Just got a Lee Collet Die
- Thread starter danny
- Start date
J F Johannes
AKA "RatRifle"
Shim up the top of your shellholder. No problem, reset die height. Voila! Jim
Thanks Jim,
I had a suspicion I might have to do something like that. So far, I like the Collet Die.
Danny
Do you mind explaining. A little confused
Partial neck sizing with collet die
Posted by on 13 August 2015 03:19 PM
If you want to resize just a part of the neck, find a washer at your local hardware store the has an inner diameter large enough to fit over the case, and an outer diameter large enough so that it contacts the collet sleeve that protrudes from the bottom of the die. Slide this washer over the case after the case has been inserted into the shell plate. Now when the ram is raised, you can still close the collet by applying force at the top of the stroke, but the case will not go up as far into the collet, and the neck will be sized less an amount equal to the thickness of the washer
http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Base/Search/Index
Posted by on 13 August 2015 03:19 PM
If you want to resize just a part of the neck, find a washer at your local hardware store the has an inner diameter large enough to fit over the case, and an outer diameter large enough so that it contacts the collet sleeve that protrudes from the bottom of the die. Slide this washer over the case after the case has been inserted into the shell plate. Now when the ram is raised, you can still close the collet by applying force at the top of the stroke, but the case will not go up as far into the collet, and the neck will be sized less an amount equal to the thickness of the washer
http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Base/Search/Index
J F Johannes
AKA "RatRifle"
Use washers or whatever to adjust where the collet starts to compress farther up the neck. I use a +.010 Redding Comp Shellholder that raises that point up .010. Adjust die up .010 to maintain clamping pressure desired, 25 foot lbs as per Lee. I do this by adjusting to cam over slightly with light (25lbs) pressure, still I stop seeing the vertical lines on the neck from the collet fingers. Jim
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
A couple of things for the new collet die user. Take it apart to become familiar with how it works. As per instructions do not operate the collet (pushing it up into the die by ram force) without a case in place. You will spring the collet. Lastly, a friend found that his problems with one were caused by tightening the cap down to hard metal to metal, and that when he just tightened enough so that the O ring kept the cap from turning, the problems went away.
J F Johannes
AKA "RatRifle"
That is very good advice. I am on my second one having made this mistake early on. Jim
Interesting. After sizing a handful of cases, I do see slight vertical collet lines,and I adjusted it per Lee instructions for other presses, ones that cam over (Forster Co-Ax). Their instructions, in this case, were to screw the die down to touch, then two full turns more.
Danny
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
He had concentricity issues. I did not examine his die, but if I had to, I would guess that when the interior of the cap was turned, a small nub was left in the center and with the cap tight, metal to metal, that it interfered with the float of the mandrel. In any case, he figured it out by himself and after making the change, things were as they should have been all along. I have used these dies for years and not run into this, but I always take them apart when I first get them and do not put the cap back tight, just tight enough to compress the O ring slightly.
So I realized after I ran out to buy washers like you said, I have a Forster coax. Duh. No shell holder. So I ground down the outside edge of the washer to fit in the circle of the shell plate. It worked perfect. Sized 2/3 neck at .2880, and the bottom third was left at .2950. Thanks!!!
Attachments
J F Johannes
AKA "RatRifle"
You would be surprised to find how little pressure it takes to size the neck. I do not want to damage the brass, so I reduce pressure till marks are gone(sacrificial case) plus a little. Consistency is king. Jim
Funny you should say that. Just a little to much pressure with that die and I notice a crease start to form at the shoulder/case junction.
Are you camming over or going by feel and looking for the vertical lines ?
How many thousands is 2 full turns beyond contact?
In time when that die gets used to you <wink> you'll get to feel the neck yield on most cases but not so much with the Valentine method of setting an LCD.
Welcome to the world of LCD's.
Last edited:
jimmymac
Jim McGregor
The first thing I do is take the die apart and polish. The second thing I do is get a Hornady lock ring to replace the crap that comes with the die.
Then, the method as outlined by the Valentine ( I think that’s his name) always works for me. Where people screw up is by going too far and too fast. It doesn’t take much to do the sizing. Adjusting down in really small increments ( like an 1/8 of a turn) works and once there, lock the die ring and you are good to go.
More than one way to skin a cat. This one works for me.
Then, the method as outlined by the Valentine ( I think that’s his name) always works for me. Where people screw up is by going too far and too fast. It doesn’t take much to do the sizing. Adjusting down in really small increments ( like an 1/8 of a turn) works and once there, lock the die ring and you are good to go.
More than one way to skin a cat. This one works for me.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.