What to do with Lee Handles that have split the wood?

While I have 6 or 7 sets of Lee handles when one develops a split in the wood I am not going to just throw it away. Maybe I coud get new wood from Lee.

What I did was buy some 7/8's dowl and had a friend end bore 12in sections. I stained 3 sets of them.

Next question - How do you keep them from spliting? Go back to your local hardware store and buy some inline connetors for 3/4in copper pipe. cut it in half and force them on to the bored ends.

Use JB Weld (or similar stuff) to glue them on.

Your set of mold handles is better than new.

The process you describe is a good solution.
I have been fortunate in that I haven't had that particular problem with the handles as yet.

What your doing is putting. Farrel on week end, tho I doubt you need to glue on though, just press tight fit.

I use JB on my handles as part of my Leementing process before I even use them, I also drill a small hole through handles and put a pin in to keep handles in place. Regards Stephen

I make the new handles from oak dowels when I drill the one end I turn the end down for a copper end cap and drill the end cap to natch. I drill a larger hole in the handle then epoxy fill and glue on handle this makes a epoxy sleeve in the handle that matches the mould handles also. When cured I drill and install a 3/32 pin thru. Haven't had to fix one a second time.

I usually burn up the handles before they split.
:bigsmyl2:

I have yet to split any since I bought the first one in 93. What are you doing in your process?

In a pinch . . corncobs

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Originally Posted by bedbugbilly

In a pinch . . corncobs

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You must be one of those rich guys that doesn't have to save them for the outhouse.


Years ago, I knew a guy who welded steel pipe onto the nub when wooden handles
split and a worm gear clamp wasn't strong enough for them.

Sticky boolits in the mold - rapping the pivot bolt. handles start to come off with all the vibration from striking the pivot bolt. At least that i my best guess - also the expanding and contracting when the metal inside the mold gets hot.

The only split Lee handle that I've experienced (yet) is the handle on the sprue plate. It was all my fault......it became loose & I should have stopped casting (with that mold) & glued it in place with Marine Tex. Due to my negligence it split.


I relieved the opening for the stub (slightly) & put a liberal coat of Marine Tex on each side, installed the stub, wiped off all excess & held everything in place in a vice with minor pressure. After the 24 hr. drying/curing period & some sanding & some file work to remove some MT that oozed out, the mold was ready to go.


It's been used (properly) many times & is OK. Marine Tex is tough stuff......it can be drilled & tapped.

Henry

I have made ferrules out of all sorts of round things. I have a collection of round items that I use for projects like this. Curtain rods, ski poles, old metal handled brooms and mops, along with assorted pipes. One man's scrap is another man's treasure!

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Originally Posted by JM7.7x58

I have made ferrules out of all sorts of round things. I have a collection of round items that I use for projects like this. Curtain rods, ski poles, old metal handled brooms and mops, along with assorted pipes. One man's scrap is another man's treasure!

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Pieces of rifle cases work well also; copper pipe, electrical conduit

You can get replacement handles (wood) for the 2 and 6 cavity mold from Lee for the price of shipping or you can mail you broken handles to them and they'll send you new ones on their dime.

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Originally Posted by Conditor22

You can get replacement handles (wood) for the 2 and 6 cavity mold from Lee for the price of shipping or you can mail you broken handles to them and they'll send you new ones on their dime.

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Good to know I have a few that I need to do this too. Shipping should be cheap too since its only an hour from me.

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Originally Posted by JM7.7x58

I have made ferrules out of all sorts of round things. I have a collection of round items that I use for projects like this. Curtain rods, ski poles, old metal handled brooms and mops, along with assorted pipes. One man's scrap is another man's treasure!

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I am surprised that no one has mentioned the brass from a discarded 12 Ga. hull.

Hmm, most of my bullets just drop out, I must be doing something wrong.

I have started to drill hole and put a small roll pin to hold handle on. As far as splitting one only on an old ladle but must admit it burned half way up before it split.

Never had mold handles split. I've had them fall off while casting (a pain in the other end).
When I'm done casting I glue them back on with Red RTV.

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Originally Posted by MGySgt

While I have 6 or 7 sets of Lee handles when one develops a split in the wood I am not going to just throw it away. Maybe I coud get new wood from Lee.

What I did was buy some 7/8's dowl and had a friend end bore 12in sections. I stained 3 sets of them.

Next question - How do you keep them from spliting? Go back to your local hardware store and buy some inline connetors for 3/4in copper pipe. cut it in half and force them on to the bored ends.

Use JB Weld (or similar stuff) to glue them on.

Your set of mold handles is better than new.

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Got any DIY pics to follow?