imperial sizing die wax formula

porthos

Active Member
a few years ago i wrote down the recipe to make this (15 oz. castrol stick lube and 2 oz . anhydrous lanolin) there are a few kinds of castrol stick lube. anyone know what kind i should use. i know that this a foolish project; but, I LIKE TO MAKE STUFF
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I don't know that recipe.
but if you want a good case size bullet swage lube try 2 parts lanolin to 1 part castor oil and add in about 10% mink oil or neets foot oil.
[a little more if you want it a touch thinner]

smear on by hand or do the pea size in a baggie trick, with a cap full of rubbing alcohol to cut it even further.
the stuff is slippery, so a minimum [bare minimum] is all you want.
 

Ian

Notorious member
You can also use Johnson's baby oil to thin the lanolin/castor mix if you don't like the smell of neatsfoot oil. Mixing in 20% Alberto VO5 hair creme will mask the smell of Lanolin.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
A tiny bit of castor oil in some lanolin is what I would use. Both are excellent boundary lubricants capable of forming a very thin film. And you don’t need much at all.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I am using "Castrol Stick Wax" 80% and 20 % anhydrous lanolin. It makes it much easier to use than the 2 oz. formula in temperature of less than 70 degrees if that is a factor. The "stick wax" is a wax for saw blades cutting timber and bending metal. I add a few drops of salvia and Red-Man chewing tobacco juice for a manly aroma.
:D
 
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RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
"A tiny bit of castor oil in some lanolin is what I would use. Both are excellent boundary lubricants capable of forming a very thin film. And you don’t need much at all."
I made up a large shoe polish tin about 10 years ago and am still using it after thousands of /06 rifle cases. A little goes a long way.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Brad, firefighters stole the use from the logging mills in the PNW. We always had troubles with K-12 and chain saws sticking when cutting burning hot tar roofs. This gave about 15 minutes to do something good.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
A stick of that will last a lifetime on the bandsaw.

Tar roofs would gum up a saw in a hurry. Nasty, sticky stuff.
 

Ian

Notorious member
What is that stuff, castor wax? I looked into it long ago for bullet lube. When I worked in a cabinet shop we used an aerosol spray on all the blades and knives.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I believe Brad is correct, in that it is a product that is based upon performance for specific applications. I don't even know if the chemistry is consistent. Just using up the tube I bought 20+ years ago for saw blades, loading tools, sizing wax and many other things. Works well and is cheap.