Lyman handles... frustration sets in.

[mattw]

I have somewhere between 15 and 20 sets of Lyman handles and I have small SC, large SC and DC mould blocks. Somehow, I seem to only have one set of handles that will fit the small SC blocks and I need a way to find the proper set of used handles at the large online auction site.

It seems I also have a couple of variations, one of which almost allows the thin wood to contact in the middle when they are closed on a block, most of mine do not even come close to meeting in the middle. I have smallish hands and I love that one set of handles. I seem to be picking up more and more small SC blocks and can only use one at a time, so I have to do something about it. I have read that the Lee handles will fit and work with the small SC blocks, it worries me a little as the arms do not fill the slot on the block, so some up and down movement is going to happen and I think it would wear the alignment pins to some degree.

 

[Matt]

You might try a set of Lee handles. They work great with all the single and double cavity Lyman and Ideal molds I’ve tried them on and the slender handles almost touch when the mold is closed. The longer length make them easier to handle for me too. I’ve had some medical issues and arthritis in my hands and have gravitated to the Lees even with a tiny Ideal single cavity 308334. I only can tell the old Lyman handles apart when I find a pair that won’t work with a double cavity mold.......I don’t like the wide spread of some of their handles either.

 

[Dusty Bannister]

You may be able to make some shims from a beverage can to fill that gap with the Lee handles and the attachment bolt will hold the shims in place. If not that, then perhaps some of the high temperature flue tape which may or may not wear out too rapidly.

 

[Matt]

I don’t shim my Lee handles for any molds they are attached to. When I grind them thinner to fit RCBS blocks I leave a little slop because I think it’s let’s the locator pins “find their center”, especially as the block expand and contract with casting. Will still use the ground handles for Lyman, Ideal, Lee, NOE, LBT etc. I’m gentle closing my molds feeling for alignment, closing the sprue plate by hand. I’ve always worried about aluminum blocks wearing, but realize I have some Lee and LBT molds that must be 30+ years old and are in perfect condition. I’m guessing the blocks are both on the same plane where gravity puts them assisting with alignment. Oops. That’s almost too deep for me.......sorry.

 

[Dusty Bannister]

Well, mattw was the one concerned about the loose fit of the blocks on the handles. I also use a flat surface to align the blocks as they are closed.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I can't speak to Lyman handles but the SAECO handles are well made. The SAECO handle are a bit thicker than most and need to be thinned just a bit to work on RCBS mold blocks. However, once modified, they work well. The SAECO molds also use larger diameter pins, so the the holes in the handles are larger to start with.
So, that might be an option if you are looking for a handle that has a bit more material to start with.

As for the additional "slop" when using handles that have a loose fit with the mold block, I don't think it's a big deal. The alignment pins will center the blocks. In fact, a little bit of extra clearance might be preferable to a tight fit if the handles were not perfectly aligned to start with.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Why not just pick up a set of RCBS?

I mean ya invested In the mold? I have in the past modified or shimmed handles. But when I can it's simply easier to have the proper tool For the job. So I have a Clam Shell handle set a RCBS and multiple Lyman and LEE sets.

One that I also keep is a Lyman and a LEE set modified for use with magma modified molds. (One side need to be shortened to clear spring and pin that holds spure)

 

[mattw]

Ok... I am not trying to find RCBS handles, have plenty of them... I am trying to find small SC Lyman handles. I am going to see about shimming a set of Lee this weekend so I can cast with more than one small SC mould at a time.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Ok... I am not trying to find RCBS handles, have plenty of them... I am trying to find small SC Lyman handles. I am going to see about shimming a set of Lee this weekend so I can cast with more than one small SC mould at a time.

My bad.

I took out my fathers ol 35891 wad cutter mold last week. Took me three sets of lyman handles before I got one that worked. First off they all allowed mold to be attached. But two of the three, all sing cav handles appeared identical. But the first two didnt completely close the half's!??? The third was 99% closed. I took the mold back off and JUST touched the inside tips of the handles with a file. They where pressing on the blocks causing the gap at the back.
Now was this a flaw in the handles or where these the "wrong" handles???
BTW bullets cast after my alteration (very slight) where perfect.


Again, Am I missing the tac here somewhere?

CW

 

[JonB]

SNIP>>>

I seem to only have one set of handles that will fit the small SC blocks and I need a way to find the proper set of used handles at the large online auction site.

The sad thing about fleabay is, most sellers of casting stuff don't have a clue as to what they are selling.
I'm wondering, if the tongs on the handles that don't close as "closely" as you like have a bit of a angle to them, where others that do close as "closely" have tongs that are more straight?
Otherwise it'd be very difficult to tell them apart.

 

[Dusty Bannister]

The difference with the large and small blocks is the space between the parallel parts of the handles. If you hold them so they are parallel you can measure them and easily tell if they fit the large or small blocks. Likewise, you can measure the distance between the bottom of the attachment groove when the blocks are mated and know which set to look for. As with all things, a little build up or wear will show up when trying to mate the handles. As to fit in the slot, if you have a burr around the hole in the blocks, that could prevent the tong portion from entering the slot easily. Once you have determined if you have a large or small block, and find the handle that fits, paint a letter on the end of the wood handle where it will not wear off and you can easily find the handles you seek.

 

[RicinYakima]

Historically, there is a lot of variation of Lyman made handles from 1927 when they began to about 2010 when they went to the Chinese handles and quit making single cavity moulds. They were pretty standard until the sale of Lyman to the "Leisure Group" in the 1970's. When LG was trying to suck every penny out of the company, they would drill double cavity handles in the single cavity fixture. These you can recognize by the screw holes just barely off the edge of the metal. And you can find single cavity handles drilled in a double fixture.

 

[RicinYakima]

Once you have determined if you have a large or small block, and find the handle that fits, paint a letter on the end of the wood handle where it will not wear off and you can easily find the handles you seek.

Most excellent idea! I must have a dozen Lyman handles, so one day I laid them all out and used a black marker for "S" and "L" on the ends.