While resizing .223 casings today, I broke one of the links at the bottom of my Lee Classic press. They appear to be made out of a cast alloy. Yeah, I know, you get what you pay for! I've only reloaded about 2000 rounds on this press, and the shells were properly lubed. The folks at Lee will have a new one in the mail on Monday. Come to think of it, the same thing happened with my Pro1000, and the replacement part was made out of steel.
Broke my press today
- Thread starter Pat M
- Start date
- Status
I had the same problem. Call there customer service and they will replace them for you for free. And for the cost of shipping I would have them send me the steel ones made to replace the cast ones. I broke my twice. Had them replaced for free the first time. When they broke again I called and they where going to ship me another cast replacement for free and I ask if they had another steel replacement instead and the lady told me she could send them to me for the cost of shipping ( I think it was less than $5.00) and I went ahead and did and have had no problems since.
The only problem with Lee's warranty is that it is only for two years. All the other makers are lifetime. I broke a part on a Lee press once and called them. They said that because it was more than two years old I would have to pay for it. So I just bought a RCBS press instead.
medalguy
Member
Yep. Good reason to "go green" (or blue).
jaholder1971
Member
Lee presses are the best and most perfect presses you can buy. If you don't believe me, pick up Richard Lee's book, he'll tell you so!
They never break, either. The 2 I owned must have simply crumbled in the mere presence of Mr. Lee's awesomeness [/sarcasm]
They never break, either. The 2 I owned must have simply crumbled in the mere presence of Mr. Lee's awesomeness [/sarcasm]
bullseye308
Member
I have had Lee replace parts and they never asked how old my stuff was. 
Jenrick
Member
I've loaded probably 2-3K .223, 750-1K .308, and 5-10K various pistol calibers on my Lee Breech Lock press. No problems, everything works just fine still. I do take it apart and clean and lube it every 1K rounds or so, but that takes all of 45 minutes total.
-Jenrick
-Jenrick
LOL
Mr. Lee has some very innovative ideas and he has excellent marketing skills.
Redneck with a 40
Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2006
- Messages
- 2,273
I've got at least 12K of various calibers loaded on my Lee 4-Hole Turret, no issues. .308, .223, 40 S&W, and 357 mag, this press has seen a boatload of loading, still no issues.
Ifishsum
Member
Given my experience with Lee, I doubt they would charge you for a replacement part even 10 years after purchase. I don't think they've ever charged me for anything or even asked how long I've owned it.
FROGO207
Member
Broken press parts-on them............broken decapping pin-on me but no shipping. I still like what u get for the price.
I still like what u get for the price.jpwilly
Member
Lee is an awesome company who stands behind their product. If Lee isn't what you have on your bench fine. They do make some low end stuff for the budget reloader that I could see breaking in time but they also makes some pretty tough stuff like the 4 hole classic cast turret I reload with. I'm very happy and have reloaded thousands of quality rounds with no issues over the last three years. I would recommend that product to anyone who needs quality on a budget.
lee's decapping die is awesome
don't much care for anything else i've seen from them. though i have to admit, 30 years or so ago, when i got a set of lee hand dies for reloading shotgun shells, a bag of shot, bag of wads, box of primers and can of powder, i was pretty dang excited
don't much care for anything else i've seen from them. though i have to admit, 30 years or so ago, when i got a set of lee hand dies for reloading shotgun shells, a bag of shot, bag of wads, box of primers and can of powder, i was pretty dang excited
jcwit
member
Don't pay ny attention to the warrenty. Package up the broken parts up in a box explaining what happened, tell the truth, enclude your return address and be nice about it. More than likely you'll have new parts to reolace your broken parts and get you ready to go. I've done this a few times and even when it was my fault they replaced at no charge shipping no charge.
Main thing is be nice,you get better results with honey than with snake venoum, the world just seems to work that way.
Good Luck jcwit.
BTW I've reloaded thousands and thousands of pistol and the same with rifle rounds on Lee equipment, every thing from 32 ACP to 30/06 full length resizing. Did a quick inventory am now close to 100,000 rounds, maybe more with the ones that skiped getting inventoried. I reload for 30 different calibers.
Main thing is be nice,you get better results with honey than with snake venoum, the world just seems to work that way.
Good Luck jcwit.
BTW I've reloaded thousands and thousands of pistol and the same with rifle rounds on Lee equipment, every thing from 32 ACP to 30/06 full length resizing. Did a quick inventory am now close to 100,000 rounds, maybe more with the ones that skiped getting inventoried. I reload for 30 different calibers.
Last edited:
All good points. Like most recreational shooters, I originally got into handloading to save money, so the Anniversary Kit at $89 was a great deal. No complaints, they've got great customer service, just wish they made that linkage a bit stronger.
Pat, if you don't already, remember to periodically lube the linkage pins/bushings and the ram. Lubing once a year would probably suffice for most users, and would benefit any brand of press as lubing reduces strain on the linkages.
Clark
Member
The Lee collet die and Lee decapping dies are great.
I use them in a co-ax press.
I broke a rockchucker press , and RCBS replaced it.
I use them in a co-ax press.
I broke a rockchucker press , and RCBS replaced it.
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
lee sent me steel linkage for my 10 yr old press for shipping cost. and a set of 243 Win dies as a bonus - don't have that one though but can trade them off.
IMO you get your money's worth w/Lee.
IMO you get your money's worth w/Lee.
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
" I broke one of the links at the bottom of my Lee Classic press. They appear to be made out of a cast alloy. Yeah, I know, you get what you pay for!"
I wonder; the Lee "Classic" press? That's an all cast steel alloy press body and toggle link system - not cheaper/weaker cast iron - and you broke it? Goodness!
Even the older alluminum alloy Lee Challenger presses are quite strong. But, if the bolt connecting the two-piece toggle link together becomes loose it lets the toggle blocks seperate a bit. That changes the geometry of the whole toggle system, enough to pry the halves apart and then they can break. The press instructions - and common sense - says to keep that bolt tight. So, IF it's allowed to loosen and that breaks the link, is it really Lee's fault? Well ... maybe not?
Some people seem to think comparing Lee's lighter, less costly alum presses to the cast iron of others is honest; I don't. Invalid comparisons, just as equating an RCBS alum alloy press (Partner/RS-5, etc) to a cast steel Lee (Classic series) for total strength, are silly. Compare compariables and they will be equal. In fact the Lee Classic Cast/Classic Turret presses appear to be stronger than the Rock Chucker and some others in their general class.
Note too that some folks can, and do, break any press ever made, no matter the cost. And how costly must a very simple piece of steel gear be before "free" life-time replacement parts really aren't worth the initial price? I understand mechanical things pretty well and I don't bend or break much so free repair parts mean little to me.
I agree with Marlin 45, we get our money's worth from Lee's tools. And, by comparision with others, much more than that from many items such as their dies and presses.
I wonder; the Lee "Classic" press? That's an all cast steel alloy press body and toggle link system - not cheaper/weaker cast iron - and you broke it? Goodness!
Even the older alluminum alloy Lee Challenger presses are quite strong. But, if the bolt connecting the two-piece toggle link together becomes loose it lets the toggle blocks seperate a bit. That changes the geometry of the whole toggle system, enough to pry the halves apart and then they can break. The press instructions - and common sense - says to keep that bolt tight. So, IF it's allowed to loosen and that breaks the link, is it really Lee's fault? Well ... maybe not?
Some people seem to think comparing Lee's lighter, less costly alum presses to the cast iron of others is honest; I don't. Invalid comparisons, just as equating an RCBS alum alloy press (Partner/RS-5, etc) to a cast steel Lee (Classic series) for total strength, are silly. Compare compariables and they will be equal. In fact the Lee Classic Cast/Classic Turret presses appear to be stronger than the Rock Chucker and some others in their general class.
Note too that some folks can, and do, break any press ever made, no matter the cost. And how costly must a very simple piece of steel gear be before "free" life-time replacement parts really aren't worth the initial price? I understand mechanical things pretty well and I don't bend or break much so free repair parts mean little to me.
I agree with Marlin 45, we get our money's worth from Lee's tools. And, by comparision with others, much more than that from many items such as their dies and presses.
Last edited:
RustyFN
Member
Ok big difference. In your first post you said the Lee classic press. Big difference between the classic single stage and anniversary press. Still they should take care of you. I have been loading on a classic turret four years problem free. I am very happy with Lee equipment.
JoelSteinbach
Member
Lee Press
I never had a problem with my Lee press, I replaced it early on with a Redding and have over the past 12 years added 2 Dillons, and upgraded my old Redding to a T7. I found my old Lee under my bench a few moths ago and gave it a proper burial in the dumpster
I never had a problem with my Lee press, I replaced it early on with a Redding and have over the past 12 years added 2 Dillons, and upgraded my old Redding to a T7. I found my old Lee under my bench a few moths ago and gave it a proper burial in the dumpster
snuffy
Member
OH! Here I thought somebody had somehow managed to break a lee classic cast press linkage/toggle system,(all heavy steel bars). You'd have to be a gorilla or a lineman for the green bay packers, then be forcing something.
The anniversary press does have AL. alloy linkages, they've been known to break. Lee should replace them for you!
billybob44
Contributing Member
Yes Joel the dumpster is a bad move. Heck some fisherman could have needed a boat anchor. My 45 year old RockChucker just gets smoother every year..
- Status
