View Full Version : Opening up a sizing die
Fugowii
06-04-2010, 05:58 PM
I have a .430 die for my Star that I would like to open up to .4315-.432 and was
thinking about running some hard cast (sized .430) boolits through it coated with valve
lapping compound until it opens up a bit. Anyone ever done this? I was planning on
using the Star to push the boolits through the die but not going far enough down to
engage the lube plunger.
hoosierlogger
06-04-2010, 06:08 PM
I think someone suggested emery cloth on a dowell rod in the drill to open it up a bit.
Fugowii
06-04-2010, 06:14 PM
I think someone suggested emery cloth on a dowell rod in the drill to open it up a bit.
I saw that but I'm a bit worried about taking too much off and/or getting the die out of
round. I figure with an already sized boolit and lapping compound I would be safer.
garandsrus
06-04-2010, 06:42 PM
I think it would take a whole bunch of boolits run through the die to enlarge the die that much... With lead's lack of spring back, I don't know if you could run a boolit through twice and do anything useful.
When I run a lubed/sized boolit back through the star to add some lube to the top half of the die, there is very little resistance.
John
Go to CastPics, click on Research and Data, and click on Honing A Sizing Die.
Fugowii
06-04-2010, 09:00 PM
Go to CastPics, click on Research and Data, and click on Honing A Sizing Die.
Thanks!
You're welcome.
I've done it on a couple sizer dies. Cast up a bunch of test boolits in advance. Go slow. Every so often, clean the die, run a boolit through it, and measure. You'll get there.
Fugowii
06-04-2010, 10:10 PM
Go to CastPics, click on Research and Data, and click on Honing A Sizing Die.
Thanks!
legi0n
06-06-2010, 10:15 PM
The die is hardened steel. It won't open up easily.
I did that with a lead plug smeared with coarse valve lapping compound and a cordless drill. Ran it a couple of minutes between size checks. Took me a couple of hours for 1.5 thousands.
One of the problems you have is the lead is soft & the grains in the compound inbed
in the soft lead.If you had a lathe to turn down a mild steel rod about .429 it would
work as a lap & get you there.
If you don't have a way to turn it down, 320 grit emery cloth in a split rod will work.
Just take it slow & try not to taper it.Even if it does get a little taper on the ends
& the center is to size it will still size your boolit.Also don't run your drill to fast &
use some AMT fluid, mixed with a little kerosene.That makes a good honing oil when
your out of the real stuff.
Hope this helps
Fly
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