Lee decapping/expanding rod now knurled

I dont see knurling. I see machining marks left by a cnc lathe turning that out in seven seconds.

Looks like they are speeding up machine cycle time to produce more output. Definitely an insert’s toolmarks.

Does it have a serious texture? Could always chuck it in a drill or lathe and use a bit of emery cloth to clean it up

exactly why Lee's stuff is so inexpensive.

If they didn’t put it there on purpose it would be on the expander portion of the die and it is smooth.

No reason to change the CNC program to increase feed rate or decrease spindle speed between the two, unless it was an intentional change.

Might be for extra if it’s universal type.
I have a Hornady like that

Probably for extra grip so you dont have to tighten the collet nut so tight. I stripped my 223 one trying to keep it tight while trying to decap military brass. Then I switched to a universal decappimg die and use it before cleaning cases now.

It's definitely an intentional texture.

If you've never had trouble with the Lee decapping rod slipping, that makes you unusual. Most people need to be told thrice and shown twice before tightening that split nut to the proper German torque spec.

The ribs are there for better grip on the collet. Replace with a Squirrel Daddy pin and you'll never buy another Lee.

Bill

I found it useful to degrease the rod and inside of the nut, and lube the threads on the nut.

FROGO207 said:

Probably for extra grip so you dont have to tighten the collet nut so tight.

Click to expand...

that's my 1st thought

Shouldn’t take any tooling change, just a line of code changing feed rate or spindle speed after the expander portion is turned.

I am glad to see that Lee has addressed the slippage problem. I have resorted to a little powdered rosin on the decap rod on some of my Lee dies.

ericuda said:

Whatever it is i don't knowm. All my other Lee decapping rods are smooth.

Click to expand...

yep, a rougher finish produced by a higher rate of feed.
Kind of a shallow very fine pitched thread, all to keep it from slipping in the collet without it being white knuckled tight.
A simple/zero cost solution to the rod slipping in the collet that we all have experienced.

thanks for posting,