I just received my first Lee mould of the latest configuration, a double cavity. The instructions emphasize the importance of lubricating the sprue plate screw and the locating pins. Lee's recommendation is beeswax or Alox bullet lube. Is there anything else that would work? Does the lube tend to migrate to the cavities?
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If you want to gum up and foul your new mold, then do as Lee instructs. If you want a clean properly working mold, then lubricate the sprue plate hold down screw. the underside of the sprue plate and the alignment pins with synthetic two cycle motor oil. A little bit goes a long ways.
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I use the silver colored anti seize on the locator pins/bars on all of my aluminum molds as well as a little dollop on top of the sprue plate screw or bolt. This keeps things running for several hundred bullets and if applied sparingly does not migrate. The two stroke oil works too but is harder for me to control and needs to be applied more often. The two stroke oil is necessary for the bottom of the sprue plate. It doesn’t burn and prevents galling and lead adhesion to the bottom of the sprue plate or top of the mold. Use this on all molds not just aluminum. I’ve found the small bottle of Stihl 2 stroke oil has enough residue in it after using the rest for saw gas to last for quite a few sprue plates. Apply it to the under side of the plate when the mold is hot with a Qtip and then scrub with the clean end. Won’t get into cavities that way. If you don’t mix 2 stroke gas then the 1.5 oz bottles are easy to use and will last you a long time. I’ve used Stihl, Husqvarna, and Craftsman brand and they all seem to work for sprue plates.
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Thank you all!
Haven't used any two stroke oil since I lost my hearing to a McCullough 35 chainsaw years ago. It seems that there has been a run on small containers of 2 stroke oil here in Tucson. The fourth auto parts store had a 2.6 oz container of Lucas, so I'm set.
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Used the 2 cycle oil on my new Lee mould this morning. Applied it to the pins, screw and sprue plate after cleaning. It worked great for me! Thanks to all again.
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45 2.1, thank you for the response. Definitely don't want to gum up the mould. What is unique about the synthetic two cycle oil?
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The smallest container you can find will last several lifetimes!
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The "cling" in the weedeater oil bottle will do multiple molds. Easy to collect and apply with a Qtip cut to bottle size and left in the bottle.
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Found that after a while the anti seize builds up on alignment pins so use 2 cycle oil on them. Easy to apply with a q-tip every 200 or so bullets. Bottom of the sprue plate gets a light spray of Frankfort mold release when new and a reapplication as needed. Have a small botle of Stihl 2 cycle synthetic from my wood cutting days and after 5-6 years of casting still looks nearly full.
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does mean that my supply of A.T.F. is relegated to my gun bench only.?
Pepe Ray
Only in His name.
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I use the antiseze never any issues.. just a tad is all you need.
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I bought a bees wax thread lube from a sewing shop, works great. I read somewhere else about using the antiseize and plan on trying that.
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