Lyman 450 handle pin size

[GiddyUp]

Could someone that has a Lyman 450 lubesizer tell me what size the pins in the handle are, both length and diameter? I recently purchased one on ebay and discovered that the handles like to pop off all the time while sizing. Pretty annoying! I want to stop by the hardware store on my way home and get some bolts and nuts to fit it. I figured I would ask the group in hopes that it save me a trip of having to go home and measure and then go back into town. Thanks!

[Ed_Shot]

I use 1/4" x 4" hex head bolt....recommend using Grade 8.

[GiddyUp]

Thank you Ed Shot! Good call on the Grade 8, I'll grab them on the way home.

[Ed_Shot]

Thank you Ed Shot! Good call on the Grade 8, I'll grab them on the way home.

Sorry just measured , I was away from the house, you need a 1/4 x 2" bolt ( not 4"). My bad!

[metricmonkeywrench]

I would wonder why the handles are popping off. Which type handle do you have the one with stamped plates and a big J shape or the straight stick with a ball on the end? I have both styles that size with no issues.

There should not be that much force required to where things flex. Do you have a stiff lube that should have some heat to flow well?

[GiddyUp]

Metric Monkey Wrench...I have the one with stamped plates and the "J" handle. The pins are 2" long and don't have any way of being secured on the ends (like a cotter pin, e-clip, or nut). It doesn't require very much force to make one side pop off the pin. I've heard of others having the same issue. I don't feel like it's a lube issue because I can recreate the issue without sizing/lubing a bullet, just running the ram up and down. But I'm using Lyman Ideal Bullet Lube.

[GiddyUp]

Ed Shot....No worries. I discovered that a 4" bolt wasn't the right size when I got home. LOL! About 2" too long. I think I'm going to attempt to find some 2.25" x .25" grade 8 bolts with washers on both ends. I'll pick up some 2" x .25" bolts as well. I appreciate you helping me!

[Rich/WIS]

The 2.25 X .25 should work but make sure there is enough length for a nut. Forget the correct name but get the locking nuts that have the nylon insert to keep them from coming loose. The bolts on my 450's have a hole on the end that takes a cotter pin so your bolts may not be original. Some bolts are only threaded the last 1/2 inch or so with the rest of the length smooth, might want to use ones like that so the wear surface where the linkages rub are smooth.

[45DUDE]

I have 6--450s and there three bolt designs. A photo would help.

[GiddyUp]

For anyone that reads this in the future, the 2.25" x .25" bolts, a flat washer on each end, a lock washer and an acorn nut worked perfectly. You could get by with 2" x .25" bolts and a standard nut, but it kind of pinched the bars together and it inhibited the operation slightly.

[gwpercle]

Lyman used to sell a 450 handle upgrade / conversion kit .
It has all the parts to convert the old stamped parts to the Round Ball handle like the 4500 . I bought a complete kit a couple years ago ... they may still have them in stock ... if anyone wants / needs a conversion kit ... price was right and it comes with all the parts .
Gary