This has not been my week for molds - I bought two used molds. First was a Lyman that was mis-marked but have that "problem" solved I think.
I needed a double cavity .490 round ball for my 50s - I was tired of casting in a single cavity. Long story short, I bought a double cavity .490 RB Ohaus mold off of fleabay (I know, not the best place to shop) but I figured I have had a number of Ohause molds over the years, still have some so how bad could it be
The mold blocks are what I would consider "large" - if it wee a Lyman/Ideal it would certainly take the large handles. The mold actually came with a set of large Lyman handles. The blocks were off of the handles so I stuck them on as I will be casting in the morning. BUT . . . after putting them on and closing the handles, the two halves did not come together at the back end towards the pilot bol of the handles - you could clearly see light. I check the blocks over again - nothing to cause them not to come together - no lead, nothing binding. I removed the blocks - put them together and they fit tight with no light as they should.
I have used Lyman large handles on my other Ohaus blocks the same size and they have worked just fine. I have accumulated a number of handles over the years so I dug out my box of handles and tried the blocks on six other Lyman large handles - same issue of the blocks not coming together.
The .490 blocks set against my other Ohause blocks are the same size and look the same.
I was under the impression that Ohause blocks would work on Lyman handles - but evidently the geometry on this pair is off just enough that they are not going to close tightly. Tomorrow, I'll pull out my box of NOE molds and take a set off a pair of the Lee 6 cavity handles and see if they will work - I ran out of light for the evening in the garage. I also have a couple sets of the old style Lyman 4 cavity handles and I'll give them a try.
Anybody else have a problem with set of Ohause blocks? I can't figure out why my other Ohause blocks work fine on Lyman handles and close tight and this set doesn't? I don't have much in this set of blocks and handle so if i can't get them to work with any of my handles, I'll probably look and get a set of Lyman or RCBS blocks when I run across them rather than dump more $$ in to a set of Ohaus handles.
Just curious to see if others have run in to this or am I just "lucky" that my other Ohaus blocks work on the Lyman handles I have?
Thanks
Jim