Broke my lyman 450

[dragonrider]

Not wanting to hijack ggreshams thread, but it is interesting that he should have posted that thread today, because I broke the handle off my 450 today for the exact same reason. They go down ok but they don't want to come up. It only happens when sizing a 260 grn gc for my 9.3x57. I am quite sure it has to do with the gc's. As I have been unable to find the right size gc I use gc for 375 cal. Also the size die was an extra 358 that I ground and honed out to 368.
Anyway it's an easy fix, it broke off at the threaded portion of the handle, the weakest point, just need to drill & tap the handle for 3/8-24 tpi and put a stud in it.
I needed to quit for the day anyway.

[Bucks Owin]

Not wanting to hijack ggreshams thread, but it is interesting that he should have posted that thread today, because I broke the handle off my 450 today for the exact same reason. They go down ok but they don't want to come up. It only happens when sizing a 260 grn gc for my 9.3x57. I am quite sure it has to do with the gc's. As I have been unable to find the right size gc I use gc for 375 cal. Also the size die was an extra 358 that I ground and honed out to 368.
Anyway it's an easy fix, it broke off at the threaded portion of the handle, the weakest point, just need to drill & tap the handle for 3/8-24 tpi and put a stud in it.
I needed to quit for the day anyway.


Just FYI, Lyman has a handle upgrade for your sizer for about $18. Check their website and then email them for the part number etc if interested....

Dennis

[Swagerman]

Well, guys. Some time back I up graded my 450 double boom handle to the single boom upgrade from Lyman...it too broke like the double boom one did.

So, I ordered another single boom handle and attached it to the top side of the ram...a minor modification...but it seems to work for the last few years.

Jim

[454PB]

I had a similar experience as Swagerman. On mine, the pin actually pulled through the casting. I used a piece of 1/4" steel strap to fabricate a new link, then welded the handle on the new piece. It's a lot beefier than the original.

[Bucks Owin]

Wow, are you guys "sizing" or "swaging"?!? :-)

Dennis

[Swagerman]

I think at that time I was using some hard cast bullets that had more tin content than I normally use.

Plus, using it to reform .44 caliber gaschecks to .358 diameter probably didn't help either. These were used on a limited run of Hornady swaged hollow points turned upside down and mounted GC on the front end.

Never had that trouble with the old #45 sizer though, or the RCBS one.

Jim

[dragonrider]

Swagerman,
Any pics.????????

[454PB]

I broke both of mine while sizing 500 grain 45/70 boolits cast of 50/50 WW & linotype.

[Char-Gar]

I broke a handle on a Lyman 450 because I did not turn in the set screw that hold the nose punch far enough. The screw caught on the top of the sizer and prevented the bullet from coming out.

I have learned to put a little "Imperial Case Sizing Wax" on the first couple of bullets when I start a session. This keep things from getting hard until the lube starts to do it's thing.

[dragonrider]

Here's how I fixed it,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/Handle/handlerepair001.jpg
above shows it broke below two pics show the fix.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/Handle/handlerepair002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/PaulGauthier/Handle/handlerepair003.jpg

[Swagerman]

Dragonrider, here's the pictures.

The reason I did this transformation, the Lyman people sent me another ram with a center cut slot for the new handle replacement, only trouble with it did not fit the old 450 ram hole. Had a diameter wobble that was horrendous.

So, elected to use the old ram which is not designed for a center cut handle mount. Bought a few more bolts, nuts and washers to make everything line up and made it into a side mount...seems to work OK for the past couple of years.

Jim


http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P8270022brightendup700X.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P8270021brightendup700X.jpg

[454PB]

Hey Swagerman......you don't even use those tools, look how clean they are!

I'm ashamed of myself now. I'm gonna take all my sizers and presses to the carwash tomorrow. You ruined my plans to go shooting:roll:

[PatMarlin]

The old 45. That's the real workhorse.. :mrgreen:

[dragonrider]

Thanks for the pics, that's an interesting fix,

[Swagerman]

Ha! I've got this thing about tools going so long looking grundgy or dirty, then I clean and paint them...a throw back to my Navy airdale days.

The 450 is battleship gray and the Star is Navy blue, the rest are Allis Challmers orange or chocolate brown. Oh, don't forget the Dillon blue. :mrgreen:

Jim

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Jim,

You need to go back and repaint them the proper colors, as you're out of uniform. The proper color for all should be battleship grey. You know this somewhere in your heart of hearts. (grin)

Dave

[Swagerman]

Dave, maybe so, but a good piece of equipment should look good as it serves you well.

My reloading desk may be clutered a bit (untidy with crap) but nothing is rusty.

The only thing that is hard to keep clean is the floor, keep spilling flecks of lube on it, the desk chair roller wheels are making a mess moving around to work with different items.

Guess I need a good swabby bucket with a mop squeezer. :mrgreen:

Jim

[Bucks Owin]

Ha! I've got this thing about tools going so long looking grundgy or dirty, then I clean and paint them...a throw back to my Navy airdale days.

The 450 is battleship gray and the Star is Navy blue, the rest are Allis Challmers orange or chocolate brown. Oh, don't forget the Dillon blue. :mrgreen:

Jim

Howzabout "Re Conditioned By Self" (RCBS) green? :drinks:

Dennis

BTW, I drilled the linkage pins for cotter pins and washers.....(Instead of those silly "press-on" things)


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/BucksOwin/Lyman004.jpg

[Swagerman]

Dang, that is pretty cool...frog green. I like it.

Maybe we'll start a spruce-up trend among all the boolit casters out there...paint yo wagon, hombres.

I thought about cotter pins and washers but decided too much trouble...besides, me clip thingys are holding pretty good.

Jim :mrgreen:

[454PB]

That looks like John Deere green to me[smilie=1:

I replaced the pins on mine with grade 8 bolts and locknuts.

[Bucks Owin]

Now if I could just break my handle, I could do the upgrade!!! :-D

Dennis

:coffee: (more coffee...)