sizing die leaving scratches on case

bartman45

May 13, 2011 16:47

After about 1000 rounds, my 45/70 die looks like it has some scratches inside. I deprime, wet tumble, and try to keep all clean.
Search in forum turned up superfine abrasive and honeing oil. Is this still the way to correct or should I just leave it alone?

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  charliemeyer007

  May 13, 2011 17:39

  I have polished out several dies by using crocus cloth held in a home made mandrel and a drill moter. Don't over do it.

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  deerslayer3

  May 13, 2011 21:36

  In the shop we make what we call a whip. A piece of 1/4" steel rod with a hacksaw cut in the middle of the end about 1/2" deep. You can double over a small piece of fine emery cloth and put the rod in a die grinder. You can WHIP the hole into a nice shine. That's how we polished stuff for our customers.

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  bartman45

  May 14, 2011 03:58

  Thanks Charlie and Deer....Thats what my thoughts were, just wanted confirmation...

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  Rocky Raab

  May 14, 2011 05:11

  Before you use something that can remove metal, try wrapping a bore brush with a patch rubbed with Flitz or JB Paste. Run that in a drill until the die gets hot in your hand.
  
  If that fails to polish the die, then turn to crocus cloth. Repeat the Flitz treatment after the crocus cloth to polish out the marks it leaves.
  
  BTW, I'm assuming this is a steel die that requires cases be lubed before sizing. If it's a carbide die, you probably can't polish it yourself.

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  MIKE WISKEY

  May 14, 2011 05:13

  I do as above but with 0004 steel wool. after you get the die cleaned up take a long look at your lubrication (read 'get some IMPERIAL SIZING WAX')

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  deerslayer3

  May 14, 2011 05:46

  Yes Rocky, you are correct. Trying to polish carbide with emery is like using your head to hammer a nail.
  
  quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
  Before you use something that can remove metal, try wrapping a bore brush with a patch rubbed with Flitz or JB Paste. Run that in a drill until the die gets hot in your hand.
  
  If that fails to polish the die, then turn to crocus cloth. Repeat the Flitz treatment after the crocus cloth to polish out the marks it leaves.
  
  BTW, I'm assuming this is a steel die that requires cases be lubed before sizing. If it's a carbide die, you probably can't polish it yourself.

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  oneoldsap

  May 14, 2011 17:47

  I polish my Dies with a bore Mop and J-B in a cordless Drill , Keep it moving in and out , Clean before starting !

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  jonk

  May 15, 2011 15:47

  I find that the best thing you can do is disassemble your dies every few hundred rounds and thoroughly clean with a good solvent, followed by a dip in boiling water for about a minute and a light oiling. You wouldn't believe how much old lube, carbon, tumbler media, etc. can build up from what look to be clean cases, particularly just above the expander ball and at the top of the case neck.
  
  In your case, I second the light polishing; personally I use a 12 gauge bore mop with a paste of comet cleanser if it's just light scratching. Polishes lightly and cleans all at once.
  
  Also good for removing burrs in bullet molds- "Leementing".

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  bartman45

  May 15, 2011 16:46

  Thanks to all for the help...I must have dropped a case or two between tumbling and sizing and picked up some dirt. I polished with a fine grade compound on cotton and a drill - scratches gone.
  I like the idea about boiling the die. Thanks again. Larry

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