Labeling dies

[Captaingyro]

In some die sets, I have two or three seater dies that are preset for different bullets. Some have custom seating stems, others are merely set up to seat at different depths. The question is, have you come up with a decent way to label dies when you put them away?

I don't want to write directly on the dies with a sharpie, because I frequently change the stem and/or depth in a die. Even if I wanted to, there's not much space on the typical die to write, or attach a label. I've been writing the bullet and OAL info on a piece of masking tape and wrapping it around the die, but it's a makeshift solution at best. So, have you come up with a clever way to label dies when you store them?

 

[Rule3]

I do not label dies but use Blue painters tape to label a lot of other stuff. It doesn't dry out and stick forever like regular masking tape. Put a small piece on the lock ring maybe??

And write very, very small

 

[ReloaderFred]

I use the Brothers P-Touch labeler, using the smallest font. I cut the tape to the size of the font and apply it to the die, after using denatured alcohol to clean the area the tape will be applied to. I've been using this method for many years and it's proven very satisfactory.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[plmitch]

ReloaderFred -thats a great idea. My wife has one and I'll have to try that. Thanks for the tip.

 

[fguffey]

Die labels, I have a copy machine, when I need labels I stack dies boxes with labels on the copy machine and hit print, If I need blank labels I cover the stamp identifying the contents, Hornady labels are easier to read, I have no problem placing Hornady labels on a green box. My wife has stick on labels that can be used if the person using the copy machine had the patients to align.

F. Guffey

 

[cfullgraf]

I use the Brothers P-Touch labeler...

Me too, although I do not label the reloading dies, I most frequently label the powder drop dies for my L-N-L progressive--same church, different pew.

I make the label long enough to wrap around the die and stick to itself as I find I cannot get the metal clean enough. Otherwise, the label releases on me after a while.

 

[Otto]

For the P-Touch labeler I use Brother's Extra-Strength Adhesive Labeling Tape. It's a bit more expensive but it stays put even outdoors and it sticks to more surfaces...even plastic die boxes.

 

[OrdellRobbie]

I use an engraver. I have a line marked on the press, and after I get the die ring tight I mark the ring to the line on the press, then I mark the body after I get it set. If I screw one up I just make the new mark deeper. This helps me with bullet seating as im usually right on and don't have to adjust when switching dies. Its worked very well for and old mauser that I use a Lee Factory crimp die as I have 4 lines marked for varying degrees of crimp and can come back to the same crimp.

My dad uses these little green price tag things that have a string on them to keep notes on dies set up. kinda looks like everything he has just came out of a pawn shop. Just loop the string around the die and u can label if it was last used for 357 or 38. He also uses these on his range guns tied to the scope and writes down what he last sighted in at whether it be 100yrds or 600 and how many moa to get back.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i just use a sharpie. a little brake parts cleaner on a q-tip and it comes right off.

 

[Captaingyro]

Some great ideas here guys.

Rule3, great minds must think alike, because I've been using the blue painters tape too. I was just looking for something a little more elegant.

NeuseRvrRat, I like the idea of the Sharpie; only problem is, I use RCBS dies, and they have a talent for manufacturing a die without one square centimeter of uncluttered surface so there's no place to write.

OrdellRobbie, the engraver's another good idea, but I'm looking for something to record a little more info. Clever concept, tho.

ReloaderFred, I had actually thought about the P-Touch labeler, but didn't think trimming the tape was practical. I tried your idea, and it works like a charm. My dies are now wearing little white labels, and it looks pretty neat. (You must use RCBS dies too; when you mentioned trimming to the size of the font, I knew exactly where they would fit: on that tiny ring of space on the die body between the threads and the knurled top).

 

[oneounceload]

Just number the dies and keep a separate index card or similar with whatever the data is you need to know

 

[taraquian]

I use a key ring or a rubber band with the label folded in half over it, that way i dont have to use small fonts and its real easy to change

 

[Captaingyro]

Wow, two more great ideas.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Captaingyro,

Yes, you're doing it the way I do it. It works especially well on RCBS dies, but also works on some of the others. I mark shell holders this way, too. I've got multiple shell holders for most of my calibers, and changing shell holders around within a caliber will sometimes change the amount a shoulder will be set back in a die for bottleneck cartridges. When I find the combination that works best for me, I label that shell holder for that task.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[marchboom]

Write a single number on the die. Keep a piece of paper in the die box where you can document as much info about the respective die as you want. Want to find out the "specs" of die #2? Just look at the info listed for die #2 on the paper in the die box.

 

[Schwing]

I put mine in individual plastic tote boxes. I have little note cards that I drop in the box with a description of how the die is currently set up.

 

[gspn]

I go the opposite route...I label the bullets...I have a dummy cartridge for each type of bullet I load. So in my 7 mm mag box I have three dummy rounds...each with the seating depth written on the side of the brass.

When it comes time to load, I put the die back in, adjust it out a few turns, put in the dummy round with the length/bullet I want, then turn the seater die down until I contact the bullet and I'm done....ready to load.

I don't use a lot of different bullets so this works for me.

 

[RainDodger]

Different colored cable ties around the top part of the die.

 

[Captaingyro]

Amazing...I was just at Harbor Freight a few hours ago, looking at a package of multi-colored cable ties, and thinking, "I wonder..."

I am starting to warm up to the idea of numbering or color-coding the dies somehow, then just keeping notes separately. Great idea.

 

[jack44]

I wrap masking tape around the die a write with a black sharpie whats it is.