Lee new finish

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
Had to send in some parts for replacement last week. Got them back already. I sent in the wooden ball cutter a length gauge and the spud that holds the shell holder for the length gauge.

The cutter and the drive spud were nitrate coated. They were deep black and slick. The drive spud is one thing I have had replaced a couple times already as the tip of the gauge always drills a hole into the spud. And the cutter was treated too. It cuts better than the 2 other standard ones ever did.

Has anyone else seen any other parts being done? Would have been nice if they did the length gauges. The pins wear down over time and trims your brass short. The one I sent in was cutting too short brand new. Now this one is a little longer than I like. Book calls for 1.70" This trims to 1.735"
 

Dusty Bannister

Well-Known Member
If you are using one of the cutters that the pilot portion of the cutter threads into, consider a very thin shim washer to make the pilot just a little longer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ian

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
That would trim the brass longer. I need shorter. I will see if it wears in like the others I have.
 

Dusty Bannister

Well-Known Member
It was mentioned that the pilot wore down and was cutting too short. My suggestion was intended to correct that issue with the too short condition and avoid having to buy a new piece.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ian

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
It was brand new and was too short. I made a spacer out of a nail. It was almost the same diameter the hole was drilled, just a little under so it would slide in and out. The hole is about 1/4" deeper than the threads of the gauge. I made it long and sanded it till I got the right length on the brass. As I was trimming brass the threads twisted off the gauge. So I sent in the whole works to be replaced.

Before it twisted off I faced the spud face to make sure it was flat. And it was still too short. They are using mild steel for their parts. That is why they wear like they do. I am hoping that what looks like nitride heat treated parts will take care of some of the problems of wear.

Reloading and my former employment use a lot of the same techniques. I worked maintenance at a hot and cold metal forging factory. Been dealing with stuff like this for years. We took round stock and made it into all kinds of nuts, bolts, gears..... If you have driven a Ford, GM, Chrysler, Mercedes in the last 25 years I probably helped make parts in them. The main money maker is the 2-piece wheel lock nuts on all heavy commercial trucks and vans. Look at the washer portion and it will have this mark (II). That tells the govt who made it. Same on the nuts and bolts.

We never used shim stock for anything. The dies and punches were flat ground to adjust certain measurements. About the only time I remember using shims was adjusting side load on the gibbs of some of the mechanical presses.