Lee press broken

[Rule3]

Just an opinion but it's not worth spending money to fix it.

You like single stage so get a new Lee Classic single stage they are not much money. Even better the Classic Turret. You can still use it as a single stage.

Of course there is the RockChucker and the Dillion

 

[Sam1911]

Those toggle link parts break sometimes. That was a weakness in the design that I believe has been rectified. If you like the press, pony up for the parts -- they are very cheap. (I think I have three spare arms lying around just in case.)

If you want another press, get one. But the money it will cost you to replace those broken pieces won't be a tiny drop in the bucket compared to what you'll spend for a new press, so that's pretty much two separate issues.

If you want to get a new press, I'd say fix the old one anyway. At least then you can set it up for secondary tasks, or even sell or give it to some new reloader just getting started.

 

[forestswin]

............................
........................
Of course there is the RockChucker and the Dillion

....and Hornady

 

[GaryL]

Lee says i have to pay for replacement parts. Now i need to decide; fix it or upgrade to a 550B.

I have a Classic Cast next to a 550b on my bench. It's a nice press, and handy to have, but the Dillon is nicer in every way. The 550b's ram has ~50% more bearing surface - it makes a difference. Of course the CC is less than 1/4 the price these days. If I had to choose between the two, I'd give up a gun to keep the Dillon. I like reloading, but spare time is hard to come by, so the time savings more than makes up the difference IMHO.

 

[mokin]

Mine broke like that as well. I repaired it with JB weld. That lasted for many years and at least a couple thousand rounds. Eventually, the other half broke. I tried to do a similar repair but between the two repairs the linkage was too weak. It never lasted. I bought a RCBS press and used it while I waited for new parts from Lee. I received an upgraded linkage, much stronger than the original and very easy to install. Now I've got two single stages right next to each other.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lee says i have to pay for replacement parts. Now i need to decide; fix it or upgrade to a 550B.

That part is very cheep so it won't cost you a lot to fix the press.

You are considering fixing the single stage press or jumping right to a Dillon 550B, that's some price jump. Have you considered buying a Lee CLASSIC 4 hole turret press? I can safely produce between 180 to 200 handgun rounds per hour using one. If it were me I would fix the SS press and also buy the Classic turret press. (I have and load with both)

The Classic Turret Press will cost you only $88.99...
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-classic-turret-press-90064.html

Add a PRO Auto-Disk for $41.60
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-pro-auto-disk-90429.html
And a riser for only $7.98 and you're all set!
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-auto-disk-riser-90041.html

 

[tyeo098]

WAIT!

You can upgrade it from the cast aluminum to all steel like I did.

Lemme find the post on midway that explains...

EDIT:

This was my cart from when I upgraded the hand mechanism...

BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER TOGGLE OF2853 2 $3.00 $6.00
BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER LEVER CLAMP BOLT FO2113 1 $0.50 $0.50
BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER HANDLE CLAMP WASHER OF3609 1 $0.50 $0.50
BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER HANDLE CLAMP OF3613 1 $3.00 $3.00
BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER RAM PIN OF3221 1 $0.50 $0.50

Read the comment here where I got the idea: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/281260/lee-challenger-single-stage-press-toggle-link

I ordered all the parts form TitanReloading for those prices and flat rate shipping.

 

[roc1]

Dillon 550B be glad you did it has lifetime warranty lot faster
Roc1

 

[tightgroup tiger]

If you want to get a new press, I'd say fix the old one anyway. At least then you can set it up for secondary tasks, or even sell or give it to some new reloader just getting started

That's what I would do if I were in your situation. If I decided I wanted to get a Dillon 550b I would fix the Lee also and keep it for secondary functions.

I have two Auto-progressive presses on my loading bench and would be lost without my RockChucker sitting next to them. I do all my load development on the single stage and my production on the two auto progressives.

You certainly won't hurt yourself buy having both.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

If it were mine I'd fix the Lee by welding it, order new parts for it, and use it until I could afford a 650 if I had my heart set on a Dillon.

 

[7mmb]

Just get a Rock Chucker and you'll never have to worry again. If by some freak it does break RCBS will give you a new one. Buy RCBS and buy only once. Hella cheaper than buying two Lees, or one Lee and one RCBS.

 

[mustbe]

I've broke two toggles on my Challenger in the last 20 years, one the original aluminum and one of the replacement steel. Was not the press's fault, I was reforming both times. Lee replaced both free of charge on just my word. I did not send anything back to them.

I no longer torture the poor thing, but it still decaps and sizes cast bullets. I would definitely get the new parts even if there is a small charge because it is a very handy small press.

 

[Otto]

I'd take it to the scrap yard and set it free.

 

[oldreloader]

Pony up for a Rock Chucker.

There is something inspiring about things that are unbreakable.

There is nothing wrong with the Rockchucker BUT I sold mine and got a Classic Cast to go with my Classic Turret because I like some of the features better.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Have read a couple of "My Lee Press broke" threads, never seen a "My RCBS press broke" thread" .... just saying.

 

[RussellC]

Those toggle link parts break sometimes. That was a weakness in the design that I believe has been rectified. If you like the press, pony up for the parts -- they are very cheap. (I think I have three spare arms lying around just in case.)

If you want another press, get one. But the money it will cost you to replace those broken pieces won't be a tiny drop in the bucket compared to what you'll spend for a new press, so that's pretty much two separate issues.

If you want to get a new press, I'd say fix the old one anyway. At least then you can set it up for secondary tasks, or even sell or give it to some new reloader just getting started.

Best idea IMHO! fix this one, it will be super cheap, AND get your new press.

Russellc

 

[fguffey]

grease worms

Just an observation, I believe you have grease worms, the most efficient ones.

The rust on the handle could have caused the part to split.

F. Guffey

 

[tcanthonyii]

Fix it for as cheap as lee parts are and then get yourself the dillon.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

Actually, the Rock Chucker has a chunk of threaded steel missing in the same spot as on your Lee press. It was broken off when I bought it from the previous owner. From what I can tell, the previous owner must have stuck a case, and then tried to remove it by either hammering on the handle, or just brute force. I suppose I should have RCBS send out the new piece one of these days. But even now, and all these years later, it still works fine, despite the weak spot where the handle threads in.

Shouldn't the case rim give out before the press does? That has been my experience on stuck cases with my Pro 1000, rim bends right out of the shellplate. Granted my only experience with stuck cases has been .223 I guess there are heavier calibers with more stout rims but still I would think brass would lose the battle against thicker steel or alum.

 

[savanahsdad]

Pony up for a Rock Chucker.

There is something inspiring about things that are unbreakable.

no such thing . a quick THR search and you will find a broke, blue , green , red and dark red , it happens and by the looks of that lee it has seen better days ,

 

[savanahsdad]

^^^^lookie here ^^^^^^

Have read a couple of "My Lee Press broke" threads, never seen a "My RCBS press broke" thread" .... just saying.

if you want I could find you some broke- blue or dark red ones too , I have yet to find a light green one or a black one or a old light blue one (now dark red) but I'm sure some one has broke one or two of them too

 

[FROGO207]

With enough abuse you can break anything IMHO. Color has NOTHING to do with it.:banghead: I would spend the minimal amount it cost for fixing the press at the least. Then get something else if that is what you need for an excuse.

 

[car15bill]

if you want unbreakable, you will have to get ahold of ch4d..the champion and rock crusher fit that description. ..

 

[7mmb]

no such thing .View attachment 193999 a quick THR search and you will find a broke, blue , green , red and dark red , it happens and by the looks of that lee it has seen better days ,

RCBS can break but if it does you won't be on a gun forum wondering if it's covered or how to fix it. You'll be on the horn to RCBS getting a new press no charge. Buy once and done.

 

[savanahsdad]

if you want unbreakable, you will have to get ahold of ch4d..the champion and rock crusher fit that description. ..

it's on my short list or a old Hollywood ! most of the good old presses like my Pacific used steel bar stock for there links, now Dillon, Hornady, RCBS all use some sort of cast , Redding still uses steel flat stock for there's and I think so dose Lyman (not sure have not seen a new one up close) anyway Lee's parts are cheep enough I'd just fix it and keep going , maybe get a spare set , there was a post on here last year where a Dillon owner said he is on his 3rd set of links , sure there free but that's still down time , and who ever brakes something when there done ? nope they brake right in the middle of a run