Lee 6000 press

[LiveLife]

A feature I like is that the Pro-6k ejects completed rounds out the front...and there is a bracket there to hold a Akro bins; nice touch

Don't forget finished round bin bracket is also "on-board" tool caddy to hold die/bushing wrench and Allen wrench. (There's another hole to hold a small Allen wrench to push up primer guide to change small/large primers)

I added a Lyman M-die (too impatient to make the powder through insert work)

I'm glad you brought that up ... Redding premium expanding die ... it's like a Lyman M expanding die.

I wonder why Lee hasn't offered a "stepped" powder through expander ... There seems to be a big enough market for it.

I'll revisit the placement if I add a bullet feeder.

Funny you mentioned bullet feeder as Lee is planning an inline bullet feeder with rotating tube magazine - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-oal-consistency.911743/page-6#post-12466560

 

[9mmepiphany]

Don't forget finished round bin bracket is also "on-board" tool caddy to hold die/bushing wrench and Allen wrench. (There's another hole to hold a small Allen wrench to push up primer guide to change small/large primers)

I have the Allen wrench in place and wondered what the other holes were for

I wonder why Lee hasn't offered a "stepped" powder through expander ... There seems to be a big enough market for it.

I remember when NOE offered them for the Lee powder die, but they seem to have discontinued them

 

[Gillie Dog]

I have the Allen wrench in place and wondered what the other holes were for

Coincidently, or not, the small hole is hex like the1/4" allen hole and fits the allen wrench which is used on the clamp type breech lock bushings.

GD

 

[Gillie Dog]

These aluminum bushings without lock screw are cheap, poorly machined compared to the quality of the old steel. They also do not have the button notch on them that the old ones had.

The old steel breech lock bushings are indeed very nice, including the clamp lock ones, I have them on all rifle dies. I bought several sets of the 4 piece aluminum ones for this press and all threads were clean and dies screwed right in just fine, I did not try bushings supplied with press, I will have to look at them. But when you clamp them down the distance between splines change and the little plastic die wrench does not fit well, will work but does not fit well. I did/do not care for the o'ring bushings.

GD

 

[Tilos]

My bench is 42" high.......that means for this short guy, sitting on my Drafting Stool and standing isn't that much different. (never felt the need for a high rise!)

9mmepiphany: Must be nice to live so close to Dan! I guess tomorrow is good enough....

View attachment 1115714
Back 4 presses ago when I had lots of bench space!

Guess what this thing I printed today is? Hint....goes with the Lee universal 4-way.

View attachment 1115716

A 4-tube nose-up bullet collator insert?

I suppose I could put a cross pin thru the tubes, load the bullets nose-down, put a cross pin thru the tube and just flip the tube over and get nose-up...


.

 

[Tilos]

Don't forget finished round bin bracket is also "on-board" tool caddy to hold die/bushing wrench and Allen wrench. (There's another hole to hold a small Allen wrench to push up primer guide to change small/large primers)


I wonder why Lee hasn't offered a "stepped" powder through expander ... There seems to be a big enough market for it.


Funny you mentioned bullet feeder as Lee is planning an inline bullet feeder with rotating tube magazine - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-oal-consistency.911743/page-6#post-12466560

Yes, I'd be all over a stepped expander if Lee offered one, as I'm using a Hornady inline bullet feeder (with tubes) and the bullets tip-over during indexing.
That bullet tipping is the only slow-down/hiccup I have in 9mm progressive loading, and a stepped expander would end it.
I have found that over flaring as compensation, considerably shortens case life, so I don't do that anymore.

If NOE made a drop-in stepped expander for the Lee 9mm powder-thru-expander die, I'd be ordering that too.
I have a lathe and carbide tooling in another shop across town and might just take a Lee expander over there and cut a step on it tomorrow!

Congrats...
Thanks for that link, it's refreshing to know Lee is being proactive in their development and offering YOU equipment for testing.
That will $ave them from redesigns/add-ons/recalls and update fixes.
And get us better new stuff, sooner.
jmo,
.

 

[LiveLife]

I wonder why Lee hasn't offered a "stepped" powder through expander ... There seems to be a big enough market for it.

I remember when NOE offered them for the Lee powder die, but they seem to have discontinued them

Yes, I'd be all over a stepped expander if Lee offered one, as I'm using a Hornady inline bullet feeder (with tubes) and the bullets tip-over during indexing.
That bullet tipping is the only slow-down/hiccup I have in 9mm progressive loading, and a stepped expander would end it.
I have found that over flaring as compensation, considerably shortens case life, so I don't do that anymore.

Actually during my phone call with Calvin from Lee Precision today, we did discuss stepped powder through expander helping with bullet feeder not tilt the bullet and I sent Stephanie expanded emails suggesting either offering stepped powder through expander and/or machining the plugs for Lee Universal Case Expander to use in a separate station.

it's refreshing to know Lee is being proactive in their development

From my phone call with Calvin, I got the impression that they are very attentive of customer feedback and committed to making improvements to their product lines.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Next I take a new Starline brass and run it though each station. Works okay a few times and then press locks up with ram about 1/2 way up. I did not have the RCBS lockout die installed. The problem, the primer pin was stuck 1/2 way up keeping the small primer holder entrapped. I was finally able to push it down and free up the press but it was really in tight.

There must have been something down in there. Hope it came out and doesn't cause any more problems.

I noted on the Lee parts site that they now have a longer primer slider and I wonder how people are to be notified as improvements come up.

That is one thing that has me worried also, Lee is trying to re-design some things on the fly and doing it fast, so are the presses that are being sold now, updated or do we have to find out the hard way after we buy them. I guess keeping in contact with Lee would be the best choice with this press design being so new.
Like you said we are the beta testers for Lee and I guess this goes along with that role.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Roller handle is being considered but there is the issue of off-center twisting of linkage with roller handle and I suggested reshaping the roller handle so it is center-line to press/linkage to not cause off-center twisting of linkage (Roller handle would be by/above red press frame top)

I identified that with the ABLP when it first came out. I took their roller handle and linkage off and put the old Pro 1000 linkage on it and it works great now. No twisting now. The Pro 1000 linkage was tighter than the ABLP linkage so I used it instead.

It's a much easier press to get good OALs off of. If I'm using new brass and good bullets I can usually get from 0-.002" OAL with it like this.
This was a few years ago when the ABLP first came out.

I stand to the left side of the handle and set bullets with my left hand, run the lever with my right hand and it seem ergonomically correct for me and the press.
They must be watching us.

 

[LiveLife]

I have the Allen wrench in place and wondered what the other holes were for

small hole is hex like the 1/4" allen hole and fits the allen wrench which is used on the clamp type breech lock bushings.

I really do like having "on-board" tool caddy like ABLP and now on the SPP.

And tool caddy for SPP that does double duty as finished round bin holder is removable plastic and I see there's more room for additional holes to be drilled.

I am using the small hole next to hex hole that fits the shellplate Allen wrench for a small Allen wrench to push up the primer guide to change from small to large. Drilling another hole to hold Allen wrench for the lock ring bushing is a good idea to hold all the tools.

 

[LiveLife]

After proper measurement/inspection, I totally agree ... The clutch cup is still held on the gear by the friction to the index rod on the cup and just the upward movement disengages the clutch. Without the index pin, dummies' like me, would be manually rotating the shell plate with our paw and thus possibly damaging the clutch/gear.

Because slight shell plate rotation is needed to remove some cases in some stations the index pin is mandatory for reasons you stated to prevent, me, from rotating the plate to remove a case ... Glad experienced guys like you are around to keep us straightened out.

Happy to help out fellow THR members.

In a sense, public online forums like THR is essentially "Open Source/Public Domain" gathering place where free exchange of ideas/thoughts/information/data from experience (and opinions ) take place on 24/7 basis.

As many corporations and government agencies have found, it is the fastest means to product development/beta testing/user feedback/product improvement that far outpaces traditional proprietary corporate model. It's why Linux OS continues to thrive like Linux Mint. And companies like HP and Apple have actively participated in Open Source/Public Domain projects such as OS X development and added their enhancements back to the Open Source/Public Domain codes.

 

[RashQuestion]

Happy to help out fellow THR members.

In a sense, public online forums like THR is essentially "Open Source/Public Domain" gathering place where free exchange of ideas/thoughts/information/data from experience and opinions

THR is a great resource and that's proven by Lee listening!!! Thanks to all who share here!!! God Bless!!!

 

[drband]

I identified that with the ABLP when it first came out. I took their roller handle and linkage off and put the old Pro 1000 linkage on it and it works great now. No twisting now. The Pro 1000 linkage was tighter than the ABLP linkage so I used it instead.
View attachment 1115903
It's a much easier press to get good OALs off of. If I'm using new brass and good bullets I can usually get from 0-.002" OAL with it like this.
This was a few years ago when the ABLP first came out.

I stand to the left side of the handle and set bullets with my left hand, run the lever with my right hand and it seem ergonomically correct for me and the press.
They must be watching us.

I noticed some linkage slop on my ABLP and simply tightened up the linkage bolts slightly to get everything just snug enough to remove play. Maybe even a bit tighter. To date (I’m a new ABLP user) I have not noticed twisting of the linkage, though I wish it was more robust. Keeping an eye on it.

 

[LiveLife]

And for finished OAL testing, I exercised extreme care to set the bullets straight on case mouth so they didn't tilt during seating, which will affect OAL variance.

I wonder why Lee hasn't offered a "stepped" powder through expander ... There seems to be a big enough market for it.

I remember when NOE offered them for the Lee powder die, but they seem to have discontinued them

Yes, I'd be all over a stepped expander if Lee offered one, as I'm using a Hornady inline bullet feeder (with tubes) and the bullets tip-over during indexing.

... bullet tipping is the only slow-down/hiccup I have in 9mm progressive loading, and a stepped expander would end it.
I have found that over flaring as compensation, considerably shortens case life, so I don't do that anymore.

Actually during my phone call with Calvin from Lee Precision today, we did discuss stepped powder through expander helping with bullet feeder not tilt the bullet and I sent Stephanie expanded emails suggesting either offering stepped powder through expander and/or machining the plugs for Lee Universal Case Expander to use in a separate station.

Wow, talk about a fast response!

I got this email back yesterday afternoon at 2:20 PM PST

Hi John,

Spent some time with John Lee discussing the "M" type powder through expander plug. After some thoughtful consideration, we will be testing it here to further consider producing them as a standard product.

I will keep you informed on the progress of this idea. I already have a sample for the 10/40 plug on my desk since that happened to be running today. Unfortunately, I could not get a 9MM done today to add to your shipment, hopefully soon.

Calvin Katzfey
Lee Precision
​

 

[Gillie Dog]

I am using the small hole next to hex hole that fits the shellplate Allen wrench for a small Allen wrench to push up the primer guide to change from small to large. Drilling another hole to hold Allen wrench for the lock ring bushing is a good idea to hold all the tools.

Are/could not the same little allen wrench be used for both jobs?

At the current time a 7/16" end wrench for case feeder adjustment/change is all the tools I use on this machine other than those held by the caddy.
But I did make a primer "tool" to push all the primers back up the trough into the tray for size change/removal so I guess there are actually two more tools I use.

GD

 

[trdjohn]

Wow, talk about a fast response!

I got this email back yesterday afternoon at 2:20 PM PST

Hi John,

Spent some time with John Lee discussing the "M" type powder through expander plug. After some thoughtful consideration, we will be testing it here to further consider producing them as a standard product.

I will keep you informed on the progress of this idea. I already have a sample for the 10/40 plug on my desk since that happened to be running today. Unfortunately, I could not get a 9MM done today to add to your shipment, hopefully soon.

Calvin Katzfey
Lee Precision
​

This will be very welcome addition if they make it work. It would save a station. I shoot mostly jacketed and plated pistol bullets, so flaring works okay, but would be nice to seat them more aligned w/ axis of case, especially on a moving shell plate. Given that Lee is pretty invested in cast bullet making, I'm sort of surprised they never took this up for the cast bullet shooters, get them seated straight w/ ability to slightly flair so they don't shave - best of both worlds. I was hoping to make a run of 40 s&w this weekend after I do a run of 9mm, if the honey do list doesn't grow too much more.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Wow, talk about a fast response!

I got this email back yesterday afternoon at 2:20 PM PST

Hi John,

Spent some time with John Lee discussing the "M" type powder through expander plug. After some thoughtful consideration, we will be testing it here to further consider producing them as a standard product.

I will keep you informed on the progress of this idea. I already have a sample for the 10/40 plug on my desk since that happened to be running today. Unfortunately, I could not get a 9MM done today to add to your shipment, hopefully soon.

Calvin Katzfey
Lee Precision
​

I shoot lead almost exclusively. If Lee made these inserts to fit existing dies, I would be in for probably a dozen.

Put a bug in their ear about doing it for rifle cartridges also please.

 

[LiveLife]

I shoot lead almost exclusively. If Lee made these inserts to fit existing dies, I would be in for probably a dozen.

Put a bug in their ear about doing it for rifle cartridges also please.

Yes, telephone discussion with Calvin and emails to Stephanie (Which all obviously went straight to John Lee) included both pistol and rifle stepped powder through expanders.

 

[LiveLife]

JuliettDeltaGolf, over at CastBoolits ... Problem is, the Lee case feeder tubes are just barely too small for the rims of .44-40, at roughly .515 ID and .565 OD. They'll feed .45 Colt fine with it's rim diameter of .510, but the .44-40 rim diameter is .517-.519."

Now that SPP/Pro 6000 can load all large rifle calibers including magnums using same ram/linkage/lever from .50 cal single stage press, when I mentioned the issue of case feed tubes being not large enough during telephone call with Calvin, he said they are already aware of the issue and working on the case feeder/tubes.

 

[LiveLife]

Are/could not the same little allen wrench be used for both jobs?

The hole at the bottom of primer slide channel/trough measured slightly larger than .11" and smaller than 7/64"/2.7mm Allen wrenches will work to push up the primer guides

 

[Gillie Dog]

The hole at the bottom of primer slide channel/trough measured slightly larger than .11" and smaller than 7/64"/2.7mm Allen wrenches will work to push up the primer guides

Perfect, then the wrench which fits the 3/32 hex hole in the tool caddy and the 3/32 allen screw in the aluminum clamp style breech lock bushings at .09375" will do both jobs. Might be why Lee put the hex hole in the tool caddy.

Thanks

GD

Edited to add: Point to point the 3/32 allen is 0.1083 so it indeed fits fine in the trough hole and is smaller than the hole in the slider by about 0.050 so it will work to pop out the primer guide if desired. (Had to check/look to satisfy curiosity.)

 

[trdjohn]

Well I really wish I could report that this afternoon went well, but it was very frustrating afternoon w/ the press. The hang up area was the primer slide. Now I'll admit my primer feed spring has a kink in it, not horrible but it's there. When I got the press the other day, the first time I removed the primer feed spring and cycled the press, I didn't think to move it out of way when the ram went up and it got the kink. However, that day I did make 30 or so rounds that evening w/o a hitch in the primer seating.



So today, operating the press w/o any cases or primers, the primer slide moves in and out of shell plate fine. I loaded up the case feeder, bullet feeder, and started loading. First case sized and primed fine, the second case was sized, moved to station #2 and the primer slide didn't slide the primer full onto the primer pin. I did 4 or 5 more, each having difficulty getting the primer over/onto the pin. If I pushed the primer slide with my finger, while lifting the shell plate a tad, it would eventually enter correctly.

Took all the bullets and cases off the press. Removed the shell plate to see what was going on.
Basically the leading tip of the primer guide hangs up on the priming pin. I futzed around pushing the pin by hand, and it seemed to move up and down okay, but on one press I could hear the primer pin spring, twang just a bit, and then the pin started to move more smoothly, just enough to be noticeable. I ran the ram up and down w/ the primer guide centering over the pin. I thought cool must have been little "sticky", reassembled everything and ran 14 cases w/o too much hiccup. (the only other hiccup was the Mini MR BF missing a couple shells).







Decided to take a break and left the press alone. Came back after dinner and same thing started up again. Didn't do anything other than load up cases and bullets.

I took some pictures, I'll attach. Maybe that spring has just enough of a kink it? I'm gonna order a bunch of those springs.

The next frustrating thing was trying to remove the case feeder slide spring, I couldn't get it off for the life of me by unhooking it. Really annoying to have cases feeding when trying to troubleshoot. I took pliers and opened the end U end of the hook a bit, finally got it off, but then couldn't put it back on, had to unscrew the screw and slide the hooked end on, then screw it back together. I didn't want to screw up another spring, but I guess I'll buy a couple extra of those.

The case retainer ring on mine isn't totally flat, it curls upward from the shell place carrier near station 1 and 2.

 

[GW Staar]

Now that SPP/Pro 6000 can load all large rifle calibers including magnums using same ram/linkage/lever from .50 cal single stage press, when I mentioned the issue of case feed tubes being not large enough during telephone call with Calvin, he said they are already aware of the issue and working on the case feeder/tubes.

Well here's the almost finished mods I came up with for that problem......already showed my rifle collator bowl, but I just finished fixing the "tube size" problem. The first step was to get 5/8" thinwall tubing into it. The bottom part just slips over the Lee four-way base. The top part I had to change the tube outlet on the shaker bowl by cutting off all but 3/4" of it. Why? Because the Lee plastic would not handle drilling it out and that lower part was reduced in diameter to fit the old too small 9/16" tubes. Then I made a new part that screws on from inside the bowl. Picture and Video below:


Sorry for the lack of 5/8" tubing.....all I have is leftover little pieces.....good enough for the design and test......real ones on order.


Only two ways so far to have both....1. buy two shakers and modify one of them. 2. Make two more top and bottom piece but made to fit the smaller tube. Either way isn't that hard, being that Lee's product is pretty inexpensive. I'll probably make the new parts and buy another shaker, just to see which option I like better.

 

[trdjohn]

Are/could not the same little allen wrench be used for both jobs?


But I did make a primer "tool" to push all the primers back up the trough into the tray for size change/removal so I guess there are actually two more tools I use.

GD

Please tell me more about this "tool"

 

[Tilos]

Well I really wish I could report that this afternoon went well, but it was very frustrating afternoon w/ the press. The hang up area was the primer slide. Now I'll admit my primer feed spring has a kink in it, not horrible but it's there. When I got the press the other day, the first time I removed the primer feed spring and cycled the press, I didn't think to move it out of way when the ram went up and it got the kink. However, that day I did make 30 or so rounds that evening w/o a hitch in the primer seating.

View attachment 1116044

So today, operating the press w/o any cases or primers, the primer slide moves in and out of shell plate fine. I loaded up the case feeder, bullet feeder, and started loading. First case sized and primed fine, the second case was sized, moved to station #2 and the primer slide didn't slide the primer full onto the primer pin. I did 4 or 5 more, each having difficulty getting the primer over/onto the pin. If I pushed the primer slide with my finger, while lifting the shell plate a tad, it would eventually enter correctly.

Took all the bullets and cases off the press. Removed the shell plate to see what was going on.
Basically the leading tip of the primer guide hangs up on the priming pin. I futzed around pushing the pin by hand, and it seemed to move up and down okay, but on one press I could hear the primer pin spring, twang just a bit, and then the pin started to move more smoothly, just enough to be noticeable. I ran the ram up and down w/ the primer guide centering over the pin. I thought cool must have been little "sticky", reassembled everything and ran 14 cases w/o too much hiccup. (the only other hiccup was the Mini MR BF missing a couple shells).

View attachment 1116042

View attachment 1116043

View attachment 1116041

Decided to take a break and left the press alone. Came back after dinner and same thing started up again. Didn't do anything other than load up cases and bullets.

I took some pictures, I'll attach. Maybe that spring has just enough of a kink it? I'm gonna order a bunch of those springs.

The next frustrating thing was trying to remove the case feeder slide spring, I couldn't get it off for the life of me by unhooking it. Really annoying to have cases feeding when trying to troubleshoot. I took pliers and opened the end U end of the hook a bit, finally got it off, but then couldn't put it back on, had to unscrew the screw and slide the hooked end on, then screw it back together. I didn't want to screw up another spring, but I guess I'll buy a couple extra of those.

The case retainer ring on mine isn't totally flat, it curls upward from the shell place carrier near station 1 and 2.

Are you de-priming in station one?
I have found primer "dust" gets around/under the priming pin when de-priming in station one. (on my Pro 1000)
That dust can get between the shoulder on the pin and the carrier, preventing the pin from moving down completely.
Trying removing/cleaning the priming pin and lube the bottom half of the pin where it slides thru the carrier.
If that's not the case for you, nevermind.

As far as the bent/kinked (primer) spring, find a piece of stiff poly tubing that the will fit inside that spring, cut it somewhat shorter than the internal length of the spring, and insert it into the spring.
Some have used a straw from a WD 40 spray can for this.
That should stiffen it up and somewhat straighten out the kink.

As to the case feed spring removal
I have cut off a bit of the ends of spring eyes with a cutoff wheel in a Dremel for easier hooking/unhooking.
You could snip of the end with wire dikes but that will ruin the dikes because the spring wire is almost as hard as the dike jaws.
good luck on your quest,

.