how to save grit impregnated carbide sizing dies.

I have an old Lyman carbide sizing die that has loaded 1000's of 38 and 357 ammo over the last 30 years. It was beginning to scratch the brass pretty good so I had to buy a new one or "fiX" the old one? I took a 357 brass brush and wrapped it with several strands of "Big 45" cleaning wool. I chucked this up in a hand drill and gave the carbide a good spin for a couple of minutes. I then tested it by sizing some clean 38spl brass and it came out mirror smooth!! I guess the big 45 or brass bristles grabbed the grit and removed it from the carbide ring! Nice when a fix works.

I have done that in a different way.
I've used the nylon bore brushes,, and submerged the die body in Ballistol for a while. Then,, chuck up the bore brush mounted on a short rod,, and stick it down into the submerged die body. A slow to medium spin for a few minutes has cleaned many a die.

Given the relative hardness, I suspect the 'grit' being cleaned in both cases is less 'impregnated' and closer to 'friction welded' to the carbide. Happens pretty frequently with carbide cutting tools. One would have to work very hard with anything less than industrial diamond to cause significant dimensional change to tungsten carbide.

If the dies are carbide and the sizing ring hasn't fractured or fallen out, it's a safe bet they can be refurbished.

Great information.... THANKS
I only had that happen to me once in 50 yrs.... just bought a new die. This is MUCH faster than waiting for a new die to arrive. + good info re: the carbide resistance to junk.

J.

I've used the bronze bore cleaning brushes in a drill. I even tried the swab ones with car cleaner/wax - didn't seem to help still needed a little lube for resizing after a couple cases.

I dunno about Lyman, but I'd bet that RCBS would replace a carbide die with that problem. For free.

Brake cleaner is my favorite. Don't clean a fiberglass tub with it, however. Don't ask why I know.

37fed said:

Brake cleaner is my favorite. Don't clean a fiberglass tub with it, however. Don't ask why I know.

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Those carbide rings are glued into the die body? Would brake cleaner dissolve that glue and how would it remove embedded grit ?

I don't know. I just know when grit gets in my dies and starts scratching, I spray brake cleaner, wipe out with shop towel, and start reloading. Magic I guess. Don't know how the grit is glued unless you are using loctite for Brass lube. Works in semi auto actions as well.

JStacy said:

Those carbide rings are glued into the die body? Would brake cleaner dissolve that glue and how would it remove embedded grit ?

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The rings are not glued, they are pressed in with an interference fit. If they happen to come out, they can be re-inserted with a heat differential and the steel body peened to keep them in place.

Nickel-plated cases can cause this,
That's what the lady at RCBS told me about 30 years ago when they replaced a steel 357 die free

Coming back late to say that RCBS (I know, I keep referring to them, and it's a Lyman die) used to offer a polishing service for dies that were scratching brass. Not sure if they still do, or if Lyman ever did, but all it costs to find out is a phone call.

Hornady polished out my carbide die for free.

I emailed Lyman and asked them about this situation. They said that they would replace the die.