Lee Collet dies questions
- Thread starter SuperCub
- Start date
- Location
- Calgary, AB
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2007/12/29/tips-for-using-lee-collet-dies/
AccurateShooter.com Bulletin
December 29, 2007
Tips for Using LEE Collet Dies
Filed under: Reloading, Tech Tip — Editor @ 12 pm
For those who prefer to neck-size their brass (rather than full-length-size), the LEE Collet Die is a popular, inexpensive option. It works by having collet tangs or “fingers” press the neck against a central mandrel. The benefit is that you get a very straight neck, which is sized consistently from top to bottom. Canadian shooter Jerry Teo explains: “LEE Collet Dies produce sized cases with very low runout (measured runout is under .001″ using a Sinclair concentricity gauge). You also don’t get the build-up of brass at the base of the neck, as can happen with bushing neck dies. The neck-shoulder junction stays nice and crisp.”
TIP ONE — Adjusting Tension
LEE Collet dies don’t have a specific mechanical adjustment for neck tension. But you CAN easily modify the die to provide more or less tension. If you want to adjust the neck tension using a Lee Collet die, you can simply chuck the mandrel in a drill and reduce the diameter with some sand-paper (to increase neck tension) or you can order a mandrel the next caliber larger and turn it to whatever diameter you want (the larger the mandrel diameter, the less the neck tension). You can also order custom mandrels from Lee sized to any diameter you want.
TIP TWO — Polish and Tune for Easy Case Removal
Some users have complained that their Collet Dies grab the case-neck too firmly, making the case hard to remove. There are solutions to this problem. First inspect the collet fingers and smooth the inner surface up a bit with polishing compound or an extra-fine sanding pad. Second, you can open up the fingers a little bit. LEE recommends that if your Collet Die is sticking, take a steel punch and tap the fingers apart a little bit so that the natural “unloaded” position is wider. Lastly, you should lightly lubricate the outside of the collet fingers (see arrows) before you re-assemble the die. This will ensure they slide smoothly. Also, to prevent the collet fingers from closing too tight, never load up the die with your press without putting a case in place first. Without a case neck between the collet fingers and the mandrel, the collet can clamp itself too tight as you raise the ram.
AccurateShooter.com Bulletin
December 29, 2007
Tips for Using LEE Collet Dies
Filed under: Reloading, Tech Tip — Editor @ 12 pm
For those who prefer to neck-size their brass (rather than full-length-size), the LEE Collet Die is a popular, inexpensive option. It works by having collet tangs or “fingers” press the neck against a central mandrel. The benefit is that you get a very straight neck, which is sized consistently from top to bottom. Canadian shooter Jerry Teo explains: “LEE Collet Dies produce sized cases with very low runout (measured runout is under .001″ using a Sinclair concentricity gauge). You also don’t get the build-up of brass at the base of the neck, as can happen with bushing neck dies. The neck-shoulder junction stays nice and crisp.”
TIP ONE — Adjusting Tension
LEE Collet dies don’t have a specific mechanical adjustment for neck tension. But you CAN easily modify the die to provide more or less tension. If you want to adjust the neck tension using a Lee Collet die, you can simply chuck the mandrel in a drill and reduce the diameter with some sand-paper (to increase neck tension) or you can order a mandrel the next caliber larger and turn it to whatever diameter you want (the larger the mandrel diameter, the less the neck tension). You can also order custom mandrels from Lee sized to any diameter you want.
Some users have complained that their Collet Dies grab the case-neck too firmly, making the case hard to remove. There are solutions to this problem. First inspect the collet fingers and smooth the inner surface up a bit with polishing compound or an extra-fine sanding pad. Second, you can open up the fingers a little bit. LEE recommends that if your Collet Die is sticking, take a steel punch and tap the fingers apart a little bit so that the natural “unloaded” position is wider. Lastly, you should lightly lubricate the outside of the collet fingers (see arrows) before you re-assemble the die. This will ensure they slide smoothly. Also, to prevent the collet fingers from closing too tight, never load up the die with your press without putting a case in place first. Without a case neck between the collet fingers and the mandrel, the collet can clamp itself too tight as you raise the ram.
I liked the concept of the die, and after using it enough wasn't impressed with the quality of the die. If you buy one I suggest disassembling the die and polishing the collet, and threaded top that the collet goes into, then lube the fingers of the collet.
This will ensure your brass doesn't get stick in the die and become ruined.
This will ensure your brass doesn't get stick in the die and become ruined.
elaborate? I have one collet die I havent installed yet cause I'm clueless when it comes to setting it, instructions are vague!
You got instructions for lee presses and then instructions for other presses
I'm using a dillon 550, what's special about lee presses?
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
They are red, not blue.
shotgunjoe
CGN Regular
- Location
- winnipeg mb
Most lee presses dont over cam the ram while most other manufactures the ram at full stroke actually comes down a small amount. This is why two instructions. As for why people use them, they work. I bought my first collet die back in the 90's and still use it, sure there was some things to learn and even now I occasionally change my technique but that die is still good .
Like:Reasonable price for hard to find calibers ie: 303 Savage or 41 Swiss.
Dislike: Rubber 'O' ring in the lock ring.
Lee and RCBS should pay attention to how the big red H makes a lock ring, they are slick as snot.
Dislike: Rubber 'O' ring in the lock ring.
Lee and RCBS should pay attention to how the big red H makes a lock ring, they are slick as snot.
Didn't like the fact that the collet would actually hang up inside the die after awhile and would have to pull the die apart to unstick the collet and re-oil around where it was sticking.
Never had good luck with neck runout with them either....maybe I just got a bad die.
Never had good luck with neck runout with them either....maybe I just got a bad die.
