Expander Mandril Die Substitution

[jds holler]

Here at jd Industries our motto is, "We may be cheap, but we sure are cheesy".

Have ya ever wanted to make use of an expanding mandrill, but didn't feel like shucking out twenty five or thirty bucks to get the die body that holds it in the press? Well, I did; and my "tightwadness" knows no bounds.

A quick measurement, and I found that the shaft on the Sinclair mandrill is .375" (3/8). A quick check in the box of my RCBS Bullet Puller collets, revealed that I had a 40 cal. which will clamp on the shaft very nicely. I took the handle and nut off of the die, and rolled it on the table, and it is concentric. Gave it a function check in the press, and "viola"!

I've since gone on ebay, and found a .375 collet for twelve bucks with free shipping. It will make for a perfect fit with my new Oakie solution, and at any rate I'd rather purchase a couple more collets for this bullet puller than the mandrill die which is less versatile. jd

 

[Cowtownup]

Booom..... Got em...

 

[gotcha]

Hats off to you, Your El cheaponess ............... Now all you have to do is trash that crappy RCBS brass set screw.

 

[jds holler]

Hats off to you, Your El cheaponess ............... Now all you have to do is trash that crappy RCBS brass set screw.

Heck, I thought I could sell that screw for 37 cents + shipping. Interested?? jd

 

[Richard Jones]

Wonder if a Lee Universal Decapping Die would work as well........................

 

[jds holler]

Wonder if a Lee Universal Decapping Die would work as well........................

I checked. It might if ya found a different locking top nut. jd

 

[Nude nut]

Here at jd Industries our motto is, "We may be cheap, but we sure are cheesy".

Have ya ever wanted to make use of an expanding mandrill, but didn't feel like shucking out twenty five or thirty bucks to get the die body that holds it in the press? Well, I did; and my "tightwadness" knows no bounds.

A quick measurement, and I found that the shaft on the Sinclair mandrill is .375" (3/8). A quick check in the box of my RCBS Bullet Puller collets, revealed that I had a 40 cal. which will clamp on the shaft very nicely. I took the handle and nut off of the die, and rolled it on the table, and it is concentric. Gave it a function check in the press, and "viola"!

I've since gone on ebay, and found a .375 collet for twelve bucks with free shipping. It will make for a perfect fit with my new Oakie solution, and at any rate I'd rather purchase a couple more collets for this bullet puller than the mandrill die which is less versatile. jd

I did similar with the hornady one but put o ring under locking nut so it floats nothing wrong with using a tool for more than one purpose.
I have used pin punches drill bits and all sorts for sizing necks testing neck tensions as I seat bullets after using a mandrel and yes I have expander dies and bushing dies.
Good on ya I say its not been cheap its just using ya noggin.

Cheers Trev.

 

[ppaul]

Can't remember who but, recently there was a post with a fancy one with a precision collet and such. On his way to getting there he tried this. I thought it was a good idea so, I'm doing this as well using gauge pins. Works great!

I found the post. I got the idea from member Joe R, and a fellow by the name of Kenney Porter in Texas made the fancy one. Paul

 

[mikecr]

The mandrel is floating in a Sinclair die, and you only need one die for all your mandrels.

 

[Nude nut]

The mandrel is floating in a Sinclair die, and you only need one die for all your mandrels.

Yes this is true but not all of us have access to mandrels in 1/2 thou incriments to suit the expander dies well I dont not where I reside but I can go and find different diameter bits and pieces to try until I find
what works and then order a custom made carbide mandrel.

Cheers Trev.

 

[dkhunt14]

The mandrel is floating in a Sinclair die, and you only need one die for all your mandrels.

Gauge pins are a lot cheaper and they are ground. They expand with way less friction in the case mouth. Also they are available in many sizes. Matt

 

[snakepit]

The mandrel is floating in a Sinclair die, and you only need one die for all your mandrels.

I was wondering the same thing about the Sinclair die having a floating mandrel and how much difference it makes. It looks like the RCBS bullet puller would not have a floating mandrel. I figure with all the money I spend on this sport a $25 Sinclair Expander Die is a drop in the bucket.

 

[gotcha]

Heck, I thought I could sell that screw for 37 cents + shipping. Interested?? jd

If I give you a "like" on this does that mean I've won the auction @ 37 cents? Thanks for the tip! Just ordered a .375 collet for my Hornady Cam-lock.

 

[jds holler]

If I give you a "like" on this does that mean I've won the auction @ 37 cents?

You've got it. Send .37 plus $2 shipping to jdsheister@paybuddy.grab
jd

 

[jsthntn247]

Gauge pins are a lot cheaper and they are ground. They expand with way less friction in the case mouth. Also they are available in many sizes. Matt

What do you use to hold the gauge pin?

 

[dkhunt14]

What do you use to hold the gauge pin?

My buddy made me a die kind of like a Sinclair. He ground notches in the pin and a set screw with holds it. You can go up or down a thousandths or so and the case will move in the Shell holder and center. Matt

 

[jds holler]

I think an O-ring under die,and the case moving on the shell holder, will prevent any run out. jd

 

[gotcha]

I think an O-ring under die,and the case moving on the shell holder, will prevent any run out. jd

Agreed !! With a Rock Chucker it wouldn't hurt to replace the spring clip that holds the shell holder with an O-ring

 

[Joe R]

What do you use to hold the gauge pin?

Here's a thread that goes into detail about that. Kenny Porter has since improved the prototype so that one can use a regular wrench instead of the dedicated wrench.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/the-ultimate-solution-to-neck-tension.3909740/

Enjoy.

Joe

 

[Steve Jennings]