Swaging lead wire

[tbird1960]

I built a device to swage lead wire from a billet and drilled the exit hole .189. The lead wire that I have extruded out comes out .192 or .193. Has anyone else experienced this problem? This will not allow the cut core to enter the die and I guess I will have to plug the device with a bolt and drill a new smaller hole.

[GerryM]

I'm not sure why its that size but your fix will be a good one. you can make several bolts for different sizes. There are posts here about extruding lead wire.

[frank martinez]

I don't have a ton of experience but have helped do this several times on a hydro press. Part of the reason may be the heat generated by forcing the lead through the opening. Our Billets are exact size for the die and when forced through the opening the lead becomes too hot to touch. This "liquid" state may then swell out as it cools and becomes hard again.
Frank

[tbird1960]

The bolt may work better anyway since I can then change it if I need a different size for different bullets.

[firefly1957]

Yes I have done the same I made my own core cutter so I just drilled a new hole for bigger size. I drilled both dies with same drill one wire came out at .185 the other .193?

[GerryM]

I know what they do at the lead works.
they grease the billet to cut down friction, and it still comes out hot''
Ive seen them use heavy gloves to handle the wire.

[beastybronco]

How much pressure is needed to get the lead to flow?

[GerryM]

That depends on the size of the lead billet. small billets can be made on a reloading press
short 40 cal to 185 or so.
Larger billets of lead require tons of pressure.
Some have used log splitters and some garage presses 10 tons and up.
Its all relative to the diameter of the billet There are posts here from some of our guys makeing their own wire. One touches on corbins die set.

[DukeInFlorida]

If you run ww alloy the pressure will be higher than with pure lead.
I mistakenly ran some ww boolits as mini-ingots into core extrusion die, and had a bitch of a time getting the wire to extrude. Will stick to pure lead for those in the future. Lubing the outside of the lead also helps keep pressures down.

[alfloyd]

"ww boolits as mini-ingots into core extrusion die"

Duke:
I told you not to use ww for extruding when I sent you the die. :)
Just had to try it huh? :kidding:

Lafaun

[DukeInFlorida]

LOL............

I never listen. That's how I learn.

Gonna try Linotype next..............

J/K

[Lizard333]

LOL............

I never listen. That's how I learn.

Gonna try Linotype next..............

J/K

I'm only a beginner, but even I know that isn't go to end well. I'll save you the trouble, just send me your intact die now before to split it down the middle. Lube won't help much I'm thinking.......:)

[firefly1957]

I used some not soft lead (range scrap) and a 10 ton press would not work until lead hit 300 degrees. Then it flowed fine that was measured with a noncontact thermometer.

[GerryM]

So what your saying is you heat the die up?
A tourch? or some other means? sounds right if you have a problem.

[firefly1957]

My home made die had a .81 bore and the end is removable I fill the bore with molten lean place piston in and use a harbor freight 10 ton manual log splitter to extrude lead wire right now I make .193 & .34 wire I use the .34 for pistol up to .452 and the .193 for 22 center fire. I also cut 60 gr lengths and use 3 in a .45 half jacket and swage into a 200 gr bullet that opens up in a soft target.

And yes I heat the die in the log splitter as needed to get wire to flow.

[GerryM]

now thats a great idea'' The die is also a mold of sorts . your extrudeing the wire warm