Modifying Lee 6 cavity handle to Lyman 2 cavity block

[ohland]

Well, my long awaited RCBS 243-095-SP mould arrived. Had to modify the Lee 6 cavity handles to work. Some figures:

Ideal/Lyman mould slots: .312"
RCBS mould slots: .300"
Lee mould handles: .306" up to .310"[smilie=b:

Having read this site, I took my destiny in my own hands. With my trusty steed (X3) I galloped into the sunrise. Note that I unbolted the handles and marked both down sides. This leaves the top side alone.
Since it would be simply stupid if one machined both halves on the same side... Then, using a pair of 1-2-3 blocks, I clamped each handle down. Note that one block is there to support the end of the handle during cutting.

To get height, I ran my end mill down, touched off on the 1-2-3 block, set zero, then ran it back up .298". Now is this mill perfectly trammed? Heck, no! But I did touch off on a 1-2-3 block while I traversed the table. Came up within a thou each time. Since the workpiece is clamped to the 1-2-3, it will be .298" up to the cutter at that point. Close enough.

The chips came out as copper-toned. Don't know what the alloy is, but it probably is not 1018 steel.


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_179094d8ba74f7113e.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=306)

Note to those clamping: Do not clamp above air! The pieces have a recessed center, so one set will let you clamp directly on it, with it being supported on the block. The other handle's down side will be up off the block.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_179094d8ba7724b6d7.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=307)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_179094d8ba780abe50.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=308)

End product
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_179094d8ba79bbe438.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=309)

Front of the moulds don't quite want to open on the front lower side, they are fine until you squeeze the handles together. They are getting better. Don't know if I left the handles too thick, wonder what expansion will do to the fit. They wiggle easily now, but what will it be at 700+ Fahrenheit.

[dragonrider]

Lee handles are inexpensive, and reasonably good, but not terrebly strong. They are not cut from steel or forged, they are pressed powdered metal. Reducing thier size only weakens them. I recut the slots in the molds rather than machine the handles. I would rather have all my molds with the same slot than have some handles smaller than others.

[Ben]

They wiggle easily now, but what will it be at 700+ Fahrenheit ?

Something is BAD wrong if those handles ever get 700 + degrees, under normal casting operations I'd think those handles wouldn't get much past 350 or so.................

[ohland]

Cast today, no issues with the Lee 6 cavity mold handles on an RCBS 243-095-SP mold. The issue appears to be with the mould locating pins
Inner pin height: .140"
Outer pin height: .153"

The mould starts to open with a thin crack from the top, then it hangs down at the bottom, where the locating pin stops it. Once I degreased them (good use for gas), it helped. But it does not help when casting to have to jerk the mould open and the bullet bounces around.

My dad was casting with an Idea 245496 single cavity, at about 800 degrees. As soon as he opened it, the lead ran out like water. He finally turned the pot down...

:cbpour:

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Cast today... The issue appears to be with the mould locating pins
Inner pin height: .140"
Outer pin height: .153"


those pins can be gently driven in or out to achieve the best
non-sticking openablity. But, before you do that, use some
Sprue-plate lube on them,
Bullshop's "Bullplate" is the best.
Jon