Dillon Dies and Tool head cleaning.

Casper223 · Apr 22, 2020

Came across a deal the other day, it involved a Dillon tool head and dies complete for a 9 mm Luger, used, but usable. The whole set was mounted to a Dillon tool stand. When I got a chance to examine them better, I could see the tool head was actually stuck on the tool stand, and the dies had lost their luster, probably from setting up for so long.

My Question is this..... Whats the best and fastest way to clean the dies, and tool head back to its original condition, or as close to it as I can get. Anyone with experience doing this, or have run across this issue before?

Thanks Much.

Ivan the Butcher · Apr 22, 2020

I would start outdoors and hose it down with break cleaner, and then scrub with more break cleaner and a brass brush, and repeat with any bore cleaner and brass brush. If the aluminum got all funky and oxidized you may need tor smooth the surfaces with 220 or finer sandpaper.

Dillon pistol dies are made to be cleaned without removal from the tool head, be sure to clean all the small parts inside and out.

Ivan

wheelgun28 · Apr 22, 2020

I'd take it all apart and wire wheel or brush all the parts till clean.

A drop of oil here and there should be like new

Squarebutt · Apr 22, 2020

If the dies have a hairpin clip it's easy to drop the guts out for cleaning. If it were me, I'd drop the whole thing in a coffee can with 50/50 ATF and kerosene and come back in a week to remove the dies and clean everything.
Some brake cleaner has a component that can cause organ failure and death under certain conditions. Carb cleaner is safer.

boatbum101 · Apr 23, 2020

I use a ton of cast bullets . End of the day ( sooner if need be ) I just drop everything in the Ultrasonic cleaner , dry & light lube . Good to go .

Ivan the Butcher · Apr 23, 2020

Squarebutt said:
If the dies have a hairpin clip it's easy to drop the guts out for cleaning. If it were me, I'd drop the whole thing in a coffee can with 50/50 ATF and kerosene and come back in a week to remove the dies and clean everything.
Some brake cleaner has a component that can cause organ failure and death under certain conditions. Carb cleaner is safer.

The current stuff is the same product. Sometimes different packaging, But I had one can the said; Break, Carb. & Electrical Points Cleaner.

The nasty (and most effective) ingredients were removed by the EPA.

Ivan

I find it a discount stores and Odd Lots for $1 to $3 a can.

wheelgun28 · Apr 23, 2020

I've taken showers in brake cleaner. Other than a red mark on the skin of sensitive areas of my body, I'm no worse for it.

It is one product I won't use inside my home, to stinky. Spray stuff out in the yard let is dry and de-stinkify.

I think the nasty stuff was trichloroethylene (sp)?

Squarebutt · Apr 23, 2020

I've seen two cans from the same national brand recently side by side on the store shelf labelled chlorinated and non-chlorinated.

Revoman · Apr 27, 2020

I don't know if you have access to a ultra sonic cleaner? I bought a couple used sets pretty dirty.

A couple hours in a ultra sonic cleaner and they came out like new.

Dillon Dies and Tool head cleaning.

Casper223

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Ivan the Butcher

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wheelgun28

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Squarebutt

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boatbum101

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Ivan the Butcher

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wheelgun28

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Squarebutt

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Revoman

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