Lyman alignment pins upgrade

[wjham77]

Has anyone tried to replace the existing alignment pins on Lyman (ohaus, rcbs) molds with a pin & bushing design, like those on magma molds.

[toallmy]

I have never replaced the pins , although I have put the pins in the other side of the mold blocks on a mold before due to damage on the original side .

[wjham77]

Hey, that's a good idea that I had not thought of. Should be helpful for certain situations.

[wjham77]

When converting a mold for use in master caster is when I think installing 2 piece alignment pins would seem to be the most beneficial.

[country gent]

It can be done but will require some machining for the bushings. My newer brass moulds have bushing in them and heavy pins. Would be a job for mill and set up would be touchy. Reversing the pins for a second use might be better and anoher might be to simple ream slightly bigger for a drill blank to be cut and used.
I set my mould on a falt rail when closing to help prealighn them when closing them up this helps a lot to reduce pin wear.

[Thin Man]

I have a mold that is badly worn on the female side where the pin enters. Hearing about reversing the pin to the opposite block sounds like yet another project I will have to see about soon.

[jdfoxinc]

I just drive them out a little further so they contact undamaged female hole.