Ben's Lyman Mold Tune Up Article

[Dimner]

Ben and all.... quick question about the washer replacement that Ben recommends in this article:

Castpics and Reloaders Reference Online - Lyman Mold Tune Up

Castpics.net and Reloaders' Reference are combining forces to create the best single reloading and casting reference site on the net.

www.castpics.net

Specifically the double wave washer. I looked at my local hardware store and I was not able to find them. Perhaps I just didn't notice that they were being sold under a different name of washer? Is there a different term I should be looking for? Lastly, if I resort to buying a couple dozen on the internet, what size should I be buying?

 

[Jeff H]

I have not been able to get that site to work right for some time, and can't access that article now, only the title, but I think I know what you are looking for.

The "wave washers," for sprue plates are 1/4" ID and available at Ace Hardware pretty cheap. I bought a handful several years ago, thinking they might eventually loose their temper, but every one I have replaced with and Ace Hdw item has kept on trucking.

My mould spare parts are in a compartment in a Plano flip-top case with a bunch of single-cavity Ideal and Lyman moulds. While you're at Ace, I always grab some short 8-32 set screws and keep a twist-drill and tap in one compartment to keep screws (and alignment oins in one case) on Lee moulds where they are supposed to be.

 

[JonB]

I believe it's known as a wave washer.
I am thinking Ben mentioned "double wave washer" because he used two of them.
That's my 2¢

6mm should be equivalent to 1/4"

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-10-Count-6mm-Zinc-plated-Wave-Washer/3012715

 

[Dimner]

Thanks guys, on my way to a 2nd ace store for some propane and graphite spray. I'll look through those bins again for the washers. I probably missed them. This time I have more time to search with out wife and kids tapping their feet and pointing at watches

 

[hporter]

Here is the photo from Ben's article on Castpics.net. It does look like he meant two washers.

I just looked on Lowes website, and they do refer to them as wave washers there.

Good luck!

 

[Jeff H]

Lowes never knows what they have anyway. Corporate changes things and doesn't tell the store what they decided no one needs any more. At my local Lowes, they sell all kinds of treated wood, poles, ,dimensional lumber, steel sideing - everything yoiu need to build a pole barn EXCEPT pole spikes. The local guy in charge of it was not aware they'd cut him off because they didn't sell enough of them. He was as irritated as I was and helped me locate someone who HAD them.

My local Ace USUALLY has someone who is familiar enough with the do-dads that they can locate it for you, regardless of the name you use to describe it. We had a 19 year old kid in there one summer who knew EVERY teeny-tiny part. I was so proud of that kid. He told me "the old guys made him move/inventory, sort and organize EVERY one of those bins and quizzed him on where what was until he knew every part. Good on the "old guys" and good on that "kid." We need more of both these days.

EDIT: By the way, keep looking and buy a dozen or two and you'll live happily ever after. This is definitely a worthy upgrade. I wonder if we could consolidate Ben's wisdom in one place,... maybe make a book from it so me day. His technical knowledge is priceless, but he teaches us all good things about temperament and demeanor as well.

 

[hporter]

Yes, I agree. I normally shop at ACE, as they are a locally owned business. There is an older fellow at ours that knows where everything is, I usually go to him if I am in a hurry.

Great news about the young fellow at your store. The younger ones at my store have very colorful hair, piercings everywhere and are very friendly, but don't know much about what they sell. But it's all good.

 

[Dimner]

At my preferred ace, all the oddly assorted pierced and tattednand barely able to shave once a week, workers know their buisness. They work together as a well oiled unit. Ear pieces and everyone in the know.

I found out wave washers = spring washer at ACE. Oddly, it's the hillman labeling on the plastic drawer that says spring washers. Which is odd, because as linked above they become wave washers when put in a bag and sold at lowes.

 

[Rockydoc]

I ditto all the good things said about Ace Hardware. They are friendly and knowledgeable, and they even know my name. That will bring repeat business every time.

 

[CZ93X62]

What Doc said. Home Depot and Lowe's are both 1.5 miles from our home (in different directions), and the closest Ace Hardware stores are 9 miles and 17 miles away. I hit the closer Ace first, then on to the farther site if necessary. Both Aces are 1/3 the size of the big box joints, and stock more of the "Lotsalittles" that I usually need for mould and reloading tool maintenance. I prefer root canals to shopping at the big box hardware conglomerates.

 

[Ben]

That's my 2¢

And your 2 CENTS is very accurate.

Ben

 

[JWFilips]

My Ace hardware has a bolt /nut and washer section in wooden drawers.... Pretty much anything you need! Almost like the old time hardware stores!
They are "wave washers"..... they are specialty items....but ACE on the East coast has pretty much every size.....I bet the Hardware guys on e-Bay (and there are a few really good ones) will also have them!

 

[fiver]

if you don't find what you need at the ACE talk to one of the workers.
just cause they don't stock it don't mean they can't get it.
i just had our local store order me a hundred bag of 1/2" clamps [they quit carrying the 10 packs] but had no problem getting me a hundred pack in a few days.
they also stored a pallet of potting soil out back for me so i could get a few bags at a time as needed.
i will also go in and talk to the store manager in his office and he will look on his computer for stuff i know they don't have in the store, and if i buy a large quantity of stuff he always gives me at least a 10% discount.

 

[Bret4207]

Our local Ace has one girl (Girl! She's my age!) that knows pretty much everything in hardware/paint/etc. Then there are the rest of them. Nice enough people, but not super smart once you get past the Milwaukee tool display. And they seem to have a problem with the concept of "If the item is one of a bunch of items all hung on the same hook that is marked, for example, $4.99, then that's what you have to sell them for, not the $24.99 that they were supposed to be marked!!!" That one got me riled. There are laws about that stuff here. But yeah, Ace is pretty good.

FWIW- I just read a blurb on a farm site that says Lowes is no longer honoring the veterans discount on appliances, lumber, tools, electrical and some other stuff. I have to look into that further, but Lowes is pretty high priced to start with. That may curtail my shopping there even more.

 

[Ben]

If you'd like to see the full article, here it is :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2...=sharing&resourcekey=0-6FUIbW0G1dJnEbhQHLQOEQ

 

[Jeff H]

....

FWIW- I just read a blurb on a farm site that says Lowes is no longer honoring the veterans discount on appliances, lumber, tools, electrical and some other stuff. I have to look into that further, but Lowes is pretty high priced to start with. That may curtail my shopping there even more.

Wow. Wondered how long that would last. They're the only game in town around here (without driving 45 minutes), so I felt that was reason enough to save the trip.

 

[Jeff H]

Yep. Here it is:

"The Military Discount can only be applied to eligible purchases. It applies to most full-price products.
It cannot be used on any sale item or with any other discount (such as, but not limited to, Lowe’s Price Promise, Lowe’s Credit 5% off Everyday Discount, volume or special pricing programs, and manager discretion price adjustments). It cannot be applied to major appliances (including related accessories and parts), commodities (such as, but not limited to, electrical cable, electrical wire, dimensional lumber, plywood, and OSB), gift cards, previous purchases, fees, installations (sold separately or as part of a bundle comprising both product and services), or any other services (such as, but not limited to, rentals, labor, delivery, shipping, extended protection plans).
Additional exclusions may apply. See store for details."

From: https://www.lowes.com/l/about/honor-our-military

 

[Bret4207]

Cool, so much for the whole "We support our troops!" thing.

 

[462]

That Lowes information is sad. Closest store is 20 miles away, but I've never been there and don't ever plan to.

The local Home Depot honors my V. A. card every day on every purchase.

 

[fiver]

oh my.
we generally buy our appliances and most everything wood related there.
it doesn't save a million dollars, but it'll knock 50-60 bucks off a stove. [that's the tax and some extra]