Lyman Mold Handles

[Cowboy]

I know that they come in Large and Small. Looked on TOW and they said that the Large is for Double cavity and .50 and larger for single cavity. The Small for the older single cavity below .50. That is the way I understood it. The reason I am asking about the different sizes is because I recently got a .371 mold to cast balls for my .36 CB revolver. It came with the handles and is an older Lyman single cavity steel mold. Also acquired a Lyman single cavity .440 steel mold for my .45 caliber muzzleloader's. The .440 mold is the mold block only with no handles. Was wondering if I could interchange the handles off my .371 mold and also use them on my .440 mold? I am still waiting for my .440 mold to come in. All I have been using are my Lee aluminum molds that come with the handles. Never had a problem with them but got a great deal on these two Lyman steel molds. Getting Cabin Fever real bad! Just getting my casting equipment in order for some good days of casting ahead! :grin: Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[cositrike]

You should be able to use them. I've used large and small layman handles on the same mold. Shouldn't be a problem for you to use the same handles on different moods
Simon

 

[necchi]

I think you'll be OK too,
All I have is large handles and I'm running a .440 single mold #521, a 490, 530 and 535.

 

[Cowboy]

Thanks guys, I will let you know how it works out when my .440 mold comes in. Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff:

 

[TNGhost]

Don't know if you have them, but if it is of any help, the Lee commercial mold handles, for the 6 cavity and buckshot molds, also work on Lyman and other molds.

 

[Cowboy]

I have 4 Lee molds, all are double cavity. Never thought of trying them on the Lyman steel molds? Regardless, I am going to have to remove handles off of one mold to put them on another, Lee or Lyman. Was just thinking that both steel molds are Lyman with one that has handles and the other with the block only. Was just wondering if the Lyman handles that came with one would fit the other. Haven't received the Lyman .440 mold yet. When it comes in I will try it out. I was just curious if they were compatible with each other or if I would need to consider another set of handles for the .440 mold. Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Rifleman1776]

Let us know what you find when it comes.

 

[Grenadier1758]

There's no problem using the Lyman handles from your 0.371 diameter mold on the 0.440. I change handles all the time. Really there's not much difference between the large and small handles.

 

[BrownBear]

For some reason I only have one set of Lyman small handles. They sure get a workout moving around between molds. Works so well I just never got around to adding more to the stash.

 

[hawkeye2]

Cowboy you can't remove the handles from a Lee 2 cavity mold. Well I guess you could but you really don't want to go there. The Lee handles everyone seems to like and use for all molds (RCBS, Saeco, Lyman, etc.) are the Lee handles for the 6 cavity mold. Shop around online, I got a new pair for about $12 delivered.

 

[Cowboy]

No, All my Lee molds are double cavity. I pretty much decided not to mess with the handles on the Lee molds. I was thinking more inline with switching the Lyman handles back and forth. I am in the process of finding another set of Lyman handles so I won't have to keep switching them. Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[necchi]

I know what you mean by wanting extra handles, when the melt session starts you want to keep moving, not mess around with trying to change out hot handles.
I only set up for a casting session a couple times a year and do several calibers when I do.
All of my guns are picky about ball size for best accuracy, so it's a mix an match of Lee and Lyman molds I use.
I drove the pins out of an old beat-up Lee mold,
The handles have the proper pin location and open/close distance alright for Lyman/steel.
But the metal is too narrow, you have to shim the at pins where the handles fit in the groove to keep the steel molds lined up.
So if you find a lee at a show or auction that's super cheap you can make the handles work with a little custom fitting..

 

[mooman76]

Generally the large Lyman handles fit the small mould blocks. I have heard of some not fitting because over the years they have made allot of changes but this is rare. I would think a small amount of tweeking would cure that.

Like mentioned though the Lee 6 cavity handles do fit the Lyman moulds and they are very well built and a heck of allot cheaper(like $13) than the Lyman handles. If you ever get a Lee 6 cavity mould, you will have handles already.

I did remove the handles off a Lee 2 cavity a long time ago because I got a new RCBS mould and I thought the Lymans would fit. As mentioned I had to shim the mould handles to make fit right. Wasn't the best but got me through.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Generally the large Lyman handles fit the small mould blocks. I have heard of some not fitting because over the years they have made allot of changes but this is rare. I would think a small amount of tweeking would cure that.

When I have tried it (large handles on small blocks) the fit was bad because of the further distance the pin holes are from the pivot. I did drill holes on one set to fix that situation and it worked OK. I guess that would come under the category of "tweeking". Or just being too cheap to buy a new proper pair. :redface:

 

[Cowboy]

The .440 mold is the mold block only with no handles. Was wondering if I could interchange the handles off my .371 mold and also use them on my .440 mold? I am still waiting for my .440 mold to come in.

"UPDATE" Yes, the Lyman handles did work on the .440 mold. I now have a Lyman .490 double cavity mold coming in. Will these same handles work on that double cavity mold? I will purchase extra handles but am waiting to see if these handles work on the double cavity mold first. Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff:

 

[Grenadier1758]

The Lyman catalog would likely tell you to use the large handles for the double cavity mold. There is not much difference in size between the handles. I have to keep my mold handles in the box to tell them apart.

Try your handles with the double cavity mold and see if it works before buying new handles.

Yes, the Lyman site advises the use of the double cavity mold handles for all (single and double cavity) round ball molds. Your handles should work just fine.

 

[Colterkid]

The Lyman catalog would likely tell you to use the large handles for the double cavity mold. There is not much difference in size between the handles. I have to keep my mold handles in the box to tell them apart.

Try your handles with the double cavity mold and see if it works before buying new handles.

Yes, the Lyman site advises the use of the double cavity mold handles for all (single and double cavity) round ball molds. Your handles should work just fine.

Grenadier,
Reading your thread, and I have a question for you, if you would have time:
I just purchased an old Lyman .350 mould for my newest addition, i.e. Pedersoli Frontier. The Lyman handles hit when they come together, not allowing the mould to completely close. Are there different handles required for single cavity moulds?
Thanks Grenadier 1748.
Aj

 

[Grenadier1758]

@Colterkid, I have the Lyman small mold handles for my 0.350" mold.

 

[Colterkid]

@Colterkid, I have the Lyman small mold handles for my 0.350" mold.

Okay thanks, that as answers the question. I will know what to look for.
Appreciate your help. You're always good to help this ignorant, learning newby.