Lee 6 cav mold handles on RCBS / Lyman?

[ghh3rd]

I read / heard somewhere (wish I remembered where) a while back that Lee 6 cavity mold handles could be used on RCBS and Lyman molds, although they might look odd.

Has anyone tried this?

Randy

[Tatume]

I use Lee handles on RCBS, Accurate, and LBT molds all the time. They are as good or better than RCBS handles (which will not work on Lee molds). Lyman molds are hit or miss; sometimes Lee handles don't work, particularly on four-cavity molds. Lee handles work fine on LBT two-cavity and four-cavity, and Accurate three, four and five-cavity molds.

[Hardcast416taylor]

I use LEE handles on about all of my different make molds. Perhaps that explains the 20 or so of these handles I have.Robert

[ghh3rd]

Glad to hear it may work for me -- I am looking at some RCBS and Lyman 2 and 4 cavity molds...

especially the Lyman 4-Cavity Bullet Mold #452460 45 Caliber (452 Diameter) 200 Grain Semi-Wadcutter ... hoping the Lee handles fit.

[ghh3rd]

Just ordered a Lyman 4-Cavity Bullet Mold #452460 ... fingers crossed that Lee 6 cav mold handles will fit.

[telebasher]

Just ordered a Lyman 4-Cavity Bullet Mold #452460 ... fingers crossed that Lee 6 cav mold handles will fit.
Well mine didn't fit on any of my Lyman 4 cavities, YMMV.

[Red River Rick]

Well mine didn't fit on any of my Lyman 4 cavities, YMMV.

That's because the slot in the Lyman 4X moulds is approximately 0.255" and the LEE handles are designed for a 0.312" slot.

You'll need to get a proper pair of handles, either made by Lyman, me or modify your Lee handles by grinding or machining, the "tong" portion thinner.

RRR

[gwpercle]

The Lee handles will fit Lyman 1 and 2 cavity blocks and NOE 3 and 4 cavity blocks , with no modifications . I have done this just recently.
go over to moulds ... maintenance and design heading , a sticky is posted showing interchangeability , it's 8th or 9th from the top. I printed it for future reference.
Gary

[Handloader109]

NOE 5cavity also..... :)

[Hardcast416taylor]

Red River Rick makes a very sweet set of handles for Lyman 4 holers.Robert

[murf205]

Here is what I do to keep the 6 cav Lee handles steady.164799 Drill all th way through and tap to 1647998/32. Makes them a lot more reliable. Nothing like having the wooden handle start coming off with a mold full of hot melt!

[Tatume]

I'll be surprised if the Lee handles work on the Lyman four-cavity mold, and I told the OP so in post #2. Anything can be modified to fit anything, but I found it worthwhile to just buy a set of Lyman handles for my Lyman four-cavity mold.

[ghh3rd]

good idea murf

[murf205]

Necessity is surely the mother of invention!

[HH928]

In my experience, Lee 6 cavity mold handles will not fit the RCBS two cavity mold, in spite of what is claimed on eBay.

[toallmy]

That's funny I have a set of lee 6 cavity handles on a couple RCBS 2 cavity molds .

[marek313]

I know I use Lee 6 cavity handles on Lyman 2 cavity molds just fine. I dont have any RCBS molds ...... yet ;) .

[MT Chambers]

Because of the cheap pot metal, if you try to alter or "thin" Lee handles or increase the size of the holes, to fit some molds, they will break. None of the other mold handle manufacturers use this type of metal to save on costs.

[Walter Laich]

That's because the slot in the Lyman 4X moulds is approximately 0.255" and the LEE handles are designed for a 0.312" slot.

You'll need to get a proper pair of handles, either made by Lyman, me or modify your Lee handles by grinding or machining, the "tong" portion thinner.

RRR

I have several pair of his handles and they are first rate. while you are at his site check out the aftermarket sprue plates he has; I have a number of those, too . . . it's all about making this hobby/obsession more enjoyable