Lyman 31AR Expander plug not available any more?

[ohland]

Just got off the phone with a Lyman support individual.

Me: I'd like a 31AR expander plug for a Lyman M die
CS - 31AR?
Me - Yes, it's for the 32-40
CS- Wait -click- hold @3 minutes
CS - No we don't have a 32AR plug. You need to order the entire stem as well...
Me - I want a three one alpha romeo plug, yes I know it comes with the stem. My 32-40 is a little tight...
CS - No, we don't make the 31AR plug anymore...

Dear Lyman customer service - It would be AWESOME if you all published the parts list WITH part numbers so that customers could tell the cs rep EXACTLY what they are looking for...

[Ben]

Listening to their customers, I think not.

Ben

[wlc]

I wonder if a call back and talking to a different person would net different results? Seen it happen before.

[Maven]

I don't think you'll get anywhere by speaking to a different Lyman customer service rep., but it won't hurt to try. However, after you do that, assuming the answer is still the same, I'd send Buckshot a PM and see whether he can make what you want.

[beagle]

A visit to your local Ace Hardware with the die should turn up the right thread bolt for peanuts.

15 minutes on a lathe and you're set. Without a lathe, an hour or so with a drill press or electric drill and a flat file will make you one. I've made several. Take my word for it.......find a machinist with a lathe./beagle

[Longshots--]

I called Lyman today and talked with two customer service reps., needed two custom m die expanders, not much help. They said they no longer make custom m die expanders. Where can I get these made? Need another die body and some different length stems also?

[Longshots--]

I called Lyman today and talked with two customer service reps., needed two custom m die expanders, not much help. They said they no longer make custom m die expanders. Where can I get these made? Need another die body and some different length stems also?

[oldlincoln]

Give NOE's expanders a try. They make a Lee powder through expander into an "M" like die.

[Maven]

"Where can I get these made? Need another die body and some different length stems also?"

Longshots, Look up our member, Buckshot, and ask him whether he'll make what you need.

[gunwonk]

Reading the Lyman specs --
http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_LymanMDies.htm, for example

-- looks like you could buy a 32R plug, spin it in a drill press, take .002" off the diameter, and have a 31AR (still stamped 32R, but oh well :-) )

Probably wouldn't have to turn down the step, only the main plug.

They're hardened. I used a diamond file when I had to do something similar, but that was probably overkill. You could probably get by with fine sandpaper, backed up by something flat. (If you really mess up, it was only $8. :oops: )

Assuming they still make the 32R plug, of course. :-)

[Artful]

Give NOE's expanders a try. They make a Lee powder through expander into an "M" like die.

they are only showing pistol calibers 10mm, 38, 41, 44, 45 calibers
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=91&osCsid=q7cn3s4l32c27t27g9cv9l7p71

[dromia]

This is NOE's current range of "M" die style expander plugs for rifle calibres.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=88

They are about to expand the range with the following sizes, see post number 9.

http://noebulletmolds.com/smf/index.php/topic,456.0.html

[Artful]

Cool, how did I miss that on their site.

[rmatchell]

I also noticed that NOE make m die plugs to fit lee universal and powder through dies durring the end of year sale. It does look like a great option.

[Moonie]

Also note all of these exanders (even the powder through ones) are designed to be used in the Lee Universal Expander die, not the standard PTE dies.