Am I the only one who breaks these?

[W.E.G.]

I've broken bunches of them.

I don't see what the big deal is.

If you are loading lots or ammo, and you know the part is going to break, just order up a bunch of spares, and replace them as they break.

...or buy a different brand of tool.

I like the Lee tool.
I still have a decent supply of spare lever parts for when it breaks now and then.

 

[ranger335v]

I aways get a chuckle reading how 'flimsy Lee chrome plated pot metal Autoprimes break". I got two, for large/small, and an Autoprime II for dedicated use on a Lee Reloader press, it sits beside another of the same presses with a universal decapper (love that system!) in the mid 80s; never have broken anything. But then I lube the link knuckles once a year or so and don't use the "Tim Taylor MORE POWER" method of seating primers either ... if it's taking more pressure than normal I stop to find out why and correct it. (There appears to be some link between being careful and low rates of reloading troubles)??

I love Lee's special shell holders. Their standard full set of holders doesn't cost much, they are much easier to swap out and I don't have to swap any shell holders with my press.

Everybody to his own choices, just different strokes I guess. But denigrating any of Lee's tools based on personal taste or inability/unwillingness to use them correctly seems somewhat unfair. Other brands do have all steel and cast iron stuff for those who need them but it costs a lot more and the end perfomance is no better.

 

[LiveLife]

The fact that the levers are being broken is what matters. If you're breaking them, then you're squeezing too hard, assuming of course, they're all made the same.

This has become a call for all lee bashers to unite, gripe about mythical lee junk. I'll stand up for them in most things they make. And they understand the shortcomings of their stuff, bringing out improved models of presses and hand tools.

This is THR where I hope "fair and objective" posts are made based on "actual" experience by the members for the benefit of others.

Fair is fair. Although I have many Lee products and have been a happy customer for many years, many people have reported breaking the handle on the OLD hand priming tool - we could blame superhuman strengths and misuse of the tool, but the fact is handles broke. Well, I am happy to see that Lee has revised the hand priming tool (XR model) and made the new handle and other components thicker and stronger along with new safety primer feeding channel. I have been stress testing the handle on the XR model and so far, so good.

Those that are griping about the old handles breaking, I sympathize with you, but do point out that it is the old handle.

Those that have not used the new XR hand priming tool, time will tell. So far, I have not SEEN ANY POST of new XR handle breaking. None.

 

[X-Rap]

Those that have not used the new XR hand priming tool, time will tell. So far, I have not SEEN ANY POST of new XR handle breaking. None

Wait till we reckless no lubing knuckle draggers get ahold of them, it will be carnage.

 

[LiveLife]

Actually, the new XR has been out for a while and the old Auto Prime is no longer being shipped from Lee.

For some reason, I really have not heard or seen any posting anywhere on the various forums that documents breakage of the new XR handle ...

Maybe Lee did fix the handle breakage issue?

 

[Uniquedot]

Maybe Lee did fix the handle breakage issue?

The only way to completely rectify the "problem" would be to fix the person seating the primer. One should be able to wear out the tool before ever breaking the lever unless there was a problem with the casting in the first place which is a possibility. I have heard people say they press the lever completely closed when seating primers! The lever should never bottom out with the old style auto prime (don't know about the new one) i honestly don't understand how the ammunition loaded by these individuals even ignite in the first place.

 

[cfullgraf]

This has become a call for all lee bashers to unite, gripe about mythical lee junk. I'll stand up for them in most things they make. And they understand the shortcomings of their stuff, bringing out improved models of presses and hand tools.

Richard Lee is the leader of innovative design, look at the RCBS and Hornady hand primer, a copy of the FIRST, the lee auto prime. Do the others have a collet neck sizer, collet factory crimp die, simple yet effective case trimmers, and on and on--------.

I, for one, primed many thousand of cases with my Auto Primes and flat wore them out--several of them. Things would wear out or fail from fatigue. The failures, about one a year, I considered acceptable because of the economical price of the excellent tool. Just stating my experience.

I kept two on hand, one for each size primer and for spare parts. Low cost allowed me to do that plus, it puts a crimp in the reloading session when one fails on Sunday in a state with Blue laws.

I would still be using the Auto Primes on a regular basis if Lee had not published a primer restriction on the Auto Prime. By the time the Auto Prime II hit the market, I had already bought new priming tools that were safe with all primers.

Lee does some innovative things with reloading tools. Some of them are great (Auto primes and trimming tools), some not so great (one die that does it all, I forget the Lee trade name).

To paraphrase Walter Brennan, no bashing, just fact.

 

[X-Rap]

A lot of either arrogant or ignorant people here making wild claims of misuse and faulty reloading practices. The things just aren't made well and Lee has redesigned them and by the pictures of the two they obviously knew there was a problem.
I somehow get all my loads to go off and most of the ones I used the Auto Prime on shoot MOA or better, to me it's not some race to save a nickle and I am disappointed with the quality but will try the new design and hope they got it fixed.

 

[twofifty]

lubing the XR?

From the pics of the new XR autoprime, I would maintain it just the same as the original - by lubing the two places where metal-on-metal friction occurs.

Those that have the XR, do Lee's instructions say to keep those pivot spots lubed?

 

[jcwit]

(There appears to be some link between being careful and low rates of reloading troubles)??

Excellent comment!

 

[Uniquedot]

A lot of either arrogant or ignorant people here making wild claims of misuse and faulty reloading practices. The things just aren't made well and Lee has redesigned them and by the pictures of the two they obviously knew there was a problem.

Richard Lee refused to change the design (and how many years was the original design made?) and stated that it was many times stronger than ever needed for it's purpose and stated on more than one occasion that ham handed people just needed to learn how to seat a primer properly or at the very least read the instructions and go from there. I think his son changed the design because of the booming reloading population and that brought about more and more "ignorant or arrogant" people that couldn't follow directions and it = even more broken levers.

 

[Rule3]

From the pics of the new XR autoprime, I would maintain it just the same as the original - by lubing the two places where metal-on-metal friction occurs.

Those that have the XR, do Lee's instructions say to keep those pivot spots lubed?

Yes

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/PT1204.pdf

 

[Aeton DaClam]

BDS mentioned somthing about military crimps on the primers and thats my point.Getting a crimp remover for my 223, 308 and 50 solved any resistance issues, plus I put a slight bevel on the mouth of the primer pockets. I also use the Lee hand prime, lost the large priming pin for the old round model and just ordered 2 more of the new square ones. The clear yellow shield had "blast" marks on it so whoever owned it last popped at least a few!

 

[X-Rap]

Richard Lee refused to change the design (and how many years was the original design made?) and stated that it was many times stronger than ever needed for it's purpose and stated on more than one occasion that ham handed people just needed to learn how to seat a primer properly or at the very least read the instructions and go from there.

I would love to see that quote if it exists beyond your mind. It does explain a lot about the company and its success or lack there of. Sounds like the son might be getting it right.
It seems tales of pot metal in the gun world brings out the worst in people, I would have thought this was a HiPoint thread

 

[Sport45]

I'm just curious why people keep so many broken parts on their workbench. Is the trash can full?

My Autoprime has been serving me well for quite some time. At least 15 years and I don't know how many thousands of cycles of operation. The only problem I have is needing to use a rubber band to keep the lid on the tray since it really doesn't lock into place anymore.

 

[jcwit]

I would love to see that quote if it exists beyond your mind. It does explain a lot about the company and its success or lack there of. Sounds like the son might be getting it right.

I suggest you get a copy of the Modern Reloading, Second Edition by the author Richard Lee and read all about Lee's Auto Priming tools expecially read chapter 5 regarding priming and Lees Priming Tools. This should give a full explanation. As I stated before I've been reloading for decades and have yet to break a Lee Priming Tool, and have reloaded 100,000's of thousands of rounds of ammo.

 

[Uniquedot]

I suggest you get a copy of the Modern Reloading, Second Edition by the author Richard Lee and read all about Lee's Auto Priming tools expecially read chapter 5 regarding priming and Lees Priming Tools. This should give a full explanation.

+ 1

I somehow get all my loads to go off and most of the ones I used the Auto Prime on shoot MOA or better

If you knew how to seat and set a primer that would be reasonable to expect, however....

 

[JohnM]

Quote:
I suggest you get a copy of the Modern Reloading, Second Edition by the author Richard Lee and read all about Lee's Auto Priming tools expecially read chapter 5 regarding priming and Lees Priming Tools. This should give a full explanation.
+ 1

Quote:
I somehow get all my loads to go off and most of the ones I used the Auto Prime on shoot MOA or better
If you knew how to seat and set a primer that would be reasonable to expect, however....

All exactly right, like I wrote in another of my replies, some people can break an anvil.
Oh gee yeah, maybe it would make it easier to seat a primer if you cut out the crimp and beveled the edges. :banghead:

 

[X-Rap]

I suggest you get a copy of the Modern Reloading, Second Edition by the author Richard Lee and read all about Lee's Auto Priming tools expecially read chapter 5 regarding priming and Lees Priming Tools. This should give a full explanation. As I stated before I've been reloading for decades and have yet to break a Lee Priming Tool, and have reloaded 100,000's of thousands of rounds of ammo.

Hey I've got a better idea, I'll just buy a tool that works and leave Lee to you Prima Donnas who can do it better.
35 yrs and now loading for over 40 calibers and one tool on my bench consistantly fails?? I think I'll trade that one for some inconvinience and just do it another way.
I do all my military crimped ammo on a better piece of equipment so that's not the problem.
It's obvious that I am not alone in these failures since others have replied with similar problems and the design has been changed, that was the initial purpose for posting and I am satisfied knowing it has happened to others and the problem seems remedied.
Maybe some of you experts can get together and do an instructional piece on You Tube and show us how to properly use this tool that is no longer made. (because it was a POS)

 

[LiveLife]

POS? Well, fair is fair.

My 18V Lithium battery powered cordless drill can easily round Phillips head screw or the drive bit and even snap the heads off the screws if the wood is hard enough.

That doesn't make that tool a POS - When I am damaging screws/drive bits, it means I am improperly using the tool.

Even though it came with clutch adjustment, I often simply pull my finger off the trigger once the screw head is seated to proper depth in the wood instead of maintaining a death grip on the trigger.

 

[X-Rap]

35 yrs and now loading for over 40 calibers and one tool on my bench consistantly fails??

I mean really I have almost broken more of these than decapping pins. I have no items in my reloading equipment that has broken, maybe worn out but I can't even think of what that would be.
I have equipment from
Lee
Redding
Dillon
RCBS
Bonanza
Forster
I can't think of another piece that has broken much less 3 times. I'll take that as a failure either of me, the part or both but a failure none the less. If I have a scope, bullet, trigger or any other item in my little shooting world fail 3 times it is two to many and so I am done with them.

 

[JohnM]

If I had a tool I kept breaking I think I'd probably give it up too.
I'm still going to pick up one of these newer Lee hand primers though just to see what the deal is.
We got one old shop here that might even have some of the first run not super duper improved yada yada models.

 

[twofifty]

which are you?

Some folk are notorious for breaking things:

- snapping valve cover bolt heads.
- burning through clutches.
- running tires 10# below mfg's rec pressure.
- snapping the pull-cord on their chainsaw.
- breaking hammer handles.
- overtightening faucet handles, and
most telling of all:

- breaking auto-prime handles.

You know who you are!

 

[jcwit]

First sentence from my post #2

Been reloading 50 years and have been using the Lee hand primer tool since it came out, have yet to break a lever. I even have some of the ones that you load one primer at a time and the only thing that ever went bad on those was the thread in the aluminum wore out that the shell holder screwed into.

X-Rap






Hey I've got a better idea, I'll just buy a tool that works and leave Lee to you Prima Donnas who can do it better.
35 yrs and now loading for over 40 calibers and one tool on my bench consistantly fails?? I think I'll trade that one for some inconvinience and just do it another way.
I do all my military crimped ammo on a better piece of equipment so that's not the problem.
It's obvious that I am not alone in these failures since others have replied with similar problems and the design has been changed, that was the initial purpose for posting and I am satisfied knowing it has happened to others and the problem seems remedied.
Maybe some of you experts can get together and do an instructional piece on You Tube and show us how to properly use this tool that is no longer made. (because it was a POS)

I realize I must lead a charmed life. In all my years of reloading I've only broken 5 or 6 decapping pins and one open frame Lee Press because I missed case lubing some 30/06 cases when resizing them. Up until a couple of years ago my reloading amounted to 20 to 30 thousand rounds a summer season. Nowhere near that now because of health reasons.

BTW Lee replaced the press No Charge even tho they knew it was my fault.

Prima Donna, haha thats a joke, thanks for the chuckle, needed that, todays my Birthday!

 

[ranger335v]

"I'll just buy a tool that works and leave Lee to you Prima Donnas who can do it better.
35 yrs and now loading for over 40 calibers and one tool on my bench consistantly fails??"

Well some folks get the Lee Auto priming tool to work for many years, others break them routinely. Slow learners or .... ? Anyway, same tool, same work, different users; there may be a message in that! (There ARE steel and cast iron tools for those who need them. ??)


Lee used to make a single die for handguns, the "Speed Die" (don't try to figger it out but it had screw-in parts that let one body do everything and do it well). It was a low cost tool and it worked great (I have two) but I suppose some people couldn't get it set up correctly or, more likely, they just wanted a conventional die set. Anyway, the Speed Die was dropped years ago.