Oiling or greasing threaded fastners?

[Lead Waster]

I was adjusting the dies on my reloading press when it occurred to me that I never lube the threads... Are you supposed to lube threaded fastners to prevent them getting stuck? With reloading dies you might screw them in and out a lot as that's how you adjust them, and on a single stage press without bushings, you pretty much have to take them out after every stage.

I put some lithium grease on the dies I was working with. Should the be left dry or be lubed?

[Lead Waster]

Darn it sorry, this should be in reloading forum or off topic...

[ExtremeX]

Aside from the initial cleaning of the equipment when I first got my press, I haven't done anything to the threads to maintain them aside for just keeping things clean. Many years later I have yet to have any issues.

This goes for both screw in/out dies for my single stage and dies installed into a tool head for a progressive.

[rg1]

I'd leave the press bushing and die threads dry. Grease attracts dirt, grit, or powder residue. Only time I'd apply any lube is if you have issues with moisture and rust on your press or dies then I'd use a rust preventive sparingly. Keeping my dies and threads clean and dry makes them easy to remove but a little gunk from case lube and dirt can bind the die in the press bushing slightly. Best to keep threads clean. Just my method.

[Divernhunter]

Do not lube the threads.
I have dies and a press used since the 1960's without any lube(except a squirt of Tri-Lube on the ram every few years) and they are still just fine.

So remove the lube with brake clean spray or solvent and just reload.

[ar15barrels]

I was adjusting the dies on my reloading press when it occurred to me that I never lube the threads... Are you supposed to lube threaded fasteners to prevent them getting stuck?

If you have similar metals in a soft state, they should be greased to reduce the chance of galling.
If you have dissimilar hardness, they threads generally won't gall.
Reloading dies are VERY hard.
Reloading presses are generally pretty soft.
You don't need to be concerned with dies galling in a press.

[CK_32]

I need to find a way to keep my dies and parts from rusting.


All my tools and press parts dies included keep getting slight bits of rust and my dies especially seems like they have crud on the inside. Not sure if it's from the brass or not, but even seating die which I only seat clean cases on is getting cruddy/rusty

[ar15barrels]

I need to find a way to keep my dies and parts from rusting.

All my tools and press parts dies included keep getting slight bits of rust and my dies especially seems like they have crud on the inside. Not sure if it's from the brass or not, but even seating die which I only seat clean cases on is getting cruddy/rusty

Store them all in a dehumidified room or move somewhere with a dryer climate.

[ORNGXTC]

With the exception of the ram. I do not use wet lube on my presses. Now with other parts that may get sticky like shell plates or die turrets I only use graphite. My logic is that oil is a big killer of powder. So I would prefer it not be near where it could contaminate a cartridge. Graphite on the other hand is mixed in with powder during manufacturing to help with metering and sticking.
Just my reasoning on the topic.

[ireload]

I use disposable gloves when I reload to prevent sweat from my hands from getting on the dies. If there's visible rust on the die I use a bronze or brass brush to remove it.

[4DMASTR]

The only time I would recommend lubricating threads is when extreme force is applied to them such as pulling equipment. As RG1 stated oil attracts dirt, for this application clean and dry is the way to go.

[CK_32]

Store them all in a dehumidified room or move somewhere with a dryer climate.

Yea I have sweaty hands and live 2 miles from the beach..