Disassembly of the new style Lee bullet molds

[Polar_Hunter]

The old molds were quite easy to disassemble but the new style have ,what looks to be, allen head set screws. Anyone know what is required to remove these?

[Mytmousemalibu]

These look like allen head set screws but are actually a helical cut pin, pressed in, and into a blind hole none the less. The only trick is to locate the blind end of the other side, drill it through and knock the pressed in pins out. Really not a horrible task but you might end up drilling/tapping the blocks to take another arrangement to "pin" the blocks back on the handles afterwards.

[Polar_Hunter]

These look like allen head set screws but are actually a helical cut pin, pressed in, and into a blind hole none the less. The only trick is to locate the blind end of the other side, drill it through and knock the pressed in pins out. Really not a horrible task but you might end up drilling/tapping the blocks to take another arrangement to "pin" the blocks back on the handles afterwards.

Thanks for the help, greatly appreciated!

[ktoons]

After you beat it enough to try to get the bullet to drop, the pin just falls out. Ugh.

[waco]

After you beat it enough to try to get the bullet to drop, the pin just falls out. Ugh.

Sweet first post ktoons........

[shooting on a shoestring]

Hahahaha!
Ain’t it the truth!
Good answer, and welcome aboard ktoons.

[Handloader109]

If bullets don't drop easy after a couple of uses, clean well, soap and water and toothbrush. Run hotter than you think you should, frosted bullets, and let cool again and if hot, they should drop easy. I find my Lee's drop easier than some of my aluminum noe

[Buckshot]

..............The 'screws' to hold the handles on are NOT screws. They're "Drive rivits" and have a very slow thread pitch. They're only truly intended to go in, and NOT come out. Those of us old enough to have had experience with Chevy cast iron V-8 intake manifolds will remember them from the sheet metal insulator riveted to their underside. I have had some success when using needle nose Vise-Grip pliers on them. Once clamped on, pull UP and also slowly twist counter clockwise at the same time.

...............Buckshot

[prs]

With the original single Lee molds I quickly came to the conclusion that I was having no more it after just one sample. When they came to their senses and used the pin design I have now purchased 4 of them. This was a much needed improvement. I have not had to beat the molds to get a drop except for the 1 ounce drive key slug mold which I dropped and damaged the core, my bad.

Since new members browse here, I remind us to NOT strike the mold on the blocks in an attempt to get a drop. The hing pin nut is the place and a few modest strikes are better than a home run swing.

prs