[Retired in 2001]

I found when I received my turret press a small piece of plastic thinking it was scrap.I didn't throw it out.How do you replace the old one for the new one.I am not to good at repairing these things.I just like to what to do when I have to do it:D.

[Retired in 2001]

THIS APPLIES TO THE CLASSIC TURRET PRESS or older models of the 4-hole press also. It does NOT apply to a 3-hole turret press; they are adjusted in another manner.
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The nylon square ratchet that comes with the turret press is designed to properly index the press for 10s of thousands of rounds; however, an extra does comes with the press. This inexpensive part is made of nylon for two reasons with the first being that if the index rod is operated against the proper rotation, the nylon will fail before any damage occurs to any other part. The second is that they are inexpensive to produce and purchase.

The ratchet enables the indexing without “tweaking” or adjustment. The index rod may be removed and replaced at will without affecting the timing of the press. In the unlikely event that your press was received and not indexing correctly, the ratchet is not the reason and the issue is easily resolved with information in Lee’s FAQ on their website regarding turret press index alignment.* There is even a video on the website showing how to align the turret--

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/videos/Four%20hole%20turret%20index%20adjustment-1.wmv

The only reason the ratchet would be damaged is from forcing the index rod against that ratchet. This generally occurs when turrets are removed with the ram at the bottom of the stroke as the ratchet is “engaged” during the down stroke. When removing turrets, it is necessary to raise the ram about an inch or so.*

A problem can ultimately affect indexing if the ratchet is excessively forced against the index rod, because the top portion of the ram, designed to rotate for another reason, would do so under these circumstances. Then, even with the ratchet replaced, the entire housing is off center. The proper alignment of the housing is completed by using the lever portion of the priming arm and aligning it with the two bumps on the base of the press

The nylon housing that holds the ratchet never needs to be opened other than to eventually replace the nylon ratchet. Remove the index rod, then the housing by removing the horizontal screw. Replace the ratchet remembering to place the flange in the downward position and reattach the nylon housing.* This housing does nothing more than contain the ratchet. Do not over tighten the screw because the threads can be stripped.

Sorry found this in another post

[jfh]

You found the relevant Lee instructions and video link--which of course, do not show replacing the ratchet.

Most turret users do damage / wear out the first ratchet or so as they learn to stroke the press. The real tip to avoiding damage is to never attempt to rotate the turret / indexing rod while the ram is full down. Take it up above the indexing rod twist.

Once we get over learning to use the press, most of us find that the ratchet will typically last about 5,000 rounds or so. I keep spares on hand--and I also bought a spare housing. Finally, after stripping the plastic housing so the factory-supplied tapping screw didn't bite, I did get a simple 6-32 (8-32?) machine screw, washers, and locknut to replace the self-tapping screw. works fine.

Jim H.

[Retired in 2001]

Thanks Jim

[twigs]

I went through 3 or 4 in my first 1000 rounds or so. Then, as I learned the trick about the ram and also got my rhythm going, the next one lasted almost 10,000 rounds.

[SHIPCHIEF]

I've been using the Lee Classic Cast Turret without the indexing rod.
I've been loading 30-30 and 30-06 on it. I resize and decap all the brass first. Then I measure, trim or reject cases. Then I take them back to the press for priming, powder and bullet seat ( & crimp 30-30)
Sometimes I'm using it like a single stage, some times like a 2 stage or 3 stage. 30-30 gets powder from the Disc Pro, 30-06 gets hand weighed charges.
I see why the early Lee Turret was a 3 holer with manual advance. It's just fine for certain operations. If I tripped on one I'd take it home..:rolleyes:
'Look what followed me home honey; can I keep it?'
I still like my Lyman Spartans tho-. I used to have them set up side by side, only one had the primer feed, but between the two, I could resize deprime, then move to the other after trimming for priming. then use it again after powder charging to seat the bullets.
The Lee is more compact, and I keep the dies in thier own turret, so changes are quick.
Not as handy as a Lock-n-load, but I load pistol with light charges on the progressive, and rifle more carefully on the Lee Turret or Lyman Spartans.