Help with a Lee 4 hole turret press

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

myFRAGisFUBAR

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2013
Messages
142
Location
East TN
Greetings everyone. So before I burn my new press in a fit of rage I could really use some help. I bought a Lee 4 hole press and I cant figure out this auto indexing thing. I have the rod, nut, black neck thing that goes on the ram, square ratchet, and screw that holds it together. Am I missing anything at this point to get the auto indexing to work?

So at the moment when I get it all set up, the rod and nut are supposed to stay in the turret in all of the videos that I have seen. When I get it set up, the nut and rod fall out of the turret and will not stay in place to index it. What in the world am I doing wrong? I have been at this for over an hour and am really getting aggravated now. :fire::cuss::cuss::fire::banghead::cuss:
 
I took my auto index off my press writhing a couple months. I load faster with more attention to detail by sizing and priming brass before simply flicking the turret back n forth between the powder expansion die and the bullet seat/crimp die on the upstroke with my hand while still on the press lever. I really don't care for the auto index.
 
I tried putting the ratchet piece in both ways and nothing. I am uploading pics so maybe you all will be able to see what the problem is.

When the ram is up
20141228_191536.jpg

Hard to see but the ram is down here.
20141228_191457.jpg
 
Weird, that indexing rod is entirely too short. It should be long enough to fit into a square shape hole on the underside of the turret. Is this item second hand? It appears that you have the indexing rod for the cheaper lee pot metal press which has a taller base.(by the way a fine press still. I've put 30k loads through my "junk" lee turret)
 
Your rod looks too short. With the ram in the down position, the nut should be in contact with the turret.
 
I think you have the wrong rod/driveshaft! It's supposed to be longer than that, the square nut fits into the square hole in the bottom of the die holder turret. That one's too short, must be for a different Lee press. Call Lee tomorrow and tell them.
 
My rod measures just a bit over 5.5".

Your first picture, is your ram extended most upward?
 
Yeah I didnt see that when posting my question. As far as the press, it was opened but never used by a friend. I ordered the rod and plastic part that goes around the ram separate. I must have clicked on the wrong rod. Until about 30 seconds ago I did not know they had 2 sizes.:rolleyes:
 
Maybe Lee will do an exchange. :)

Better to find out now, instead of burning your press. lol

At least you can manually index until you receive the proper rod.
 
Now that you know the problem, you can fix it and join the reloading addiction! [emoji48]
 
It looks like this one is the part you need which is for the Classic Turret press, art #TP2673.
http://leeprecision.com/sq-index-rod-long.html

Not the part #TF3562 which is at least 3/4" shorter.

I suggest you order a few spare nylon bushings because they can be damaged if you try to turn the turret when it's seated. Part #TF3567

Double check the part numbers because mistakes can and will happen when writing numbers.
 
Until you get the proper rod, you MAY be able to get the one you have to work if you put a 3/4" block underneath it. Just be sure it is a one-quarter turn, not a one-third turn.

I have never done this. But it may be worth a try. Got any Legos around to build a 3/4" block?
 
Lost Sheep said:
Until you get the proper rod, you MAY be able to get the one you have to work if you put a 3/4" block underneath it. Just be sure it is a one-quarter turn, not a one-third turn.

I have never done this. But it may be worth a try. Got any Legos around to build a 3/4" block?
Click to expand...
No reason it shouldnt rotate the turret as you are just raising the height of the lee classic cast turret press "base" to the height of the delux turret press. only problem I see is you will not be able to prime cases as the primer arm wont be able to get through the shellholder. also it will probably be pretty easy to damage the plastic "indexing rod guide/ratchet" by exerting too much force.
 
I would just manually index it until you receive the proper setup. If it turns up higher you might run into a case and damage something or rotate with a case still in the powder die and knock it over. It is just about as fast manually anyways.
 
Man, Im glad that didnt happen to me when I got mine. I'd still be trying to figure out why the damn thing wasnt working. I had enough difficulties
 
BigBore45 said:
I would just manually index it until you receive the proper setup. If it turns up higher you might run into a case and damage something or rotate with a case still in the powder die and knock it over. It is just about as fast manually anyways.
Click to expand...
I agree with BigBore. Besides, if this is an introduction to reloading for the OP, it is a good time to learn the basics. :)
 
When I started I used mine manually several times before putting in the indexing rod.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
3 hole turret for Lee press
Replies
13
Views
1K
BHump
B
kmw1954
  • Locked
Lee Value Turret press
Replies
3
Views
355
kcofohio
kcofohio
J
  • Locked
converting Lee 4 hole turret press to 3 hole
Replies
6
Views
2K
Dunross
Dunross
L
  • Locked
Lee Turret Auto Index HELP
Replies
2
Views
438
Seedtick
Seedtick
B
  • Locked
Lee Classic Turret Versus Lee 4-Hole Turret
Replies
8
Views
579
ArchAngelCD
ArchAngelCD
Back
Top