Thinning Lee Case Lube

2 Horse · Feb 15, 2014

I was using the home made lanolin stuff, works great but a royal pain to remove. I've heard someplace that you can thin the Lee lube with alcohol instead of water, so you don't take a chance of rust on the sizing die.
Any one know if it 4 to 1 or 8 to 1

By the way I'm reloading 223

Thanks

Rule3 · Feb 15, 2014

There are many many threads on this.

I dilute 10:1 (alcohol to lube) It will separate so needs to be shaken (not stirred) You will not rust your dies, give it 10 minutes to dry. I have used it wet and dry, 70% 60% rubbing alcohol it doesn't matter.

If you do not have a little spray bottle they carry them at beauty supply stores. (I send my Wife but I don't care I would go in if I have to)

Duckdog · Feb 15, 2014

G B Wire Aide is the same basic stuff and I never thin it. You can get a really big container for about $7. I cleans off like a dream as well.

leefan · Feb 16, 2014

May I ask why you want to thin it? Seems like heresy to me. If Lee wanted it thinned they'd thin it.

savanahsdad · Feb 16, 2014

not sure why you would want to thin it ? I got sick of cleaning my dies after using the lee lube , it works great but I found the Redding lube works better and dose not dry on my dies , , I'd use it as is or look for another lube , just my 2cents

leefan · Feb 16, 2014

Thanks, I haven't had that experience yet. And not looking forward to it. Lots of folks here swear by Imperial wax. You used that, and does it gum up your dies?

Swampman · Feb 16, 2014

Just get a tin of Imperial Sizing Wax.
It works great and is very inexpensive to use.
It will actually PROTECT your dies from rust.

I really like a lot of Lee's stuff, but this is WAY better.
Trust me on this one.

fiftybmg · Feb 16, 2014

http://www.lambdacode.com/reloading/docs/caselube/index.html

savanahsdad · Feb 16, 2014

leefan said:
Thanks, I haven't had that experience yet. And not looking forward to it. Lots of folks here swear by Imperial wax. You used that, and does it gum up your dies?

Imperial wax is made by or for Redding , and you use your fingers to apply it , the Redding lube can be applied with your fingers or on there lube pad , 6 of one half a dozen of another . clean up with just a damp rag .

hartcreek · Feb 16, 2014

I use my Lee sizing dies right as I am casting. I cast and dunk a few hundred and then size the bullets right away when they are damp using the water as a lube......no rust in my sizeing dies.

2 Horse · Feb 16, 2014

leefan said:
May I ask why you want to thin it? Seems like heresy to me. If Lee wanted it thinned they'd thin it.

Right now I'm using lanolin thinned with alcohol for use in a quart spray bottle. Works great no suck cases but, you need to clean it off after sizing or risk contaminating your charge.

Lee says no need to clean after, will not harm you powder or primer. One trip to the wash saved.

The way I do it is put about 300 cases in a zip lock, spray 8 or 9 times into the bag and then seal it up. Roll the cases around to spread the lube evenly, open the bag and let dry. Ready to size

The alcohol speeds the drying process

RealGun · Feb 16, 2014

delete - I'm the one who is confused about whether we are talking case lube or bullet lube. No wonder it didn't make sense.

joel6180 · Feb 16, 2014

Are we talking about case lube, or bullet lube? I'm getting confused.

2 Horse · Feb 16, 2014

Not talking about removing Lee lube, was talking about needing to remove the lanolin lube.

That's why I'm switching to eliminate the need to wash before loading

Case lube

Elkins45 · Feb 16, 2014

leefan said:
May I ask why you want to thin it? Seems like heresy to me. If Lee wanted it thinned they'd thin it.

You thin it so you can use it as a spray lube instead of a "rub it on one case at a time" lube. That way you can lube a whole batch of cases in just a few seconds. Very useful if you're doing a large volume of cases, such as loading .223 on a progressive press.

HOWARD J · Feb 16, 2014

I put a bunch of cases in a bowl or plastic container.
Squeeze a 1/2" or so of Lee lube on one hand & rub hands together.
Run hands thru cases---this places a very thin coating on each casing.
After sizing I run them in walnut media to take off lube.
Works for me.

Rule3 · Feb 16, 2014

leefan said:
May I ask why you want to thin it? Seems like heresy to me. If Lee wanted it thinned they'd thin it.

Because John Lee (in his manual) says to do so as it is a waste to use it full strength

When it is diluted there is no need to bother wiping it off or re tumbling your brass.

leefan · Feb 16, 2014

Rule3 said:
Because John Lee (in his manual) says to do so as it is a waste to use it full strength

When it is diluted there is no need to bother wiping it off or re tumbling your brass.

Thanks. I only read the label on the tube, which doesn't mention dilution.

leefan · Feb 16, 2014

Swampman said:
Just get a tin of Imperial Sizing Wax.
It works great and is very inexpensive to use.
It will actually PROTECT your dies from rust.

I really like a lot of Lee's stuff, but this is WAY better.
Trust me on this one.

It MUST be good because I can't find it in stock anywhere!

A Pause for the Coz · Feb 16, 2014

Mixed with Alcohol it has become my #1 way to lube.

I spray with the brass being held or laid flat, what ever way you feel like doing it.
I left a big batch sit a week as I nibbled away at sizing. Still worked just fine.

Done like this, you do not need to spray both side. One is enough.

Rule3 · Feb 16, 2014

This^^^^

Only I spray in a clear Rubbermaid shoe box size container and shake them around.

Imperial sizing wax, one tin will last a lifetime but it is harder to remove as it is not water based. It is made by Redding now.

Thinning Lee Case Lube

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