Cleaning bullet dies

dahermit · October 8, 2013, 08:57 PM

I have accumulated some bullet sizing (G&H) dies over the years that I have no use for, so I am going to sell them. I would like to hear of any way that you have found to strip the residual NRA Alox 50/50 lube from them before I take pictures. Any clever methods you have found as it pertains to solvents that work? Just the stuff that you have found to work...please!

Vance · October 8, 2013, 11:50 PM

Mineral spirits from the hardware store works to clean up lees dried on alox lube. Mineral spirits also makes a good thinner for Lee's liquid alox.

GP100man · October 9, 2013, 05:30 AM

Pics of the 'inside' of the dies are more important , lube on the outside just keeps em from rusting .

But , a clean die will be more eye appeasing & will probably sell qwiker.

Are you refering to Lyman sizer dies ??? & if so the sizer & punch is "H&I"

If so I`m in the market for a .359

& agreed MS will clean the 50/50 off easily especially after a 24hr. soak.

GP

dahermit · October 9, 2013, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Are you refering to Lyman sizer dies ??? & if so the sizer & punch is "H&I"

Whoops! G = top punch, H = die body, I = ejector punch (inside the body). You are correct, H & I. Some are Lyman, some are RCBS although I do not think that RCBS ever used the G, H, I designation.

I do not have a .359. I will have to inventory the ones I do not use anymore (mostly rifle) after I get them clean.

Mike / Tx · October 9, 2013, 06:14 AM

Yep as mentioned some mineral spirits and if needed a nylon bore brush will get them nice and cleaned out.

I might also be interested in a couple. If you get them inventoried PM me a list if you want as well.

Thanks

salvadore · October 9, 2013, 09:20 AM

I put them in a pot of boiling water then push the gunk out with pipe cleaners etc. Leather gloves and tongs are helpful.

dahermit · October 9, 2013, 11:15 AM

Tried the Mineral Spirits on the Alox 50/50 this A.M. It worked as advertised. Thanks for the info.
Side note: After cleaning several, I noticed that the Lyman's were had a much better finish that the RCBS dies. Wow! Back in the day, Lyman moulds and bullet sizing dies were rough, but the only guy in town for us bottom feeders (who could not afford Star, Hensley Gibbs...hell, we never even head of them), who had to take Lyman's, "take it or leave it", attitude. When RCBS began to enter Lyman's market, after a slight lag-time, Lyman started producing moulds and dies with much better finish than previous to RCBS entering the casting field.

GP100man · October 10, 2013, 08:31 PM

It`s amazing what a little competition will do to bump quality or performace up a notch!!

Shot 3D target for a number of yrs. & always had to practice with my driving buddy which shot an overdraw & a release , that made me step my game up a notch & he had to buy the drinks a few times !

October 8, 2013, 08:57 PM	#1
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Cleaning bullet dies I have accumulated some bullet sizing (G&H) dies over the years that I have no use for, so I am going to sell them. I would like to hear of any way that you have found to strip the residual NRA Alox 50/50 lube from them before I take pictures. Any clever methods you have found as it pertains to solvents that work? *Just the stuff that you have found to work*...please!

October 9, 2013, 05:30 AM	#3
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	Pics of the 'inside' of the dies are more important , lube on the outside just keeps em from rusting . But , a clean die will be more eye appeasing & will probably sell qwiker. Are you refering to Lyman sizer dies ??? & if so the sizer & punch is "H&I" If so I`m in the market for a .359 & agreed MS will clean the 50/50 off easily especially after a 24hr. soak. GP __________________ GP100man

October 9, 2013, 06:14 AM	#5
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	Yep as mentioned some mineral spirits and if needed a nylon bore brush will get them nice and cleaned out. I might also be interested in a couple. If you get them inventoried PM me a list if you want as well. Thanks __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

October 10, 2013, 08:31 PM	#8
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	It`s amazing what a little competition will do to bump quality or performace up a notch!! Shot 3D target for a number of yrs. & always had to practice with my driving buddy which shot an overdraw & a release , that made me step my game up a notch & he had to buy the drinks a few times ! __________________ GP100man

October 8, 2013, 11:50 PM	#2
Vance Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2011 Location: North Bend, OR Posts: 743	Mineral spirits from the hardware store works to clean up lees dried on alox lube. Mineral spirits also makes a good thinner for Lee's liquid alox.

October 9, 2013, 09:20 AM	#6
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	I put them in a pot of boiling water then push the gunk out with pipe cleaners etc. Leather gloves and tongs are helpful.

October 9, 2013, 11:15 AM	#7
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Tried the Mineral Spirits on the Alox 50/50 this A.M. It worked as advertised. Thanks for the info. Side note: After cleaning several, I noticed that the Lyman's were had a much better finish that the RCBS dies. Wow! Back in the day, Lyman moulds and bullet sizing dies were rough, but the only guy in town for us bottom feeders (who could not afford Star, Hensley Gibbs...hell, we never even head of them), who had to take Lyman's, "take it or leave it", attitude. When RCBS began to enter Lyman's market, after a slight lag-time, Lyman started producing moulds and dies with much better finish than previous to RCBS entering the casting field.