Lee Pro 6000 unboxing and testing for OAL consistency

[boredkender]

Damn I'm jealous. I wonder if they know I'm me? haha

 

[GW Staar]

Well, LiveLife.....you wrote a good in-depth review.....and it gets noticed. What do you expect? I Will really be interested to see what they have in mind for a new in-line bullet feeder. I should have my bench plate today for the 6000.....can't wait to check this new press out, in a more serious way.

Damn I'm jealous. I wonder if they know I'm me? haha

To whom more is given, more is expected! Be careful what you wish for.........I'm not jealous at all! Now.....we all expect good things from Lee AND LiveLife.

AND we learned that Lee see's what is posted here......I knew they were smart!

 

[9mmepiphany]

... Would you have any interest in taking a first look of our new inline bullet feed solution?

Wow...your review has gotten you Major Notice...Congratulations

What I'm really impressed with is that Lee has taken user concerns/wants into consideration and have been very responsive.

An Inline Bullet feed die and magazine feeder would be very high on my upgrade list for my Six Pack Pro. If it works really well, I'd even add it to my Hornady LNL

 

[Gillie Dog]

Damn I'm jealous. I wonder if they know I'm me? haha

If you email them with a legitimate issue, are polite and respectful, then yes. I had an issue they took care of and they figured out who I was on here and shipped me a new part for an issue I never raised with them but commented here on the fix for it. I appreciated their concern.

And, I have only had one customer service issue with them in decades of use of their equipment, wrote a letter to John, at the time, and a short time after receipt of the letter he/they took care of the problem the customer service folks did not and I received a phone call. As I remember this was before email was widely used.

GD

 

[Gillie Dog]

An Inline Bullet feed die and magazine feeder would be very high on my upgrade list for my Six Pack Pro. If it works really well,

I'm with you, maybe somebody we know could tell them to hurry up...
GD

 

[LiveLife]

An Inline Bullet feed die and magazine feeder would be very high on my upgrade list for my Six Pack Pro. If it works really well

I'm with you, maybe somebody we know could tell them to hurry up...

From post #150 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-oal-consistency.911743/page-6#post-12466560

Hello John ... Would you ... look ... pre-production ... Inline Bullet feed die and Magazine feeder ... for testing/review ... to complement our Six Pack Pro ... should be available late January as the mold is currently under production to produce these parts ... Lee Precision

 

[LiveLife]

Well, LiveLife.....you wrote a good in-depth review.....and it gets noticed.

Wow...your review has gotten you Major Notice...Congratulations

Thank you.

I Will really be interested to see what they have in mind for a new in-line bullet feeder.

I will post an update as soon as I receive the inline bullet feeder and rotary magazine.

we learned that Lee see's what is posted here......I knew they were smart!

What I'm really impressed with is that Lee has taken user concerns/wants into consideration and have been very responsive.

They indeed have been very responsive and shows they are attentive to customer feedback.

 

[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 wonder if they were watching what I said about the linkage twisting with the roller handle also. Who would have known. That was clear back when the ABLP first came out. No one else complained about it that I ever saw.
I posted this in the other thread also about putting the straight handled Pro 1000 linkage on my ABLP because the roller handle was twisting the linkage on the ABLP and causing a variance in the OAL that I was getting. That was a few years ago, they must have been keeping track.

This is still the best set up for the ABLP as far as I'm concerned and the Six Pack Pro is no different really.

That was my solution to the twisting problem. I run the lever with my right hand and set bullets with my left so I stand to the left of the press to run it and it's seems more ergonomic for me and the press.

This was a problem that I would have cost me money to overcome with this press. I'm glad it has the ball handle instead of the roller handle.
I turned the roller handle in on mine so my hand was over the linkage but it still had the twisting effect I didn't want.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I just ordered the Pro 6000 kit in .357 mag. I'm in.
This will be the first Christmas present I've bought in years.

 

[LiveLife]

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 wonder if they were watching what I said about the linkage twisting with the roller handle also.

I am quite certain they are watching THR threads carefully regarding new Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 product launch as I believe it WILL be "THE game changer" for progressive reloading world wide that will likely outsell all the other progressive presses combined (We even got reloaders from France following SPP/Pro 6K threads and won't be long before reloaders from other countries join in) as SPP/Pro 6K is "live" in the USA where fast ground shipping can deliver improved products/components for further "real world" testing for "real time" feedback.

What we are doing on THR is product testing at levels far beyond average "user groups" and pushing "testing to the point of failure" that jmorris (among others) and I do on a regular basis to conduct "myth busting/real world testing" for root cause analysis so solutions to issues/problems could be found. (I mean who takes brand new sensitive equipment like analytical/lab digital scales apart to measure minute mount plate twist to eliminate zero drift? And going beyond resolving Varget kernels to detect different lengths/cut angles and Promo down to single granule/flake? And shooting over 40,000 rounds of 22LR to reduce/eliminate "flyers" ... Yeah, call us a "little" extreme/OCD )

And I am sure Lee is looking at the linkage/roller handle issue to come up with a solution that won't twist the linkage.

• 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)

And why not have direct interfacing of product manufacturers and product users for "real time/real world" feedback for fast product improvement and resolution of issues/problems? (To me this is similar to when I was working as a director of facility going down to individual work unit/site to spend time with employees actually doing the work to resolve issues/problems THAT DAY ... not over weeks/months spent discussing in various committees )

Based on speed and responsiveness of feedback I got from Stephanie and Calvin of Lee Precision by emails for issues/problems identified, I am starting to get a picture that management at Lee Precision is obviously committed to success of SPP/Pro 6K product launch as John Lee, president, made a quick and effective executive decision on stepped powder through expander - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lee-6000-press.905987/page-16#post-12467194

 

[LiveLife]

I just ordered the Pro 6000 kit in .357 mag. I'm in.
This will be the first Christmas present I've bought in years.

Well, congratulations and Merry Christmas!

 

[LiveLife]

From Lee Pro 6000 thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lee-6000-press.905987/page-16#post-12467194

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​

 

[Tilos]

I am quite certain they are watching THR threads carefully regarding new Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 product launch as I believe it WILL be "THE game changer" for progressive reloading world wide that will likely outsell all the other progressive presses combined (We even got reloaders from France following SPP/Pro 6K threads and won't be long before reloaders from other countries join in) as SPP/Pro 6K is "live" in the USA where fast ground shipping can deliver improved products/components for further "real world" testing for "real time" feedback.

What we are doing on THR is product testing at levels far beyond average "user groups" and pushing "testing to the point of failure" that jmorris (among others) and I do on a regular basis to conduct "myth busting/real world testing" for root cause analysis so solutions to issues/problems could be found. (I mean who takes brand new sensitive equipment like analytical/lab digital scales apart to measure minute mount plate twist to eliminate zero drift? And going beyond resolving Varget kernels to detect different lengths/cut angles and Promo down to single granule/flake? And shooting over 40,000 rounds of 22LR to reduce/eliminate "flyers" ... Yeah, call us a "little" extreme/OCD )

And I am sure Lee is looking at the linkage/roller handle issue to come up with a solution that won't twist the linkage.

• 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)

And why not have direct interfacing of product manufacturers and product users for "real time/real world" feedback for fast product improvement and resolution of issues/problems? (To me this is similar to when I was working as a director of facility going down to individual work unit/site to spend time with employees actually doing the work to resolve issues/problems THAT DAY ... not over weeks/months spent discussing in various committees )

Based on speed and responsiveness of feedback I got from Stephanie and Calvin of Lee Precision by emails for issues/problems identified, I am starting to get a picture that management at Lee Precision is obviously committed to success of SPP/Pro 6K product launch as John Lee, president, made a quick and effective executive decision on stepped powder through expander - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lee-6000-press.905987/page-16#post-12467194

That's good news about the expander.
Adding a step to the profile would be as simple as adding a few lines of code to the program and cost nothing.
Thanks again,

.

 

[GW Staar]

LiveLife said:
I wonder why Lee hasn't offered a "stepped" powder through expander ... There seems to be a big enough market for it.
9mmepiphany said:
I remember when NOE offered them for the Lee powder die, but they seem to have discontinued them

That's new news to me...... I've never seen a "powder-thru" version from Noe.....just the very popular expander plugs, for both pistol and rifle for the Lee Universal Expander Die.

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/pro...ing-reloading/expanders/expander-plug-pistol/

Disappointment for me yesterday......the US post office tracking said I'd get my bench plate Friday......no joy.....Monday now......so I have nothing to report, except that I'm working on case shaker mods for a pistol caliber with a big rim for a fellow who shoots a lot of 44-40 and his new 6000 press can't feed them.....it never ends.

I feel for any company trying to please everyone with every caliber. The last piece in printing now....I think its going to work great.....but he'll have to buy 2 shaker collators....oh darn for Lee.

 

[IALoder]

This whole thread has been great! After reading the lee updates from @LiveLife , I may have to wait for a pro 1000 with the new primer system for 9mm.... The 6000 looks like I'd love it for .223 tho.....

 

[LiveLife]

I've never seen a "powder-thru" version from Noe

They did offer on limited runs before but currently not available.

That's good news about the expander.

Adding a step to the profile would be as simple as adding a few lines of code to the program and cost nothing.

I was surprised to get an email from Lee that they already took steps to work on the "stepped" powder through expander which means they certainly have the equipment necessary to make it happen ... Just needed "OK" from John Lee, president.

Spent some time with John Lee discussing the "M" type powder through expander plug ... 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.​

This whole thread has been great! After reading the lee updates from @LiveLife , I may have to wait for a pro 1000 with the new primer system for 9mm.... The 6000 looks like I'd love it for .223 tho.....

Thanks!

And me too. Pro 1000 was updated in 2018 with flat base, improved spent primer capture, rotation of die position for better visualization and continued the ergo roller handle with already improved ram linkage but retained the same primer attachment.

Pro 1000 upgraded to new priming system similar to Pro 6000 would definitely be an improvement.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I'll have to continue to watch and learn from those of you who have one of these presses because the Christmas present Nazi works at home and she will get mine before I do so I won't get it till Christmas.
And that's ok.

 

[LiveLife]

Christmas present Nazi works at home and she will get mine before I do so I won't get it till Christmas

Hey, at least you WILL get it for Christmas ...

When I read "Christmas present Nazi ..." I went, "Oh no!"

 

[tightgroup tiger]

LOL!
I'll get it, but like my Hornady Charge Master I bought about 10 years ago, I put an add for a killer deal on one on the forum and said that I ordered one for Christmas and it ended up in detention until Christmas Eve when everyone else ordered theirs and opened it early and got to play with it.
I believe "Art of Golf" was one of them. He laughed his but off while he played with his when he found out I couldn't open mine.
It's just a game my wife and I play, it helps keeps life fun.

 

[GW Staar]

I'll have to continue to watch and learn from those of you who have one of these presses because the Christmas present Nazi works at home and she will get mine before I do so I won't get it till Christmas.
And that's ok.

I got mine for Christmas too......so that means.....I get nothing ON Christmas! And that's ok. Heck I just hope the stupid bench mount comes .... someday. I'll be happy as a clam on Christmas with the day off and no phones ringing.....and reloading or 3d printing all day!

A guy on CastBoolits had a bad day today......his first day with the press....it came with a shellplate, but he took it off to lubricate the press. He put it back together, and now it won't advance to the next station.

I can't help him.....I don't have a clue what he did! Anybody here have that problem? Betcha it's not a big deal....unless he's a bull in a china closet and broke it.

 

[Gillie Dog]

I He put it back together, and now it won't advance to the next station.

1) Cup of driver clutch fell out and did not get put back in.
2) Cup of driver clutch cross broken out
3) Index rod not put back in.
4) Shell plate loose on drive bolt

That is about it

GD

 

[LiveLife]

A guy on CastBoolits had a bad day today......his first day with the press....it came with a shellplate, but he took it off to lubricate the press. He put it back together, and now it won't advance to the next station.

I can't help him.....I don't have a clue what he did! Anybody here have that problem? Betcha it's not a big deal....unless he's a bull in a china closet and broke it.

Have that guy log onto THR and we can help him.

 

[LiveLife]

OK, we have another problem/solution to post from Pro 6000 thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lee-6000-press.905987/page-17#post-1

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.

Removed the shell plate ... 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

In responding to his post, when I disassembled the shellplate carrier covers to take picture of priming rod/pin and bottom of hole then reassembled the shellplate carrier covers, I didn't follow my own instructions for reassembly and tightened the two flathead screws with shellplate carrier at the bottom while pushing down on the top cover.

What this did was cause the priming rod/pin to rub with the top cover hole and prevented the priming rod/pin from moving freely up and down and not allow the primer guide to freely/fully enter station #2.

Edit: Solution to this issue addressed in post #182 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-oal-consistency.911743/page-8#post-12469014

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I got mine for Christmas too......so that means.....I get nothing ON Christmas! And that's ok. Heck I just hope the stupid bench mount comes .... someday. I'll be happy as a clam on Christmas with the day off and no phones ringing.....and reloading or 3d printing all day!

A guy on CastBoolits had a bad day today......his first day with the press....it came with a shellplate, but he took it off to lubricate the press. He put it back together, and now it won't advance to the next station.

I can't help him.....I don't have a clue what he did! Anybody here have that problem? Betcha it's not a big deal....unless he's a bull in a china closet and broke it.

I'm thinking about building another Oak riser for mine and leaving the press mounted on the risers and swiching the entire press and riser when I need to switch presses.
That will solve keep me from having to re-arrange my loading bench.

I'll be happy this year at Christmas to, I don't have to work it this year. I had to work it last year and all we got was call after call for maintenance repair because no one wanted to do their job. They just wanted to sit around and collect the triple time pay. It was not fun.
I wanted to be home with my family. Not making more tax money for the government.
This year I will be.

 

[RashQuestion]

Yeah, call us a "little" extreme/OCD

Yeah, I'll be watching and copying all of the work your testing is providing if Santa comes to my house on Christmas with an SPP as I asked for in my latest letter.

Wish'n and Hope'n I guess!!! Copycat Works for Me on everything you've included here!!!

If not, I'll be getting one in the new year to tinker and experiment with, hopefully the sooner the better!!!

Thanks to all! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!!! God Bless!!!