Another stuck case thread

[Joey Dean]

After the rim has torn off, after the threaded hole strips out, after the case head tears off, and after the neck collapses down inside the case... After all that what would you do to save that trim die.

I, er, have a... a friend! Yeah, a friend was asking.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Another stuck case thread

well hum tell your friend to err use more lube and buy a new die maybe.

 

[Joey Dean]

Re: Another stuck case thread

I have never in my life stuck one like this one is stuck. I was setting up a power trimmer on my Dillon and grabbed the case I had been using for set up. I forgot I had just wiped it down a moment before when I stuck in my headspace gauge. That thing is not just galled, I think there was an exchange of matter on an atomic level there.

Lower the ram and off when the rim. Dropped my brass rod down in it and it actually laughed at me. #7 drill and a 1/4 20 tap later and the hole stripped out as I was tightening the bolt. Made a improvised slide hammer and pulled the head off. Sanded a brass rod down in a drill press until it just cleared the die at the top and pushed the neck down into the case. Man, I hosed this one up.

I use Imperial as a lube, but this was a brand new die and there was not even residue inside from previous reloading. If it had happened to anyone else I would have been impressed. Now, not so much.

 

[FNARSHOOTER]

Re: Another stuck case thread

KROIL befoe anything else ,Sorry too late.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Another stuck case thread

Long ago, before I knew better, I used a steel punch ( Dasco brand), to beat a stuck case out of a die. I ended up getting it out piece by piece.

Believe it or not, it didn't scratch up my die at all! I guess the die steel was really, really hard. I know dasco punches aren't that hard because they bend/peen pretty easily.

Good luck!

 

[former naval person]

Re: Another stuck case thread

Send it back to the maker. They usually don't charge for unsticking. Brain farts are part of the learning curve. Grease, is your friend. Actually...if the lube you use is up to the job, enough lubricity is left in the die to avoid your problem. I'd send it back and in the interim upgrade your sizing lube. I recommend the homemade spray lube...80% alcohol (isopropyl or ethyl...99% or so) 10 % liquid lanolin and 10% castor oil. No petroleum products and slicker than most anything you can think of. For a REALLY heavy duty wipe/roll on lube, half and half, anhydrous lanolin and STP. Won't stick anything. JMHO

 

[Joey Dean]

Re: Another stuck case thread

Well, it was a virgin die that had never seen lube and I have never had an issue with Imperial Sizing Die Wax when I actually put some on a case. What I did have an issue with was me. New toy (Dillon RT 1200) and in a hurry to use it. Excitement plus speed is never good unless we are talking car's and women.

Scratch women, just cars.

I did just get it out, however. After a steak and some beer ingenuity struck and I went to my odds and ends drawer and found 4 or 5 brass screws from various old projects. Took a brass punch and folded an edge over a bit. Then I started with the small screw and ran it down the size of the die making a gap between the shell and the die wall. Repeat three more times with progressively larger brass screws and a smack with the dowel rod once more caused the case to fall out on the table.

A flashlight says the die is OK. I went to run a case up in it to look for scratches, but of course I knocked the bucket of lubed brass over and spilled them all over the shop floor. I took this as a sign for the evening. Brass is swept back up and is taking a trip through the tumbler to remove the lube and dirt from the spill. I am now in house regaling you with this tale and starting on beer #2 as I will wait until it is a bit cooler to try again.

 

[lightman]

Re: Another stuck case thread

Glad it worked out ok for you.A friend (really) brought one to me that looked about like you described.The 1/4 in hole stripped out,so I drilled and tapped for 5/16.A shot of Kroil and out it came. Lightman

 

[2clicks]

Re: Another stuck case thread

There a two types of reloaders those that have had stuck cases, and those that have not stuck cases Yet.... Nice, beating the odds of getting a new trim die.