Lee Classic Turret question(s)

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Grumpa72

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I have had my CT now for about 5 years and I go through the indexing square ratchets fairly routinely so I must be doing something wrong. So here goes a pitiful attempt at describing my problem.

The indexing "square ratchet", SR, http://leeprecision.com/square-ratchet.html fits into the auto index clamp. http://leeprecision.com/auto-index-clamp.html My clamp has small indentations at the top that appear to be the same dimension as the SR and it would seem logical that this then holds the SR in place. However, there is round void below these indentations that the SR slips into. Once it slips down, it is usually worn enough that I toss it. Should the SR be held in place or is it free to move in the void when the clamp is closed? I actually bought a second auto index clamp a few years ago thinking that my first one was bad. They both act the same in that the SR isn't held in place like I think it should.

Can you shed light on this operation and tell me how I am screwing up? The Lee instructions are really vague on how the SR fits into the auto clamp. I have never been that impressed with their written instructions so I am trying here.

Thank you and, yes, I have posted this on a couple of other forums trying to get as much input as possible.

grumpa72

[email protected]
 
Broke a cardinal rule here and didnt read your post. But if you're breaking ratchets, first, talk to Lost Sheep here at THR. Second, it depends on the last direction the ram went, as to whether or not you can move the turret with your hand. If the last movement was up, you can move it any which way you want...if the last ram movement was down, no siree dont touch, you're about to break a ratchet.

Lost Sheep's analogy was like in the Roman Colisseum, thumbs up (last ram movement up) ratchet lives. Thumbs down (last movement down) ratchet dies. Hopefully the Sheep is lurking around the pasture today and can drop in to tie up my loose ends. I hope im telling it right, I know I talked to Lost Sheep when I was researching which press to get, and we talked LCT and I havent broken one yet. PH



I shot Lost a PM so he'll get back to the thread here at some point and get your question answered sufficiently I would bet. (if nobody else gets it right first)
 
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Thank you for the reply. I am not breaking the plastic square ratchet but wearing them out every 1000-1500 rounds which then allows the turret to not properly index. I believe that this round count is premature and I am trying to see what others are getting out of the plastic ratchet.
 
I've never layed eyes on a Lee Classic turret press but I do have a pro1000. I bought it 25 some odd years ago and am still using it to load .357mags. My ratchet gear and parts are still all original.

The spare parts that came with it are still in the spare parts box.

I would call Lee Precision and ask them what is happening to your machine that your wearing out these parts so quickly. I'm sure they've heard every thing that can happen to one of their presses from their customers.
 
Tiger,
the only part showing any wear is a small square ratchet that indexes the steel road. Its design causes the rod to turn, turning the turret head. All of the indexing or turning is done by this plastic piece. I haven't done much chatting to see how many rounds other Turret users are getting out of their plastic ratchet but I am talking on other forums and I seem to be on the low side.
 
I have about 5k on mine & it still has the original plastic piece. I typically only use 2 or 3 stations & do a lot of rotating the turret by hand with the ram halfway up.

Must have got lucky & got a good one?
 
Or maybe I am too ham fisted, moving the turret while the ram isn't at least half way up. I don't know. I am keeping track of this one to see what I really am getting out of them
 
Have you tried a whisper thin coating of light oil on the turret head and where the ratchet runs up and down on the indexing rod? Or maybe a spray on dry lube? With the ratchet wearing out like yours is, it may just be from friction/stiction. Also, have you felt the index rod for burrs or rough spots?
 
Higgite,
I put a drop of oil/lube on the sides of the turret but I have usually kept the rod clean since the ratcheting square relies on friction to ride up as the ram comes down. When I first got my CT a few years ago, I lubed everything up and then eventually just the ram and the turret with an occasional drop of oil on the handle parts.
 
I think it is not short stroking the arm/ram. I have over 15,000 rounds through mine and have not had to replace it. If you are going to rotate by hand then raise the ram to clear the spiral index rod.
 
As long as the last movement of the ram is up, you're good to go. Moving the turret after the last ram movement was down, is probably what is wearing it down.
 
I've gone through two MGB 9mm 124 CMJ 3750 round cases of bullets and I'm just about half way through my third using the original plastic ratchet square. Also about 500 357 mag. It doesn't show any sign of wear. Knock on wood.
 
If I remember right, my first ratchet square lasted a good 10k rounds. I eventually gave up on using the auto index and I size/decap and primer separately from charging/seating and I am much much faster loading that way. also believe it allows me to pay more attention during the critical stages(charging/seating bullet) to keep track and ensure each and every powder charge.

I never liked the auto index.
 
Grumpa72 said:
I have had my CT now for about 5 years and I go through the indexing square ratchets fairly routinely so I must be doing something wrong. So here goes a pitiful attempt at describing my problem.

The indexing "square ratchet", SR, http://leeprecision.com/square-ratchet.html fits into the auto index clamp. http://leeprecision.com/auto-index-clamp.html My clamp has small indentations at the top that appear to be the same dimension as the SR and it would seem logical that this then holds the SR in place. However, there is round void below these indentations that the SR slips into. Once it slips down, it is usually worn enough that I toss it. Should the SR be held in place or is it free to move in the void when the clamp is closed? I actually bought a second auto index clamp a few years ago thinking that my first one was bad. They both act the same in that the SR isn't held in place like I think it should.

Can you shed light on this operation and tell me how I am screwing up? The Lee instructions are really vague on how the SR fits into the auto clamp. I have never been that impressed with their written instructions so I am trying here.

Thank you and, yes, I have posted this on a couple of other forums trying to get as much input as possible.

grumpa72

[email protected]
Click to expand...
Where is the wear taking place? On the outer corners or on the inside?

When you install the Square Ratchet do you install it with the wider part up or down?

You correctly analyzed how the Square Ratchet works, friction with the indexing rod forces the SR down (away from the notches inside the indexing arm, thus freeing the SR and the Rod to move in either rotational direction. When the ram is moving down, the SR is forced into engagement with the notches and it, the rod and the turret are locked to rotate only forward.

For a better "feel" of the forces involved, remove your turret disk and hold the indexing rod as you move the ram up and down. Then, with the ram stationary, move the indexing rod up and down (visualizing the position of the Square Ratchet inside the indexing arm as you do). If you twirl the rod between thumb and forefinger, you can feel the resistance (without danger of unknowingly applying enough force to break anything).

You may have already done this (I surmise from your post).

So, I wonder if the corners of the SR are rounded, perhaps from upside-down installation (It took me a long time to assure myself of the correct orientation). It will work upside-down, but the engagement will be minimal and could lead to corner rounding.

If the wear is on the inside of the Square Ratchet, I am stumped without more information.

Good Luck.

Potatohead, thanks for the faith in me.

Lost Sheep
 
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