If Lee presses are junk, why are used ones so hard to find?

[GLOOB]

Just wondering. Seems like lots of people start out with a Lee because they're cheap. Then presumably move on to a "real" press.

When used progressive presses come up for sale around here, I see a bunch of Dillon (albeit, a lot of 'em are the Square Deal that takes proprietary dies) and Hornady. Where are all these unwanted Lee presses going? Don't throw them away. There's someone out there that will take them off your hands!

 

[Canuck-IL]

Well, it's possible that they self-destruct - they have that tendency ... or frustrated owners help them along that path.

Or, they get relegated to a rarely used caliber or even just a universal decapping die and sit on the corner of the bench ad infinitum. That's where mine is.
/Bryan

 

[dawico]

I think people decide it is a pretty good press after they use it a while. My only complaint about Lee presses is the milling could be cleaned up a little. They do the job though.

 

[R.W.Dale]

My lee presses untimely demise is what spurred my transition to a "real press"


The remnants were scrapped

 

[rc109a]

When they reach their maximum operational life they self destruct...(just kidding)

I think most people eventually by another press and keep these as a back up or set them aside for other tasks such as decapping or something specific. I know that is what I did... They are still a very good press and I end up returning to them to perform specific tasks.

 

[Walkalong]

Who says they are junk?

 

[Lost Sheep]

Tale of two presses

My friend and I each bought a Lee Manual and Press that came boxed as a set.

Since I had an RCBS Rockchucker and two Pro-1000s, I just took the manual and set my press on a shelf. Eventually I gave it to another friend who had none. (Along with a set of dies I actually bought for the purpose, and a brand-new Lee Auto-prime I acquired a few years ago and never used because I had another, and prime on-press anyway.

My friend only used it for a little while (he had a Lyman Turret on order at the time), and then used it as a mount for his powder measure. Eventually he broke it at the base (he tried to use it as a hand-hold when he tripped once). He drilled some new holes and re-mounted it. Ultimately, it broke again and he tossed it. Much to my chagrin. I told the story to a Lee dealer (Factory Sales) and they said to return it and they would send a new one. But it was already gone.

I do have the two Lee Pro-1000 presses that I retired in favor of a Lee Classic Turret. I keep thinking about returning them to service, as they are (theoretically) faster than my turret, but I will sell or trade them. Aside from the primer feed and the somewhat involved caliber changeover, I never did get used to watching multiple simultaneous operations. So I went for a turret. SInce I got to like the continuous processing of the Progressive (rather than the batch processing single stages require, I got the Lee Classic Turret, as Lee is the only maker of auto-indexing turrets.

I hate for anything to go into the trash if it still works. Double waste. Consumes space in the landfill and wastes what utility the item has.

Lost Sheep

 

[jon_in_wv]

My opinion would be they are a relatively low cost item to start with to its usually not worth the hassle to sell a used one. Also, just like gun snobs there are plenty of RELOADING snobs who will tell you what utter junk a LEE is so buying a really cheap used one just seems to people like they are getting something that won't work. I've reloaded thousands of rounds with my Lee Single stage and now my Lee turret press. I have no desire to spend more money on a press.

 

[dawico]

If you do upgrade, it isn't like you have $200 worth of value sitting there. Just let it sit incase you need it again. It isn't really worth the hassle of selling.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Not to mention I think the great majority of Lee's sales is in Single stages and Turrets. If someone upgrades to a Dillon progressive they probably keep the single stage on the bench for other things. I upgraded from a Lee Cast single state to a Turret and I have both bolted to my bench right now.

 

[Bush Pilot]

You rarely see used Lee presses for sale because people are ashamed to admit they owned one.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Maybe they are such junk that they are considered "throw-away!"

I am only going on what I read and have handled one at one time and I was not happy enough with the feel of the thing to go ahead and buy it. I decided to spend more money and get an RCBS Rock Chucker.

It is like an inexpensive gun, most times they work, they function, but I just could never bring myself to buy a Jennings 22 Auto. I also could not bring myself to buy a lot of things that I consider to be junk.

It can be Junk or it can be Junque.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Why does this thread have to be so "low road". I didn't think this forum was supposed to be full of such pompous garbage.

 

[jhansman]

I've never read such nonsense as I have in this thread

My Lee press has made thousands of rounds of accurate ammo, and trust me, there are many, many more here who can attest to the same thing. Come to think of it, I wonder why the OP would even pose such a question. Wait, I think I know...

 

[OKcarburetor]

Never had a single problem with anything made by Lee

 

[BADUNAME37]

Why does this thread have to be so "low road". I didn't think this forum was supposed to be full of such pompous garbage.

I don't believe stating our true feelings about something is low road at all.
What's the difference if someone is critical about a Lee Press and someone who swears by Lee Presses puts down RCBS, or Dillon, or.......?
Doesn't it really boil down to the same thing?

All we are doing is stating our likes and dislikes of certain things. Is that wrong?

 

[OldStumps]

Most of the junk comments lack objectivity and some measure of value for dollar expended IMHO. They express frustration. Lee makes a value press and progressive. I have one of each and I think there is great value here. I did lots of research and read lots of posts and I am very pleased with performance of both my presses. Also I consider their Factory Crimp Dies great as well as their regular die sets a huge value. Given that I only spent $177 for the progressive and $70 for the Deluxe single stage I wouldn't waste my time selling them in a used market. All you Dillon, LNL, 2000RCBS guys got lots more invested though.

 

[Otto]

Lee Classic Cast lever sleeve

 

[frankge]

other than the priming funtion is absolute <deleted>, my turret and loadmaster do a good job. I like to hand prime for my match ammo. Most presses have issues with priming from what I read.

 

[flashhole]

I've owned one Rockchucker, a Forster B2, a Redding Model 25 Turret, two Redding Ultramags, a Lee Classic Cast, a Lee Classic Turret and just ordered a second Lee Classic Turret. Of the presses I've owned I still have the two Redding Ultramags, the Lee Classic Cast and two Lee Classic Turrets. I've not owned a non Classic Lee press but the ones I have are great presses and I highly recommend them to anyone looking to get into reloading. The only thing I don't like about the Lee presses is my RCBS primer pocket swager cup won't fit over the ram, the ram is too fat. They allow me to make excellent quality ammo.

 

[hey_poolboy]

I have one of the old "anniversary" kits with the challenger press. It's pretty cheaply made, and I have broken the linkage on it once. Lee did replace it for free even though it was WAY out of warranty. It is now relegated to de-capping.

On the other hand I have a classic turret that works like a champ. It has seen thousands of rounds (mostly .45ACP) and never had a hiccup. I've been very happy with it so far.

 

[jcwit]

Folks think Lee is junk or complain about their machining then gravitate towards an SKS or an AK, all the while buying chinese goods at their local department store.

Regarding the pictures of the broken Lee, my neighbor has had his new Cadillac in for warrenty work, my Corvette had to have the complete body redone, under warrenty. My SIL has had warrenty work performed on his BMW.

 

[LTR shooter]

I did retire my old Lee aluminum C-press. It loaded some remarkably accurate ammo for a number of years. I upgraded to another Lee , the Classic Cast Press and I'm sure it will last me as long as I care to reload.

 

[Romeo 33 Delta]

My first press was a Challenger. It has made THOUSANDS of rounds and still is at my bullet seating station. I replaced a broken set of links ... no big deal ... things break ... my car ... firing pin on one of my COLT auto pistols. I use a Rock Chucker for sizing primarily because I have a penchant for wildcatting and that can lead to some SEVERE stress on any press. I also have one of Lee's new CAST CLASSICS which I will put into use when I redo my reloading area. From what I've heard and read, it's an AMERICAN-MADE Rick Chucker! I like Lee. Good value for the money. BTW ... I can break anybody's reloading equipment ... RCBS, LYMAN, HORNADY, CH-4D, LEE ... and it's most always OPERATOR ERROR in my case!

 

[RandyP]

If all you need is a $100 press to more than satisfy your realistic reloading needs, seems to me anyway that one would be a boob to spend over $600?

And vice versa. For the not Latin scholars that means if your realistic needs are best met by a $1000 Dillon setup, and IF your budget allows, you would do well to go buy one rather than a $30 Lee Loader (whack it with a mallet)

Just this old fart's opinion but NOBODY out there is making junk. Every manufacturer from Lee thru Camdex makes machinery that can turn out reliable, safe and accurate ammunition if the operator does their part. You simply trade $$$$$ for speed and features.