converting a fl bushing die to a bushing beck sizer only

[rsmithsr]

so i cannot seem to break thru the hardening.
actual task is a 6.5x47 lapua fl bushing die to a 6 mm gt bushing neck die.( 6.5x47 is the parent cartridge)
the original die is a little long
should i shorten and then try the boring
any suggestions are welcome,
thanks, and MERRY CHRISTMAS

[alinwa]

Carbide not touching it, you're toast. Use a bench grinder if you're just shortening it

[alinwa]

Some time back a fellow here on this forum sent me 4 drops of stainless steel through-hardened and normalized to around 36RC (I think) which is (I think) nearabout what a sizing die is hardened to. I will have to go look again but they were two each of 2 alloys of SS...... He sent them to me to make sizing dies from...one of the steels machines OK for me with my small Bridgeport mill and G4003G lathe, the other just shrugs my tooling off.

BTST I can quite easily machine out Redding dies using carbide tooling, I buy Redding dies and re-cut them at will in the making of "ring" and "small base" and other two-piece sizing dies. Other brands simply don't cut and some brands are case-hardened so thinly that while I _can_ cut them I end up going right thru the casing and bogging my tooling down like a Travelall in a frost boil, down to the diff.

I cut "dry" or with squirty-type oil, I believe that to effectively machine many of these mid-range hardened steel alloys one need be an actual machinist using actual modern machining tools using coolants and feed/speeds effectively, not hobbyist or "gunsmith" grade stuff. ((Which incidentally was state-of-the-art not so many years ago ))

I've so far got notes describing re-machining RCBS, Forster, LE Wilson, Redding, Lee and Hornady sizing dies and seaters. I've had success with Redding.

I've also used Newlon and PTG die blanks.

Also "Carbide Tooling" is a bitofa' catchall for tooling ranging from "completely useless, cuts poorly and work-hardens worse than HSS" to "Holee KuhRAPP! This is WIKKID!"

Generally speaking solid, ground carbide tooling can allow me to do some machining operations normally held to be beyond the ken of hobby equipment. And when using carbide insert tooling thicker holders are better. Vibration and chatter kill carbide dead.

I've got some very effective sizing dies that were ground off by bellying up to a carborundum wheel.

The idea that a sizing die should touch the shell holder is ludicrous. Almost as stupid as one press being "straighter" than another.

[JerrySharrett]

Merry Christmas MORNING Al!!!


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[alinwa]

Merry Christmas MORNING Al!!!


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And a MERRY and a BLESSED Christmas to you and yours Jerry...... good to see you back kicking at the traces

[rsmithsr]

yes merry CHRISTMAS TO ALL
AND AL TOO
I TRIED GENERIC CARBIDE ON THE OUTSIDE
but insert tooling on the inside.
three toasted/chipped bits of carbide
i have made Very slow progress SANDING.
this is a wildcat of the 6gt and have seen no gt dies in stock.
may have to look again, but it this hard chit.
opening a bushing 6gt to 6.5 might be simpler

[alinwa]

Yeahh.... boring is the tough part. I've bought some hunner't dollar ground boring bars over this die-making problem. And been less than happy with the monies spent. The one single success is that I love the teeny-weeny ground bars for boring muzzle brakes but for dies my success has been found with the biggest shank bar-holders possible and higher quality inserts....... and belay the fear factor and friggin' CUT the die already! Too shallow cuts can just burnish the steel

[rsmithsr]

LAPPING
yep 240 grit lapping compound on a mounted case and making noticable progress.
while slow, fastest progress yet

[alinwa]

LAPPING
yep 240 grit lapping compound on a mounted case and making noticable progress.
while slow, fastest progress yet

When I do this it's die in the lathe and case in a drill counter-rotating.... finish out with sandpaper-wrapped dowels