Ideal #1 Sizer

[Green Frog]

All I can figure is that this old #1 Lubri-Sizer just didn't get noticed. I got it for the opening bid, which wouldn't have been a super great deal except it has both the clamp and wrench included! I already have one I've been using for years, so I think I'll probably set this one up dedicated to a .313" sizing die and a fairly soft lube so as to avoid putting too much stress on it. My old home brewed "Frog Guano" lube might be a good candidate, or maybe even the old school black lube from Ideal if I can find a steady source.

Froggie

[kootne]

Froggie, do those take the same dies as the later Lymans?
Thanks,
Dennis

[NoZombies]

Froggie, do those take the same dies as the later Lymans?
Thanks,
Dennis

I'm not Froggie, but yes, basically. The O-ring was added when the 450 was introduced, the #1 and #45 sizers use set screws to secure the H die in the sizer body. The O-ring dies still have a groove in the body so that they can be secured in the older sizers.

The non-o-ring dies are more prone to leaking lube around the top in the newer sizers, and the o-ring can cause the newer dies to be a little snug in the older sizing presses, but they are all at least basically usable through the generations.

[Bazoo]

Neat, thanks for sharing. Wasn't there also a number 2?

[Green Frog]

Since NZ answered your first question, let me start by answering your second one with a yes. Ideal made a #2 Lubricator-Sizer, a sort of "industrial grade" unit... in fact there was one on the 'Bay recently at a starting bid of $1000 IIRC. There has been discussion of this very one on the ARTCA Forum in the last week or so, and it turns out that they were never all that common, being big and expensive, and had as their target market military armories.

Back to the dies for the various sizing dies, in a rare case of practicality, Lyman has kept the same basic size and design of dies so that the newest die can be used in the oldest press. The reverse is not true, however as the O-ring that was added to the later dies is necessary to seal the later presses, so the old dies don't work well there. I don't plan to look very hard for "original" dies for this one, since the newer ones work well by design.

Froggie

[ndnchf]

That's sweet. I need to start scanning ebay more closely !

[Green Frog]

That's sweet. I need to start scanning ebay more closely !

I’m still kinda gob smacked with this particular transaction. I’ve seen the clamp go by itself for nearly what I paid for the whole thing, and the wrenches are almost as expensive. I guess the stars just aligned for me this time, but I will admit I went back in with just an hour or less to go and significantly increased my “automatic” bid, but nobody else challenged my opening bid, so that was all I had to pay.

I got my first one nearly 20 years ago at “The Nation’s Gun Show” in Chantilly, VA under similar circumstances for only $30. I didn’t think lightning would strike twice, but I guess it did. In the meantime I’ve seen some pretty good deals on presses missing the clamp and/or wrench, but those items make up a significant cost to the package and complete sets have been crazy high.

I’m just counting my blessings and waiting for this one to arrive.

Froggie

[ndnchf]

Every once in a while the stars align that one looks almost like new.

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the info.

I use one of the older dies without O rings in my 450. I don't have any issues with it leaking. It had a step inside instead of a tapered lead. I changed it to a tapered lead. I use it without issues.

[smithnframe]

Looks like a neat old lubrisizer.......good score!

[Green Frog]

Thanks for the info.

I use one of the older dies without O rings in my 450. I don't have any issues with it leaking. It had a step inside instead of a tapered lead. I changed it to a tapered lead. I use it without issues.

That was the longtime complaint... that step had a tendency to shave lead rather than squeeze it into place. It became an article of faith for the schuetzen community that you had to have a properly sized mould so you could shoot your bullets as cast. As you discovered, simply putting a taper at the mouth of the die eliminated the problem. I guess to be historically correct one would have to use the inferior, old style die, but for once, “New and Improved” really is!

Froggie

[Eddie Southgate]

Way to go Froggie ! Lucky for both of us that I didn't see that one .

[ascast]

nice snag ! I saw that myself and decided it would go high out of sight and never looked back opps ! Lightning will strike twice. I have on two separate occasions found the top for the #6 powder measures in a odd box or pile of stuff. gotta keep a sharp eye out...

[Green Frog]

The good news is that a package arrived at my door late yesterday afternoon, containing a complete #1 Lube Sizer. Mechanically it seems fine. The bad news is that it had been recently slathered with black enamel which in places was still a little soft and sticky. It’s definitely worth (to me) what I paid for it, but I kinda wish they’d left the paint in the can!

The top punch looks like it was intended for a RN 38 bullet and there is no sizing die, just the empty hole. I haven’t checked into what (if any) lube is in it. All in all, I’m pleased with my purchase. I just have to let the new paint finish drying and hardening or strip it off and start again.

Froggie

[ndnchf]

Too bad about the paint. I'd strip it before it fully cures. If you don't leave the stripper on too long, you can probably get it off without harming the old oruginal paint.

[Oyeboten]

Anyone have a picture of an "IDEAL No. 2" Lube-sizer Press?

I'd like to see what one looks like!

[Green Frog]

If you can get onto the ARTCA forum, there was a thread there about the one that sold recently on fleaBay. It’s pretty impressive.

Froggie

[Green Frog]

Lightning has struck again! While perusing the ’Bay I spotted a poorly presented First Model Lubricant-Sizer. The kicker was that although it was missing the wrench, it had the clamp, which was held in place by the surprising expedient of using what appears to be an old “Super Ball” to clamp it on. Several years ago I had bought an orphan wrench and stashed it, knowing I would need it someday. As a bonus, this is a Middlefield example, while my previous examples were New Havens. Life is good!

Froggie

[Bazoo]

Nice score, congratulations. I love to find a poorly represented deal.

[Green Frog]

The best opportunities I’m finding on the ‘Bay these days generally come from people who either go to auctions or yard salads or are selling grandpa’s stuff that they don’t know what it is or white what to call it. It sneaks through that way.

Froggie