[Chuck Perry]

I am getting started in bullet casting. I have been building up a supply of tools and lead as I come across them. At a flea market this weekend, I found and bought a Lyman/Ideal No. 45 Luber/Sizer. Yeah, it's old and crusty, but I got it for $10. Figure I can learn on it and then go on to something else (better?) However, I have absolutely no clue what to do with this thing.
Does anyone have a source for a manual for this old machine? Does it work similar enough to the newer 450/4500's that I can use those instructions? What about sizing dies? I see ones listed for the Lyman 450, will those also work in my machine? I am pretty much open to any info I can get at this point :rolleyes:

[billyb]

Yes,

You can still get dies for this, it uses the same dies as the Lyman 450. It takes an H&I die and top punch from the Lyman catalog. The H&I die is listed by diameter of the bullet to be sized, and the top punch number is listed on the Lyman Bullet molds. I am still using my dads Model 45

[NuJudge]

The Lyman 4500 has many similarities:
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/Instruction%20Guide%2014.pdf

A scan of the Lyman 45 manual:
http://home.comcast.net/~imashooter2/Lyman_45.pdf

These machines tend to leak a bit. The biggest and most irritating leak is at the top. Some of the early lube/size dies do not have an O-ring seal near the top, and will leak like mad. Most that you will encounter will have an O-ring seal near the top, but the O-ring will blow out. Lyman has a newer design O-ring that is supposed to not blow out.

Decide what lube you are going to use. I mostly use 50% Alox 2138F/50% Beeswax (the NRA formula). The cheapest source of it is:
http://www.lsstuff.com/lube/
I fill my 45 and 450 lube machines by melting and pouring in, but Lars sells it in hollow sticks.

[rcmodel]

RCBS dies & top punches will also fit & work just as well as Lyman.

rcmodel

[SSN Vet]

send it to me for $20 and brag about your 100% profit.

[nambu1]

You can buy a lube heater for the higher temperature lube or get pipe heat trace and wrap it around the luber. You got a steal on it.