Jig to add set screw to Lock Nuts for Lee Dies with O rings

[RWL]

I wanted to title this the Cr_ppy Lee Lock Nut fixer, but I suspected the software wouldn't allow that. I actually like and use a lot of Lee reloading equipment, but their lock nuts with O rings are not one of their better ideas. Having recently acquired a 3D printer I designed a jig for drilling and tapping the lock nuts to put an 8-32 set screw in one of the points. Use brass set screws or you run the risk of deforming the threads on the die with a steel set screw.

You can find the files to make these at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7128380
I am not interested in selling these so you'll have to find someone to print this for you if you don't have your own printer or solicit someone to print one for you in the buy and sell forum.

03 Good fit of drill guide (Large).jpg

05c Drilling - note the marked corner is up - w text and arrow (Large).jpg

11 Ring with brass set screw on die (Large).jpg

[Remiel]

Out of curiosity, do you have one planned for thier new style non hex type?

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[jdgabbard]

Out of curiosity, do you have one planned for thier new style non hex type?

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Shouldn't be much different. There are already wrenches that have the geometry of those done. I'd simply design this as a blank, and then use the combine tool in Fusion 360 to subtract the outline of the wrench body.

[RWL]

Out of curiosity, do you have one planned for thier new style non hex type?

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

I'm not sure if there's enough metal in each of the little splines for the set screw to bite into. I had looked at the couple of those I replaced and was thinking about how those could be converted but didn't have immediate plans to do that since I had enough of the converted regular nuts. Lock nuts don't need to withstand a lot of force so it would probably be easier to just print a plastic lock nut [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3419273] and put a set screw in it. If you prefer the type with the splines, here's a print with the locking set screw designed to clamp the set screw in place https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6233564

[BCB]

I just clamped that Lee lock ring in a drill press vice and centered it as best as need be...

Drill a hole, not sure of the size now, and tapped it for a 10 or 8 32 tread. I would really need to go find one and see exactly what it was...

I use a brass screw and it works well...

No need for any of that machined perfect stuff for a set screw...

Just sayin'...

Good-Luck...BCB

[roysha]

I just clamped that Lee lock ring in a drill press vice and centered it as best as need be...

Drill a hole, not sure of the size now, and tapped it for a 10 or 8 32 tread. I would really need to go find one and see exactly what it was...

I use a brass screw and it works well...

No need for any of that machined perfect stuff for a set screw...

Just sayin'...

Good-Luck...BCB

Yup. That's exactly how I did it except I used a 6-32 cup point set screw with a piece of shot, I can't remember whether I used #5 or #6, so as to not bugger the threads.

[porthos]

jig?? it is not that hard!!

[William Yanda]

I don't have a 3D printer, but there is a library only 25 miles away that does. Hmmm.

[BCB]

Yup. That's exactly how I did it except I used a 6-32 cup point set screw with a piece of shot, I can't remember whether I used #5 or #6, so as to not bugger the threads.

Yep, I put the piece of shot in mine also--locked the ring tight--no movement and no worry about the rubber ring--bye, bye...

[Half Dog]

That’s a great idea.

[TNsailorman]

Been using shot to cushion the threads on the die since the late 60's. A really old reloader told about using shot to protect the threads and I listened. james

[rbuck351]

I just pull the o ring flip the nut upside down and just snug it down. If it's a die I want to set and lock, I just switch to another brand ring.

[Butcherbill]

Drill press vise, center punch, center drill, drill and tap. Not that the 3d printed jig is a bad idea but it’s not needed imho.

[RWL]

I've done some on my drill press over the years too, but the jig is just faster and easier and the hole is centered every time. I had a bunch to do. The jig would be helpful for the guys who don't own a drill press and have to do it all with a hand drill.

[RWL]

I just pull the o ring flip the nut upside down and just snug it down. If it's a die I want to set and lock, I just switch to another brand ring.

One of the things I forgot to mention in my original post is that the Fixer comes with files to make inserts to take up the space where the O ring used to be. That way you can mount the lock nuts in their usual orientation and get the positive stop of two solid objects. I had tried gluing the inserts in, but in some of the lock nuts I had to deal with squeeze out of the epoxy. In the end I made the inserts to be a press fit so you don't have to use glue. Installation is easy; put the lock nut and insert on a die; screw the die into the press and screw the lock ring down onto the insert to squeeze it into place.

Insert and lock ring with insert installed
18 Spacer and nut with one installed - cropped (Large).jpg

Inserting the spacer ring
07 Getting read to set the insert - cropped (Large).jpg

[RWL]

Out of curiosity, do you have one planned for thier new style non hex type?

I used a 6-32 cup point set screw with a piece of shot, I can't remember whether I used #5 or #6, so as to not bugger the threads.

I had originally discarded the idea of using a #6 set screw when I created the jig because of occasionally having had some difficulty over the years with stripped hex sockets in small screws (not necessarily in reloading dies though) but you guys got me thinking about it again.

As you can see in this photo of a #6 socket head screw and one of the spline drive lock rings, the screw is a little wider than the spline and would have to have a significant assist from the circumferential metal in the lock ring. Because of the O ring space, there isn't much metal there to grab into.
19 Spline style lock ring and #6 set screw (Large).jpg

I was particularly interested in whether a #6 screw would fit because I have a some Breech Lock bushings with O rings I'd like to convert. I had tried milling a hole across the splines like Lee does with their locking Breech Lock bushings, but the end mill broke through the wall where the O ring is. There just isn't enough metal there to convert these that way.
24 Breech Lock where milling broke through - cropped (Large).jpg

I may try making a plastic insert to fill the groove where the O ring was on the little spline drive lock rings and see if there's enough metal and plastic to catch the threads. If it works there it may also work on the Breech Lock bushings. It will be a longer term "when I get around to it" project though.

[BCB]

I see lots of nice well-thought out solutions, but sometimes the squeeze of the lemon is not worth the juice although I have drilled and tapped the Lee locking ring also...

Years ago, I purchased extra RCBS and Lyman rings and just use them in place of the rubber O-ring locking method...

Or, you can just borrow a ring from another set of dies you are not using and use it...

I also purchased dies at gun shows, not complete sets, just parts more or less and kept the rings from them...

Remember, this was a good many years ago, and things that I've mentioned were really quite affordable...

I haven't bought these accessories in years...

Good-Luck...BCB

[no-bama in 2012]

Those stupid O-ring lock rings that Lee supplies go right in the trash. I replace them with Hornady lock rings for the die body and jam nuts from Mcmaster.com for everything else.

[longarm60]

I actually liked the O-ring hex nuts... But, this spline-nut crap is garbage.

The only hold-up on replacing lock rings is the overhead for a turret full of dies.. Lock rings are not cheap, sans Lee.