Lee sprue plate replacement

[nagantguy]

One of my most used molds, lee .429-240 swc has a bent sprue plate I noticed boolits from one cavity were falling from the mold with a fine around the base the other cavity was dropping them perfect. So I looked close and could see day light above one cavity when the cover was closed. I did a quick search and only see replacment covers for 6 bangers. Is there a tried and true method for bending these back into shape , does lee sell replacments for the 2 cavity molds. Buying a new one isn't a big investment but this mold being the second one I ever bought and up till now my best I'd hate to replace it if I didn't have to.

[billyb]

is it bent or is the screw to tight? to tight sprue plate screw will cause the sprue plate to lift up on the opposite end. Bill

[swamp]

The problem that I have run into with Lee moulds is that sometimes the screw will not thread all the way into the hole. I would suggest you give Lee a call and discuss the problem with them. I have had very good results with them.
swamp

[retread]

Take the sprue plate off and lay it on a know true surface. If it is indeed bent, place it on a flat surface( preferably a thick chunk of brass or bronze) with the belly up and hit it with a brass hammer or a brass punch and other hammer. Check it again on your flat surface. It will probably be better but still have a slight belly to it. Repeat the hammer procedure but put a playing card under one end. Check again. If it still need more, repeat with two playing cards. Keep this up until it check straight on your reference surface.
Good luck.

[nagantguy]

Thanks guys , no it's bent did the dance with the goofy screw a long time ago and have thus mold leemented and running good. Don't know how it got bent, I don't gorilla beat on my molds to open them but I have cast huge heap o boolits with it guess it's showing it's age. As many of these as me and my daughter shoot, I may just invest in the same mold with six holes in it.