Dead in the water.

Captain Quack · Apr 19, 2021

I have about 1000 primed cases of 9mm. They all need to be sized. However. I can't get the decapping pin out of the die. It is locked right in tight and soaking it in WD 40 hasn't helped at all. As you know dies can't be had for love nor money. Is there a way to cut the pin off from the bottom enough to not punch out the primers? Any suggestion is gratefully received. I'm really starting to believe the reloading gods don't want me to be doing this again.

Captain Quack.

AJC1 · Apr 19, 2021

Which die set are we talking there all different

Herman B · Apr 19, 2021

Who makes your die? Skip WD40 - wrong stuff. Try a long soak with a proper penetrating oil. As a last resort, cut then grind.

tightgroup tiger · Apr 19, 2021

Can't you take out the entire stem? You don't need it for resizing 9mm's.

Captain Quack · Apr 19, 2021

It's a Lee die. At least that's what I think it says.

Captain Quack · Apr 19, 2021

I've got some kroil coming. The pin is just seized solid. the knob on top has been rounded off as you can see.

tightgroup tiger · Apr 19, 2021

Great Googly-Moogly! Haven't you ever heard of a wrench?
I can't tell what your bottom picture is.

Captain Quack · Apr 19, 2021

It was that way when I got it.

Captain Quack · Apr 19, 2021

It's worked as long as I had it. I never had any reason to pop the pin before.

Slamfire · Apr 19, 2021

Did you put a vise grip on that spindle nut? I do hope you are turning the nut in the correct direction.

A 3/4 open end wrench will fit the flats on the die, and the 1/2 spindle nut is ruined. I suggest you check the rotation, looking at the spindle, it will come off counter clockwise. If you have a vise grips wrench, clamp it on the spindle nut. If you don't have a vise grip, get one.

After working on enough mechanical items, I have decided there are several people who need to be commended to perpetual veneration and invocation : Saint Vise Grip, Saint Duct Tape, and Saint Multitool.

bearleft · Apr 19, 2021

Give it some heat with a propane torch on the larger round portion.

dcloco · Apr 19, 2021

Hold the hex of the body with one wrench (or vice) and VICE GRIP the stem gnarled nut. Just remove the stem completely.

twistytorn · Apr 19, 2021

Grind flats to fit 7/16" wrench.

scott511 · Apr 19, 2021

Bet those threads are galled. If the nut does come out it probably won't go back in; not that you'd want to put that back in anyway. Find a tap with the same thread pitch if you do get it out

docbrown · Apr 19, 2021

Auto transmision fluid and some acetone or some PB Blaster (Kroil). As others have said, a wrench and a set of vise grips. When you are done, throw that nut away and order another one from Lee. When you get it out, run a brass barrel brush through the threads on the die and when you put it back together, put some anti-seize on the threads before you put the decapping pin back in the die.

docbrown · Apr 19, 2021

scott511 said:
Bet those threads are galled. If the nut does come out it probably won't go back in; not that you'd want to put that back in anyway

They very well might be. Sure hope not. If they are, he could get a handheld decapper like the Frankford Arsenal and still use the die to resize.

docbrown · Apr 19, 2021

Slamfire said:
Did you put a vise grip on that spindle nut? I do hope you are turning the nut in the correct direction.

A 3/4 open end wrench will fit the flats on the die, and the 1/2 spindle nut is ruined. I suggest you check the rotation, looking at the spindle, it will come off counter clockwise. If you have a vise grips wrench, clamp it on the spindle nut. If you don't have a vise grip, get one.

After working on enough mechanical items, I have decided there are several people who need to be commended to perpetual veneration and invocation : Saint Vise Grip, Saint Duct Tape, and Saint Multitool.

And St Sawzall!

AJC1 · Apr 19, 2021

You can use a hammer and punch to push it out the bottom. Put it in your press first.

CoalCrackerAl · Apr 19, 2021

This won't help at the monent. But for you and other folks later on it may.

I use a universal de-capping die. It drives me nuts too if i forget to resize before priming. So i snapped off the de-capping pins on dies where the expander is with the de-capping pin. Pistol dies i removed the de-capping pins.

AJC1 · Apr 19, 2021

If your handy with a dremel you could cut the bolt the rest of the way in half and then the rod will just fall out.

AJC1 · Apr 19, 2021

CoalCrackerAl said:
This won't help at the monent. But for you and other folks later on it may.

I use a universal de-capping die. It drives me nuts too if i forget to resize before priming. So i snapped off the de-capping pins on dies where the expander is with the de-capping pin. Pistol dies i removed the de-capping pins.

None of my sizing dies have them. I size and expand rifle and pistol.

Walkalong · Apr 19, 2021

As stated, a 3/4” wrench for the die body and some curved jaw vice grips for the spindle nut.

RainDodger · Apr 19, 2021

Good grief. I think I'd go and buy a new die. That's downright bugly.

AJC1 · Apr 19, 2021

You could also lock it in your press and use a small pipe wrench because it will dig in and get grip. Hoping you have a strong o type press.

scott511 · Apr 19, 2021

If the threads are galled bad, Kroil might not even work. Only thing that'll work then is brute force; and both sets of threads will be shot.
You might want to drive decap pin out from top to bottom; that might help to get the nut out

Dead in the water.

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