Jesse Heywood
October 25, 2010, 12:10 AM
Guess I've always had a wrench fetish. They have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. I figure than one can never have too many wrench styles.
One gripe about the reloading industry is the lack of wrenches available for use on die nuts. I know not everyone uses them, but I don't like it if a die comes loose in the middle of a session.
There is a surplus store nearby. They have been cleaning up and making the place less of a scrounger's paradise, but there are still some finds. When I found the need for die wrenches I went in search of stamped steel wrenches.
For the RCBS die nut the wrench size is 1-3/16". The Lee and Hornady are 1-1/8". I managed to locate both sizes. Using the RCBS turret holder, the 1-3/16" wrench required grinding some excess material off so the wrench would fit between the nuts. The 1-1/8" wrench has not been reshaped. The 1-3/16" wrench can be used for both sizes, if needed.
Hornady nut with 1-1/8 wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129562&stc=1&d=1287979095
Hornady nut with 1-3/16" wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129563&stc=1&d=1287979095
Lee nut with 1-1/8 wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129564&stc=1&d=1287979365
Lee nut with 1-3/16 wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129566&stc=1&d=1287979769
RCBS nut with 1-3/16 wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129567&stc=1&d=1287979576
One gripe about the reloading industry is the lack of wrenches available for use on die nuts. I know not everyone uses them, but I don't like it if a die comes loose in the middle of a session.
There is a surplus store nearby. They have been cleaning up and making the place less of a scrounger's paradise, but there are still some finds. When I found the need for die wrenches I went in search of stamped steel wrenches.
For the RCBS die nut the wrench size is 1-3/16". The Lee and Hornady are 1-1/8". I managed to locate both sizes. Using the RCBS turret holder, the 1-3/16" wrench required grinding some excess material off so the wrench would fit between the nuts. The 1-1/8" wrench has not been reshaped. The 1-3/16" wrench can be used for both sizes, if needed.
Hornady nut with 1-1/8 wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129562&stc=1&d=1287979095
Hornady nut with 1-3/16" wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129563&stc=1&d=1287979095
Lee nut with 1-1/8 wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129564&stc=1&d=1287979365
Lee nut with 1-3/16 wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129566&stc=1&d=1287979769
RCBS nut with 1-3/16 wrench
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=129567&stc=1&d=1287979576