Lachmiller lube a matic

[JBowen]

I remembered today that I have some kind of lubrisizer under my reloading bench. Pulled it out and it is a Lachmiller lube a matic. I have done a little research on the
net today and found out it is the pre-curser to the RCBS lube a matic. I have never used one before and don't know much about them. It appears to be all there and in
good shape.
The only sizer I have ever used is a Lee push thru system and used Alox lube.
My question to you old hands at casting, do you think these are worth the effort to buy the sizers and punches, ( RCBS are supposed to work in them) and use stick lube
on bullets with conventional lube grooves?
Thanks in advance for your input,

JBowen

[Shasta]

I have 12 of the old style Lube-A-Matic sizers, one of which is an old Lachmiller. It looks and functions just like the RCBS brand, using the same sizers and top punches. Used sizers and top punches can be had on Ebay for less than retail prices. White Label offers several varieties of stick lube. I have been casting bullets since 1968 and am quite happy with my Lube-A-Matics.

Shasta

[earlmck]

As far as speed goes, the liquid alox/lee push thru is much the fastest. But you are limited to what that works for. If you want to expand your horizons (sounds like you do) in the cast-bullet shooting game, then yes indeedy, put that old lube a matic to work!

If you want to use the wax-lubes you will need to add some heat source to warm everything. I mount my Lyman sizer (real similar to you Lachmiller) onto the bench on top of a 4" x 8" metal plate onto which I plop a little engine block heater I got years ago. I adjust the heat by how much of the heater is contacting the metal plate. There are commercial heating units sold that are more elegant!

Plenty good lubes such as the blackpowder lubes, commercial or home-made and the 50/50 Alox/beeswax don't need any added heat. I ended up with two lube-sizers, one loaded up with LBT Blue wax lube that needs heat and one loaded with my homemade blackpowder stuff. 'Cause it is a serious chore to change the type lube you are using out of a single lube-sizer. (That's why Shasta owns several!)

[marlinman93]

I've owned both RCBS and Lyman, and like the Lachmiller they all use the same dies and top punches. I use my old Lyman every time I cast bullets to lube them. I rarely use it to size bullets as my molds drop the right size bullets, so just use it to lube bullets.
Bullets lubed this way have much more lube and I get a good lube star on the muzzle of my rifles showing lube is still carried to the end of the bore, which eliminates any leading issues. It's the only method I've used for about 4 decades of making bullets.

[JBowen]

Thanks for all the feedback fellers. That is exactly what I was looking for. I think I will clean this rig up and try to make good use out of it. If I remember correctly
it was given to me when I purchased a bunch of reloading components from a guy who bought them at an auction. I also have a few old Lyman and RCBS molds that
I have been wanting to try out and I will try to lube them with the Lachmiller.
Again, many thanks.

JBowen

[LeverGunner]

I like my Lyman 450. Each brand will have its own minor learning curve so not sure what translates to the Lachmiller machine. But once you get it figured out it runs smooth. You lube and size a bullet quickly, and without any lube on the nose.

Lyman and RCBS dies and top punches interchange. I've found that top punches, especially Lyman top punches seem to have a large range of machining tolerance. So.. I collect top punches and fit them to my bullets without paying much attention to the number.

I place each bullet in an empty tray from factory ammo for storage.

I use a hairdryer for heating the unit a bit if need be. I have a hairdryer for man stuff I found it handy for heating bullets and lube when tumble lubing also.

I buy lube from White Label - https://lsstuff.com/ He's a good guy and on several forums.

[JBowen]

I like my Lyman 450. Each brand will have its own minor learning curve so not sure what translates to the Lachmiller machine. But once you get it figured out it runs smooth. You lube and size a bullet quickly, and without any lube on the nose.

Lyman and RCBS dies and top punches interchange. I've found that top punches, especially Lyman top punches seem to have a large range of machining tolerance. So.. I collect top punches and fit them to my bullets without paying much attention to the number.

I place each bullet in an empty tray from factory ammo for storage.

I use a hairdryer for heating the unit a bit if need be. I have a hairdryer for man stuff I found it handy for heating bullets and lube when tumble lubing also.

I buy lube from White Label - https://lsstuff.com/ He's a good guy and on several forums.

Levergunner, thanks for the tips. I checked White Labels web site and I probably will try out some of his products. Another thing his business is in Arkansas and he
may be a pretty good feller!

JBowen