gws
Member
Posts: 969
Location: NW New Mexico
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Post by gws on Jan 14, 2020 21:03:33 GMT -5
Remember the APP discussion a few weeks ago? This picture of the swage die is interesting in so many ways, but one is the lock nut, or lack of one....ok, the breech lock. Notice the lack of the usual hex nut and the replacement with all those knobbies:
Then you go to the Lee Web Site and notice that all their Die sets are changing to these: ......and as well....they are now selling these!: Notice the signature "O" rings are still there, but they now have split ring versions as well, locked with a bolt....like Hornady and Forster Die locknuts! Can anyone even guess why this simple change is exciting to me? Anyone see any advantages over all the other brands? You all know I've ordered an APP and it uses this stuff....but that's just the tip of the iceberg for me!
Here's some of the competition to analyze......I use em all.....up to now.
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Post by hacker54 on Jan 14, 2020 21:22:52 GMT -5
Greg I have gotten several of the new split lock rings to replace the others on my dies. Since I bought my Breech Lock Pro I have also gotten the colored breech lock rings to color code my steps on the press. I hope to have photos sometime to share. Oh that little wrench comes in handy.
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SnapShot
Member
Jeep & Mocha "Remembering Patches, always"
Posts: 699 
Location: Finally free from the Republic of Kalifornia!
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Post by SnapShot on Jan 15, 2020 11:23:42 GMT -5
I believe the first time I encountered die rings with an o-ring was the Lee Decapping Die. I was somewhat skeptical as to things staying in place but found that they worked very well. Later I bought a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die for one of my big-bore handguns. It too had the o-ring type lock ring. Since then I have added several of the Factory Crimp Dies to my die sets, in fact I have them for all of my handgun calibers.
The 3-pack of Finger Tighten Lock Rings looks like something to add to my wish/need list. In as much as I am mainly a single stage reloader these will make set-up much easier.
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poohzilla
Member
Give me a place to stand and a long-enough lever, and I will invariably break the lever.
Posts: 1,050
Location: New Hamster
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Post by poohzilla on Jan 15, 2020 17:18:32 GMT -5
That lock ring wrench looks like it would provide just enough extra persuasion to move them when they are just a little extra tight !
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gws
Member
Posts: 969
Location: NW New Mexico
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Post by gws on Jan 16, 2020 1:39:13 GMT -5
My observation on the new products: First off the many nibs design improves the ability to adjust at any angle of the clock and still be able to access it and adjust with the wrench. Obviously, that only matters on a progressive die plate. It matters more the smaller the clearance between dies. Pro Chucker 7 has the smallest clearance between dies yet, and using my usual Hornady split rings is just hard to use and in some cases down right impossible. Second: The "O" ring by itself is perfectly fine for a set and forget population of a die plate with dies. Third: It's the possibility a slip without a locking setscrew or split ring bolt, that makes repeatability difficult when you actually need to move dies around, clean them, or use them on more than one press. So the split ring versions are an awesome added choice. I'm thinking about the possibility ..... for if/when one tightens a die more than finger tight and the little wrench isn't quite enough, to drill a second hole in the wrench, and make an extension. A new hole closest to the die would be for a stud in the extension, and the existing hole for a bolt and wingnut. Why go to the trouble? Having some experience with the existing "O" ring nuts, I've noticed that they get more resistant to moving the longer they aren't moved.  |
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My daughter came from Missouri, my son and grand son, my wife and I had a nice dinner of grilled "porter house" pork chops, corn on the cobb, my son, G'son and I share 10/5. G'son is 4 minutes early though @ 10/4.
Pooh I hope you find to right house . 
