Loose Handle

[Swampman]

One of my older Ideal mold handles has a loose handle. Is there anything you can use to keep it on? I have JB Weld but I'm thinking the heat will get to it.

[C.F.Plinker]

Try the JB Weld first. If it doesn't hold then drill the tang and handle with a 1/16 bit and pin it in place with a piece of nail, brass rod, or welding rod.

[gbrown]

I use a good epoxy on my loose handles. Works well. I have bought old handles that others have done the same to. They all work great, also.

[dragonrider]

JB weld is the perfect material for this job. Stuff some into the hole push it on and it will never move again.

[waksupi]

Plaster of Paris sets handles very well.

[bruce drake]

5 Minute Epoxy works very well or if you have it on the shelf - Acra-Glass. I Glassed in a set of handles 10 years ago and they haven't shifted since.

Bruce

[chboats]

I have used JB and high temp RTV, from the auto parts store, both with good success (never had one fail)

Carl

[Swampman]

I'll try the JB Weld. Thanks!

[Danderdude]

Both handles on a Lee 6cav set came loose after about 6 hours of use, and like a fool I ended up pushing them too far back on, trying to get them to stick, and both ended up splitting halfway down.

I poured plain-jane red-label Titebond wood glue into the handles, put them back on, wiped off the excess and then held them on with 4 hose clamps as tight as I could ratchet them with a short 1/4" drive. 3 days later, removed the hose clamps, they came out perfect, and have been used for about 4000 boolits since then with no degradation of the glue or fit.

The only downside is that the glue acts as a heat bridge, so the handles heat up a little hotter, but not uncomfortably so.

[grouch]

I use silicone seal. It's pretty temp. resistant.
Grouch

[captaint]

I'm in the habit of JB'ing all of my mold handles., even brand new ones. I found that if I didn't - sooner or later they would wear loose and the job had to be done anyway. Mike

[Gunslinger1911]

Gorilla glue works also

[Horace]

I use RTV it handles the heat.

Horace

[Carolina Cast Bullets]

I've had that problem also but with the handle to the sprue cutter on Lee 6 holers. A trip to the "big box" hardware store for a few $2 wooden file handles and no more problem.

JB has not worked for me. Need to try the other solutions. Hi Temp RTV sounds good and the Acraglass even better

Jerry
Carolina Cast Bullets

[geargnasher]

Use Permatex Ultra Copper high-temp RTV to glue the handles on. Degrease the tangs, maybe even put a couple of nicks on the edges of the tangs with a file, and you will NEVER have them come off again. The RTV can handle far more heat than the wood of the handles.

Gear