RCBS LAM2 lube warmer

[wquiles]

To make the lube warmer for my new RCBS LAM2, I ordered a 12v DC, 15Watt heating pad:



But the transfer of heat from the large aluminum surface to the LAM2 was not great. To aid in heat transfer (and since surfaces are not "really flat"), I am using this heat-sink thermal pad from a prior project (about 0.037" thick, which compresses well):




But even this was not fast enough for me, so I wanted to have pinch the heating pad between the LAM2 and the aluminum pad, but I don't want to crush and short the heating pad, so I measured the heating pad (about 0.060") and milled a pocket for 0.09" to allow for some compression to keep things in place:




Towards the back I cut 3 times (each shallower) to provide a more "gradual" transition and prevent the pad from being pinched/shorted:

[wquiles]

Final sandwich:






And it now works much quicker and better. I took my tumble lube Ranch Dog 30 cal hunting bullet, and using Carnauba Blue bullet lube (lsstuff.com), I got really nice, even covering even on the shallow groves on bullets I had recently tumble lubed (2 coats):



I had recently done pan lubing, and I found it so time consuming, that I ordered the LAM2. Now, bullet lubing is so easy, and takes so little time it is no longer a chore

Will

[fred2892]

Nice work, but it's far easier to use a 150 watt cartridge heater costing about $5. No machining and only one hole to drill. Warm up time around 5 minutes. Here's an old thread. The last post has a link to pictures that work.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=306447

Sent from my SM-T805 using Tapatalk

[wquiles]

Cool, thanks for the link. So far the $10 heating pad works well, but good to know about the cartridge heater option as well

[Mike W1]

2 little things I've done with my LAM2 that helped me. The 1/4" drive socket adapter so I could use a ratchet instead of that goofy ball handle thing. And a wooden ball knob on the handle makes it more comfortable to use.

[wquiles]

Thanks Mike. I have only lubed about 100x 30cal bullets, but I will certainly keep that in mind

Mods-wise, the only other thing is that I am making my own custom flat top punch (out of 12L14 steel) since (so far) all of my cast bullets have a flat point:



New one on the right side:




Next, I am enlarging a .458" sizing die to .460" (for my 45-70 rifle) and making a custom matching plunger for it. So far enlarged only 0.0005" - it is taking a while since it seems the die body is somewhat hardened

Will