New Lee Dies

[Bugkiller99]

Another newbie question here.
I've finally got all my pieces to begin hand loading. Mounted my Lee single stage press and got out my 4 pistols dies to adjust to proper size.
While doing that I noticed the dies came from the factory lubricated. Almost dripping. Is this for shipping, storage? Does it need to be removed before loading and if so, how? After loading , do I need to apply something to the dies before storage?
Any and all specifics appreciated. These things are too hard to come by to mess 'em up!

 

[BW64]

Yes you need to clean all that lube off. You don't want it on your cases contaminating the powder. I usually take them apart & use a rag with some mineral spirits. Use a q-tip with a rag scrap to get inside the body.

BW

 

[SMSgt]

Clean them first. Gunblaster spray or non-chlorinated Brake-clean will remove any residue quickly. If you store your dies in A/C space, they'll be fine. I had some dies stored in the attic here in S. FL for 19 years and only had mild surface rust that cleaned right off. A light rub down with a silicone cloth or spray won't hurt. Avoid WD-40 as it's not a good rust preventative.

 

[Rule3]

Word to the wise:

Take them apart one at a time and remember which way the inserts go in.

Do not take the resizing die/ de capper pin apart.

There is no need to. Just spray it out with gun scrubber, mineral spirits what ever solvent you are using.

Spray them with silicone spray when clean.

 

[mikld]

Drop them in a container of mineral spirits (paint thinner) and let them soak for a while. Remove and disassemble. Wipe each individual part with a rag taking care to remove all machining oil/chips. Reassemble with a very light coating of any gun oil, to keep rust at bay.

 

[venomballistics]

I think the oil issue is a bit overstated.
sounds like his dies where dropped into a bucket of oil prior to being packed and shipped .. yeah thats a bit much.
but running them bone dry ... now we are walking into nonsense.
all bottle neck cases must be sized with lube, same deal with non carbide pistol dies.
ammo produced with these sets and methods have, and still do function flawlessly. Mine are kept cleaned and lightly oiled and I have never had a misfire outside a few rounds that I found soaking in drain oil for a few years. Even then nearly half of them fired

 

[Bugkiller99]

I failed to mention, these are carbide dies

 

[Titegroups]

Humidity is high here in fl, keep a film of something on them if you go to store them. Some of mine have light surface rust even in the dehumidified buildinh they stay in, central fl coast. They arent solid carbide.

 

[Twoboxer]

The dies were accompanied by a brief set of instructions.

What did those instructions say ?

Should you decide they need cleaning, any gun cleaner will work and a spray will probably make the job easier.

 

[Bugkiller99]

I did not see anything in the instructions that came with the dies about cleaning upon receipt. Nor did I see anything on line or in the Lee reloading manual. Did I miss something?

 

[SMSgt]

There's always a chance of debris of some sort being left over from manufacture, which could cause damage to the cases or inconsistent reloading. Starting out with clean dies is just good practice.

 

[rwsmith]

The carbide is......

I failed to mention, these are carbide dies

The carbide part is a ring inside the mouth of the die. The rest of the body is plain old steel.

 

[Rule3]

I did not see anything in the instructions that came with the dies about cleaning upon receipt. Nor did I see anything on line or in the Lee reloading manual. Did I miss something?

No there is no instruction to clean them but they do have machining oil on them. Not as much as I think you implied

Clean them, do not over do it or you will dry out the O rings. You can take them off. See my previous post. I have probably 14 sets of LEE dies.

 

[mikld]

Well, we didn't see his dies so we don't really know how much oil is/was present. None of the instruction sheets I've ever seen recommend cleaning right off. I've received new dies from Lee that had a lot of machine oil on them, but like every new tool I get, I disassembled and cleaned them. No big deal.

 

[Rule3]

The Lee dies instructions are not the best to begin with.

There is better instructions in the Lee manual especially for setting the seating/crimping dies. It explains a best way to set them by Mr Lee himself.
No, we did not see his dies. I have seen many, many of them and yes they have oil on them. Lets leave it there.

 

[Bugkiller99]

Ok. I disassembled each die individually, took a rag, q tips and some mineral spirits. Wiped 'em down, and then reassembled them. Also wiped out the plastic storage box.

Now they are cleaned up. Sized them (again).

Two good things came from this exercise. The dies are cleaner and I understand more how they function. Taking thing apart and putting them back together will do that.

Once it cools down today I'll put them to work.

I appreciate the comments. I'm sure I'll have more newbie questions. Just look at it as good entertainment.

 

[Rule3]

Ok. I disassembled each die individually, took a rag, q tips and some mineral spirits. Wiped 'em down, and then reassembled them. Also wiped out the plastic storage box.

Now they are cleaned up. Sized them (again).

Two good things came from this exercise. The dies are cleaner and I understand more how they function. Taking thing apart and putting them back together will do that.

Once it cools down today I'll put them to work.

I appreciate the comments. I'm sure I'll have more newbie questions. Just look at it as good entertainment.

Spray some silicone on them. It will prevent any surface rust and not harm the o-rings.

 

[Elliott41]

The dies were accompanied by a brief set of instructions.

What did those instructions say ?

Should you decide they need cleaning, any gun cleaner will work and a spray will probably make the job easier.

All of my reloading equipment is from Lee. The instructions that came with it were terrible! I had a very experienced reloader helping me set everything up, and even he had trouble understanding Lee's instructions. Lee makes good equipment, but with poor instructions.

 

[yeti]

Like everyone here recommends, clean up that new die set thoroughly, inspect them and give them a light coat of gun oil/ silicone spray/etc.
I prefer a light coat of BoeShield because it creates a thin dry film which protects well for a long time without any mess. If you don't use a die set for awhile they will be fine.

 

[Bugkiller99]

Thanks for the tip on BoeShield. Buddy uses it on his boat, gives it high marks also.

 

[yeti]

Thanks for the tip on BoeShield. Buddy uses it on his boat, gives it high marks also.

Your quite welcome Bugkiller.

I really like the stuff, and protecting dies is a perfect application for it.

 

[MakeMyNight]

A little side question, regarding sizing dies and cases: anyone else use spray silicone as an exterior cartridge-case resizing lubricant, with non-carbide, standard steel dies?

I started using spray silicone for that purpose some 25 years ago, and found it to outperform standard RCBS (in the tube) case lubricant, plus, it's a breeze to wipe the cases clean afterward.