Star Die Question

[cabezaverde]

I bought my Star used, and it came with a .452" sizing die.

My question is on the sizing die itself. The lube holes in this die are extremely small. The outer view of the hole that allows the lube to flow looks the same as other dies. But, upon close examination, that hole is not drilled all the way through, the hole that is all of the way through is much smaller, the diameter of paper clip wire or less.

When I bought the machine, there were remnants of a very thin, almost like lithium grease, lube in the resevoir. I suspect the previous owner had the die made that way to limit flow of this thin lube.

I have not had a need to use the 452 die yet, but I am wondering if these small holes are going to impede flow of my normal 50/50 lube when the time comes. And if so, what do I do to correct this?

[D Crockett]

that is a good question so I got one of my dies out and that is the way mine are made D Crockett

[dragonrider]

Star dies are made that way. No the small hole will not impede the flow of lube.

[ReloaderFred]

The holes are drilled that way on purpose, as the intent was to be able to plug the unused holes with lead shot. If the hole wasn't constricted on the inside, the lead shot wouldn't stay in place.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[runfiverun]

30-80 psi will shove lube through there.
i was ocassionally having an issue filling out the lube groove on some 429241 boolits,
till i pulled the die and noticed i only had two holes open.

[cabezaverde]

The holes are drilled that way on purpose, as the intent was to be able to plug the unused holes with lead shot. If the hole wasn't constricted on the inside, the lead shot wouldn't stay in place.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Interesting. The dies Lathesmith makes are the same diameter all the way through.

[Rockchucker]

Interesting. The dies Lathesmith makes are the same diameter all the way through.

Are you sure about that, Mine has a smaller hole inside the larger one so the lead shot won't be pushed all the through, acts as a stop.

[DRNurse1]

My Lathesmith dies are stepped as well. If the cold lube is slow to fill the groves, try a little heat. There is a neat YouTube submission on making a eater with a piece of aluminumm and a portable iron. Good Luck.

[cabezaverde]

I will double check my Lathesmith dies, I could be mistaken.

[ReloaderFred]

All my Lathesmith dies are drilled the same as the original Star dies. If you clean the lube out and look closely, you'll see the two different diameters.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[cabezaverde]

I checked one of my Lathesmith dies tonight. You guys are correct, I was mistaken.

[6bg6ga]

If there is a lube hole the pressure WILL force the lube thru the hole to the lube grooves on the bullet. Don't sweat the hole size.

[Pete P]

The step in the port is normal for plugging the port with a piece of lead shot. You can even get the lube to flow through the closed off port with lube that is too hot in temperature and also too much pressure. Ask me how I know.