ASSRA Forum › General › Reloading the Single Shot Rifle › Cleaning used lube & size dies
(Moderator Group: Moderator)
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Send TopicPrint
Normal Topic Cleaning used lube & size dies (Read 3693 times)
Sendaro
Oldtimer
*****
Offline


When the sight is on SEND
IT!

Posts: 588
Location: Saratoga Springs NY
Joined: Nov 21st, 2010
Cleaning used lube & size dies
Nov 3rd, 2016 at 7:52am
Print Post  
I have acquired a few old lube and size dies the type used in a Lyman or RCBS lubber/sizer.  They are packed with old lube and I want to clean them. Was thinking about placing them in boiling water and using dish soap. Would like to hear any suggestions from those who have tackled this before.

                         Thanks, Sendaro
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Adrian
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 122
Joined: Mar 2nd, 2015
Re: Cleaning used lube & size dies
Reply #1 - Nov 3rd, 2016 at 9:00pm
Print Post  
i did the same, hot water, not quite boiling, no need for soap
you may need to replace the o rings, may need anyway
prepare a pair of pliers that fit, or old spoon, to get them out of the pot.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
JS47
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1265
Location: Arizona
Joined: Oct 12th, 2012
Re: Cleaning used lube & size dies
Reply #2 - Nov 3rd, 2016 at 9:38pm
Print Post  
Hot water has worked for me.  I cleaned out an old Lyman lubrisizer by pouring hot water through it.  A messy job so I did it out in the back yard.

JS
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
JCHannum
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 435
Location: Toledo
Joined: Aug 8th, 2007
Re: Cleaning used lube & size dies
Reply #3 - Nov 3rd, 2016 at 10:16pm
Print Post  
I have used WD40 with success. Mineral spirits will work just as well.
  
Jim H.
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Cat_Whisperer
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


No 1, 9.3x74R

Posts: 3987
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Joined: Apr 17th, 2004
Re: Cleaning used lube & size dies
Reply #4 - Nov 4th, 2016 at 6:28am
Print Post  
I usually have a propane torch in the casting area.  A LITTLE heat and the lube runs off.  (Of course be aware of fire.)
  
Cat Whisperer (trk)
Chief of Smoke
Pulaski Coehorn Works and Skunk Works
Drafted May 1970, Retired Maj. U.S.Army
assra #9885
Back to top
WWW  
IP Logged
 
Travelor
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 132
Location: Central Arkansas
Joined: May 5th, 2008
Re: Cleaning used lube & size dies
Reply #5 - Nov 4th, 2016 at 7:38am
Print Post  
Place them in the oven set to 200 Degrees.  Use a small hand made aluminum foil dish under them to catch the melted lube.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Sendaro
Oldtimer
*****
Offline


When the sight is on SEND
IT!

Posts: 588
Location: Saratoga Springs NY
Joined: Nov 21st, 2010
Re: Cleaning used lube & size dies
Reply #6 - Nov 4th, 2016 at 11:27am
Print Post  
Thanks for all the suggestions. I believe I'll try the boiling water and then finish up with mineral sprites. There does not appear to be any O rings remaining. Are they something I can pick up at the hardware store?

                        Sendaro
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
jy3855
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 368
Location: California
Joined: Jul 13th, 2015
Re: Cleaning used lube & size dies
Reply #7 - Nov 4th, 2016 at 2:05pm
Print Post  
I would hope that the O-rings are a standard size that you might find in a well-stocked hardware store, but don't know.

You could also melt the majority of the lube out by making a small aluminum foil "boat", fold up a paper towel in the foil boat under the die, then heat it in the oven at 200-250*.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Leo1885
Junior Member
**
Offline



Posts: 85
Location: Beaverton, OR
Joined: Sep 30th, 2007
Re: Cleaning used lube & size dies
Reply #8 - Nov 4th, 2016 at 4:18pm
Print Post  
I remove the plug then place them on piece of foil, and heat them on a hot plate until the lube melts and runs free.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
BudHyett
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 281
Location: Pacific Northwest, WA State
Joined: Jun 25th, 2011
Re: Cleaning used lube & size dies
Reply #9 - Nov 4th, 2016 at 5:16pm
Print Post  
As several people have stated, boiling water with a single droplet of Dawn dishwashing soap works well. The soap holds the other possible debris that could be in the die in suspension. 

Once the die starts shedding lube, take pliers and a punch to push the rod out and place back in solution. This action assures the holes get maximum contact and clean thoroughly.
  
Country boy from Illinois living in the magical Pacific Northwest
Back to top
Facebook  
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send TopicPrint
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
 
  « Board Index ‹ Board Top  

ASSRA Forum » Powered by YaBB 2.6.12!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2026. All Rights Reserved.

Valid RSS Valid XHTML Valid CSS Powered by Perl Source Forge

Page completed in 0.8356 seconds.