Lee Classic Turret and the little square plastic thing

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dickttx

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Just registered in this forum yesterday, after I found a reference to the above thread in another forum. Since the referenced thread is about a year old since last post it wouldn't let me post in that one.
I bought a Lee Classic Turret in December, and ever since it arrived I have been trying to determine the purpose of the little square bit of plastic, and where to install it. I had the part number and name, but nowhere in Lee's instructions, drawings, photos, etc. did it tell where it went. I have e-mailed Lee twice and still have received no response. I have asked on several forums and never received an answer.
Finally, last Tuesday, I assembled a turret with dies, etc and installed it, hoping to maybe see what didn't work, which would give me a clue as to where it went. Imagine my amazement when everything worked!!
Still looking for information on it, I found the reference to this thread Wednesday. I couldn't believe all the very good info here!!!
This is my first opportunity to say thanks, and I do.
Recently retired for the second time and started getting out my guns and reloading equipment and supplies that have mostly been stored since the early 70's. Really enjoying it and I will have lots of catch-up questions, so thanks in advance.
 
I'm not sure of the point of your post, but if you are having a problem with the square, here is what I know:

Sounds like the one you have is the spare that comes with the press. That square ratchet is what causes the index rod to turn when you raise and lower the handle. It goes inside that little black contraption that rides up and down the index rod. Do a search on here and you should find good information on how to take care of it.

One thing a lot of folks have learned the harrd way is NEVER turn the turret with the handle up or you can ruin that square ratchet. I think RustyFN has posted some good stuff on it here.

Hope that helps.
 
Yep. The little black thing is simply a spare ratchet. They now send an extra along with all those presses. Some people have worn them out in 300 rounds. They were probably doing something wrong with the press. Other people have loaded 10,000 rounds with a single ratchet. Keep the little thing handy though. And when you use it to replace the first one, you should order about 4 more to be safe.
 
Yep, my Lee Classic Turret came with the spare as well, and I needed it already after 8months. It gets cut up if you short stroke the ram and change directions while its in the middle of a index. I actually bought 3 more spares from Midway in my last order so I have them when I need them.
 
Welcome to the High Road dickttx.

If your press is working well, then it's a spare.
I bought my turret press 2nd hand because the original owner didn't realize why it wasn't indexing.
I just changed the ratchet (that square thing) and it's been working well for about a year now. No idea how many rounds - well into the hundreds - maybe a thousand.
 
I have a LCCT press, and if you turn it by hand with the ram all the way down, you'll ruin that little black thingie. Raise the ram up a little to where it'll turn without resistance, and you're OK. Turning it by hand is OK, just do it where there's no resistance. You can tell by the feel.
 
I've put over 16,000 on mine and it's original. That's fortunate since I had no idea where the replacement went! Maybe it's because I never turn it by hand and always cycle it around with the lever.
 
If you need more, just go to leeprecision.com and find your press under products. Click on parts next to the model # and they will list every single part. Just order however many you need.
 
K96771 said:
I've put over 16,000 on mine and it's original. That's fortunate since I had no idea where the replacement went! Maybe it's because I never turn it by hand and always cycle it around with the lever.
Click to expand...
I took mine and put it on the indexing rod, all the way up to the top. It is out of the way, yet right where I cannot lose it.

Lost Sheep
 
rondog said:
I have a LCCT press, and if you turn it by hand with the ram all the way down, you'll ruin that little black thingie. Raise the ram up a little to where it'll turn without resistance, and you're OK. Turning it by hand is OK, just do it where there's no resistance. You can tell by the feel.
Click to expand...
Or you can grab the rod with your left hand thumb and forefinger, raise it up 1/8 inch and drop it down. That will get the square ratchet clear of the ratchet notches and let the turret turn freely without danger to the works.

Lost Sheep
 
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