Author Topic: Another problem with lee equipment. (Read 1877 times)

jerkface11 · « **on:** November 04, 2006, 07:12:34 AM »

I've been using a lee hand priming tool for about a year now. The other day i went to load some .223 and realized i didn't have a shellholder for my priming tool. So i went to a local gunshop and got one. Today i tried to use it and it's too thick to fit into the priming tool! I measured all of them i have on hand the thinnest is .45 and the thickest is .51 the one for .223 is .56. Anyone else have this problem with them?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2006, 07:24:16 AM »

Hmmm, seems you have a different Auto prime hand primer than mine, all the of shell holders in my kit, including the #4 for the .223, measure a tad under .250". Shell holders for a press measure .49".

Tim

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=807875

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=566058

wncchester · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2006, 07:32:14 AM »

Wonder if you didn't get a standard (press type) shell holder instead of one for the priming tool??

jerkface11 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2006, 07:59:32 AM »

Sorry i typo'd that. It should read .245 .251 and .256 respectivly.

jack19512 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2006, 10:27:49 AM »

The shell holder for the .223 in my kit measures .247. The shell holder #9 measures .250 which is the thickest one in my kit.

Maryland Hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2006, 01:16:13 AM »

Sorry to hear of your problem. I just checked mine, and every one in my kit measures within .004" of each other, the thickest being .250". It looks as though there is about .030" more clearance in the slot on the tool, allowing them to go to .280", if nesessary. If it was me, assuming you have the correct type shellholder, I'd simply file down the bottom a few thousandths, until it fits. By design, it won't hurt anything. Granted, you shouldn't have to do this, but it would work, in a pinch. Otherwise, send it back to Lee, I'm sure they'll make it right.
Hope this helps,

MH

Questor · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2006, 01:39:51 AM »

I got fed up even with the hand prime tool. I bought one about a year ago and it didn't work, so I just junked it and decided to use my RCBS hand primer for everything. The previous two autoprime tools I had broke.

Sir Charles deMoutonBlack · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2006, 04:10:10 AM »

I never had ANY problems with any of my LEE products, and they get used a lot! My son has the RCBS priming tool, and likes it a lot, especially as he doesn't have to collect TWO sets of shell holders.

Questor; Sounds like you have a cloud following you around?

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2006, 07:49:46 AM »

Sir Charles:

You're right! I do have a cloud following me around when it comes to Lee products. I have had nothinig but trouble with them. Some of the trouble has been expensive to correct. I eventually caught on and quit buying their stuff.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2006, 08:57:36 AM »

I've got 2 Lee Auto Primes, one each set up for LR and SR primers. The LR gets used a lot, probably close to 1500-2000 rounds so far in the 2yrs I've been reloading, from Lee's instructions, I suspect that many don't lube theirs to begin with which causes them to fail, and results in the love it or hate it reputation of the priming tool.

The only problem I've had with any Lee die set was the opening on the seater plug on a .270 die was too small and pressed on the lead tip of the bullet instead of the ogive, a small modification in the drill press and it was fixed.

I have several Lee die sets and only use Lee presses, no complaints from any of them except they weren't free!!!

Tim

jhalcott · « **Reply #10 on:** November 06, 2006, 09:54:47 AM »

I also have 2 Lee prime tools.One for large and one for small primers. I had a single primer seater(just like the auto primer with out the resevoir) That I reprimed about a thousand 30-06 Military cases before it broke! Oh yea! they were NOT decrimped,and it WAS my fault>I actually crushed a primer or two in my hurry to get that brass reloaded!

Casull · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2006, 11:15:29 AM »

jhalcott, I also have reprimed military 30-06 without removing the crimps. About 200 cases with a Lee hand priming tool. Worked great, but made my thumb very sore.

That was about twenty years ago. I've probably primed about four thousand cases with that same tool (mostly handgun), and I'm still using it. I've got two Lee presses, a perfect powder measure and ten sets of Lee dies (most of this stuff is ten to twenty years old, and I've never had any problems.

gary0529 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 06, 2006, 10:21:40 PM »

Have to agree with Casull.
I too have put well over 6 thousand cases through the Lee hand priming tool -mostly 45's and 38's - before I went to a progressive press.
Never a problem, unless you count a sore thumb

I would contact Lee and tell them what the problem is and 2 dollars to a doughnut they send the correct part.
Next to RCBS, their guarantee is top notch.

babe915 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2006, 04:29:35 PM »

the problem is not with the tool it is you if you are useing the lee auto prime, if you read the instructions for the auto prime it states that it the shell holders are a different size than a press.
you bought a holder for a standard reloading press that fits lee and most other presses.
now the lee auto prime 11 is another primer tool that is made to be used on a press and this one
does accept the standard shell holders. so if you have the hand held auto prime you have to get
holders made for it

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2006, 05:00:18 PM »

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,68296.msg434204.html#msg434204

Babe, Jerkface isn't retarded, he knows the diffrence between an autoprime shellholder and a std reloading press holder.

Me I found out a couple of years ago that's it's way cheaper in the long run to buy reloading equipment from ANY other company first. I think Lee's entire QC dept must have worked for the american auto industry in the 70's

Sir Charles deMoutonBlack · « **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2006, 05:28:49 AM »

Why don't we just agree that some of us find Lee stuff useful, and some of us don't "Chacun a son gout!"

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #16 on:** November 10, 2006, 05:43:08 AM »

Very well said Sir Charles.

"chacun à son goût"
(Used to acknowledge that different people have different tastes or preferences)

jhalcott · « **Reply #17 on:** November 10, 2006, 08:59:54 AM »

Mr casull, I was NOT complaining about the Lee tool. I have several Lee tools on my bench and use them often.WHEN they break or fail to work It is usually operator error at work.I have tested to destruction a couple presses,several molds and loading dies. These tools used properly would have lasted for decades or longer. How often one CLEANS his press will determine if it lasts or wears out. IF ALL ELSE FAILS ,READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!

Casull · « **Reply #18 on:** November 10, 2006, 09:25:02 AM »

jhalcott, I understood your post and was actually agreeing with you. I myself did break a Lee press once (well actually I broke the handle linkage). I was using the Lee classic press for swaging .44 bullets (and not with pure lead I might add). I taped the broken pieces together and used that same press for the next ten years, until I finally replaced it two years ago (it still worked, but I figured I didn't really need 3 presses). Seems that 95 percent or more of the people out there have had nothing but good results from their Lee equipment (I know I have). Others I guess are just unlucky, or have had one problem and blow that out of proportion. I have used probably thirty or more pieces of Lee equipment, and other than the one incident noted (my own stupidity), have never had a single problem.

skb2706 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 10, 2006, 10:08:35 AM »

Quote from: Sir Charles deMoutonBlack on November 10, 2006, 05:28:49 AM

Why don't we just agree that some of us find Lee stuff useful, and some of us don't "Chacun a son gout!"

Actually.........although some of the Lee stuff I own ...I consider to be some of the cheesiest products around, some are quite useful and the price is right. The Auto prime II....best thing that ever happened to priming........the cheap RGB rifle dies.....for $12 I try them. They are quite useful if you are experimenting with wildcats and making your own dies from them.

buffermop · « **Reply #20 on:** November 10, 2006, 11:24:51 AM »

Save yourself some agrivation. Get the new RCBS hand primer tool with a universqal, one size shell holder fits all. Mine works great. Scrap that Lee crap.

dw06 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 10, 2006, 11:58:24 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on November 06, 2006, 08:57:36 AM

I've got 2 Lee Auto Primes, one each set up for LR and SR primers. The LR gets used a lot, probably close to 1500-2000 rounds so far in the 2yrs I've been reloading, from Lee's instructions, I suspect that many don't lube theirs to begin with which causes them to fail, and results in the love it or hate it reputation of the priming tool.

Tim

I also have 2,one for LR and SR.They were both bought in late 80s and have primed over 5000 rounds each.I lubed them when bought and really like the feel they give when seating.Also use lees case trimmers that you can chuck in drill and they are good.

jhalcott · « **Reply #22 on:** November 10, 2006, 05:13:41 PM »

I got one of those "hand trimmer" things .,then broke out the drill. Used it on 3000 30-30 and 45-70 cases. DELIBERATELY running at high speed and pushing HARD on the cuttter. I managed to actually wear a hole into the spud piece that the shell holder screws onto. Also wore out an ORANGE Lyman trimmer doing similar trimming with out lubing the shaft .That was a drill job too! Probably could never damage it by hand. Using one of those SPRAY lubes I managed to gall up a set of pacific 7tc/u dies. That was 2 guys working fast and taking turns and the brass was NOT cleaned before sizing! It's kinda like driving your truck into a wall,>If you want to screw things up you can find a way!

jerkface11 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 11, 2006, 03:37:37 AM »

Why should i bother contacting lee about thier as usual shoddy workmanship? The last time one of their tools broke they wanted me to pay to send it back to them before they'd replace it. A $2 shellholder isn't worth paying $1.5 to ship back to them so they can say "yup it's too thick" and send me another one. Anyone know how much the new RCBS hand primer is? For those of you in love with this lee stuff i'll be selling mine shortly. I'll throw in the shellholder that doesn't work for free.

jhalcott · « **Reply #24 on:** November 11, 2006, 12:53:23 PM »

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=329291
$24.99 list your used lee stuff in the classifieds,maybe some one will buy it!

Sir Charles deMoutonBlack · « **Reply #25 on:** November 11, 2006, 02:51:13 PM »

jh45gun · « **Reply #26 on:** November 11, 2006, 03:48:20 PM »

Quote from: Questor on November 06, 2006, 07:49:46 AM

Sir Charles:

You're right! I do have a cloud following me around when it comes to Lee products. I have had nothinig but trouble with them. Some of the trouble has been expensive to correct. I eventually caught on and quit buying their stuff.

Tell me if I am wrong I would make a guess that you are a DIllon owner and like most of them love to bash Lee products? As I have stated before all I use is lee and I have never had a problem with any of their stuff and not only do I use their dies and presses I also use their furnace for casting and their moulds as well. Also use their sizing dies for cast bullets. I doubt I am luckier here than anyone else. I just think their stuff is a value and it works.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 11, 2006, 03:58:23 PM »

I managed to rip the rim off of a Lee shell holder in my press on a 30 carbine shell , i forgot to lube it and it stuck in the die , i droped them an e-mail , they said to send it back for a free replacement m

Now i was quite shocked when i opened the package to find a complete set of shell holders not just the one i broke .

I LIKE LEE

jack19512 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2006, 04:00:56 AM »

Quote from: jerkface11 on November 11, 2006, 03:37:37 AM

Why should i bother contacting lee about thier as usual shoddy workmanship?

Why didn't you just take the shell holder back to where you purchased it from and either exchange it for another or get your money back?

Everything I have to reload with is Lee except my RCBS bullet puller, and when it comes to clouds following you no one has a darker cloud following them than me and I have yet to experience the first problem with any of my reloading equipment.

jerkface11 · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2006, 06:25:32 AM »

Quote from: jack19512 on November 12, 2006, 04:00:56 AM

Quote from: jerkface11 on November 11, 2006, 03:37:37 AM
Why should i bother contacting lee about thier as usual shoddy workmanship?

Why didn't you just take the shell holder back to where you purchased it from and either exchange it for another or get your money back?

Everything I have to reload with is Lee except my RCBS bullet puller, and when it comes to clouds following you no one has a darker cloud following them than me and I have yet to experience the first problem with any of my reloading equipment.

I see no reason the local gunshop should have to replace this shell holder it isn't his fault it doesn't fit. Plus if i exchange it i have NO garuntee the new one will fit either. The last time some of my lee equipment broke it was a .500 S&W sizing die that the carbide shattered in on the 4th or 5th shell to go thru it. Lee expected ME to pay to ship it back to them for replacement. I'm now using RCBS to load .500 S&W.