How many cast boolits can a stick of lube lube? :)

[Don2]

AndyC.....I feel I am stomping on your post. I am very sorry if I am and will quit if you want. I just thought you were interested in the same info.
No hard feelings either way.

No, no, you carry on - I'm fascinated, actually, and also learning stuff I don't know

Great:
Well..you and I will never quit learning until we're dead..!!!
And I'm NOT dead yet

We'll get this stuff figured out one day soon.

Don2

[Gyrogearhead]

Could I add my opinion to the pile? Well, thanks Andy: Can I get a "T", "U", "M", "B", "L", "E"----tumble lube

Thousands and Thousands of bullets from one $5 tube. No leading either. OK, I'll excuse myself now

Gerry

[Don2]

Could I add my opinion to the pile? Well, thanks Andy: Can I get a "T", "U", "M", "B", "L", "E"----tumble lube

Thousands and Thousands of bullets from one $5 tube. No leading either. OK, I'll excuse myself now

Well I do agree...I do use Alox, and I have the Lee push through sizers too. But I also have this slightly used RCBS lube/sizer too.
I use both of them....I actually just got back to using the lube/sizer and wanted to try some new lubes and some new ideas.
To me...one of the fun parts of reloading/casting is to try to develop better ways to improve the performance of my bullets.
Or put another way...I like to play around with this stuff
Who knows what someone could come up with?

Thats just my 2¢
Don2

[Don2]

Update:

I just got an email back from Lyman on their lube heater.
They say it is a 20 watt heater that heats up to 120 - 130 Deg.-F and has a standard 3 prong 110v cord.

Just in case anyone has any ideas on how to control the heat output better. I have not looked at light dimmers yet, I have no idea of what they are rated at, but 20 watts is pretty low.

My order from Midsouth supply should be here today by UPS. So I should have the unit in my hands sometime soon?
I can't wait...I also bought a Lyman rebuild kit for my favorite lyman mold...Gotta keep them working smooth..!!!
The Zombies are on their way..!!! ( just kidding ) I know there are no real zombies, but I know a few people who look like one

Over & Out
Don2

[Don2]

Don, I've read elsewhere that those who use the Lyman heater simply plug it in till the lube gets soft, then they unplug it and can happily lube away for 10-15 minutes - then plug it back in again.

Oh I know, but I have the mental problem of always modifying everything..!!!
It would be a lot easier for me to just UNPLUG it, but my mind says " Modify " it .
What can I do about that????

I also see that the Star lube/sizer has a heat control on them...so I know it can be done.

Sometimes I get caught up in all the details of reloading, it CAN be an endless process if you think about it.....
Everything can be made to work better...but I guess I'll just have to accept things the way they are.

I plugged the heater in on my bench and used my digital volt meter that has a temp probe attachment to measure the temp .
Looks like it heats up to 165 F and not 120 - 130 F as they said...No big deal, just mentioning it so anyone who wants to know has that info.
Plus they say it uses 20 watts, I don't have a good way to measure that at this time.

See....I was hoping to let the heater run full blast until it got the lube where I wanted it, then set the temp down to keep it just right. Like I do with my Lee bottom pour pot.
Hmmmm...that gives me another idea....( Here I go again )


Thanks Andy for letting me barge in on your post.
I'm actually having fun doing this heater stuff...I see it as a distraction to just sitting down pulling a loader handle all day .
Just breaking things up....Gotta take a break from things sometimes
PLUS, I'm STILL working on finishing my shop...Guess I'm getting scattered these dayZ.

Don2

[Don2]

A minor update:

Wow...Went to a friends house today and was talking to him about needing a heavy duty dimmer switch.
Well...He said to follow him out to his shop, he pulled out a brand NEW commercial dimmer switch with an aluminum heat sink attached to it to help dissipate any heat build up.

I told him that it was EXACTLY what I was looking for...He said it was mine...Now I'm gonna owe him big time
I looked at the ones at a local hardware store and they were not built as good as this unit, so it should work well and is rated to 1000 watts...Should do the trick..!
It's one with an on/off switch built in.

Going to try it out on the lube heater in a little bit to see how it works.
Just gotta do some minor wiring.


Don2

[Don2]

just a test uploading a pic here.

Test Pic

Don2


EDIT:
Thanks Andy, looks like it worked great..!!

[Don2]

Andy, I just wanted to tell you I tried a new lube recipe (to me). You mentioned you were using Lee Alox.
Used one I found on online...Lee Alox, Johnsons Paste Wax, and mineral spirits.
I just lubed some bullets with it but did not load or fire them. But it seems like it should work great.
They are NOT as tacky as with just the lube and are easier to handle and, dries quicker.

I used a double boiler setup I have in the shop....I will be making more and loading them to see how they shoot.

I've seen this recipe several places online and people seem to like it. Looks good to me.

Check it out here.
http://www.castpics.net/subsite/Lube/default.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

45/45/10 Recluse Lube
45% Lee Liquid Alox or Equivelent
45% Johnson's Paste Wax
10% Oderless Mineral Spirits (not oil)
Heat LLA and Paste wax then remove heat and mix in spirits

Check it out....This is a FYI for U.....!!

Don2