Custom Die Holders, check 'em out!

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

esheato

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Messages
2,783
Location
NoVa
The problem with reloading is that you accumulate stuff. Lots of it.

I recently ran into the problem of having to many dies. I was constantly searching out those little green boxes to swap out dies. To make a long story short, I had some unused pegboard and came up with this idea to dress up the Gun Room a bit and to serve a very valuable function.

81109423.jpg


The units are primed and spray painted with a hammered finish and brass fittings are used to make it look kinda classy. One thing that I could have done better was to drill the attachment holes one column further towards the shellholder/display case....large lock ring dies can be tricky to get into the unit. Overall, I think they turned out quite well.

81109433.jpg


81109430.jpg
 
Looks Cool, But I Don't Believe I'd Care To Leave My Loading Dies,

Out where they will collect dust etc from the air. We fought long and hard many years ago to get the die manufacturers to quit using cardboard boxes for their die sets and develope a plastic airtight box to keep the dies clean, and easily stackable on shelves.
With a few die sets it won't matter but with over 150 sets how would a fellow know which was which without looking at each and every die for the ones he needs.
Loading dies are the crown jewels of handloading and they deserve better storage than that.
On the other hand that'd make a heck of a setup for all the allied tools needed around the loading shop and Lord knows there is never enough storage for all of those.
 
That is awesome! Paint it blue and see if Dillon will add it to their catalog. They've got everything else in there :)
 
The rectangular plastic boxes ARE nice for stacking. Lee's boxes are of course useless for stacking. The problem is when you add Hornady Lock-N-Load bushings to all your dies -- they no longer fit in the boxes! :mad:

So I did something similar to what you did:
attachment.php

(just without the skill, fit, finish, and quality :eek: )
 

Attachments

  • dies.jpg
    dies.jpg
    50.8 KB · Views: 276
As usual, you guys make me feel inferior. I like both your solutions but can also relate to Wil's concern.

esheato, you spent a lot of time and effort making those things look professionally done, and they absolutely do. If you decide to market them might I suggest that you ditch the peg board before taking photos? :neener:
 
Now that's very smart. I really like the touch of adding a holder for an empty case, use that to keep your "trim-to" master. Now all you need is a post for the chamber gauge and you're all set. :D

By the way, I'd love to see something like that for the Dillon toolheads. I have the stands that Dillon sells, but I'd like to get them off the shelf (they're too tall to fit in my cabinets)..
 
this is a great idea. having some Lee die boxes and an LnL with a bunch of bushings, i certainly need something in this line. if you could construct a be all, do all, of this, get a patent, yada yada. blue sounds good. tyvm
 
I really like the touch of adding a holder for an empty case, use that to keep your "trim-to" master.
Click to expand...
Good idea! I hadn't even thought of that. The case on the end was simply a highly polished case to display which dies were which. In hindsight, I should lengthen it and add a second stud for the Stoney Point OAL case along with the master trim case. Sigh...there's always a better way. :p The display cases are drilled out at approximately large primer diameter (.210").

How did you attach the shell holder/case pins?
Click to expand...
I drilled a small hole in the angled aluminum slightly smaller diameter than some aluminum rod that I had laying around. I cut the rod into small pieces with a Dremel (no, it wasn't near any guns when I did this ;) ). A tight fit and some JB Weld epoxy for insurance and you're good to go.

Thanks for all the great comments. I should make some more, I know I'll eventually need 'em.

Ed
 
The pictures show some good ideas of die storage, and those worried about dust collecting on the dies...just make clear plastic small cabinet doors to keep them covered in.

I'm afraid that I don't go to that much trouble, some of mine remain in their plastic boxes or tube containers, while the most used are in small cans with caliber labels on them.

But these inovations posted here are very nice.


44and45
 
Die Rack

Very sharp looking but I too would be a bit concerned of dust and moisture leading to rust on and in seldom used dies.Clear plexiglass containment would help but will still require some form of rust inhibitor.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top