Lee mold spur screws

[Leon Garfield]

How do you guys keep these dam screws tight? I have both LH and RH and they wont stay tight...... Thanks

[30Carbine]

I drill a hole in the side of the mold and tap and set screw. mind you I use my grizz 704 to do this I did one on the bridgeport series 2 once but those little molds are fiddly to set up on it. so I use my smaller mill to do them on.

[Dusty Bannister]

I like to use the search feature to find out how to keep SPRUE plate screws tight. Of several threads on the subject, this thread has pictures so you have a good idea what you are getting into with this project. Use care.

http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/Mol...umentation.pdf

[claude]

I have read on one of the threads, can't recall which, to back the screw out, take a single strand of fine steel wool and wrap around your screw thread, then retighten. problem solved. Haven't tried it yet, but the next time I fire up that particular mold, the 0000 is gonna get unravled a little.

[Garyshome]

Piece of lead shot dropped in the hole or a copper shim [thin piece]. I haven't tried this yet but there is a thread around here somewhere about this sort of issue.

[retread]

Piece of lead shot dropped in the hole or a copper shim [thin piece]. I haven't tried this yet but there is a thread around here somewhere about this sort of issue.

I drop a small piece of solid copper wire snipped off the end of a 14 gauge solid wire. That or lead to keep the threads protected.

[country gent]

Several ways to keep the sprue plate screws tight. You can easily remove screw and sprue plate lay out center puch drill and tap an 8-32 or 6-32 threaded hole to lock the screw. A piece of lead shot or copper wire under the set screw protects thread and gives a better grip also. a slightly long set screw an allow a jam nut to be used to lock set screw also. I have heard of tape or very fine steel wool being used to tighten the screw in the threads. A longer sprue plate scre or short set screw can be fitted to bottom out where you want it set at also. High temp silicone may also lock it in place.

[Leon Garfield]

I like to use the search feature to find out how to keep SPRUE plate screws tight. Of several threads on the subject, this thread has pictures so you have a good idea what you are getting into with this project. Use care.

http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/Mol...umentation.pdf

Good for you Dusty, if you dont like my post move on......

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Leon Garfield]

Thanks guys Lots of options I will give em a try''''''''

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Walter Laich]

Not hard at all to do. ACE hardware has the set screws. I use a bit on lead in the hole--doesn't seem to be affected by the pouring of hot lead into the mold.

[leadman]

Mark the screw where the set screw will hit it when tightened, then remove and file a flat on the threads of the sprue plate screw. No need to use lead or copper to protect the threads then.
I have used Loctite permanent thread locker on a couple and it holds well as long as you don't overheat the mold. Have to heat the screw with a propane torch to remove the screw without messing up the threads.

[stinjie]

With on of my Lee 6 cav molds,I tried another approach.Drilled and tapped another hole through the existing hole into the bottomof the mold.Got a 2 inch stud,installed it all the way through the existing hole,into the new tapped hole on the lower end.I ran the tap about 3/4 the way of the bottom to help "lock"the stud in.Used a couple of flat jamb nuts with a wave washer,then cut the stud to size.No adjustment has been needed after casting piles and piles of bullets.Just another idea.

[gwpercle]

I have read on one of the threads, can't recall which, to back the screw out, take a single strand of fine steel wool and wrap around your screw thread, then retighten. problem solved. Haven't tried it yet, but the next time I fire up that particular mold, the 0000 is gonna get unravled a little.

It works like a charm ! I had a perpetual loosening Lee that drove me insane. A few strands shoved in the hole , replaced screw and that bad boy has NOT come loose since. I went to unscrew it and it didn't want to easily unscrew , so I just left it in place....I don't want to break the seal. Not sure how or why this works but it does and is cheap and easy.
Gary

[MT Chambers]

The problem is the very soft alum. and the screws pull out the thread somewhat (strip it), so of course they will undue, I used to drill right down and through and use a bolt and locknut.
By the way, do you know what a large locknut is called??? A " locknuts monster".......say it a few times........

[FredBuddy]

I am nowhere close to a machinist - years ago I broke off a tap in a rifle that I only wanted to clean out the threads a little. Haven't touched the stuff since.

Then I started casting boolits, with Lee molds, and the frustration mounted.

Having read mucho stuff on this fabulous site, I dug out 40 years of accumulated tap and screw sets, set up my 50 year old Craftsman drill press and vise, and today mounted my first set screw on a Lee mold! Tomorrow, I'll go into town and brag.

Thanks to all of you who have taught me so well!

[country gent]

Good Job. The right cutting fluid on the tap really eases this job. Always remeber to break the chip often and clear threads of chips every turn or so.

[Echo]

By the way, do you know what a large locknut is called??? A " locknuts monster".......say it a few times........

Shame - I say, SHAME ON YOU!

[Traffer]

Speaking of Lee sprue screws. I just bought a new old stock single bullet mold. It is a 358, 117 grain round nose. There were some little chunks of aluminum from poor quality manufacture under the sprue plate and promptly scored the top of the mold. I tried to get the screw out and it won't budge. The mold is 358-117-1R number 90325. I am quit trying to loosen the screw because I thought it might be right hand thread. Did Lee once use right hand threads on their sprue plate screws? Is there any way to tell? I figured it will fall out eventually (like all of them) then I will be able to see.