Broke the handle of my LCT. Lol

[1KPerDay]

after about 50,000 rounds of handgun ammo it must've developed some stress fractures or something. I generally don't size rifle on this press but I have it set up to size 308. After about 20 cases the handle started going down further than it should. Broke off right at the clamp. Should I order the same one or should I try to get something stronger, or should I avoid sizing rifle on this press?

 

[drband]

https://inlinefabrication.com/products/ergo-roller-for-lee-classic-turret-press

Solid steel.
You’re welcome!

 

[JO JO]

I would just cut that end off and reuse the same handle maybe 1 1/2 inch shorter , and retry nothing to loose using same part, I do have a LCT for handgun and a Redding single stage for my rifle loading , I started with the Redding then got the LCT

 

[eo1bart]

https://inlinefabrication.com/products/ergo-roller-for-lee-classic-turret-press

Solid steel.
You’re welcome!

yup this is what I use

 

[VoodooMountain]

Well thI first one lasted 50k rounds
I’m sure the second one would do just as well

Otherwise grab a solid steel bar and never worry again

 

[Rule3]

I would just cut that end off and reuse the same handle maybe 1 1/2 inch shorter , and retry nothing to loose using same part, I do have a LCT for handgun and a Redding single stage for my rifle loading , I started with the Redding then got the LCT

Yep, and the shorter the handle the quicker the turret moves. Kinda like shifting a sports car.
I do not have been at full length.

$50 for a "Ergo" handle??? I wrote LEE several times( a while back) about them making one at a LEE price, but they say there is not enough interest for them to do so?? (Mr Lee himself)

 

[drband]

Once you go “ergo,” you’ll never go back!

 

[hdwhit]

1KperDay wrote:
...must've developed some stress fractures or something.

Something like that.

If you were really interested in precisely what happened, you could always read James Peacock's Failure Modes of Hollow Tube Structures, but I would just say, "It plumb wore out" and leave it at that.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I would just cut that end off and reuse the same handle maybe 1 1/2 inch shorter , and retry nothing to loose using same part, I do have a LCT for handgun and a Redding single stage for my rifle loading , I started with the Redding then got the LCT

I was thinking the same thing

A few min (or less) with a hack saw or die grinder and no one would be the wiser.

 

[ray15]

I wouldn't be surprised if Lee sent you a new one after seeing that picture.

 

[Rule3]

If the overall weight of the handle is too much, then if the handle is not completely upright, the weight will just drop the handle down, turn the turret and slam it.

I replaced the wood ball on the end with a red pool/billiard ball (#3) and that weight will force the handle down.

 

[Jeff H]

https://inlinefabrication.com/products/ergo-roller-for-lee-classic-turret-press

Solid steel.
You’re welcome!

Another vote for this one. I have one on my L-n-L. I haven't broken down and gotten one on my LCT, but if my handle broke, I would replace it with one of these for sure.

 

[1KPerDay]

I would just cut that end off and reuse the same handle maybe 1 1/2 inch shorter , and retry nothing to loose using same part,

Was going to try that but wondered about less leverage. Maybe I should just stick to handgun stuff with this press.

 

[1KPerDay]

https://inlinefabrication.com/products/ergo-roller-for-lee-classic-turret-press

Solid steel.
You’re welcome!

May as well be solid gold... my Scottish blood prevents my paying half the price of the press on a new handle.

 

[1KPerDay]

Called Lee and spoke to a very nice lady who asked for a pic of the broken handle as she could hardly believe it. She said it should be covered under warranty and I just have to pay shipping. Will update.

 

[ray15]

Called Lee and spoke to a very nice lady who asked for a pic of the broken handle as she could hardly believe it.

Well, not everyone has your super-human strength. Not every Lee product is perfect but they do take support seriously.

 

[1KPerDay]

They sent me a link to a free replacement. $8.36 to ship. Love this company.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Was going to try that but wondered about less leverage. Maybe I should just stick to handgun stuff with this press.

Cut the end off and use it until you get the new one. Then keep it as a spare.

If a few inches affects the leverage of that handle enough to be a concern I’d say you have other issues. I’d be more concerned with why the handle bent. Either it was defective or you applied a crazy amount of force. If defective, the new one should solve that. If too much Force, you need to figure out why.

 

[9mmepiphany]

May as well be solid gold... my Scottish blood prevents my paying half the price of the press on a new handle.

You should try adding their Ergo handle, the Ultramount, the Case Ejection system, and the LED lights...easily doubles the cost of the press

 

[1KPerDay]

I've got their LED light strip. Good stuff.

 

[1KPerDay]

Cut the end off and use it until you get the new one. Then keep it as a spare.

If a few inches affects the leverage of that handle enough to be a concern I’d say you have other issues. I’d be more concerned with why the handle bent. Either it was defective or you applied a crazy amount of force. If defective, the new one should solve that. If too much Force, you need to figure out why.

I hacksawed and filed smooth the end and remounted it. Resized a few hundred .308s with no issues. There's a bit less clearance for my thumb for priming etc but it's usable. Seems to be working fine.

 

[drband]

Definitely cost effective!

 

[Dudedog]

No more Wheaties for you before reloading.

Lee CS has always been good to me.
Sent me a replacement decap pins (they paid the shipping even with the new you pay shipping policy)and I truthfully told them that it was my fault it got mangled. (mangled 2 of them on crummy GFL brass with off center flash holes)
Sent me the Square parts for the hand primer when my round one broke and they were no longer made....free
Sent me the latest Triangle shaped parts for my hand primer when the cover for the square tray broke....free
(wish I could just have gotten the older less "safe" round parts however)

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I hacksawed and filed smooth the end and remounted it. Resized a few hundred .308s with no issues. There's a bit less clearance for my thumb for priming etc but it's usable. Seems to be working fine.

Glad to hear it
But I’m still wondering why it bent like that. Did you figure out if it was a stuck case, or did you see any defect in the handle?

 

[Varminterror]

Was going to try that but wondered about less leverage. Maybe I should just stick to handgun stuff with this press.

Without intent to insult, and NOT being a fan of Roy D. Mercer... "just how big of boy are ya?" I'd be betting you don't need all of that leverage, since I don't assume you to be a 100lb weakling.

My wife is 5'3" and 125lbs, and while she's quite well muscled and lean, there just ain't a lot of mass attached to the press handle when she's running it. Alternatively, I'm 5'10" and 200lbs, wouldn't a guy think I could put more force into the press, even with a shorter lever arm?

Personally, when I'm running my LCT's, I'm sitting almost dead sideways at the bench, I hold my "ram hand" about half way up the shank of the lever arm, and roll the arm between my fingers. I don't ever feel the need for a cheater, and rarely even ever move my hand down to the ball end handle, even sizing belted mag cases.