Page 2 of 2

Re: Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 04:32
by Ranch Dog
Macd wrote:Diamond dust lapping compound is available. It comes as a powder or premixed in various liquids depending on application. I have used it to lap the flat side of carbide cutters used in shapers. Diamond hones are also available. Auto stores carry them for honing valve guides.
I've been searching for your suggestions, but nothing I found is at or even near the appropriate size :?:

Re: Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 04:58
by Ranch Dog
I have some piloted HSS reamers that I used to remove the gas check shanks on mold blocks when I had the mold business. I no longer have a drill press, but will see if a drill will do it. More than likely, I will not have the specific size of the reamer that I need on hand (.279"). I have several CFCDs that have found a home with me that I could use to test the cutting, and hopefully, I have a reamer within a +.002" of whatever size they are.

I can get the reamer the next day with no shipping charges from Amazon for $14. It would be cheaper to send the die to Lee, but I suspect that if they do it, it will take six weeks or better.

Re: Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 06:43
by Macd


https://www.cylinderheadsupply.com/vakv ... -hone.html

Only need stone set of the closest size. I used in the navy on refits of big diesels. The guides came slightly undersized and needed final fitting. They were a hard steel and the diamond hones were the only practical tool for the job.

BTW if using compound to lap a flat surface tempered glass makes the best lapping surface. It will wear slower than regular glass and the fine particles of glass add to the lapping slurry. I found this improves the polishing results.

Re: Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 13:41
by Ranch Dog
Macd, bear with me. The link for the hones you posted cost over $400, I'm positive that is not practical. Help me understand.

Re: Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 21:35
by Macd
Ranch Dog wrote:Macd, bear with me. The link for the hones you posted cost over $400, I'm positive that is not practical. Help me understand.
That includes the mandrill.. The stone sets are around $34. (Without mandril.) Unfortunately they are not diamond hones but aluminum oxide or silicon carbide. It has been a long time since I used guide hones but they were definitely diamond so I will do some more searching. I expect the silicon carbide would work but would wear out faster.

Re: Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 03:13
by Ranch Dog
Thank's, and now I understand. All the diamond hones I've come across have been flat.

Re: Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 03:50
by Ranch Dog
Horseman... I finally solved our 45 Auto CFCD differences. In Feb of 2015, I purchased an oversized die specific to my .457" bullet. It was $30.

Re: Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 10:33
by horseman
Ranch Dog wrote:Horseman... I finally solved our 45 Auto CFCD differences. In Feb of 2015, I purchased an oversized die specific to my .457" bullet. It was $30.
Does Lee still offer that option I wonder. I'm also not sure what a "good" number would be as to size. The largest cast bullet I would shoot would be sized at .452 so that should put a "finished" round about .476 at the bullet. If you were using a .457 + .024(brass thickness) for a .481 finished round, what did you decide for size on the crimp die. I realize there's probably a little lee-way as to brass spring back vs chamber size. Easy enough to measure my chamber using a pin gauge, at least close enough.

Re: Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 12:45
by Ranch Dog
I had to send Lee three dummy cartridges, but your math is correct. (Case wall thickness x 2) + bullet diameter.