Lee Classic Turret Press Seems to be Binding

[Litefoot]

OK, I've never had a bench-mounted press, only hand presses. I just received a Lee Classic from F&M Reloading after waiting nearly 2 months. I started putting it together and as I actuate the ram, I find it to be very stiff and almost binding up in it's motion. I'm accustomed to the nice smooth presses I toy with at Cabelas and was expecting this to be what my new Lee would feel like. Does it need to get broke in or did I get a defective press? I did oil it up with some RemOil. Thanks for your looking at this!

 

[jfh]

Have you mounted it?--i.e., do you feel the binding now that you have mounted it on the bench?

If so, you might have it so close to the bench edge that the ram is dragging against the edge. If not that, then check the linkage next to see if it is causing the bind.

There's not a lot to that press (I have one), so if you can't chase it down with typical troubleshooting techniques then tell us more....

Jim H.

 

[joecil]

I also recently got a Lee Classic Turret from FS Reloading. Now I mount my presses using the Lee bench plates with the steal inserts except for my Lee Reloader Press which I have mounted on one of their wood blocks. All of my presses work really smooth from my Lee Pro 1000 to the Reloaders press. Perhaps as stated by the previous poster you are dragging the ram on the bench a bit as my plates are actually siting flush with the edge of my bench.

 

[1KPerDay]

Is it binding as you raise/lower the ram WITHOUT the auto-index rod in place? Or is it binding WITH the rod in place and are you feeling friction as the turret rotates? In either case, lube the turret (where it contacts the press) lightly with rem-oil or a light grease. Lube the ram with a good grease. I spray the auto-index rod with CLP on mine, YMMV.

I can feel some friction but it's certainly not what I would consider binding. Here are a couple vids I made where you can kind of see how easy it is to index.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxJwWGYCrgs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iHPmGXyB6g

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
Ditto. If it's auto-indexing, it will of course have a bit more resistance compared to it not indexing or to a regular SS press. Even with auto-indexing, it should be smooth and positive.

 

[dickttx]

I have had the LCT for a couple of years now. My other press is a C-H CHampion from about 1970 and is smooth as silk. When I first got my LCT it was very rough and draggy in comparison. After lubrication and use the LCT is very smooth now. I was just wondering the other day why I had thought it was not smooth.
Unlike some of the other suggestions, I have never lubricated any of the turret parts and have never felt the need to. I assume oil on them would eventually attract dirt and grit that would do more harm than lack of lubrication.

 

[Litefoot]

Well finally got the turret properly mounted and the problem persists. The dragging and binding occurs even when the turret and index rod are removed. I have applied plenty of lubrication. The linkage is not dragging against the table. It appears the ram is dragging where it passes through the base of the press. Maybe it will smooth out over time, but based on your comments, it sounds like things are not as they should be. I will call Lee next week. Thanks, everyone for being good enough to help me. I appreciate it.

 

[Litefoot]

Just a bit of follow-up. I called Lee and they said they'd be happy to look at the LCT if I returned it. I told them I'd give it a go for a while to see if things loosened up. And they have. Still not what I would call smooth, but getting better after working 300 pistol rounds. I actually left out the lube to give the metal surfaces (ram and base) a chance to work through the rub spots. Then this week, I decided to apply a light coating of my favorite Garand grease (GM Lubriplate) and wow, things are a LOT better. That's some good stuff. So I won't be bothering Lee. Looks like things are going to be just fine.

 

[1KPerDay]

Good.

 

[Whiskey_Sour]

I had the same problem, went away with Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner and Dry Lube.

 

[wingman]

I always clean and lube my classic and it does perform great, I use a small amount of rig grease on turret. Metal on metal without lube makes them turn rough.