45 minutes of work makes a BIG difference ! !

[Ben]

I bought a two cavity ( old style ) .30 cal., 180 gr. Lee RN mould from a friend. About 5 yrs. ago, I removed the g/c shank in one of the cavities for him. When I got the mould home today, I realized it needed to be " Lee - Mented ". I thought that some of you might enjoy seeing some photos of the work done today. Occasionally the interior of the Lee mould cavities is rough and needs a bullet spun in it with some fine abrasive to facilitate the mould releasing the cast bullet. This one today, did not need this treatment.

The work when completed made a lot of difference in the way the mould worked. Sprue plate swings freely now with the correct amount of tension ( something you will rarely see with a new Lee mould ).

Ben

 

[35 Whelen]

Nice step by step Ben....Always enjoy the things you share with the group. Thank you

 

[Ben]

Thanks for those nice comments.

Ben

 

[KeithB]

Amazing what a little TLC can do, even with a Lee mold. Nice job.

 

[Ben]

A lot of casters ( including myself at times ) have openly criticized Lee moulds.
However, if you don't mind a bit of cheap labor, you can often times end up with a pretty nice mould that will make a lot of bullets on the cheap.

Ben

 

[Ian]

Agree fully, Ben, a little time and TLC makes a big difference. Sometimes even the big name customs need some fine tuning or modification to do their best.

 

[Ben]

True.......Very True

 

[fiver]

that looks like an old style mold.
another pic of where they like to be lubed internally and where they need to sometimes be staked for the alignment pin would make this as complete as I have ever seen.

 

[Ben]

I bought a two cavity ( old style ) .30 cal., 180 gr. Lee RN mould from a friend.

1st sentence........................

 

[Ben]

that looks like an old style mold.
another pic of where they like to be lubed internally and where they need to sometimes be staked for the alignment pin would make this as complete as I have ever seen.

Would not be very hard to add that.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Brother_Love]

Ben,
Looks great! I need to get one to try it in my new 721 on another thread. You call it a little work but I see that kind of job as enjoyment and I suspect you do as well.
Malcolm

 

[Ben]

In its own way, I find it fun.

 

[462]

Thanks for the thread, Ben, it reminded me that the old-style Lee 7 mm Soup Can needed attention. Got 'er done!

Even Shirley didn't want to include her inspection label with this recent Lee purchase, nor did anyone else. Not a knock against Lee, just saying.

 

[Roger Allen]

Thanks for the thread, Ben, it reminded me that the old-style Lee 7 mm Soup Can needed attention. Got 'er done!

Even Shirley didn't want to include her inspection label with this recent Lee purchase, nor did anyone else. Not a knock against Lee, just saying.View attachment 6261

Ha I’ve seen this so many times. ESP both of my 309-230 molds

 

[Uncle Grinch]

If I wanted to remove the gas check on a Lee mould, what is the best or proper way to do this. BTW... I do not have a mill.

 

[Ben]

Here it is, can be done with a good drill press with minimal run out.

Some of these guys on here that are good machinist might be willing to do it for you ? ?

https://drillsandcutters.com/5-16-h...eq2F9DWmvx7xCnMyY1ppm48BM_USvFwxoCn48QAvD_BwE

 

[fiver]

wow.
that sure shows which order they cut the vent circles and the cavity's.

 

[Ian]

Best or proper way is either a lathe or mill and the respective indicators and boring tools. However....being a poor and practical person I too use a chucking reamer turned by hand in a drill press as my method of choice, as is using. 311" for most .30 caliber moulds.

 

[oscarflytyer]

I have a cpl that would benefit from that process.