Cracked Lee die carbide

[abunaitoo]

So, I managed to crack the carbide on my 500 S&W die.
Looking for a replacement, but it seems everyone is out of stock.
Except Lee Precision.
Common problem????
Thinking Lee dies used to have a lifetime warranty, I went to the Lee Precision site.
I guess they changed their warranty.
Now it's only two years, and have to have a receipt.
I sent an email to them to ask anyway.
Hoping for the best.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I'll bet that they make it right. I've had several dealings with them in the past and never been disappointed.

DG

[Delkal]

They has some kind of warranty where they will replace anything for 1/2 of their MSRP + shipping. Problem is that is close to what you can get a new one for from other vendors.

[deces]

It's still a way better price than the competitors.

[Gtrubicon]

How did you crack the die?

[bosterr]

The carbide size ring broke with my .475 Linebaugh. Andy Lee told me by email it's quite common on big diameter calibers. I sent it in and was replaced. I sold the set and bought a RCBS set and it's still going strong.

[poppy42]

I would call Lee, not email,call! Ask for Brenda! You have nothing to loose. From what I hear it’s not really that uncommon to crack the cardboard ring.

[castmiester]

For precision buy Redding and never look back. I can understand a pressed in carbide ring would fail.

Here’s what l found…

Tungsten, on the other hand, is a denser, heavier metal that is more scratch-resistant than titanium, but more prone to cracking

[racepres]

How did you crack the die?

My friend can break one at any time...Bought the Heaviest Duty Press available (at the time) and insists once shell holder touches die...another 3/4 of a turn in!!! Duh

[35 Rem]

My friend can break one at any time...Bought the Heaviest Duty Press available (at the time) and insists once shell holder touches die...another 3/4 of a turn in!!! Duh

That ought to do it for sure! :)

[schutzen-jager]

probably be a hassle to have Lee honor their 1/2 price warranty - if you live in a state that collects sales tax they will refuse to ship it to you - they will refer you to one of their distributers + most have inflated pricing + excessive shipping costs -

[wildwilly501]

My 475 Linebaugh was broken new in the box they sent me one but I had to send the broken one back first.

[schutzen-jager]

My 475 Linebaugh was broken new in the box they sent me one but I had to send the broken one back first.
that will only happen if no 1/2 price warrantee costs or any monetary charges exist - are involved - if you live in any state or territory that has a sales tax they will refuse to ship it to you -

[wildwilly501]

that will only happen if no 1/2 price warrantee costs or any monetary charges exist - are involved - if you live in any state or territory that has a sales tax they will refuse to ship it to you -

I really don’t know what you’re talking about but I can assure you they sent me one.

[schutzen-jager]

I really don’t know what you’re talking about but I can assure you they sent me one.

they only sent you one no charge because of a factory defect + there was no money required for you to pay - if it was under the 50% guarantee + any state or local tax involved they would absolutely refuse to ship it to you directly - lots of posts on here confirming this fact in the past - i do know what i'm claiming - speaking from recent personal experience as have many others have learned -

[abunaitoo]

I did get the 1/2 price warranty.
Had to pay for the shipping, so it came out to about the same if I got it from someplace else.
But places I've checked were out of stock, and I would have to pay for the shipping from them.
So it came out less.
Of course this money hungry state charges everyone a tax.
I hope they send it.

[abunaitoo]

Got the die today.
Fast shipping.
Comes with the new style lock ring.
First one I have.
I have some spare of the old style, so it's going to be swapped out.
I'm happy, happy, happy.

[WILCO]

I'm happy, happy, happy.

Best part of the story!!!!!

[abunaitoo]

How did you crack the die?

Looking at it again, the metal on the die body is so thin, it's not holding anything.
The carbide ring doesn't go all the way up.
Maybe 1/4".
So not much support if it needs lots of resizing.
I do lube even with the carbide.
I size all the way down, so maybe that's why it cracked.
I'll try sizing only the top half of the case.

[gwpercle]

If you get another carbide ... go ahead and keep useing Lubricant when resizing ...
The lubricant realy helps re-sizing , it lessens the force and stress that is put on the carbide ring ...also makes resizing easier .
Use a Business card to set a small gap between the shell holder and die/carbide ring ...don't let the die bottom edge / carbide ring contact the shell holder ...that puts pressure on the brittle carbide .
the thicness of a business card will help with cracking .
It's not just Lee carbide rings being 1/4" thick ... they all are .
Good Luck with that Big Bore !

Gary

[Tim357]

If you get another carbide ... go ahead and keep useing Lubricant when resizing ...
The lubricant realy helps re-sizing , it lessens the force and stress that is put on the carbide ring ...also makes resizing easier .
Use a Business card to set a small gap between the shell holder and die/carbide ring ...don't let the die bottom edge / carbide ring contact the shell holder ...that puts pressure on the brittle carbide .
the thicness of a business card will help with cracking .
It's not just Lee carbide rings being 1/4" thick ... they all are .
Good Luck with that Big Bore !

Gary

This! Never let the shell holder contact the carbide ring. If your brass isn't getting sized enough at the web, you may need a steel die.

[gwpercle]

This! Never let the shell holder contact the carbide ring. If your brass isn't getting sized enough at the web, you may need a steel die.

Truth is I have gone back to steel sizing dies in all my handguns except for an old Lyman Carbide set in 45 acp . The steel just seem to give more reloading life to a case . The 45 acp dies don't over-size the brass but they must be at least 45 years old ... maybe they were made different back then .
Gary