Help!!! Setting up Lee Classic turret. Indexing not lining up

[TennJed]

I am having some trouble setting up my new Lee Classic Turret. It would not align correctly while indexing. I took out the indexing rod and turret and adjusted it with a 1/4" wrench which was suggested on a video on Lee's website.

I can get it to line up, but after a few pulls (about 5 or 6) It "misses" on a die and then lines ok on the next pull.

Why can't I get it to line up on every pull?

Also what is this piece. It was loose in the packaging and I cannot find where it goes. It looks like it would fit in the turret where the indexing rod goes, but I only have one and my extra turrets did not come with one. Thanks

 

[Scott_R]

That little plastic piece is what you're missing. It is what turns the turret rod.
See if this thread helps

 

[Lost Sheep]

Square Ratchet. Yours is your spare.

That is the "Square Ratchet". You are correct in its function. Lee Precision sells them in pairs for a dollar per pair. When I bought my press, they included a spare. They break if and when you put too much pressure on the indexing rod. Better to break a 50 cent piece than the Six Dollar indexing arm (in which the Square Ratchet is housed).

I took my spare and put it on the indexing rod, way up at the top, where it is not in the way and I won't lose it.

You might try some Lock-Tite (the non-permanent kind) on the square nut at the end of the indexing rod, if the problem is caused by that nut rotating out of position.

(added by edit) Is it possible you are getting less than full rotation because of "short stroking" the ram? A short stroke usually is the cause of breaking the square ratchet, but sometimes you get lucky. Also, the square ratchet is supposed to drag lightly on the indexing rod so that, as the ram pulls down, the ratchet engages corners molded on the inside the indexing arm, forcing the turning of the rod. A continuous, full stroke of the ram is important, if not essential.

Good luck.

Lost Sheep

 

[rick300]

I love my Lee Cassic. After you figure out the "little square plastic thingy" put a little dab of grease in the detent ball. This will help. Rick

 

[mackg]

It sounds like a "tired" ratchet. It's easy to damage them when you don't know that they are there .

 

[MrBorland]

I'm probably in the minority, but I took the indexing rod (and plastic square thingie) out entirely, and index by hand. Just one less little part to break and worry about, and hand-indexing doesn't seem any slower. YMMV.

 

[floydster]

MrBor, me too

 

[1KPerDay]

TennJed, that black square thingy is a spare ratchet that's included in the package. The one that's (at least partially) working is sandwiched in the black assembly clamped onto the top of the ram.

Did you do this exactly?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9iPthaYPh4

If it still doesn't quite line up, try it again.

 

[Smokin357]

Make sure to lower the ram ALL the way so it wil index properly.

 

[1KPerDay]

You can't lower the ram ALL the way with the primer ram in place and a primed case in the shell holder (unless you're priming a case). As long as the ratchet is below the twisted bit in the indexing rod, the turret should be properly indexed. lowering the ram another half an inch doesn't index the turret any further.

 

[psyshack]

When you come up out of alignment is it late or early in it's indexed position?

 

[1SOW]

TennJed:

I am having some trouble setting up my new Lee Classic Turret. It would not align correctly while indexing. I took out the indexing rod and turret and adjusted it with a 1/4" wrench which was suggested on a video on Lee's website.

I can get it to line up, but after a few pulls (about 5 or 6) It "misses" on a die and then lines ok on the next pull

The info above about the plastic ratchet is good.

The way I adjust the "indexer timing" is to put put the 1/4" wrench on the rod flat section, hold it immovable against the left support post and turn the turret "by hand' slightly to line it up. Run the press "smoothly" all the way around twice to check for proper alignment. If one is off just a skosh, repaeat the first step just enough to line up the one that's off. Repeat.

This works every time for me, and I haven't replaced the square plastic ratchet in many thousands of 9mm rounds. I DO KEEP Spares on hand though---in case.

As other have said, use full handle pull every time and don't turn the turret by hand unless the ratchet is well above the spiral portion of the rod.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[WyrTwister]

Are you talking about the cast iron turret press ? That is what I have .

Keep everything clean , a drop of oil on the square shaft & it seems to matter if the little plastic square is upside down or not .

I dumbed up and stripped a couple before I figured out what was going on . :-(

God bless
wyr

 

[silverking]

Just want to add a few lines of thanks for all the help available from all the great contributers on THR.
Finally got my laptop on wi-fi and am able to connect in my reloading area (the shed). This way , I can get the needed info and apply it directly to the press and/or problems at hand.
I was experiencing the same indexing problems as described and was able to dis-assemble and re-install the square ratchet with no problems. Thanks all!

 

[TheCracker]

Do this, it should work

TennJed:

The info above about the plastic ratchet is good.

The way I adjust the "indexer timing" is to put put the 1/4" wrench on the rod flat section, hold it immovable against the left support post and turn the turret "by hand' slightly to line it up. Run the press "smoothly" all the way around twice to check for proper alignment. If one is off just a skosh, repaeat the first step just enough to line up the one that's off. Repeat.

This works every time for me, and I haven't replaced the square plastic ratchet in many thousands of 9mm rounds. I DO KEEP Spares on hand though---in case.

As other have said, use full handle pull every time and don't turn the turret by hand unless the ratchet is well above the spiral portion of the rod.

Hope this makes sense.