 

Reasonable rate for professional service, I'd loose money and time trying to do it myself.
I'm old enough to be beyond the stage of DIY, been there done that.

I'm with you. I used to do a lot of work on my cars. No way am I laying under my car while pulling oil plug, filter etc. and letting oil drip in my face. I did it many times. Azande when one of my MEC loaders need any significant work, I'll return it for just that.
I get more satisfaction paying to have it done while I'll be doing something I enjoy.

 

I'll be changing oil in my wife's truck Sunday.

No stripped oil pan threads, no cross threaded plugs, no filter leaks.

 

Reasonable rate for professional service, I'd loose money and time trying to do it myself.
I'm old enough to be beyond the stage of DIY, been there done that.

I'm with you. I used to do a lot of work on my cars. No way am I laying under my car while pulling oil plug, filter etc. and letting oil drip in my face. I did it many times. Azande when one of my MEC loaders need any significant work, I'll return it for just that.
I get more satisfaction paying to have it done while I'll be doing something I enjoy.

Well you can ship it to me. My labor rate is half of what MEC charges, shipping will be the same as I am in Wisconsin 45 minutes from MEC and parts will be less because I buy most of them from CAC. I have many satisfied customers and am pleased to say I have never had a press come back because it wasnt done right the first time.

Steve

 

Well you can ship it to me. My labor rate is half of what MEC charges, shipping will be the same as I am in Wisconsin 45 minutes from MEC and parts will be less because I buy most of them from CAC. I have many satisfied customers and am pleased to say I have never had a press come back because it wasnt done right the first time.

Steve

Are you still rebuilding Mec reloaders?

 

On a MEC I qualify as a parts changer and a "putzer". There are some things though that at times just don't make sense but either work themselves out or I figure them out...
Been a couple weeks now trying to figure out how to get the hole out of the center of a AA hull. Way the press is set I can load most any hull without changing anything but would be nice to "close that hole". Probably my own fault though as my putzing has a few different things than came with the machine. A CRS stage 1 tool, an old style pre-crimp (now adjustable) and a non standard crimp punch. I am now finding the cam adjustment just does not work as "advertised". Of course I also need to take into consideration I am using Rem wads in a AA hull, Vectan AS powder etc etc. In the spring I may just send it to you to check out and then adjust properly for a standard load. I have "putzed around" so much I am not sure where the starting point was..... Larry

 

With your AA hs hulls you want to use a wad that is made for the next larger increment of shot. If you are loading one oz use wads for 1 1/8, this will lower your stack height enough that you can lower the precrimp a bit. This makes more plastic available to turn into a crimp. You may also need to lower your crimp centerpunch screw adjustment a bit.

 

You may also need to lower your crimp centerpunch screw adjustment a bit.

And to do this you might need the "long thread" center punch. Call MEC and tell them what you need. Use the same part # as the "stock" center punch AND add "LT" to the end.

Steve

 

You guys are good....... I have so many different wads my dog thinks I buy his play toys by the sack and it never occurred to me to use a 1 1/8 wad....... just tried it on both CF and HS and works great.
The primer punch I received a while back was supposed to be the longer threaded version and it was, but only by about 3 (?) threads so I added to the punch face.... I will order another Monday and see what happens....... I am going to try a 1 1/4 wad with my 1 1/8 load. I suspect one of you two instructors suggested this to me before....... I have a sack of 1 1/4 wads gathering dust and I have often wondered why in the world I would have them....... Thanks......... Larry

 

The primer punch I received a while back was supposed to be the longer threaded version and it was, but only by about 3 (?) threads so I added to the punch face.... I will order another Monday and see what happens

Save your money, thats all the "longer" they are.

Steve

 

I also took my 9000 to MEC. It is now working better than when it was new. Things were bad from the supplier or quality control at the factory. It is easier to have the complete unit refurbished at once than do piecemeal one area at a time. It took about an hour and half for them to do all the work. I'm sure I could have done the same thing in a week or two, maybe longer. Maybe missed something and have to do a tear down again. That is time away from reloading and shooting.

SO what do they charge for that service?

 

I also took my 9000 to MEC. It is now working better than when it was new. Things were bad from the supplier or quality control at the factory. It is easier to have the complete unit refurbished at once than do piecemeal one area at a time. It took about an hour and half for them to do all the work. I'm sure I could have done the same thing in a week or two, maybe longer. Maybe missed something and have to do a tear down again. That is time away from reloading and shooting.

SO what do they charge for that service?

The last time I was in MEC's service center (August 2019 ) their labor rate was $65.00/hour and the sign said minimum 1 hour. Plus parts and 2 way shipping for most people the bill can get a little high. The last time I shipped a 9000 it was $55.00 and that was only a few states away.

Steve

 

Just found my invoice, you can see my 9000H was in need of some serious repair.
Total rebuild for about 25% the cost of a new one.
All done with only 1 hour of Service time.
Thanks again

 

Wow, lots of parts bent on your machine! Hopefully now things will stay straight. I have certainly learned with the 9000 that if the initial push down is harder that usual....STOP! Do not force that handle down because something is wrong somewhere. Let the handle back up and start looking.

Thanks for posting your bill. I live about 50-60 minutes from MEC, but this encourages me to contact YevetS about going over my machines. Hopefully he's 45 minutes away in the same direction as me!

Enjoy your "new" machine!

BB

 

Thanks Curly, he has already gotten in touch

 

I just rebuilt a late 90's 9000G. There were a few hiccups, but MEC was very helpful working through them. IMHO - half the fun/satisfaction of reloading is knowing your equipment inside and out.

 

Things were bad from the supplier or quality control at the factory. It is easier to have the complete unit refurbished at once than do piecemeal one area at a time. It took about an hour and half for them to do all the work.





Speed Test​

 

I got great results from Steve.If I remember right I sent him three Mecs . Fast turnarounds and they work like new.

 

@Sw53983
I sent you a PM, you should see a "red" dot in your avatar in the upper LH corner of the page header, like this

selecting it produces a drop down box

Steve