Thread: Cutting a die

I'm sure this has been discussed before but I don't remember what the consensus was. I'm referring to modifying pre-existing hardened dies, specifically trimming the bottom off by a few mm's.
Is this at all possible? Or is it just very hard work on the cutting tools?
Don't ask why... I'm just mulling over options for a wildcat, and wondered about how hard it will be to trim an existing sizing die instead of making a new custom one.
Cheers in advance chaps

Not so hard
I took 10mm off a die recently

First cut with a fine cut off wheel
Then chucked the die up in my Elliot tool and cutter grinder and faced off the end with the grinder and the die turning.

With limited gear you could do the final grind with it turning in the lathe
Or turning on a battery drill and against a linisher

Oh really? Well that gives me lots of ideas... cheers!

Now I need a .300 savage sizing die...

Ok now my next query @akaroa1 ; correct me if I'm wrong, but it should possible to use a finisher reamer to cut a chamber in a different size bore, provided it has removable pilot that matches the bore? And then cut the neck with a neck reamer of the size you want? Is there any issue with concentricity or finish using 2 dies to make a chamber?

Yes
If your reamer is live pilot you can make a custom pilot for a funky bore

I recently ground a solid pilot to take live pilots so I could chamber a funky bore

It gives more options when using old barrels with good bores

I shortened my die for the 375 Wildcat I'm doing
I formed a case with it and it's still about 0.5mm long
When I cut the chamber I will fine tune the die to the chamber or visa versa

You wouldn't happen to have a .300 Sav finisher with live pilot would you...?

I've modified a few dies and found it best to anneal them first espescially if you need to drill or ream them.
Heat it up with a propane torch red hot and hold it there for a few mins then drop it into a tin half full of crushed charcoal then cover it completely in crushed charcoal and leave it cool slowly for about an hour.
It will then be soft enough to machine. To re harden it you need to get it red hot again and quench it in canola oil. No need to re temper it after hardening.

It probably depends on how hard, I've shortened a hornady one with cemented carbide insert in lathe, drilled neck with a carbide drill then a couple of small cuts with an adjustable reamer