If you get their catalog i think you will find under the headlines that Lee refers to this press as a member of the classic cast series of presses. They also describe it as showing it's classic cast roots with it's cast iron base.
If Lee presses are junk, why are used ones so hard to find?
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If you get their catalog i think you will find under the headlines that Lee refers to this press as a member of the classic cast series of presses. They also describe it as showing it's classic cast roots with it's cast iron base.
Red Cent
Member
Got bored at the end of page 2.
I used Lee dies with my first press purchased in 1963. It was/is (still have it)a Lyman Spartan. As I learned I progressed to a Lee turret. The next one was the Lee Pro 1000. Acquired two more. 38, 45 Colt, and 45 ACP.
I still have the Lyman, the Lee turret, and I moved on up to Dillon 650s to replace my Pro 1000s.
Lost count of the number of die sets that I have. Most are Lee. Ones mounted are Lee. I use a RCBS cowboy deprime and size die on the 38 and 45 Colt. Big mouth.
I agree with the FLCD. 45 ACP.
IMHonestO, the critics of Lee products across the board do not ring true.
Copycats abound.
I believe the broken Lee is the victim of a BMFH.
I used Lee dies with my first press purchased in 1963. It was/is (still have it)a Lyman Spartan. As I learned I progressed to a Lee turret. The next one was the Lee Pro 1000. Acquired two more. 38, 45 Colt, and 45 ACP.
I still have the Lyman, the Lee turret, and I moved on up to Dillon 650s to replace my Pro 1000s.
Lost count of the number of die sets that I have. Most are Lee. Ones mounted are Lee. I use a RCBS cowboy deprime and size die on the 38 and 45 Colt. Big mouth.
I agree with the FLCD. 45 ACP.
IMHonestO, the critics of Lee products across the board do not ring true.
Copycats abound.
I believe the broken Lee is the victim of a BMFH.
Steve Koski
Member
Steve Koski
Member
Just one more, then I'll stop.
jcwit
member
Do either of you own any so you can speak from experience? Or are you speaking from heresay?
ranger335v
Member
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"There is no such thing as a Lee Classic Cast Turret."
There is a Lee Classic Cast single stage and there is a Classic Turret. Except for the upper portion they are basically the same design and both have cast iron/steel bodies and lever systems. And both are bigger and have more strength than anyone really needs and each has more nice user features than anything else in their general class, at any price.
There is a Lee Classic Cast single stage and there is a Classic Turret. Except for the upper portion they are basically the same design and both have cast iron/steel bodies and lever systems. And both are bigger and have more strength than anyone really needs and each has more nice user features than anything else in their general class, at any price.
BrucefromWis
Member
A couple thousand rounds through my classic turret press, zero problems, zero issues...
'nuff said....
'nuff said....
jcwit
member
I assume you also drive a RR or Bently by now! You seem to be getting more than a little childlish with your posts.
Seems some members have forgotten this is The High Road.
I'm sorry. I wasn't very clear. I meant actual testing, not biased opinions and personal preferences.
jcwit
member
Eddy, point out the bias please.
Bush Pilot
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JC, I've seen this guy post in the past and his comments seem almost childish at times. If it's the same person (I'm sure it is) I've seen him brag on other forums that he recently passed his GED. I hope his posts aren't reflective of an apparent lack of maturity. We have to remember this is THR and he should conduct himself in an adult manner.
The same biases you and I (and everyone else) have about the equipment we own. I'm certain everything Unique mentioned are limfacs...to him. The next guy may disagree. That's why I asked about objective test results.
I can't offer comment on Lee SS presses as I've never used one. My only experience was with a 1000.
There are certain automobiles I'm not interested in owning and I sure someone here would disagree with me. Doesn't make either of us wrong or right.
jcwit
member
Speak for yourself and do not try to claim I have biases regarding what I own. I own reloading gear from every major and most minor companies encluding Dillion and Sinclare. All of the items have their niche on my reloading bench, some I consider somewhat overpriced, Sinclare being one but hey, if they "now Brownells" can get the dollars for what they sell more power to them, beats buying chinese goods from an Italian Company, ie; Smart Loader.
I believe if Lee came out with a sub division with a fancy name and charged 2 to 3 times what they charge under their own name many folks would jump on board and claim its the best gear ever to hit the U.S. market. There is my opinion.
You hit that nail right on the head! I don't care if it's cars, guns, reloading stuff, or whatever, some guys have to kind of justify their paying more than the next guy by belittling the guy who they feel has inferior stuff... whether it's true or not.
I'm with you guys that have Lee stuff. i also have lots of crapola from all of the manufacturers' , and I still do most of my reloading with Lee equipment and think some of the stuff they have our is damn ingenious to say the least.
I would find it hard to believe that there is a finer press than the Classic Turret, unless one was willing to drop some serious jing on it... and then, why would you?
I'm with you guys that have Lee stuff. i also have lots of crapola from all of the manufacturers' , and I still do most of my reloading with Lee equipment and think some of the stuff they have our is damn ingenious to say the least.
I would find it hard to believe that there is a finer press than the Classic Turret, unless one was willing to drop some serious jing on it... and then, why would you?
Greg Mercurio
Member
IMHO, it would be great if everyone on the planet had to take at least one mechanical engineering class in high school and college before they are allowed to graduate either. Then perhaps BS posts like this would be 1/2 pages and not 6.
Not to put too fine a point on this, the press has to do only 2 things really well:
1) Maintain a concentric path with the centerline of the die bore as it presses the case into and out of the die, and
2) Provide enough mechanical leverage to minimize operator effort to prevent injury or undue fatigue
Everything beyond this is an added feature. :banghead:
Not to put too fine a point on this, the press has to do only 2 things really well:
1) Maintain a concentric path with the centerline of the die bore as it presses the case into and out of the die, and
2) Provide enough mechanical leverage to minimize operator effort to prevent injury or undue fatigue
Everything beyond this is an added feature. :banghead:
Lizard1911
Member
WOW, REALLY??!
I'm pretty sure, after wasting ten minutes of my life on this thread. I'll be keeping my LEE PRECISION equipement, buying more, and dumping what is surely no longer THE HIGH ROAD.
SHAME..
I'm pretty sure, after wasting ten minutes of my life on this thread. I'll be keeping my LEE PRECISION equipement, buying more, and dumping what is surely no longer THE HIGH ROAD.
SHAME..
steelerdude99
Member
This is my take on it… LEE was priced low enough and had good enough quality to get me started with reloading. I learned how to use the LEE Classic loader when I was a teen in the 70s as an assistant to my uncle. Press prices were way just out of sight back then. Maybe it was because my only job was delivering papers. But anyhow, the LEE Classic loader is a great way to learn the basic phases of size, de-cap, prime, change, seat and crimp. As my time is now valuable enough (to me at least) to buy a LEE Classic Turret press in 2008, my per-hour output more than doubled w/ it. Using mechanics’ tools as an analogy, it’s not the high quality of Snap-On; it’s more like Sears Craftsman. Taking the analogy further, LEE’s far better than tools at harbor Freight. My LEE Safety primer feeder and is made of plastic and is going strong after 3 years. I thought for sure plastic wouldn’t hold up, but it has.
The one thing I think that LEE can do better done is the printed docs. After struggling with the setup by readings the docs, I went on-line and found videos on YouTube that showed me how to setup the powder-thru-the-die and the riser that’s needed if you use the auto-disk.
There are better presses out there. There are presses that have automated bullet feeders and more like what a factory would have. Personally, I don’t have the need for that. Those who manufacture or re-manufacture ammo for others depend on better quality and more automation. To summarize, the professional loader may say LEE equipment is junk. But, there would be a lot less home loading going on if LEE were not around.
Chuck
The one thing I think that LEE can do better done is the printed docs. After struggling with the setup by readings the docs, I went on-line and found videos on YouTube that showed me how to setup the powder-thru-the-die and the riser that’s needed if you use the auto-disk.
There are better presses out there. There are presses that have automated bullet feeders and more like what a factory would have. Personally, I don’t have the need for that. Those who manufacture or re-manufacture ammo for others depend on better quality and more automation. To summarize, the professional loader may say LEE equipment is junk. But, there would be a lot less home loading going on if LEE were not around.
Chuck
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steelerdude99
Member
Steve Koski’s posts are a hoot. I almost fell of my chair w/ the girl who was going to "hurl because the dude w/ the red press".
On another post of his, I think stage one in the evolution of presses should be the LEE classic loader. The portable press still has its place as a “field tool”. The LEE classic loader is for the poor fellow who can’t afford a press and has lots of time on his hands.
Chuck
On another post of his, I think stage one in the evolution of presses should be the LEE classic loader. The portable press still has its place as a “field tool”. The LEE classic loader is for the poor fellow who can’t afford a press and has lots of time on his hands.
Chuck
Bush Pilot
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You shouldn't encourage posters like this Koski guy (if that's his real name) It's people like him that disrupt what should have been an informative thread.
Lost Sheep
Member
I find the thread VERY informative
Lost Sheep
I have learned a lot from this thread. Something about Lee Presses and how they compare to others, and a LOT about human nature from pissants to princes.Bush Pilot said:
Lost Sheep
ArchAngelCD
Member.
IMO it's just about time to lock this thread. It's degraded to that low a point!!!
1SOW
Member
Amen.
There's not many I won't offer help or value their opinion.
There's not many I won't offer help or value their opinion.
jcwit
member
As usual Walkalong's words of wisdom are true and to the point.
ranger335v
Member
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"The same biases you and I (and everyone else) have about the equipment we own. I'm certain everything Unique mentioned are limfacs...to him. The next guy may disagree. That's why I asked about objective test results."
It's clear from the posts that there is indeed some of that, those who have actually used tools with good results simply report what they KNOW is good while many who have not used tools, or have used them improperly, report that. And of course there are the 'me too' gurus who simply like to appear knowedgeable and repeat what they have read. All that may have some value but the poor new guy sure can't be expected to seperate the bits wheat from the mounds of chaff.
Like JC, I've been doing this stuff for several decades and have long gotten past the "my stuff is better than your stuff" mindset. I own dies from some 12 makers, they all work fine. I've used a lot of different presses and they have all worked quite well (see post #140). I now own five presses from three makers and none of them are what I would suggest across the board; all that could do is make others follow me and that is not usually where they wish - or need - to go. I do like to think I have the knowledge - and maturity - to actually make valid suggestions for what may best fit the needs of others without making them clones of me!
It's the planned use that should determine the choice AND our recomendations. Someone wanting to load a few hundred handgun rounds or a few boxes or so of deer hunting ammo a year will be very well served with Lee's little Reloader C press. Someone wishing to load a few hundred rounds a month will be better served with a Lee Classic Turret. A wildcatter who expects to do some heavy case reforming would do better with a Lee Classic Cast or a Redding UltraMag, etc. Someone wishing to load several hundred a week should look at a sturdy progressive such as the Hornady LnL AP or a Dillon. Those are my suggestions and I don't use any of them.
It's clear from the posts that there is indeed some of that, those who have actually used tools with good results simply report what they KNOW is good while many who have not used tools, or have used them improperly, report that. And of course there are the 'me too' gurus who simply like to appear knowedgeable and repeat what they have read. All that may have some value but the poor new guy sure can't be expected to seperate the bits wheat from the mounds of chaff.
Like JC, I've been doing this stuff for several decades and have long gotten past the "my stuff is better than your stuff" mindset. I own dies from some 12 makers, they all work fine. I've used a lot of different presses and they have all worked quite well (see post #140). I now own five presses from three makers and none of them are what I would suggest across the board; all that could do is make others follow me and that is not usually where they wish - or need - to go. I do like to think I have the knowledge - and maturity - to actually make valid suggestions for what may best fit the needs of others without making them clones of me!
It's the planned use that should determine the choice AND our recomendations. Someone wanting to load a few hundred handgun rounds or a few boxes or so of deer hunting ammo a year will be very well served with Lee's little Reloader C press. Someone wishing to load a few hundred rounds a month will be better served with a Lee Classic Turret. A wildcatter who expects to do some heavy case reforming would do better with a Lee Classic Cast or a Redding UltraMag, etc. Someone wishing to load several hundred a week should look at a sturdy progressive such as the Hornady LnL AP or a Dillon. Those are my suggestions and I don't use any of them.
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