scratched die

[ranger1962]

I recentlybought a set of RCBS dies in 38 cal when I went to use them I found that the sizing die has some bad scratching in side the die and scratches the **** out of my brass how can I or can I fix this die?

[BK7saum]

The die may not be scratched. I've had steel dies that scratched cases due to brass/grit on the die walls. This was because of improper lube and brass transfer to the die walls. Once it starts it keeps building up and scratching cases deeper.

I soaked the inside of the die with copper solvent or kroil. Then ran a tight fitting patch into the die on a mandrel and spun with a drill to polish the interior and knock off the brass buildup.

Anyway that's been my experience. If the die is truly scratched a little flitz on the tight patch should fix the problem.

Brad

[ranger1962]

you might well be right it looks like brass dust in there now all I have to do is find a solvent. What about brake fluid ? I live in a small town with limited access to most anything lol

[km101]

Ranger, any of the bore cleaners that say they contain copper solvent will work. Or the auto parts stores in Abilene may have Kroil (brand name). If that is not avialable, use auto body rubbing compound (fine) mixed with oil. Just go slow and dont try to remove metal.

[Bwana]

Short piece of wood dowel and a strip of oiled wet/dry sandpaper (400 or finer) and polish it up with a drill. Done it several times over the years.

[ranger1962]

Thanks for all of the info I will try them when I get home from work thanks.

[Shiloh]

What Bwana said. Chase it Flitz on a piece of cloth. Mirror finish.

Shiloh

[Char-Gar]

I routinely polish all of my sizing dies. Not only does it remove any scratches, but reduces the amount of force needed to size the cases. I do this with handgun and rifle dies alike. Here is how I do it;

1. I clean the inside of the die with alcohol.

2. I wrap strips of paper shop towels (they are stronger than kitchen paper towels) around a bore mop of the right caliber and slather the outside of the paper with metal polish.

3. I use Mother's Mag polish because I have some around. Any kind of metal polish will work, including tooth paste.

4. Spin the mop/paper/polish in the die. You can use a hand drill, drill press or in my case a lathe. It only takes a few in and out passes to get the job done. A very quick process.

5. I then clean the die again with alcohol and that it that.

You are not likely to notice the reduction of force with a loading press, but use a hand die and it will become apparent very quickly.

To teach their own, but the thought of using any kind of abrasive paper in the die, no matter how fine, make me queasy at my stomach. You are going to be removing some metal and that is not the idea.

[Bwana]

"To teach their own, but the thought of using any kind of abrasive paper in the die, no matter how fine, make me queasy at my stomach. You are going to be removing some metal and that is not the idea."

Take some anti-acid and your tummy will feel better. Your sizing die will be ok too.

[johnnybar]

I know a guy that swore by using steel wool wrapped around a bore brush chucked in a drill to de-lead revolver barrels! If you create a brushed or satin finish, you have removed metal which is not necessary to remove brass or grime from a die. Go gentle with a polish...it works with no risk to the dies finish. If you have a die that is truely scratched into the die's metal, more agressive methods may be in order but, some degree of sizing change will occur, however so slight it may be.

[DLCTEX]

I have repaired a few with abrasive cloth and a drill. Go slow, less is more. After all, if it's scratching brass what do you have to lose?

[birdadly]

If it turns out to be a bad die from the company I bet they will replace it.

I recently asked them about a die that I probably ruined myself (still looking into how), and they said they'll send a new part under warranty. My brass was getting marked up after expanding the case mouth, so I looked at it and geesh it's horrible. The only thought of mine so far is that this is my first time reloading brass that I wet tumbled with SS pins and I did see that the mouths looked a bit dinged up... I wonder if they were and if they ruined the expander plug.

Worth a shot if it ends up being worse than just dirty. -Brad

[Case Stuffer]

Brass which is perfectly clean and dry can be hard on sizing dies and expanders. I have never wet tumbled brass but I would say the expander or the inside of the case needed a hint of lube. I throw my clean brass in the viberator with fine walnut treated with Nu Finish for around 30 min. before running it thru my progressive. YOu could be right and the necks may need a slight deburing. There are a lot doing the wet / stainlees pins cleaning these days so there may be others with more experience.

[.22-10-45]

Hello, birdlady..I'll bet if you polish that expander that brass will come right off, and surface will be fine...I think what you have is galling..pulling brass off from inside case..just like metal jacket fouling inside a bore. I always rub a bit of case lube on fingers and rub across every 3rd. or so case when expanding..Motor Mica works well also.

[FLHTC]

I use a strip of Scotch Brite pad on a cleaning rod jag and follow up with a shotgun mop covered with chrome polish.