Lyman 450 sizer questions

oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Working on rebuilding the second used 450 I got awhile back. On the first one, I finally replaced all the pins. I still don't think I the links correctly lined up, but it runs smooth.

Rebuilding the second one. Found something (I thought was) very weird. The top lube cap on the first one I did is a thick disc with a cpl o-rings on it - as depicted in Lyman's parts diagram. However, this one has a cap with a brass ring fitted around it, in place of the disc with o-rings. Anyone seen this before?

Also, anyone know if you can get replacement parts from Lyman for the 450s?
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
The brass piston ring is from a 45, not a 450. Someone swapped it out so their 45 would seal. Probably swapped the rod, too.

Eta if anyone knows it will be JonB. The brass one works fine it just oozes out out ribbons of lube.
 
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JonB

JonB

Halcyon member
First, I will say that I actually prefer the old style Brass ring pressure nut. The new style with O-rings can become troublesome as the O-rings get worn or torn. If you don't mind replacing the O-rings when needed, it's probably a better pressure nut, BUT, I have convinced myself, that I like the "ribbon" of lube leaking from the old style pressure nut, as a signal that I have put too much pressure (or too much heat) on the lube and I know to reduce the pressure/heat ...because that higher pressure will start to cause problems with the lube being neatly applied to the bullet.

Part II:
Since I made the long pictorial post about the Lyman 45 cleanup/disassembly/rebuild, I have had enough conversations with other bullet casters about their 450 and which pressure nut was originally provided by Lyman, that I believe Lyman used the old style Brass ringed pressure nut on early models of the 450. But, it surely is possible that a previous owner, who had multiple lubesizers, could have swapped the new style (o-ring) with the old style (Brass) on your 450. I mean these things could be 60 years old...could have had numerous owners, right?

Number C:
I've only heard bad things about getting parts from Lyman. They've been out of stock on all the popular parts, just like almost every other manufacturer in the gun sports related industry. But I encourage you to try, and report back, if you have success, cuz maybe they have turned the corner? If they haven't, you'll likely find the parts on ebay for pricing that will be shocking.
 
KeithB

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
There are better, but probably slightly more expensive seals for when pressure only needs to be applied in one direction of motion. But Orings are cheap and can be purchased at local plumbing or hardware stores so they’re not a bad choice.
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
For what it's worth, about 35 years ago, when I gave up on Lyman dies (indifferent customer service/zero customer service), I also needed a new seal for a 45 I'd bough a few years previous. Lyman sold me the "new" version, with the o-rings and it has worked fine since. Some time in the early nineties, I came upon another 45, ordered another "new" piston w/o-rings and it has been fine too. In both, the old brass seal was pretty much shot - you couldn't put ANY pressure on it without more coming out the top than bottom. Maybe if they'd been less worn, they would have been OK. Seemed to have worked for many for many years.

Bear in mind too, that I haven't used the 45s much since the early to mid-nineties either. There was a spell when I had more money than time (have little of either now) and bought cast bullets for several years and TL'd them regardless of the crap that came in the grooves, and eventually got back into casting and pretty much have TL'd almost everything since, except for the odd miscreant gun, and I do still like shooting greasy stuff in my SA 44 Special, even though it's not necessary. Who doesn't love a blackened, greasy SA, hands and forehead - for powder flakes to adhere to - to prove you'd been having so me fun?
 
R

richhodg66

Well-Known Member
It's been a while, but I have ordered parts from Lyman for a 450 and they did just fine customer service wise. Took my order over the phone and I didn't think the prices for the parts were unreasonable. Don't remember much else in the way of details, but I sure don't remember being displeased with the experience.
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
richhodg66 said:
It's been a while, but I have ordered parts from Lyman for a 450 and they did just fine customer service wise..........
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When I called to order parts for the 45, they were friendly and courteous - just wanted nothing to do with me regarding helping me with a die I'd already purchased.

Prices were decent 35 years ago too. It was nice to know I could still keep an otherwise old contraption in service with a little upkeep and attention.
 
R

richhodg66

Well-Known Member
Like many on here, I'm sure, I reload for a whole lot of different things and still have dies for guns that have gone down the road too. LAst I checked, RCBS, Redding, Herters, Lee, Bair, Lyman, Pacific, Lachmiller, Hollywood and likely others I can't remember. I have my preferences, obviously, but they all work pretty well. I don't have many Lyman dies, but have been playing with a .32-40 lately and those dies are Lyman. Seem to work fine. What kind of problem did you have if I may ask?
 
JonB

JonB

Halcyon member
oscarflytyer said:
Jon - missed this one. Have a link?
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sure.
fyi, it is a 'sticky' at the other forum.

Lyman 45 buying guide and cleanup instructions

I don't think Lyman has made the #45 lubesizer for about 50 years, and it remains one of the favorite lubesizers for many of us boolit casters. Over the past few years, I seem to have become an expert on them (said tongue in cheek). Twice, I have bought/traded for a box of parts (some...
castboolits.gunloads.com
 
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J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
richhodg66 said:
Like many on here, I'm sure, I reload for a whole lot of different things and still have dies for guns that have gone down the road too. LAst I checked, RCBS, Redding, Herters, Lee, Bair, Lyman, Pacific, Lachmiller, Hollywood and likely others I can't remember. I have my preferences, obviously, but they all work pretty well. I don't have many Lyman dies, but have been playing with a .32-40 lately and those dies are Lyman. Seem to work fine. What kind of problem did you have if I may ask?
Click to expand...
Remember, this was a time when quality was at a low pretty much across the board. I bought a new 624 and a couple Lyman moulds at around the same time. The Smith went back with TEN items to be corrected and they were very nice about it. Didn't fix all the problems but were nice.

The sizing die, an '06, was so rough inside that cases were scored badly and one in several would stick in the die, regardless of lube type. Their attitude was that they couldn't possibly have let a bad die out of the factory and wouldn't even bother to look at it.

LEE, at the time, was earning its reputation, and I already had LEE dies that worked, so I went that route and never had reason to change, BUT I've noticed lately that they are not making everything as nicely as in the past and can be snitty about service as well.

Never had a problem with Redding, RCBS, etc.

The point is not that Lyman dies are inferior, it's that there was such a contrast between getting them to look at one die that one time, vs. buying spare parts, wherein they were very accommodating.
 
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