Open up a Lee Mold

[Nora]

I've got an old 312-185 (.3125 as cast) that hasn't been used in a wile after a nasty gravity mishap. I'd like to see about working the bugs back out of it and open it up to throw a .315 WW boolit. Does this sound like a possible thought? I'll be using the cast boolit and lapping compound method. Unless some one has a better idea, or opening it up .003 is asking a little to much of the mold. I'm not worried about how much time it may take, I have plenty.

[chevyiron420]

im no expert here but i have opened up a few. i casted up some boolits with the mold and then drilled the boolits base for a long wood screw. after inserting the screw and cutting off the head i gently rolled the boolit between two pieces of flat steel scrap with lapping compound on the steel. then i wiped the boolits off, sprayed a little WD40 in the mold and put the boolit back in. i used my drill to spin the boolit. when i did it junk would build up on the mold parting surfaces real quickly and i had to keep re cleaning then and then continue otherwise it would get out of round quickly. i also had to clean and re cast new lapping boolits every so often as the mold got bigger. i also found that the mold tends to get out of round but is doable. so far my success has been with aluminum molds. i did use this to lap the rust out of a nice 4 hole lyman iron mold that got wet and it returned it to service but didnt enlarge it much. i have tryed to inlarge one iron mold but so far it isnt working.:cbpour:

[462]

I lapped and "beagled" a Lyman 429421 from .429" to .434", recently. Go slow, give the mould a thorough cleaning, cast new boolits, measure them and use them to continue the process. I, too, used the headless screw and cordless drill method, while holding the mould in my hand.

The screw will probably be off-center, causing everything to wobble. Don't fight it, let everything move in unison. After a few moments, you'll get the hang of it.

I took 4 days to get to the desired size, as I waited overnight for the larger boolits to cool.

[Maximilian225]

1st off I use a bottom pour pot. Never tried this with a ladle.

I cast the mold up to a hot temp with a couple of 1/4 x 20 nuts lying on the edge of the pot. After the mold is throwing frosty bullets I open the sprue and place 1 of the nuts over one of the cavities. I pour the next boolit through this nut. Pouring to the top of the nut. I cast a couple more to bring the mold temp back up. Then make the lap for the other cavity the same way.

I let them set for 48 hrs before lapping to get max size.

Works well for me. I use a socket on an extension to lap them.

-Max

[Nora]

I lapped and "beagled" a Lyman 429421

I've seen the term used here in many places. I've tried a search but still can't come up with a definition. What exactly is "beagling" a mold? I've got a quarter if some one will sell me a clue.

[Maximilian225]

http://www.castpics.net/molds/Beagling.htm

http://www.castpics.net/memberarticles/Bullet%20Diameter%20Enlargement.htm

-Max

[dromia]

Go slow when lapping, I've found that less is more especially when coming near size.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

+1 on the 1/4-20 nut poured in top of mold cavity, this gives you a better shot at a more centered point for turning the boolit to lap the mold.....hex head socket to fit drill motor if you like or can be done with a wrench. WFM

[StrawHat]

1st off I use a bottom pour pot. Never tried this with a ladle.

I cast the mold up to a hot temp with a couple of 1/4 x 20 nuts lying on the edge of the pot. After the mold is throwing frosty bullets I open the sprue and place 1 of the nuts over one of the cavities. I pour the next boolit through this nut. Pouring to the top of the nut. I cast a couple more to bring the mold temp back up. Then make the lap for the other cavity the same way.

I let them set for 48 hrs before lapping to get max size.

Works well for me. I use a socket on an extension to lap them.

-Max

Max,

I am having trouble visualizing what you are saying. Can you post a photo of the bullet with the nut? It is probably a lot simpler than what I am trying to make it out to be.

Thanks

[Maximilian225]

Here Ya Go! ;-)

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq289/Maximilian225/Lee%20Molds/DSC01793.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq289/Maximilian225/Lee%20Molds/DSC01792.jpg

They don't have to be real pretty to lap.

-Max

[leadman]

I use a drywall screw in the base of the boolit . Drill a small hole in the base first, turn in the screw, easy. I use a phillips bit in my cordless drill to turn it. This gives a point that can move easily so the boolit can stay centered.

[StrawHat]

Here Ya Go! ;-)

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq289/Maximilian225/Lee%20Molds/DSC01793.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq289/Maximilian225/Lee%20Molds/DSC01792.jpg

They don't have to be real pretty to lap.

-Max


Got it! Yeah, I was trying to make it too difficult.

Thank you.