Hensley & Gibbs 3-cavity moulds

[fc60]

Greetings,

I have an H&G 3-cavity mould I am sure has been modified.

The bolt for the sprue stop and hinge measure 6 x 1.0 mm.

I have several two-cavity moulds and those fasteners are 10-32 Filister head screws.

So, does anyone own an original, unaltered, H&G 3-cavity mould that can verify the fasteners for me?

Cheers,

Dave

[Texasflyboy]

Dave,

Except for a few of the hinge screws, most of the hardware on the early H&G moulds were common hardware. As for 3 cavity moulds, they are indeed rare by my own observations. I can safety say that of ALL the 3 cavity moulds I have seen from Hensley & Gibbs, 90% were rifle caliber models. I don't think I've seen a 3 cavity mould from Hensley & Gibbs after 1957, they seem to appear between 1941 and 1957.

The purpose of the sprue stop/hinge bolt is to keep the sprue plate down, and to help center the sprue holes with the sprue stop screw. Years ago I had Erik make a few dozen tapered head Sprue Stop screws that were a late addition to the Hensley Gibbs line around 1980 by Wayne Gibbs. This improved sprew stop screw has a tapered head that allows you to perfectly center the sprue plate over the holes to reduce eccentricity of the sprues. PM me and I will see if I can find one to send you.

I would suggest that if the current bolt works, and it fits the hinge hole well, leave it be. If there are fitment problems, the first person I would call to fix it is Erik at HollowPoint Bullet molds as he has repaired every damaged Hensley & Gibbs mold I have sent him over 20 years.

Tom