Problem With Winchester Mold

sjc1

Maybe someone can help me out with this that is familiar with Winchester moulds. I am using an old .38-40 Winchester mold that casts very good bullets. The problem lies with the hinge pin that joins the molds and handles together (each mould half is one piece with it's handle). The moulds are very difficult to open and close. I have lubricated the hinge pin....no luck, it is still difficult to open and close. Does anyone know how to overcome this problem? The pin looks like it is one piece and is smooth on both ends. The mould halves line up correctly so I believe that somehow the hinge pin has tighten up.
Thanks in advance for any help.

jaoob

I have no experience in this but maybe lead has gotten in there somehow and that is why lube doesn't work. I know what the tool looks like but don't know if the pin would come out. Sorry I can't help.

v35

I'm holding a unused Winchester 38-40 mould in my hand and note that the pivot pin is riveted on both ends. Since there are no alignment pins as on Lyman mould blocks, the pivot pin has to be a close fitting, precision affair or the mould halves would misalign.
If they have tightened up, some tiny particle may have crept into the joint. Hopefully, it's lead. I would generously use Kroil or automatic trans.fluid under both heads of the riveted pin as well as between the joint of the two halves, let it sit a while and cycle the mould handles a bunch of times. You could also strike the pin on both sides with a wooden or plastic hammer to crush the particle in the joint.
The trick will be not to contaminate the mould cavity with oil or it will be some time before you cast good bullets.

sjc1

Thanks for the advice. Will give it a try.