New type of Lee sprue plate screw??

[JIMinPHX]

I just got one of the 12 Ga. slug molds from Lee. When I took it apart to clean & lube it, I noticed that it had a shoulder screw holding the sprue plate on, rather than a self tapping screw with a separate collar. I'm wondering, are the slug molds different than the 2-cav boolit molds or is this a new type of screw that Lee is going to be using across the board now? I like the new screw better. Those self tappers were trouble in my book. The new screw is shown below with it's sprue plate & spring washer.

[geargnasher]

Hmmmm, I have several brand-new moulds and they all have the self-tapper, but I have no slug moulds. No telling when they were produced, though.

Gear

[RobS]

The shoulder screw would be a improvement to say the least. Those darn self tapping screws can ruin a person's day if they are trying to work on a mold.

[skimmerhead]

i took the sprue plate off of a 2 cav. .44 mold i've been having bout 6 months it had the sholder screw.

skimmerhead

[Doby45]

Both of my new 2 cav Lees have the shoulder screw.

358125RF

309170FP

[mooman76]

I'm not 100% sure but I think the older lee moulds had those.

[JIMinPHX]

I tried that mold out last night. That sprue plate screw needs a set screw in the side of it. That's easy enough to rectify.

[DCP]

Well

I just tried to get 1 loose for the 3rd time.
I used a fat handle driver and she wont budge.

The mold is stone cold

[skimmerhead]

try soaking it with kroil for a couple days, it might loosen up.

skimmerhead :cbpour:

[JIMinPHX]

Well

I just tried to get 1 loose for the 3rd time.
I used a fat handle driver and she wont budge.

The mold is stone cold

Try putting a philips head bit in a drill press. Use the down force of the drill press to get a good grip, then turn the drill chuck, using the chuck key for leverage. Another board member turned me on to that trick. It works about the best of anything that I've tried. In the past, I used to file 2 flats on the screw head & use a wrench.

[Doby45]

Heat the mold up before you try.

[DCP]

OK

This is a great Idea and a lot of others

Thanks


But

I was only trying to see what kind it was.
Do I really want to loosen it.
Like do I want to fix it if its not broken



Try putting a philips head bit in a drill press. Use the down force of the drill press to get a good grip, then turn the drill chuck, using the chuck key for leverage. Another board member turned me on to that trick. It works about the best of anything that I've tried. In the past, I used to file 2 flats on the screw head & use a wrench.

[JIMinPHX]

I always pull the sprue plate off to lube under it, but if you have good results without doing that, then leave her as she is.