3/16" Lee 6-Cav Sprue Plates?

[Pakprotector]

I saw this thread: http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/elkins_pix/3c4f1b40.jpg and with impending arrival of a TL225-40-RF from RanchDog I want a thicker steel sprue plate. One with .1" holes instead of the huge( compared to a wee .224 boolit ), .145's. Cuts down on the force required to open and results in less cut-induced deformation of the soft boolits. This is for an air rifle consumption, and my current 225353 mold is sporting a Kal Tools plate with just such an arrangement. It is absolutely *BRILLIANT*. Nearly no pressure required to open, and exactly no base deformation from the cut off. The small hole is also a benefit for .257's...those Kal plates get swapped back and forth a bit...:)

Who is set up to do this? It will cost me good burbon to have *ONE* made locally...any interest in a GB if somebody can make 'em en masse?
cheers,
Douglas

[zuke]

Have you contacted Kal Tool's and asked about a group buy?
I like your sig name,I've read many/most of his book's.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

A thickness of 1/4" does even better than 3/16's and 5/16's and 3/8 do even better yet. You can try using Aluminum and you will see the difference. It all has to do with heat retention in/of the thicker plate. Suggest reading article by Co. Harrison, titled "Aluminum sprueplate rated high" in the Old NRA Handloading book. LLS

[newmexicocrawler]

I broke a Lee spur plate, i thought about looking for a thicker spur plate but I found out what I did wrong to break it and that won't happen again.

[bhn22]

Lee 6 cavity sprue plate can break just out of sheer meanness.

[Pakprotector]

I could surely use Aluminium, the critical bit is the smaller hole. Steel turns such a pretty colour, and is fine to bear on aluminium with proper lube. It is not so much thickness, but the smaller hole. And Kal Tools has not responded to an inquiry for one just yet...I know of nobody else who wants one so a GB seems out of bounds.
cheers,
Douglas

[338RemUltraMag]

I could possibly run one made from stainless steel, wouldnt come with the handle or hardware but just the plate I could do, make it from 3/16

I could also make it from Aluminum plates if you all want em, they certainly would be cheaper.

[BABore]

IMO, stainless would make a poor sprue plate. It doesn't conduct heat very well and would be more prone to warpage due to uneven heating.

I have made a few plates from aluminum. They work ok, just. Would be best to hard anodize them.

[jmort]

@338 RemUltraMag That would be nice if you would do so.

[338RemUltraMag]

Ok, I can make em from 4140 carbon steel and blue em. Material isnt an issue and I have a pattern (heck I have MANY patterns)

Let me check my machine time and we could easily be producing these plates in 5 days.

[jmort]

You are a man of action.

[338RemUltraMag]

You are a man of action.

I am a man with 13 CNC machines and end mills! :)

[338RemUltraMag]

I can offer a blued 4140 steel sprue plate for $15 plus shipping, those Kal plates are 36 from what I gather on there website. Plus a POSSIBLE discount on large orders (it is a group buy after all)

[jmort]

Why not post it up as a group buy? I'm in for five or more.

[Red River Rick]

I saw this thread: http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/elkins_pix/3c4f1b40.jpg and with impending arrival of a TL225-40-RF from RanchDog I want a thicker steel sprue plate. One with .1" holes instead of the huge( compared to a wee .224 boolit ), .145's. Cuts down on the force required to open and results in less cut-induced deformation of the soft boolits. This is for an air rifle consumption, and my current 225353 mold is sporting a Kal Tools plate with just such an arrangement. It is absolutely *BRILLIANT*. Nearly no pressure required to open, and exactly no base deformation from the cut off. The small hole is also a benefit for .257's...those Kal plates get swapped back and forth a bit...:)

Who is set up to do this? It will cost me good burbon to have *ONE* made locally...any interest in a GB if somebody can make 'em en masse?
cheers,
Douglas

Doug:

That drawing in your link.............not quite sure who's drawing that is.

I'm working on a "Steel" sprue plate to replace the original Lee aluminum ones, with a 1/8" hole, but I don't know when I'll have them available.

Btw, you failed to mention that the plates on your 225353 mould are for a Lyman D/C mould and not a Lee 6 cavity.

RRR

[StrawHat]

These are for the Lee six cavity? If so, I can use some.

[338RemUltraMag]

Group buy is up for the LEE 6 cavity plates

[jmort]

Sweet. Thanks for doing this.

[338RemUltraMag]

No problem! I love working with molds and making our casting experience better.

[Red River Rick]

I can offer a blued 4140 steel sprue plate for $15 plus shipping, those Kal plates are 36 from what I gather on there website. Plus a POSSIBLE discount on large orders (it is a group buy after all)

You failed to mention that the sprue plates your referring to, on my website, are for the LYMAN 4 cavity moulds and not for the LEE 6 cavity moulds.

Yes, they are $36.00, but they also come with a new "Steel" Cam Lever as well.

RRR

[Wayne S]

Group buy is up for the LEE 6 cavity plates
I can think of two other mold manufactures that I would like 1/4" 4140 steel sprue plates with .100 to .110 sprue holes . I can send the SP's for you to copy
As to Lee 6 cavity's, I had one break, and made one out of .25" 7075 Alum. But I made mine with an "ear" like all other mold SP's are made with. ie; a place to "whack" it with what ever you use

[338RemUltraMag]

You failed to mention that the sprue plates your referring to, on my website, are for the LYMAN 4 cavity moulds and not for the LEE 6 cavity moulds.

Yes, they are $36.00, but they also come with a new "Steel" Cam Lever as well.

RRR

Rick I meant no disrespect at all, so please do not take it as such.

[338RemUltraMag]

I can think of two other mold manufactures that I would like 1/4" 4140 steel sprue plates with .100 to .110 sprue holes . I can send the SP's for you to copy

Wayne,

Let me see how this goes and we can work out other plates, I would be happy to make replacement plates for other molds.

[Pakprotector]

Got the order in for two...who knows, will probably get another mold at some point. Critical bit being the maximum allowable through hole size at the bottom of the funnel. .090-.1" is the range on that particular detail.
cheers,
Douglas

[DLCTEX]

I would be in for one to try. If it goes well I'll be wanting more. PM me addy for funds.

[338RemUltraMag]

I would be in for one to try. If it goes well I'll be wanting more. PM me addy for funds.

I put you down for one, payment will be in 2 weeks it looks like.

[Mohavedog]

I was wondering what would be any downside (if any) for using brass as a sprue plate? I would think it would hold heat better than aluminum but not as good as steel and would be easy to fabricate. What dya think?

[338RemUltraMag]

I was wondering what would be any downside (if any) for using brass as a sprue plate? I would think it would hold heat better than aluminum but not as good as steel and would be easy to fabricate. What dya think?

Cost cost cost, brass is expensive and not necessary.