Honing FL reloading die neck

[TroyMN]

I have polished all my dies in the past however I have never tried to remove material in them. Just want to change the sized case OD neck from .285 to .290? Then maybe will go further, could go as far as .295 but want to do in steps. I would be using a medium quality drill press with a shaft closest to the diameter I can. Slot the shaft to insert sand paper 360,400,600? Drill in slow with oil.
What are the chances for success? Failure ?
Thanks

I would have posted in the reloading section, but did not want the " just send it in" answer. I will reload as it is, or try this if we think it could be successful.

 

[wwbrown]

Troy,

When you come up to Harris ask John Rykhus about honing dies, he is a machinist and hones his own dies.

 

[watercam]

Having tried something similar I can only tell you my experience. I could not achieve a precise concentricity by polishing/honing in a drill press. I have heard from others that they had similar experiences when having Forster dies honed for larger diameters to control neck tension.

 

[TroyMN]

Thanks for your responses. I have come to recognize how someone's past experiences can benefit me also. Glad I did not just start at it.

 

[Scott Harris]

The die is hardened and honing usually takes place before heat treating. Also, enlarging .005 is a big change and would be very difficult to do with a hardened die. I would not do it.

 

[Cleftwynd]

I have honed a few dies over the years but always did so on a lathe. I made a small boring bar with a diamond hone silver soldered to the tip and went to town. Works well for me, but haven't loaded more than 5-700 rounds with them since honing.

 

[xs hedspace]

I took .001" down on the neck contact spot on a Lee collet spindle with 220 grit, then 600 grit with a drill press. Almost burned my fingers holding the 220 grit, and it took lots of time (and about 6 scrap pieces of 220 grit) before .001" came off that spindle. But now I can feel the pull when drawing the case out, and tell if it was sized enough.

 

[Dave S]

First dies are case hardened. Second you want a straight neck when done. Sand paper on a stick is not going to remove any stock and leave you with a straight round hole.

The best way to open the neck on a die is with a Sunnen hone and a CBN stone. A CBN stone will take out a five thou in a minute or so and leave a hole that is straight and round.

I have hones quite a few dies, with the right equipment it is an easy job.

Tell me where you are located and I might be able to direct you to some one with a hone.