DH Vidrine
Well-Known Member
I needed another set of bullet mold handles for a Lyman mold. None were in stock at any of the Internet shooting suppliers. Mold handles are similar to blacksmith tongs. Since I make my own tongs, I decided to try the same technique for bullet mold handles.
Start with two pieces of ¼”x1” flat bar 3 ½” long and 5/16” round bar 1 7/16” long.
Draw out the jaws.
Handle parts heating in the propane forge.
Draw out the handle reins.
Hot punch and drift the 5/16” rivet hole in the boss of each half.
Set the 5/16” rivet and adjust jaw off set and spacing. For a Lyman mold the handle jaws must be ¾” apart, parallel, and 5/16” thick. Mark the jaw screw holes with a transfer punch. Drill screw holes in the jaws. Make sure they fit the mold block.
Assemble the handles with drilled 7/8” wood dowels, and a Lyman mold block. Finish with Minwax wipe on polyurethane and paste wax. The next set of mold handles I make will be better. I think I will start with 5/8” square bar instead of ¼” flat bar. That will make the jaw off-set a little easier.
The hell with the shooting supply shortage. Now go cast a bucket full of bullets.
Dwayne Vidrine
Prairieville, LA
Start with two pieces of ¼”x1” flat bar 3 ½” long and 5/16” round bar 1 7/16” long.
Draw out the jaws.
Handle parts heating in the propane forge.
Draw out the handle reins.
Hot punch and drift the 5/16” rivet hole in the boss of each half.
Set the 5/16” rivet and adjust jaw off set and spacing. For a Lyman mold the handle jaws must be ¾” apart, parallel, and 5/16” thick. Mark the jaw screw holes with a transfer punch. Drill screw holes in the jaws. Make sure they fit the mold block.
Assemble the handles with drilled 7/8” wood dowels, and a Lyman mold block. Finish with Minwax wipe on polyurethane and paste wax. The next set of mold handles I make will be better. I think I will start with 5/8” square bar instead of ¼” flat bar. That will make the jaw off-set a little easier.
The hell with the shooting supply shortage. Now go cast a bucket full of bullets.
Dwayne Vidrine
Prairieville, LA
