Lee Pro 1000 Issue

[joz]

I just acquired a very used Lee Pro 1000 press. The press drops/clanks when the ram goes down. This is causing havoc with case-to-plate alignment, spilled powder, etc. As you can see in the videos, the ram drops/clanks about 1/4". The action is not smooth.

The ram linkage has a some slop to it. The #19 shell plate carrier group and case feed are brand new. The Pro Auto-Disk is from my Turret press.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tilos]

There a rod in the back, coming out of the primer trough/chute that rubs against one of the 3 vertical frame rods.
That rod has grooves cut into it that rod snaps across to shake the primer feed.
It's just out of frame in both your vids.

Sometimes the expander gets stuck in the case and makes a noise when it breaks free on the down stroke.
Some say by design, to shake the powder measure/drop.
Me, I polish the expander plug and it runs much smoother.

Does it clunk when you cycle the press with no cases?

Have you watched the vids here, check' em out:
https://fsreloading.com/catalogs/lee-precision/how-to-videos.html

 

[kingmt]

In the first video I believe it's the expander. In the second video the expander & the primer shaker.

The 19 shell plate doesn't fit 9mm well so that might be a problem you see. Make sure that press is mounted solid then make it ten times more solid.

 

[joz]

There a rod in the back, coming out of the primer trough/chute that rubs against one of the 3 vertical frame rods.
That rod has grooves cut into it that rod snaps across to shake the primer feed.
It's just out of frame in both your vids.

Sometimes the expander gets stuck in the case and makes a noise when it breaks free on the down stroke.
Some say by design, to shake the powder measure/drop.
Me, I polish the expander plug and it runs much smoother.

Does it clunk when you cycle the press with no cases?

Have you watched the vids here, check' em out:
https://fsreloading.com/catalogs/lee-precision/how-to-videos.html

The primer shake rod is working smooth. This issue does NOT occur when cycling without a case. It DOES occur when a case is in one or all the dies. It is not specific to one die. Its almost like any little resistance is making the linkage slip.

 

[hollywood63]

Like stated above the 9mm can be a pain. Have you tried using one die at time to see which one is sticking? Have you tried lubing the cases I use a misting on hornady one shot. The powder jumping out of the case does it happen when the ram is down and the shell plate is indexing? If so unfortunately get use to it 40 S&W will "jump" powder also I put my finger over the case as it's indexing to stop the powder from jumping out. All said I think lube will help.

Keep us posted

 

[stompah]

Could your indexing rod be binding? It may only happen with cases because of the resistance when lowering the RAM, then the rod hits the press sharply causing the clank and the shake.

Take the indexing rod out and see if it still clanks when lowered with cases.

Have you tried calling Lee?

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Looks to me like it's sticking on the flare expander. Take it apart and polish as suggested already. When you put it back together adjust the flare to just allow the bullet to start into the case and no more. Too much flare and the case sticks as you go on the down stroke...which I suspect is the issue and what your feeling.

 

[Tilos]

The primer shake rod is working smooth. This issue does NOT occur when cycling without a case. It DOES occur when a case is in one or all the dies. It is not specific to one die. Its almost like any little resistance is making the linkage slip.

Run just one case to see which station causes the sticking, I'm betting on the expander.
Watch the Pro 1000 vids in my previous post, take the press completely apart to locate/identify any worn parts, and replace them...if you've already done this never mind.
**Many problems can be solved by adjusting the index screw underneath the shell plate platform (watch the vid, clockwise only), to make sure complete indexing happens before the primer pin contacts the base and begins to push up.
A weaker detent spring and nylon ball will greatly reduce the shell plate snap that spills powder, if you are experiencing that.
Lots of info here, thanks to @bds:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lee-pro-1000-solutions-no-bashing.507454/

 

[joz]

The issues does occur when using one die at a time. The issue occurs whether its the Expander die alone or the Power Through die alone. I sent about 5 case through

Could your indexing rod be binding? It may only happen with cases because of the resistance when lowering the RAM, then the rod hits the press sharply causing the clank and the shake.

Take the indexing rod out and see if it still clanks when lowered with cases.

Have you tried calling Lee?

Index rod not sticking. It runs fine unless case is being extracted from die.

 

[joz]

Looks like the linkage has gone out of spec with elongated holes. Pretty confident this is contributing to the "jump" of the ram on the down movement.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

The issues does occur when using one die at a time. The issue occurs whether its the Expander die alone or the Power Through die alone. I sent about 5 case through

Index rod not sticking. It runs fine unless case is being extracted from die.

FWIW is the expander plug still in the powder through die? if so your going to get the same result. Looks like an awful lot of flare on those cases too. When a case is flared to much it catches on the lip of LEE dies just as it exits the die. You won't feel or experience until the case gets at that point. So between the top of the stroke to the mouth of the dies on the way down it won't snag or catch. Back the die out a half turn and see if that helps. Recheck flare.

I don't think the elongated hole will do anything but cause slack or slop in the movement of the ram.

 

[joz]

The expander plug is in the powder through die. In my testing I reduced the flare to almost nothing and it still occurs. Keep in mind that it occurs when exiting the sizer die too (and no brass in powder die). Keep the suggestions coming. I appreciate it.

 

[Tilos]

Looks like the linkage has gone out of spec with elongated holes. Pretty confident this is contributing to the "jump" of the ram on the down movement.

Wow that hole looks "stretched/peened" not worn, as in pulling hard against a stuck case or something.
The shiny spots are where the displaced material from the hole was filed off .
I can see how that elongated hole would cause a clunk.
I'd replace that link, along with any other parts found to be out of spec.
jmo

 

[joz]

Update: Up and running with silky smooth ram movement. Ordered a handle update kit (Lee made me pay for that) and all new linkage and bolts. Lee confirmed the elongated linkage was the cause. The all-steel handle kit is a major improvement. No slop.
Thanks all!

 

[LiveLife]

Great to hear. I love happy endings.

I have several Pro 1000s and prefer to run them "wet". I keep a plastic squeeze bottle of motor oil from Harbor Freight on the bench and before a reloading session, wipe down the press with paper towel and put a drop of oil on all metal-to-metal contact points and cycle the press until smooth and wipe off any excess oil.

I also run the center hex/action rod lubed. After wiping the rod clean with paper towel while moving the shell plate up and down to get all the surfaces, I put a drop of oil on my finger tip and lube the entire rod surface. Then I cycle the press until the indexing of the shell plate is silky smooth and adjust timing as needed. During a reloading session, if the indexing of shell plate becomes less silky smooth, I will lube the center hex rod again. The small nylon hex gear is a consumable part that can run 30K-60K rounds or more with lubrication but should be replaced when indexing becomes less smooth and precise.

Yes, the new ergo handle and beefy linkage assembly is light years better than the old linkage design.

For the THR Pro 1000 support thread, a step-by-step checklist was developed for you to reference and all the mods mentioned in the checklist are posted in the support thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...lutions-no-bashing.507454/page-6#post-9614898

Have fun with your Pro 1000 and welcome to the Pro 1000 club!

 

[meeesterpaul]

Sometimes the expander gets stuck in the case and makes a noise when it breaks free on the down stroke.
Some say by design, to shake the powder measure/drop.
Me, I polish the expander plug and it runs much ....

some say not to expand so much that your case gets that much of a grip on the expander. I'm using .454 bullets and need the extra expansion. Polishing helps a bit.