Lee Six Pack Pro at 4k rounds

[9mmepiphany]

I can't change the "default position of the gate" to open it up further, because it will stick out far enough that it hits under the die head.
In this pic from post 17 you will see that the gate is out as far as it can be, without coming up under the die head.

I can't open it any further.

I think you're missing what @LiveLife is saying.

Try lowering the gate, on the bolt, down to the hex nut. That should give you room between the top of the open gate and the tool head

 

[LiveLife]

I can't change the "default position of the gate" to open it up further, because it will stick out far enough that it hits under the die head ... gate is out as far as it can be, without coming up under the die head ... If it opens up any further it will come up under the die head and may break off.

I think you're missing what @LiveLife is saying ... Try lowering the gate, on the bolt, down to the hex nut. That should give you room between the top of the open gate and the tool head

Lowering the gate so black plastic "cam nut" is on top of hex nut provides "approximately 3/8" above press rail" that Lee instruction mentions on section 4 (B) ... Back page of instruction also mentions "Gate adjustments - Gate should NOT be higher than the slider. Gate needs to be high enough to prevent case from tipping forward."

Since SPP case slider bar/press rail is longer (4 1/8") and uses different linkage (Shares linkage from Classic Turret/Classic Cast), I decided to install the gated 5 tube case feeder on 2023 Pro 1000 which shares same linkage as ABLP with shorter case slider bar (3 1/4").

To make sure I set up the gated 5 tube case feeder properly, I followed the instructions step by step:

1. I adjusted the gate so it cleared the press frame (Essentially perpendicular to case slider bar) and feed tube was centered on the case slider bar



2. Referencing "Press/Attach Point" chart, I used "Rear" attachment spring bar point for Pro 1000 ("Front" for ABLP). Referencing "Cartridge Setup Chart", I used "Tall" slider block for .44 Mag case (see picture below)

3. Referencing "Cartridge Setup Chart", I used feed tube "D" for .44 Mag case



4. (A) Gate was checked to clear press frame at the top of ram stroke (B) Gate was adjusted 1/2" above case slider bar/press rail to push the height higher to induce case dropping issue (Lee instruction recommended "approximately 3/8" above press rail which would be black plastic cam nut all the way down to hex nut I had on SPP)



5. From "Fine tuning ..." on back side of instructions ... (3) "Gate should NOT be higher than the slider [block]"



And .44 Mag cases dropped and fed into station without issue. Here are sequence pictures:

Case held by top of slider block



As slider block moves back further, case drops down and gate prevents case tipping forward



As slider block moves forward, case pushes gate open and another case drops down on top of slider block

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I'm also using feed tube D also. My set up is the same as yours and yes I read the directions. I read them twice before I started setting up.

Mine was set at 3/8" above the slide rail also as per the directions.

This is a pic of your set up from your last post and my set up from my first post. Look the same to me. Mine was also 3/8" from the slider rail.
As you stated the Pro 6000 has a longer rail so you have more room to work with.


I think what your missing is I have to work around this embossment sticking out that eats up some real estate on my shorter rail, real estate that you still have on the Pro 1000.
The Pro 6000 I think also has this hole but it has the longer rail.



When I first set it up I thought it was running correctly until I ran about 20 rounds through it in a row. Of course I was loading at that point, Then one would land on top of the gate with the ram up,
I was almost done when I found this problem caused me a double charge from fighting with this case feeder gate with the ram in the up position, and I had to go back through and tear down 100 rounds I had just loaded and I found 3 more double charges.

That 5 tube feeder isn't going back on the ABLP.

I did put the 5 tube back on the APP deluxe to try .327FM on it for priming, I took spring tension off the gate like you guys said and it is working fine on there.
What I thought was the case feeder gate holding back the case slider, ended up being the loop on the slider spring had enough play in it at it's attachment point on the press head, that the spring wasn't pulling the slider forward the whole way every time.

I had to shorten the loop on spring of the case slider to get it to pull the slider to the "stop" every time, so the cases lined up with the primer. That cured almost all of it but I'm not done with that problem yet.

I found out even without the case feeder I had to push the slider with my finger, the last 1/16 or 1/32" to get it to prime.
It's priming pretty well now and the 5 tube case feeder is working well there so there it will stay.

 

[LiveLife]

Here's reply back from Calvin:

I double checked the 357 mag on the ABLP with the 5 tube case feeder. Everything worked as normal. "D" drop tube with the spring in the front attach loop on the tall riser. Perhaps if the slider is hooked in the wrong hole it may not travel back far enough to clear the case.​

​

Calvin Katzfey​

Lee Precision, Inc.​

This is a pic of your set up from your last post and my set up from my first post. Look the same to me.

Not quite.

I compared pictures of your setup and mine and noticed a difference. This is zoomed in picture of your setup and notice the alignment of the gate and front part of feed tube.



This is my setup with front of feed tube further back away from the gate so dropping case rim won't contact the top of the gate. Setup was done by adjusting the gate to be about perpendicular to the bar/press rail and rotating the case feeder body to align bottom of feed tube about centered above the bar/press rail.

Look from behind the case feeder body facing the press and see if the bottom of feed tube is centered above the bar/press rail. And rotate the case feeder body clockwise to move the front of feed tube away from the gate to ensure dropping case rim won't hit the top of gate (And I am assuming you are using the "Front" spring bar attachment of slider block to push the slider block back further for ABLP)

 

[tightgroup tiger]

My slide moves back plenty far to clear the drop tube. More than it needs. You can't see the end of the slider because it's behind the ratchet in my picture. It 3/16" behind the hole in the drop tube.
Your looking at the left, front edge of the flange of the slider. My pic isn't a straight on sideways view like yours is.

If you were here you could see that.

one thing I know is I'm done with this thread.

 

[LiveLife]

My slide moves back plenty far to clear the drop tube. More than it needs. You can't see the end of the slider because it's behind the ratchet in my picture. It 3/16" behind the hole in the drop tube.
Your looking at the left, front edge of the flange of the slider. My pic isn't a straight on sideways view like yours is.

So then as Calvin from Lee Precision verified for us with ABLP and gated 5 tube case feeder using .357 Mag case you are using, if the gate is forward of feed tube and slider block is back far enough, then dropping case rim should not hit the gate or the slider block to fall straight down onto the case slider bar/press rail to be held by the gate as demonstrated by me using .44 Mag case on SPP and 2023 Pro 1000.

 

[vanfunk]

I was so happy with mine but sad to say, the gate on mine has lost all tension and the gate just stays open after a case has gone through. I reached out to Lee and they suggested the spring might have imbedded itself in the body of the gate; not so. I am awaiting further reply from them since I reached out and clarified the spring issue. Do they regard it as a wearable part, needing replacement after 2k rounds? I honestly don’t know. Any insight?

 

[LiveLife]

gate on mine has lost all tension and the gate just stays open after a case has gone through

Gate will stay open and not return if there is not enough spring tension.

If you look at the bottom of gate and top of black plastic cam nut, you will notice incline angled notches. When case/slider pushes forward on the gate, bottom of gate will be pushed up the incline and when slider returns back, spring tension pushing down on the gate will slide the bottom down the incline of cam nut.

To apply tension so gate will return back down, screw the black plastic cam nut up until spring is compressed to push the gate back down on its own. When installing the gated case feeder so gate will be perpendicular to the case slider bar/press rail, be sure to turn the cam nut "counter clockwise" to adjust as turning the cam nut clockwise will loosen the spring tension and gate may not return under spring tension. (Picture below shows not enough tension on spring so gate is flopping freely instead of returning to closed position)

This is gate in the closed position and notice the bottom cam of gate all the way down the incline.

This is gate in the open position and notice the bottom cam of gate more than halfway up the incline and compression of spring.

As slider block returns, spring tension pushes down on the gate to allow bottom cam to slide down the incline

 

[vanfunk]

Yes, totally get it. What’s happening with mine is that the cam nut turns with the gate, eliminating all tension on the gate.

 

[LiveLife]

cam nut turns with the gate, eliminating all tension on the gate.

You are likely turning the gate/cam nut clockwise (Looking top down) which loosens spring tension.

Tighten cam nut back up and when adjusting gate to be perpendicular to case slider bar/press rail, turn gate/cam nut counter clockwise to not loosen tension on the spring. Once gate is perpendicular to bar/rail, you should be able to actuate the gate forward and when released, gate should return under spring tension/cam incline.

 

[vanfunk]

I’m not sure I get you. Yes, the gate and the cam nut can move freely from each other. By my reckoning, there is not enough tension/resistance on the cam nut so it just turns with the gate. The gate then won’t return to its set point as nothing is compelling it to do so.

 

[9mmepiphany]

If you look at the bottom of gate and top of black plastic cam nut, you will notice incline angled notches. When case/slider pushes forward on the gate, bottom of gate will be pushed up the incline and when slider returns back, spring tension pushing down on the gate will slide the bottom down the incline of cam nut.

I have to admit this is beautifully simple engineering. Much neater than the spring/rubber band powered gates on the aftermarket.

 

[vanfunk]

It is beautifully simple! That’s why I kinda love Lee products. Ok, so I played with it a little more and it seems to be working now with .308 cases. How! I have no idea as the spring isn’t engaged with the gate at all at this setting. Must be some preternatural Lee thing. The cam nut’s all the way down on the hex nut so the gate’s not at the “middle” of the case as Lee suggests. Nevertheless, it’s working so I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth. It’s working only on the camming action of the gate/nut interface as the nut can’t go anywhere now. The spring is not involved. Oh well, it’s working. Thanks all!!!!

 

[Tilos]

I have to admit this is beautifully simple engineering. Much neater than the spring/rubber band powered gates on the aftermarket.

Really?
I see it as adding more components and complexity to an otherwise simple motion.
Something Lee is notorious for.
jmo,
.
edit: fixed "components"...

 

[GW Staar]

Really?
I see it as adding more componence and complexity to an otherwise simple motion.
Something Lee is notorious for.
jmo,
.

Think I'll stay out of that one.
Since I use TylerR's 3D printed electric collators instead of multiple tubes, I have not run into cases being pushed off track. Wondering if is has anything to do with the shaped cutouts we now use in the side of the downtube inserts.....maybe that's all Lee had to do is shape the outlets to stabilize the cases dropping?

When TylerR first made them, he cut slots from the centerline forward, and it allowed for sideways movement of the dropped cases. Then we tried a design that only cut forward not sideways and that cured it. Picture below show the before insert and the after. Bet you can tell which one worked, didn't allow sideways movement and no gate necessary. (those are .223 downtube inserts.)

The performance difference was dramatic. Although this experience was back on the APP press, I used the same slightly modified system using the same inserts just as sucessfully on the 6000.

 

[9mmepiphany]

componence

That's a word I haven't seen since English classes discussing grammatical structure

complexity to an otherwise simple motion.

I think it is deceptively simple, because it allows tension adjustment in measurable degrees without strung out springs/bands to break or tangle. I do admire the ingenuity of some aftermarket hacks, it just appeared a bit crude that didn't go with the New Lee esthetic

Something Lee is notorious for.

I rather like how Lee often offers more with less...like the priming system on the Pro 6000

 

[vanfunk]

Are those inserts for the 5-tube case feeder? If so, does TyleR have a website?

 

[Tilos]

Think I'll stay out of that one.
Since I use TylerR's 3D printed electric collators instead of multiple tubes, I have not run into cases being pushed off track. Wondering if is has anything to do with the shaped cutouts we now use in the side of the downtube inserts.....maybe that's all Lee had to do is shape the outlets to stabilize the cases dropping?

When TylerR first made them, he cut slots from the centerline forward, and it allowed for sideways movement of the dropped cases. Then we tried a design that only cut forward not sideways and that cured it. Picture below show the before insert and the after. Bet you can tell which one worked, didn't allow sideways movement and no gate necessary. (those are .223 downtube inserts.)

Here's another design tube/case feeder I found interesting.
The gate is built into the tube thingy:

Lee Precision Six Pack Progressive Press, users group. | Facebook

This machine was released by Lee in August 2022. It has had some minor problems but Lee has been quick with the upgrades. Six stations and big enough to handle almost any rifle cartridge.

www.facebook.com

OOPs, try here:

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Check it out, the guy bought it online!
Buy it here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1657044593/universal-case-dropper-for-lee-six-pack?click_key=3b130d0365f846ca741cd100c40b0119640bc15d%3A1657044593&click_sum=eb709d6c&ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1

other good stuff over there too,
jmo,
.

 

[GW Staar]

Think I'll stay out of that one.
Since I use TylerR's 3D printed electric collators instead of multiple tubes, I have not run into cases being pushed off track. Wondering if is has anything to do with the shaped cutouts we now use in the side of the downtube inserts.....maybe that's all Lee had to do is shape the outlets to stabilize the cases dropping?

When TylerR first made them, he cut slots from the centerline forward, and it allowed for sideways movement of the dropped cases. Then we tried a design that only cut forward not sideways and that cured it. Picture below show the before insert and the after. Bet you can tell which one worked, didn't allow sideways movement and no gate necessary. (those are .223 downtube inserts.)

The performance difference was dramatic. Although this experience was back on the APP press, I used the same slightly modified system using the same inserts just as sucessfully on the 6000.

Check out these two videos that demonstrate what a difference it made.......

https://youtu.be/_7FquLSJVq4 Before...the original cutout at centerline.....
https://youtu.be/xQfchCIpMqE After the simple change.....

 

[GW Staar]

Are those inserts for the 5-tube case feeder? If so, does TyleR have a website?

No.....those are single tubes from a 3D printed collator, using his "quick change".....which I modified to work equally well on the 6000. That said, I'm betting Lee with a little loving prod from our own favorite Lee "beta" tester, could make their 4 ways and 5 ways work just as well....without the extra moving gate part..... you just have to control the landing better and you don't need a gate.

 

[LiveLife]

... so I played with it a little more and it seems to be working now with .308 cases. How! I have no idea as the spring isn’t engaged with the gate at all at this setting

Great.

Gate does not operate by direct spring tension rather spring pushes down on the gate and incline of cam nut returns the gate to closed position.

cam nut’s all the way down on the hex nut so the gate’s not at the “middle” of the case as Lee suggests.

Actually, cam nut all the way down to hex nut places bottom of gate 3/8" above case slider bar/press rail (This distance can vary depending on press used) as indicated by Lee instruction section 4(B) and "Fine tuning ..." on back side of instructions says ... (3) "Gate should NOT be higher than the slider [block]".

This is on SPP with cam nut all the way down to hex nut with gate about 3/8" above case slider bar/press rail and gate held the .44 Mag cases

This is on 2023 Pro 1000 with gate raised higher than 1/2" above case slider bar/press rail and worked fine to hold .44 Mag cases.

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks for the help, people! My gate’s not working again. I’m using it with .308; the cases are too tall for there to be any tension on the spring so the gate just stays open. I’ll see if it works again when I switch back to pistol cases. Meanwhile, I ordered the 3D printed case feeder that Tilos posted about. It looks pretty ingenious and would seem to solve all the inherent problems with the Lee unit (and was not too expensive). Now to wait for the mail from Norway…

 

[LiveLife]

Thanks for the help, people! My gate’s not working again. I’m using it with .308; the cases are too tall for there to be any tension on the spring so the gate just stays open.

Can you post some pictures of what's happening with the gate/spring and .308 case?

 

[Tilos]

Thanks for the help, people! My gate’s not working again. I’m using it with .308; the cases are too tall for there to be any tension on the spring so the gate just stays open. I’ll see if it works again when I switch back to pistol cases. Meanwhile, I ordered the 3D printed case feeder that Tilos posted about. It looks pretty ingenious and would seem to solve all the inherent problems with the Lee unit (and was not too expensive). Now to wait for the mail from Norway…

Good to know someone is reading my post!
I know what could be wrong for $24+$9 shipping.

If that gate is where you want it without enough compression on the spring, you could add a sleeve/bushing (or another nut) on top of the spring/under the nut to add compression to the spring.
Or find a longer spring.

.

 

[LiveLife]

Meanwhile, I ordered the 3D printed case feeder that Tilos posted about.

Good to know someone is reading my post!

Actually, looks like pretty good design.