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Thread: How to clean/rehab H&I sizing dies?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    How to clean/rehab H&I sizing dies?

    I have a segmented plastic box in which I keep all of my H&I dies grouped by size. Many of them haven't been used in quite a while and the old lube has turned to varnish on them. What's the recommended way of getting them clean and ready to use? GF

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

    mattw's Avatar
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    I would remove what I could by finger nail, remove o-rings the boil them out. Separate the parts when you can, let them dry and oil with CLR.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    I've boiled them before and that works pretty well. If the lube is varnish like I think maybe a soak in kerosene or hoppes 9 would clean it up.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Years ago when I switched from the old black Lyman Ideal lube I cleaned my dies by boiling them. I removed the "O" ring and put the dies in a pot of water on the burner I use for melting lead. A tooth pick got into the tight places. Steel wool or 1200 grit emory cloth will polish up the surfaces.

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy

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    I've always used solvents (acetone or Hoppes) to clean mine. Paper towels and Q-tips. Only takes a minute or 2.
    If I wanted to clean a bunch of them, I would remove the o-rings and soak them in a jar of acetone.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
    Bent Ramrod's Avatar
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    I put a piece of paper towel on a piece of aluminum foil, put the assembly in the oven, stand the die on it, and turn the oven to “Low.” Twenty minutes later, all the lube is absorbed by the paper towel. Take the die out with another piece of paper towel (it will be hot), and, if necessary, poke any remaining lead particles or other junk out of the holes with a Q-Tip shank.

    The low heat and the short time prevents your next casserole or soufflé from tasting like Alox.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

    avogunner's Avatar
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    Boiling works just fine but I use a heat gun. Just set the die on paper towels, a minute or two with the heat and it's all done. I do this all the time when changing lube or dies between sizers. Quick and easy!

    Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    Hickory's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bent Ramrod View Post
    I put a piece of paper towel on a piece of aluminum foil, put the assembly in the oven, stand the die on it, and turn the oven to “Low.” Twenty minutes later, all the lube is absorbed by the paper towel. Take the die out with another piece of paper towel (it will be hot), and, if necessary, poke any remaining lead particles or other junk out of the holes with a Q-Tip shank.
    This is what I do, works great and little or no mess.
    Political correctness is a national suicide pact.

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  9. #9
    Boolit Master



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    Quote Originally Posted by Hickory View Post
    This is what I do, works great and little or no mess.
    Me too.
    So many guns, so little time
    _____________________________

    You must pay for everything in this life - nothing is free, except for the grace of God.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check