Die nut wrenches

[Jesse Heywood]

Guess I've always had a wrench fetish. They have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. I figure than one can never have too many wrench styles.

One gripe about the reloading industry is the lack of wrenches available for use on die nuts. I know not everyone uses them, but I don't like it if a die comes loose in the middle of a session.

There is a surplus store nearby. They have been cleaning up and making the place less of a scrounger's paradise, but there are still some finds. When I found the need for die wrenches I went in search of stamped steel wrenches.

For the RCBS die nut the wrench size is 1-3/16". The Lee and Hornady are 1-1/8". I managed to locate both sizes. Using the RCBS turret holder, the 1-3/16" wrench required grinding some excess material off so the wrench would fit between the nuts. The 1-1/8" wrench has not been reshaped. The 1-3/16" wrench can be used for both sizes, if needed.

Hornady nut with 1-1/8 wrench

Hornady nut with 1-3/16" wrench

Lee nut with 1-1/8 wrench

Lee nut with 1-3/16 wrench

RCBS nut with 1-3/16 wrench

 

[Walkalong]

Excellent.

 

[x_wrench]

i found a 29 mm wrench in an old motorcycle tool kit that works quite well for my lee dies. best part is it was FREE! it is a 6 point box wrench, and you do not need much torque on a die nut. for my hornady dies, i actually bought one of their wrenches.