How often to lube the sprue

[BCM45]

How often do you guys lube the sprue on your Lee molds? Every use, every other use, or once a year?

[selmerfan]

Every time I heat up the mold it gets a THIN coat of Bullplate on the first mold fill. I have ZERO smearing.

[Springfield]

About every 250 bullets seems to work well most of the time.

[462]

At the start of each casting session. After that, it depends on the particular mould.

[BCM45]

Do you remove the bolt each time or just put some close to it and let the lube work it's way in? DO you lube the whole sprue or just under the bolt?

[462]

Mould bolts and screws receive an one-time application of anti-sieze. The plate gets re-lubed as needed.

If you loosen or remove the cutter bolt, you will need to drill and tap and install a set-screw (8-32X3/16") to keep it in place. Look for the leementing sticky, or do a leementing search.

[stubshaft]

At the start of each casting session. After that, it depends on the particular mould.

+1 - After that as needed. Usually on long casting sessions when the lead starts to streak.

[btroj]

I just rub a slightly damp , with Bullplate, q-tip around the screw and under the sprue plate. It creeps enough to get where it needs to be. I use it at the beginning of a session and anytime the plate looks like it needs it.

Brad

[gtivan]

Why didn't i read this 5 hours ago?

Like before i broke the screw off in my mould.

[DeadHandRed]

oh dear..

[MtGun44]

+1 on stubshaft's comment

[timkelley]

When I first start with a new mold and then whenever lead starts trying to stick on the sprue plate.

[*Paladin*]

What Bullplate substitutes are there? One of these days I'll order some, but obviously there has to be a fairly suitable sub available at my local hardware or auto parts place. I've just been using Alox, because I don't have any grease in my garage that will survive the high temps.

[DeadHandRed]

One of these days I'll order some

no excuses Paladin.. i just received mine in the mail in New Zealand..

[cephas53]

What Bullplate substitutes are there? One of these days I'll order some, but obviously there has to be a fairly suitable sub available at my local hardware or auto parts place. I've just been using Alox, because I don't have any grease in my garage that will survive the high temps.

Have used Husky 2 stroke oil with good results. Just got my first sample of bullplate with a NOE mold, and it's all everyone says.

[wiljen]

What Bullplate substitutes are there? One of these days I'll order some, but obviously there has to be a fairly suitable sub available at my local hardware or auto parts place. I've just been using Alox, because I don't have any grease in my garage that will survive the high temps.

See other threads in the lube forum that have previously run.


ATTN: If this turns into another Bullplate vs. the others thread, I will lock it. DO NOT Start that up again.

[1Shirt]

I lube about every 200 bls or so.
1Shirt!

[Shakey Jakey]

I bought a big can of never-sieze about 35 years ago, you know, the stuff that gets all over everything whenever you get the can out, yeah, that stuff. Anyway, I take a Q-tip and apply it on and around the sprue bolt, and a THIN coat all over the sprue plate and on the top of the mould blocks, then wipe it clean with a rag. Works great. What is Bullplate? What is that stuff some guys put on their aluminum moulds that looks like chewing tobacco spittle?

[Doby45]

Paladin that two-stroke oil will work for ya until you Bull Plate arrives. I used the two-stroke for about a week while waiting on my Bull Plate, it does not last as long and tends to "creep" more, like into cavities. This was using the exact same application directions as Bull Plate.

[HeavyMetal]

I have been using antisieze for years.

Each "new"mold recieves a tear down and inspection when it arrives home the obvious burrs and such are taken care of and the sprue plate lubed, lightly, with antisieze.

Lee molds are treated the same way but get a set screw drilled and tapped to keep the sprue plate screw in it's correct position once everything is put back together.

Now antisieze will work to way hotter temps than my lead pot will ever reach but it does have a tendency to "dry" out as time moves on.

Since "discovering" Bullplate lube life has gotten much better! I keep a needle oiler filled with Bullplate lube on the casting bench and "spritz" a touch of it on the pivot point of the sprue plate when ever I think the particular mold I'm using needs it.

This has been a great combo and I don't see the galling of molds like I used to with this set up.