Help identify

[Clem Bronkoski]

Picked this up today included in a lot of reloading supplies and have no idea what it's for. I'm thinking a bullet sizer. Markings indicate Lyman 450.

 

[Chuckrub]

That's what it is.

 

[Seabeeken]

The siing dies are interchangeable with the rcbs sizer. I use them in my rcbs if rcbs doesnt have what i want

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

I found out that its a Lubrasizer. But I also found out when I got it the guy said he bought it used with all the other stuff thinking about getting into reloading but it never happened and it was sitting in his shed for about 7 years.
Operation is really stiff so I took it apart following online instructions and found that whoever had it previously had left about 1" of lube in the cylinder. It pretty hard and I want to get it out. Any ideas without hurting the gasket on the bottom of the cylinder? I'm thinking heating it up some. The die too is stuck in the unit which is also likely from the old lube. That area should be ok to heat up a bit with a torch to soften the lube and pop out the die. I'm not too concerned about the O-rings on the die. I can get them at the hardware store.
For the cylinder I was thinking of soaking the entire thing in a basin of very hot water to soften everything up.
Give me some ideas guys.
I mainly got the items for the RCBS press and the primers and bullets (6mm, 7mm and a whole box of .45 or .44 bullets.) This luber was just a bonus.

 

[wc870]

heat will be your friend getting it apart and cleaning it, no need for a torch though. A hair dryer or heat gun will work just fine. tons of videos out there about bullet sizing and tools/tips/tricks. casting boolets is a whole other rabbit hole to go down..(ask me how I know!)

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

Thanks wc. I'll try the hair dryer thing

 

[slick Nick]

Yea I have one same issue lube left in however I am going to warm her up and it will all be good. YES another DEEP rabbit hole start mixing you lead and tin or antimony I used to love Lino type but can't find another bucket full hahaha.
Good luck

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

get the heater plate makes for much less problems and delivery of lube into size die- its worth the $$$. it mounts under the 450 machine between the bench and 450.
LINO TYPE is getting harder to find cause of the new printers need to find and old time print shot or newspaper plant. I got mine from an old friend that worked for a paper printer ( newspaper type setter ) still have a few lbs left over. I mixed up a few hundred lbs years back and still have some- hope by the time I run out I'll also run out. SHOT STRAIGHT AND OFTEN !!!!

 

[skipglo]

Id drop it in a pail of diesel fuel...it will loosen everything up

 

[Rflshootr]

A large pot of boiling water would work as well. Just make sure you dry it so it doesn't rust.

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

I can't remember the last time I fully cleaned my 450 think i used lighter fluid ? ( Don't smoke when doing that ) or light matches could also have used some gas ?? like I said its been a long time ago !!!! Since that time I went out and picked up another unit to use different lube with .

 

[41mag]

The hair dryer or heat gun will work best. Remove the sizing die, turn it topside down over a container, and heat the bottom. Might use a coat hanger to hold it suspended. This will allow the lube to run our freely. Might also put a slight tilt up on the front as there is a small reservior there under where the die goes that will need to be cleaned. Usually once the lube melts it flows out pretty easy.

Ive cleaned up three of the, 2 Lyman and one older Saeco. They all work about the same. Just don't get them too hot, once the lube starts to drip out, stop heating until it cools and stops, then add a little more heat. My Saeco took the longest at about an hour and a half from start to finish. That lube was ridiculous hard and seemed to take forever to start dripping.

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

As above 41mag cleaning them or to change over lube made me go buy another unit now have one for pistol and one for rifle.