Help with Lyman pistol expander die

[retfed]

Looking for a "fix" for my 25-30 year old Lyman expander die. The "stem" holds a steel inter-changeable caliber specific "plug" at the business end. I havea supply of the plugs in caliber specific sizes. The .380 plug won't stay screwed in tight no matter how hard I try to screw it in during use. Run about 25 cases thru it and run my finger across the bottom - it has loosened enough so I can feel movement, in spite of the rest of the die parts being solidly tightened and unmoving.
With the small .380 cases it doesn't take much loosening to find the case has been expaned more than wanted. Tighten it down, run 20-30 more cases and it happens again.

Tried using a low temp hot glue gun at the joint. it took a little longer before it loosened, but it happened again.

I can't use anything "permanent" on the threads or I'll lose the capability to exchange the tips for other calibers,

Any suggestions or fix-it ideas??

THX
Retfed

Lou Bevilacqua
[email protected]

 

[eyeshot]

Lyman Powder Charge/Expanding Die System.

Is this the die you're using?

 

[bullseye308]

Oil the stem and put a drop of silicone in the plug then screw it on. May work better than the hot glue. Another alternative would be a bit of JB weld in the plug to take out any play and looseness.

 

[forrest r]

blue locktite or teflon tape on the threads

 

[Blue68f100]

Your best option is what they call Vibra-tite. It's designed for what your trying to do.

https://www.vibra-tite.com/threadlockers/removable-reusable-threadlockers/

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Sounds like the old die is worn out. Time for a new one? New die may have a new design too,

 

[AJC1]

I have no idea what your machining capability is, but you can drill a small hole and insert a small nylon plug, effectively making your own nylock.

 

[retfed]

Thank You for the responses. A number of things to possibly try.

Eyeshot - NO, it's not the Lyman Powder Charge/Expanding Die System. This was WAY before powder charge thru the die even existed
Bullseye308 - "Oil the stem and put a drop of silicone in the plug" What Silicone? Sealant I assume but just checking.

I'll start with teflon tape first, since I have that on hand, and it's easy.
Then bullseye's idea of tape fails, then a permatex blue.
THEN go buy a new die if all else fails.
THX again
Retfed
Lou B [email protected]

 

[markr6754]

THEN go buy a new die if all else fails.
[email protected]

I have the exact same problem with a NEW Lyman 9mm expanding die, so I'm suspecting that not much has changed in their design. I've been considering the Blue Loctite "solution" myself. I can't think of a downside as I can't think of a reason I'd want that plug to come off. Fortunately, I have the Hornady .380ACP and 9mm dies, which means I have 2 spare expansion dies if needed (Hornady 380 ACP and 9mm die sets have the same expanding and seating dies, only the sizing die differs).

 

[FROGO207]

I have a Lee Powder through expanding die for my 380 use. You might just get a seperate dedicated die for that use for 380. Part of your problem might be wearing out the threads by changing inserts so often.

 

[BigBoreBubba]

+1 on the Teflon tape. If they’re not overly worn threads that will usually do the trick.

 

[edwardware]

VibraTite is the kitten's whiskers for reversible thread locker, and it comes in small pouches so a 10 year supply actually lasts 10 years.

In these cases, I usually install a set screw, but that needs a drill press.

 

[Kaldor]

I'm assuming it's an M-die?

I put a drop in super glue on the shaft. It's never coming apart