lapping dies out?

[arjacobson]

What kind of tools are you guys using to final lap your swage dies? Do I just make up some different size rods and running lapping compound on them? Any help will be much appreciated

[BT Sniper]

Think I have tried everything execpt what should be used. I suppose a brass lap that is contured to the exact shape is the way to go. I have used wood of all sorts with lapping compound, sandpaper, brass cases swaged to fit the die, and even a copper tube worked well.

I really don't think you can go wrong with whatever you use. Of course you have to be careful not to go to fast and check often. Pin guages work well for me to ensure I don't go to far with the laping.

Wood will possibly break in your die so be sure you can push out the stuck portion from the top when it does. I have read about people using a piece of oil soaked leather to lap with too. For a final polish soft balso wood will conform very well to the shape of the die and with it covered in flitz you should get a great smooth surface.

I even saw what looked like a steel lap in the .700 copper cup bullet thread. Think I tried a steel lap once. As I recall I got it stuck in the die and got scared I would never be able to remove it. I did of course but it is all a learning experience.

Go slow you'll do fine.

Good shooting,

BTSniper

[arjacobson]

Bt-thanks a bunch. I was thinking along the lines of brass but now that you mention it I have some nice hard maple that would probably work also.. The quest continues...

[jixxerbill]

to just lap straight wall dies i use this company..www.americanlap.com..for nose forming dies some use lead swaged in the die and removed then put compound on it for a lap..ive had pretty good luck using d-reamers to cut the die and had to do very little polishing...the more time you spend polishing the d-reamer before cutting it in half the better finish you will get in the die...bill

[MuzzleFlush]

Thanks BT Sniper Balsa wood did the trick for me. I didn't have Flitz but some Blue Magic (almost the same) worked just fine, now I get good ejection. I'll harden the dies tomorrow and then bring the die to final size.

Thanks

[BT Sniper]

Glad I could help.

Swage on!

BT

[fc60]

Greetings,

I have a Sunnen Hone I use to size my straight wall swaging dies.

I have a variety of mandrels for the more common bullet sizes.

If anyone has need of my service to size a die, send me a PM.

Cheers,

Dave

[scrapcan]

fc60

Welcome and Nice to have you on the forum.

Have you had the chance to lap shapes with the machine?

[fc60]

Greetings,

No point forming yet. Too labor intensive.

Cheers,

Dave

[vinny1892]

question what do you all polish your swagging dies out to grit wise is 800 to 1000 grit fine enough? Pm me please with an answer thanks

[Ballistics in Scotland]

If you are doing it freehand, don't use an ordinary electric drill. The armature is never perfectly balanced, and they will tend to wobble. An electric screwdriver is slower, but will conform better to the bore of the die.

Diamond paste in syringes is available from China on eBay, and amazingly cheap as diamonds go. I suppose it is a byproduct of cutting industrial diamonds. Whether it works any better than fine silicon carbide powder (available from lapidary shops) I don't know. On nitride surfaces it may. But the closely graduated series of grit sizes in microns is worth having.

[rbuck351]

Man, would I like to have a Sunnen pin hone

[blaser.306]

question what do you all polish your swagging dies out to grit wise is 800 to 1000 grit fine enough? Pm me please with an answer thanks
I am currently stopping @ 8000 grit but plan to go finer yet!

[midnight]

So far I havn't tried a point form die but through hole dies are lapped with expandable laps from Flexolap. They make both through hole and blind hole laps. They are a brass barrel with slits that screws on a steel mandrel. A cone shaped wedge screws in and out to expand it. I use Clover lapping paste in 200, 600, and 1200 grit. Flits also works well for a final polish. I like the balsa wood idea. I may use it on lead tip punches.

Bob

PS. Laps can get expensive. I think a set of six laps runs about $70. I was lucky and found a set of over a hundred laps and a whole box of extra replacement barrels for $75. I think another brand is Accro Laps. Watch on e-bay and you may find a bargain. Used machinery auctions like Hoff are also places to check out.

[vinny1892]

ok thanks