What would be a good "non-contaminating" lube for mandrel in neck turning

[Indy Bob]

I have a new neck turning tool and have not used it yet. The mandrel is a pretty good fit to the sized case mouth. I read that this mandrel and the case neck can get hot if you turn with a drill.
I could go by a sackful of different lubes to use on that mandrel / case fit to keep from galling one or both.

I would rather ask experienced loaders that are familiar with this situation and you could please reply with your suggestions for a good lube that will not contaminate the powder that will be going in.
Thanks in advance,
Indy Bob

 

[FeMan]

I use Imperial Sizing Wax and clean out the residue with Acetone.

 

[JRS]

PMA Tool lubricant 8)

 

[jlow]

Imperial is the best but honestly, there is no such thing as “non-contaminating” lube for neck turning, you have to put enough on both the turning mandrel and outside for the cutter for them to work. After you cut, you still need to size the case or just the neck and that also needs lube. Just clean afterwards.

 

[Lightload]

I use Hornady one-shot case lube. The cases are set in a loading tray and then the one-shot is sprayed on at a downward angle so that it gets inside the case mouth. The cases are then sized and then the necks are turned. There is still enough of the one-shot remaining inside the neck that turning isn't a problem. But........I am turning by hand not by electric drill.
Hornady says that their one-shot is non-contaminating and I've never had a problem with it so I have no reason not to believe them.
And.....the Hornady one-Shot smells really, really good!

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I use a light oil. Regards JCS

 

[ReedG]

As you will see, Bob, everybody has a way that works for them.

There actually is a "non-contaminating" lube. It is Lee Resizing Lube and I use it for all lube applications. When used in neck turning, it works very well and dries to a faint white powdery substance that does not contaminate powder and does not require cleaning the case. I turn my necks at very slow speed to keep the heat factor as low as possible.

The lube is a light paste and comes in a tube. To make it easier to use, I squeeze the tube out into a used J-B container so that I just dip my finger in to use it, for case sizing and neck turning. It wipes off easily and leaves no residue.

Good luck and enjoy ...

 

[Indy Bob]

Wow. I received replies quickly. I expected a variety of answers, and "that's a good thing". 8) It just so happens I have 2 items that were mentioned. The Lee resizing lube and the Imperial sizing wax. Just to make sure I will use a Q-tip and clean inside the neck with acetone. Again, thanks for the information,
Indy Bob

 

[dixieppc]

I use Imperial Sizing Wax and clean out the residue with Acetone.

+1

Regards.....

 

[1shot]

I do all my turning on a lathe with the chuck holding a Nielson "pumpkin". The tool never stop until I finish a run and I use a product called "Tapmatic". It's very thin with great lubricity. The cases always come out very smooth and cool to the touch and I have went right to loading for years after using it.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd

 

[savagedasher]

Wouldn't it be better to expand them and not use lube ? Larry

 

[KMart]

RCBS Case Lube-2. After turning them, put them in a pan of hot water and swish them around for a minute or two and the lube is gone.

 

[JDMock]

+1 on RCBS Case Lube II

 

[jlow]

Wouldn't it be better to expand them and not use lube ? Larry

If you expand the neck and not use lube, you will get galling on the turning mandrel and heat which will expand the neck and give you uneven turns.

 

[dreever]

I've tried them all and keep going back to Shooters Choice FP10. I use a little dish about the size of a Powder container cap dip a Q tip and wipe the mandrel before each case. Works great, comes right off in the corn cob media before loading.

Danny

 

[SS427]

RCBS case lube and then wash it out with hot water.

 

[3dogs]

I use a carbide mandrel & good quality light oil
Jim

 

[savagedasher]

Wouldn't it be better to expand them and not use lube ? Larry

If you expand the neck and not use lube, you will get galling on the turning mandrel and heat which will expand the neck and give you uneven turns.

I expand my necks .001 larger then mandrel. I don't ever get any heat and mine same on 3 difference places. The cuter cuts off the mandrel. If I have .012 between the mandrel how can it cut un even. Larry

 

[nosualc]

I use a 50/50 mix of STP and motor oil. The STP is quite thick and sticky, the motor oil cuts it down a bit. I use a q-tip to swab it on the inside of the neck then turn.

When I'm all done turning cases (I do quite a few in one setting) I dump the cases into a can of naphtha for a while to get rid of all the lube and any specs of brass that might be lingering. When you pull 'em out the naphtha evaporates very quickly. Clean as a whistle and ready for fire forming.

-nosualc

 

[jimcasey01]

Not advocating its use, but research hBN. Definitely slick and non-contaminating for powder. Good luck.
Jim