Lee 45-70 Factory Crimp Die Disassembly?

Tex S · December 18, 2016, 04:22 PM

Im taking apart and cleaning all of my dies today.

Does the 4 finger collet come out of the LFCD?

I can't get it out to save my life and I don't want to damage it.

**Unclenick** · December 18, 2016, 09:49 PM

You can get it out, but I don't recommend it. There's an expanding diameter coil spring around the collet on the inside, and I had the very dickens of a time getting mine back together. I think it was apart on the bench for a good month before I could work something out.

Tex S · December 19, 2016, 01:13 AM

I think that its odd because some of my crimp dies come apart, but the 45-70 die won't.

Does Lee make several different types of crimp dies (as it pertains to rifle cartridges)?

**Unclenick** · December 19, 2016, 12:25 PM

It's the fact the 45-70 has such a wide mouth that causes the problem. They don't have enough metal to cut threads for a retaining plug for a separate closing insert like they use in the other collet dies. To solve that, they turn the closing surface angle directly into the die body and make the mouth end a straight cylinder and insert the collet from that end. The spring is around a recess cut in the collet fingers just below the crimp jaw and acts as a retainer. It's the only thing that keeps the collet from just falling out through the mouth of the die.

Reloadron · December 21, 2016, 05:15 PM

I believe this covers it quite well:

Quote:

You can get it out, but I don't recommend it. There's an expanding diameter coil spring around the collet on the inside, and I had the very dickens of a time getting mine back together. I think it was apart on the bench for a good month before I could work something out.

The mentioned coil spring can be seen in the below images. Getting it back together proved to be an exercise in frustration for me also.

Ron

December 18, 2016, 04:22 PM	#1
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Lee 45-70 Factory Crimp Die Disassembly? Im taking apart and cleaning all of my dies today. Does the 4 finger collet come out of the LFCD? I can't get it out to save my life and I don't want to damage it.

December 18, 2016, 09:49 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	You can get it out, but I don't recommend it. There's an expanding diameter coil spring around the collet on the inside, and I had the very dickens of a time getting mine back together. I think it was apart on the bench for a good month before I could work something out. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 19, 2016, 12:25 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	It's the fact the 45-70 has such a wide mouth that causes the problem. They don't have enough metal to cut threads for a retaining plug for a separate closing insert like they use in the other collet dies. To solve that, they turn the closing surface angle directly into the die body and make the mouth end a straight cylinder and insert the collet from that end. The spring is around a recess cut in the collet fingers just below the crimp jaw and acts as a retainer. It's the only thing that keeps the collet from just falling out through the mouth of the die. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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December 19, 2016, 01:13 AM	#3
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	I think that its odd because some of my crimp dies come apart, but the 45-70 die won't. Does Lee make several different types of crimp dies (as it pertains to rifle cartridges)?