Homemade bushings for dies

[Richard93]

I would like to make some bushings for the Lee classic cast press. My idea is to start with a threaded rod and drill the inside on the drill press. I know that the inside diameter must be 7/8-14 threads but what about the outside?
What do you think?

 

[WR Moore]

That's really a lathe project using bar stock. Any idea at all what the thread spec is for the OD? Can you get the root diameter of the threaded opening?

 

[rwsmith]

The Lee Classic Cast..

Has 1 1/2" - 12 threads. You can buy a bushings much easier and cheaper than you can make them that size.

 

[GypsmJim]

I "fixed" my press. Easy peasy. I put one bushing in place, then drilled it thru the the side and pinned it and then JB welded the whole assembly in place. In fact I did it in 2 presses.

Now, no bushings needed and my dies go in and out like gangbusters.

The bushing deal was, IMHO, the dumbest idea. It was simply a way for the manufacturer to sell more parts.

Whatever I load, I have more than one boolit to load, thus readjusting every time was needed anyway.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a very old (1`960's) RCBS Rock Chucker and set it up with the Hornady Lock-N-Load adapter. I have about 30 die bushings that allow very specific settings that then are permanent with the Lock ring. One of my friends has several very short forming dies that have been Red Lock-Tite in place (can't do that without bushings unless yod dedicate a press to each die!) I also have bushings set up with utilities, like trim dies and bullet pullers, so I can just pop it in for a few cases and move on. I try to leave 3 to 9 bushing empty, for use with die sets that only get used every few years.

It's easy for me to spend your money, but I suggest you leave the bushing press as is or sell it and buy a 7/8-14 press for what you want to do.

Ivan

 

[rwsmith]

Well, sort of....

I "fixed" my press. Easy peasy. I put one bushing in place, then drilled it thru the the side and pinned it and then JB welded the whole assembly in place. In fact I did it in 2 presses.

Now, no bushings needed and my dies go in and out like gangbusters.

The bushing deal was, IMHO, the dumbest idea. It was simply a way for the manufacturer to sell more parts.

Whatever I load, I have more than one boolit to load, thus readjusting every time was needed anyway.

The largest dies have 1 1/4" threads. The Lee Classic Cast is made to fit those. I think having a bushing is a good idea to keep the threads on the press itself from getting mucked up, especially if they are aluminum of cast iron.

 

[Alk8944]

I "fixed" my press. Easy peasy. I put one bushing in place, then drilled it thru the the side and pinned it and then JB welded the whole assembly in place. In fact I did it in 2 presses.

There is absolutely no reason to drill through the press head or turret and pin those bushings. Red Loc-Tite would have been a better choice than J-B Weld too, but neither is really necessary, just screwing them into the press snugly is sufficient.

 

[gwpercle]

There is absolutely no reason to drill through the press head or turret and pin those bushings. Red Loc-Tite would have been a better choice than J-B Weld too, but neither is really necessary, just screwing them into the press snugly is sufficient.

Some folk's just like to wear ... a belt and suspender's ...
I guess it makes them feel better .
I would have just went with the J-B Weld "belt" and called it a day ... Looking at my 6 reloading presses ... not one has a bushing ,
Geeze Loueze I'm older than I thought ... and I enjoy screwing things in and screwing things out ...screwing around can be whole lotta Fun !
Gary

 

[GypsmJim]

Some folk's just like to wear ... a belt and suspender's ...
I guess it makes them feel better .
I would have just went with the J-B Weld "belt" and called it a day ... Looking at my 6 reloading presses ... not one has a bushing ,
Geeze Loueze I'm older than I thought ... and I enjoy screwing things in and screwing things out ...screwing around can be whole lotta Fun !
Gary

I only have 4 presses, and 3 of them have no bushings. Since the other press was NEVER going to use that bushing, FULLY securing it didn't hurt anything.

 

[DWalt]

What is this bushing of which you speak?

 

[rwsmith]

It's a progressive verb.....

What is this bushing of which you speak?

...from Middle English.

I know a madrigal that explains the usage but I'll leave it off here.