Lee mold question

[Joe S]

I found a double cavity lee mold in 38-55 which casts a bullet large enough for my Uberti High wall,(382). The problem is, one of teh cavities consistently produces a large lump at the sprue cutoff. I polished the underside of the sprue plate and the top surface of the mold because I was getting a lot of lead smear, what is the fix?

Thanks!

Joe S

[Bill*]

Any chance you could post some pics?

[stubshaft]

Cut the sprue sooner and use Bullplate on the bottom of the Sprue Plate.

[dragonrider]

Might be that you have to sharpen the sprue hole where is does the cutting of the sprue. You can do that with a 90 degree chamfer tool. Be careful and do not take much or you will open the hold too much, just a little bit at a time. Then you will need to flatten the bottom of the sprue plate.

[462]

Go up to the Classics and Stickiness sub-forum and read the Leementing thread.

The spruce cutter needs to sit flush with the mould blocks.

[Ben]

When the mold is cool . with the sprue plate closed, if you look from the side can you see any light between the blocks and the sprue plate ?

[grouch]

First try cutting your sprue by turning the sprue plate with a gloved hand or pot holder instead of hitting it with a stick. That usually cures the problem.
Grouch

[DLCTEX]

First try cutting your sprue by turning the sprue plate with a gloved hand or pot holder instead of hitting it with a stick. That usually cures the problem.
Grouch

And push down slightly while cutting.

[Joe S]

Here are some photos of the mold. I am thinking about adding a hold down pin like the one used by LBT, and loosening the sprue plate screw. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Joe S

[Joe S]

Not sure how to get the photo inserted, but I do have a public album that has photos of the mold.

Joe S

[williamwaco]

I am betting that is the back cavity.

Some one has been cutting off the sprue by hitting the sprue cutter at a downward angle. This causes the back of the sprue plate to rotate upward and pull out the screw that holds the sprue plate in place.

( Don't ask me how I know. )

I fixed mine by removing the sprue plate and polishing the top of the mold and the bottom of the sprue plate with 220 grit Wet/or Dry.

I then re-attached the sprue plate and drilled and tapped an 8x32 set screw to hold the sprue plate screw in place.

Yes, that was more work than a $18.00 mold is worth. But I am stubborn.


PS. That is a really accurate bullet in my .38-55.





.

[geargnasher]

Cut the sprue sooner and use Bullplate on the bottom of the Sprue Plate.

Bingo.

Gear