Lee Turret Press Primer Catch Modification

Why didn't you just leave the primer arm in place??

floydster said:

Why didn't you just leave the primer arm in place??

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On his type of press (the inappropriately named "deluxe" model that doesn't have a primer catch tube like the Classic Turret model does) you still end up with primers all over, whether or not you leave the OEM primer arm in place.

good idea, I just taped a piece of cardboard to the side and it redirects the primers back down where they belong.

While I would prefer to have the Lee Classic cast iron Turret press, I have the same as you.
Primer seating works perfectly well. At least 60K cases processed.
I've done three different methods to stop the spent primer problem and leaves the arm in place. All three worked "MOSTLY".
1. A heated and bent piece of 2" wide plexiglass that walled in the back and right side of the press. It was held in place by being "sprung" betwween the three posts supporting the turret. Simple in/out. Primers fell into the holes and accumulated under the press. (SOME didn't fall into the press openings.)
2 A small aluminum shute on the right side of the press to divert spent primers to a box beside the press. (some landed and stayed on top of the base and had to be pushed into the shute by hand.)
3 Like the post above, I put a cardboard wall on the right side to divert spent primers into the openings on the press base.. I cut a funnel-shaped hole in the wood under the press base, so the spent primers would end up in a catch underneath the benchtop.

All of these helped substantially, but still didn't eliminate the occassional irritations. I now clean cases, size and deprime on a LEE Reloader single stage on my patio. I tumble and reload in the garage. No more primer problems. My Turret press doesn't get dirty and seldom needs cleaning/oiling.

Good luck

Thanks for the tip, RB. As I use the press-mounted primer-feed, I installed a simple card-board "wall" as already mentioned above. I also drilled a hole in the bench top and attached a small jar lid to the board from below. Now, I unscrew the jar from the lid, when I am done reloading, dump the spent primers and attach the jar back to the lid.

1KPerDay said:

"deluxe" model that doesn't have a primer catch tube like the Classic Turret model does) you still end up with primers all over, whether or not you leave the OEM primer arm in place.

Click to expand...

These two mods for Pro 1000 press ram spent primer chute slot and press base body now capture 99.9% of pesky spent primers (perhaps similar mods can be made for the deluxe turret press ram slot/base body):

Mod #1 - I used a cut piece of aluminum can to make a cover for the spent primer chute slot that now directs 99.9% of spent primers into the collection hole in the press base body (link has cover shape/dimensions) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7884861#post7884861




Mod #2 - I used a small plastic funnel from the dollar store and cut to fit the inside dimensions of the press base body. Attach a piece of tubing to the funnel and now you can collect spent primers into a small plastic water bottle, 2-liter bottle or a can like the Classic Turret press. - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7561860#post7561860

Thats a good mod. I solved mine slightly different. I wanted to stiffen up my mounts and allow for quick press changes. Seems I am now a collector of presses.





All the primers just drop into the bucket now. With this it makes it a very useful press. I was going to swap it for a Classic cast turret. But now I will keep it until its wore out.

You can use oak boards too if you want, these worked well until I snagged the steel.

Another quick mod that I found on the net is so simple its stupid. But it works great.
If you have ever had the priming arm pop out and land on the floor. You know how aggravating that is. :banghead:

Just put zip tie on the press as shown and you will never ever have the primer arm pop out.

cool stuff!

Good ideas. I have the same problem.

Great ideas. I am looking for ways to add a primer collection to my Lee Turret Press. I'm going to try the funnel first & see how it works out.

Thanks for all of the ideas.