My old press finally quit-----------

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MADDOG

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My old press finally quit-----With Update

My old Lee 3 hole turret press finally quit. The area around roll pin holding the linkage cracked and now it is flexing pretty bad. I called and they said send it in and they will look at it. They also said they would sell me a new one at 50% off. It was made in 1984 and I really thought it would out live me. We'll see what happens.
 
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Look at Lee's website. They sell most parts for their presses/dies/casting molds and if you're mechanically adept, you can usually replace a worn/broken part for just a few bucks.
 
I retired my first Lee Pro 1000 after loading 250,000+ rounds on it. It still worked, but the holes on the linkage had elongated.

When I called Lee Precision, they offered to rebuild it to factory specs at 50% retail cost, but I just bought another kit from Midway on sale for $150 as newer presses have better spent primer slot on ram and more extensive webbing inside the base for greater strength.

I now have 2 Pro 1000s setup for 9mm/40S&W and 45ACP, so I am probably good for round count 750,000+. ;)

As to rifle cartridges, I don't anticipate replacing the Lee Classic Turret anytime soon (probably end up passing it on to my son). :D
 
I'd take them up on the offer. I'd say get an iron one but you're probably well set with three hole die plates etc. How many rounds through that thing?
 
RCBS would have sent a new one for free.
Click to expand...

Not exactly "free". Such niceties are built into your purchase price upfront - whether you ever need to use it or not. I've never understood the mentality that is sometimes common in our industry that one should pay and extra $150 for an item from one company because when you need a $3 part a few times over the life of the device they won't charge you for it :).

Considering that he got 28 years out of the original press, and has an offer on a new one for 50%, I don't see him going through too many of these. Given that the price of the Lee + 50% replacement is likely still well under the price of the RCBS, then you'll not really financially ahead to go with them and take your "free" replacement.
 
We don't need another "should have bought a Dillon" tangent either.
That doesn't help the OP.

To the OP,
You might want to also consider converting the 3 hole press to a 4 hole press for more versatility. But if what you have works for you, I think you can get that old press back into buisness at very little expense.
 
The housing cracked around the roll pin hole. It must be a stress point as it was flexing quite a bit at that point. They also said they changed the design 15 years ago and changed the roll pins to shoulder bolts. They are going to look at it and let me know. I really can't complain as it did last a long time. I have my brothers old Rock Chucker but I sure like the turret better.
If I changed to a 4 holer I'd have to buy new turrets. I have plenty of 3 hole ones so I'm going to stick with what I have. I just hope it don't take to long. I like to load up all I can before the "Texas Heat" gets here.
I just looked at the site with the parts. I didn't know I could buy a new frame. Who would of thought.
 
I have a good friend that without a doubt wore out a Rock Chucker.... I never thought I would see the day and I'm a green man through and through. That thing had so many strokes on it that there was more play in it than a pro golfer!!! RCBS replaced it I think. They probably have it on display somewhere, I'll betcha it made more than a million rounds.

The Dove
 
Ya'll are funny. If Red works for me and Green works for you so be it. It's kinda hard to start over after all these years. I didn't keep any records, I just kept reloadin'. The time came for it to crap out. Lee products have been good for me. Now go kiss your Green press.
 
"RCBS would have sent a new one for free. "

Yeah, but that 'free' stuff sure costs us. And it ain't a matter of what works or doesn't, it all works.

No offense intended but paying a high price for some things just to get a lifetime of 'free' parts is delusional; fact is, we really do pay for the parts whether we ever need them or not. I have no loyalty to inanimate objects, I buy my reloading tools according to the user features I want, not for the brand or a warranty.

I can't imagine anyone 'wearing out' an iron press of any brand unless it was neglected; specifically being worked for ages while unclean and un-oiled.
 
Finally wore out my Rockchucker after 37 years of use and replaced it with a Forster Coax. Wish I had done so sooner. Will be sending the green machine back for replacement or repair and will keep on the side.
 
Lee Precision just called. They are going to replace the ram and the base. They will send it back to me on Monday. I asked "how much do I owe you" and they said---"No Charge"---I really like RED.
 
This has been my experience with Lee, even when I explained to them it was entirely my fault.

Great company, mostyly great products, but I believe those are being looked into.
 
MADDOG - congrats!

That's very good of Lee to replace it FOC.

I very much like Lee's dies, single stage presses & their Classic Turret press.
(not so much on the Pro 1000, but I'm NOT mechanically inclined)
 
What is going on with your Pro1000? I love mine. If I can help figure something out PM me. I'm sure bds would make the same offer & he probably knows more about them then I do. At least he has seen more problems then I have.
 
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