Lee mold burrs, photos

[Carteach0]

Thought I would post some pictures of a new LEE six holer I just received from Midway USA.

Only took me a few minutes to get the mold cleaned up and it dropped bullets like a dream after warming it up a bit.

Open the handles and say "Boo", and they fall out.

[sundog]

Way to go, Teach! Why all of a sudden do I feel like I'm back in school? Looks like a typical Lee mould.

Anyway, all part of the Lee-menting process. Here's some more:

mould pics

They work real swell after a clean up, and a tune up.

[dubber123]

I didn't know Lee made a single lube groove RN ACP mould. Is this a new design?

[Dave Berryhill]

What did you use to deburr the edges of the mold, particularly around the edges of the bullet cavities?

[dubber123]

What did you use to deburr the edges of the mold, particularly around the edges of the bullet cavities?

Peresonally, I use my Gerber pocket knife, (kept very sharp), and just very carefeully shave off the burrs. Lee aluminum is quite soft. Don't go overboard, just take off whats required to put it back at the level of the block faces. Haven't hurt one yet. A small fine cut flat file held on the block faces might be a safer option.

[sundog]

Chamfer the edge of block faces with a fine stone. Added advantage it that under the sprue plate you add an extra vent line. Go easy. Real easy.

Around the cavity edges, sometimes a light brushing with a bronze brush is enough to remove a burr, or a HAND HELD dremmel stone of appropriate size and shape to touch up specific spots. Be creative, but go easy. A little bit of magnification helps a lot.

[Dave Berryhill]

Deburring is easy. Deburring without cutting a big chamfer is a little more difficult.

I remember reading about someone using a small piece of hard wood to rub along the edge of the cavities to remove the burrs and was curious if anyone else had luck with this method. I thought I'd try the least destructive method first since I can always resort to a stone, file or blade if that doesn't work. The bronze brush is a good idea to try. Thanks!

[monadnock#5]

OptiVISOR, 5X, made by Donegan Optical Co., Lenexa, Kansas. Hands free magnification for the age impaired. Pricey, but worth its weight in gold.

[IcerUSA]

For deburring I use an Hard Arkansas Stone , about 1" wide and about 1 1/2" long and lightly polish the burrs off , also repeat after polishing the cavities .

Works for me .

Keith

[Dave Berryhill]

+1 on the Optivisor. I've been using one for gunsmithing for years. Sadly, I'm finding that I need to use it more and more as I'm getting older.

[Carteach0]

I used some small rat tail files. An old Chinese set I bought decades
ago and still haven't worn out. VERY light pressure, almost just letting
the file do it's stuff under it's own weight.

When I was done, it just looked normal, except the burrs were not there anymore.
No sign a file had been near it.

I talk about it here:

http://carteach0.blogspot.com/

[Carteach0]

I didn't know Lee made a single lube groove RN ACP mould. Is this a new design?

It's a 9mm mold.

The .45 ACP mold has two grooves (just came yesterday).

[dubber123]

It's a 9mm mold.

The .45 ACP mold has two grooves (just came yesterday).

Aah, that explains alot!

[Buckshot]

...............Some of the stuff in my "Mould Prep Box". Lee's aren't the only ones needing the occassional helping hand:



Deburring is done with the knife under magnification.

..............Buckshot

[buck1]

I use a riffler file to slot a grove between the cavities also., on one block. They breeth great that way.
I have to break out my goodies to prep my new475-400 keith GB mold.

[MtGun44]

I use the 10x Optivisor from our local supplier here in Lenexa.......

Bill