Mohave-Tec
Member
They'll put a new one in the mail 10 minutes after you get off the phone. I don't know what it is about reloading tool company's but customer service is --deleted for all of them.
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New press and dies. Should I prep them?
- Thread starter Katitmail
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I found proper tap and dies and fixed threads. Seems like it is working good. Cleaned dies, already installed 3 first dies and adjusted.
I promise I will get some pictures
Questions:
1. Is hand-tight with rubber o-rings OK for dies or should I use wrench on them?
2. Powder-through die "sticks". Takes some grunt to release from it. I afraid it might spill powder. Do you guys lubricate expender piece or do something about it? I didn't adjust it too low, just enough to put bullet in comfortably.
3. I work on 45ACP setup. OAL max calls for one figure, factory RN FMJ (Blazer) almost to the MAX. Factory hollow point like 2mm lower. I bought plated hollow point bullets. How do I know what OAL should be? Should I try max and see how it feeds?
P.S. Like LCT so far. All logical and simple. Wasn't indexing properly (overindexing) - fixed per manual
I promise I will get some pictures
Questions:
1. Is hand-tight with rubber o-rings OK for dies or should I use wrench on them?
2. Powder-through die "sticks". Takes some grunt to release from it. I afraid it might spill powder. Do you guys lubricate expender piece or do something about it? I didn't adjust it too low, just enough to put bullet in comfortably.
3. I work on 45ACP setup. OAL max calls for one figure, factory RN FMJ (Blazer) almost to the MAX. Factory hollow point like 2mm lower. I bought plated hollow point bullets. How do I know what OAL should be? Should I try max and see how it feeds?
P.S. Like LCT so far. All logical and simple. Wasn't indexing properly (overindexing) - fixed per manual
I have welded 1/4 iron frame with legs bolted to floor. Frame bolted to studs. I have 1 1/4 butcher block glued into frame and screwed from underneath.
I made rectangular board from same countertop material and bolted press to it. Then I bolted it to bench. This way I will mount second press in the same spot if needed. Feels solid, there is no movement..
I made rectangular board from same countertop material and bolted press to it. Then I bolted it to bench. This way I will mount second press in the same spot if needed. Feels solid, there is no movement..
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Mohave-Tec
Member
Now that's a bench. Might I suggest you calk or otherwise seal the seam between the bench top and frame so powder and spent primer dust won't accumulate there?
I love to see a well thought out work place. I too use changeable components.
I love to see a well thought out work place. I too use changeable components.
I'm not sure how to seal seam. Caulk will eventually get dirty and as you can tell I like it to be nice looking Bench is _very_ sturdy, there is no movement at all.
There is no seam on a front edge, board goes tight with angle.
Now you see why red doesn't match?
Can anyone comment on those questions I asked on top? First 2 questions is what I'm still not sure about..
Bench is _very_ sturdy, there is no movement at all.There is no seam on a front edge, board goes tight with angle.
Now you see why red doesn't match?
Can anyone comment on those questions I asked on top? First 2 questions is what I'm still not sure about..
KansasSasquatch
Member
I normally tighten with a wrench but just a little past hand tight. No sense in cranking them down gorilla tight.
As far as the expander goes, is your brass new or "perfectly clean?" Either of those can create a little friction. The expander plug could also have an imperfection. I'd disassemble the die and make sure it's smooth. If it's not, some ultra fine auto sandpaper and a little wet sanding can go a long way, then finish it up with some 0000 steel wool. You don't want to change the shape of it, just smooth it out. Most people don't lube pistol brass but I like to lightly lube about every 10th case, it makes it a little smoother. But I don't lube dies.
If you want to seal the back of your bench, just get some 1/4 round pine trim and attach it to the bench with it pressed up against the wall. Stain it to match the bench.
As far as the expander goes, is your brass new or "perfectly clean?" Either of those can create a little friction. The expander plug could also have an imperfection. I'd disassemble the die and make sure it's smooth. If it's not, some ultra fine auto sandpaper and a little wet sanding can go a long way, then finish it up with some 0000 steel wool. You don't want to change the shape of it, just smooth it out. Most people don't lube pistol brass but I like to lightly lube about every 10th case, it makes it a little smoother. But I don't lube dies.
If you want to seal the back of your bench, just get some 1/4 round pine trim and attach it to the bench with it pressed up against the wall. Stain it to match the bench.
I'm not sure how to seal seam. Caulk will eventually get dirty and as you can tell I like it to be nice looking
There is no seam on a front edge, board goes tight with angle.
Now you see why red doesn't match?
Can anyone comment on those questions I asked on top? First 2 questions is what I'm still not sure about..
Nice looking Bench.
If you seal or caulk with 100% Pure clear silicone it will not get dirty.I tighten my dies a little with a adjustable wrench to seal the o ring. They will not come loose as some folks claim.
The expander die with the powder measure is supposed to be tight and "hang up" or jerk when you load with it. It is designed that way to shake out the powder. In the book and instructions.
Rule 3 - thanks, it makes sense. Seems like it is working fine and nothing really spills. Also I see some powder on bench. Not sure where it comes from..
I have another issue with powder system. When ram is UP and case sized/deprimed I dump new primer into the seat. If I move ramp down primer most likely not going to be centered, I crushed primer a little. I learned that it works if I push case back into holder when it goes down. Seems like it becomes non-centered after exiting deprime die. Does it make sense? Is it normal? What can be done to fix it?
Another question I have is auto-index. I removed for now because I just learn operation. But I wonder if it's OK to manually turn turret "Back" when index rod installed? I want to switch to more "progressive" but I'm sure I will have errors and will need to go back.
I have another issue with powder system. When ram is UP and case sized/deprimed I dump new primer into the seat. If I move ramp down primer most likely not going to be centered, I crushed primer a little. I learned that it works if I push case back into holder when it goes down. Seems like it becomes non-centered after exiting deprime die. Does it make sense? Is it normal? What can be done to fix it?
Another question I have is auto-index. I removed for now because I just learn operation. But I wonder if it's OK to manually turn turret "Back" when index rod installed? I want to switch to more "progressive" but I'm sure I will have errors and will need to go back.
Not sure if I fully understand your question?
Are you using the Auto Prime or putting the primers in one at a time by hand?
When you push the press arm up (lowers the ram) it should bring the case down and the primer arm will push the primer into the primer pocket.
You can turn the turret with the turret rod in it BUT be sure you raise the press arm up a little so it is not on the Screw" part of the index rod. You will feel if any tension. This is how folks break the index ratchet thingy.
For now just leave the turret arm out and turn it by hand anyway you want. It is now just a single stage. Once you get used to it put the arm back in and it is a turret press again.
These may help:
http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/497/0/turret-press-help-videos
Are you using the Auto Prime or putting the primers in one at a time by hand?
When you push the press arm up (lowers the ram) it should bring the case down and the primer arm will push the primer into the primer pocket.
You can turn the turret with the turret rod in it BUT be sure you raise the press arm up a little so it is not on the Screw" part of the index rod. You will feel if any tension. This is how folks break the index ratchet thingy.
For now just leave the turret arm out and turn it by hand anyway you want. It is now just a single stage. Once you get used to it put the arm back in and it is a turret press again.
These may help:
http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/497/0/turret-press-help-videos
RustyFN
Member
Hand tight is fine. If you use a wrench just snug them up don't tighten them down too tight.
That is normal.If you want it to be smoother you can polish the expander a little.
Yes you can turn the turret with the auto indexing rod installed but you need to raise the ram a little first to disengage the ratchet to keep from stripping it out.
It's auto-prime, but I have no problem with auto-prime. When I auto-prime ram is at top point in resizing die.
When I lower ram out of resizing die (primer ready to go in priming arm) - case is not in proper position in a case holder. It's just slightly off center which doesn't affect any operations but it does affect priming on a downstroke. If I push case into shell holder with a finger - priming operation works smoothly.
So you are saying the case is moving (front to back) in the shell holder? I have had some shell holders that were too tight and sent them back to LEE with some brass and they sent me a different one that fit better. I have also had ones that were too loose and the there was a lot of slop. You can of course have the shell holder opening (slot) skewed to the left. It does not have to be straight front to back.
When you put an empty case in the shell holder (should be #2 for 45) does it move around a lot or is it a fairly firm fit?
I am only guessing here, as it is hard to tell without actually seeing what it is doing. Only other thing is make sure the turret is aligned correctly.
When you put an empty case in the shell holder (should be #2 for 45) does it move around a lot or is it a fairly firm fit?
I am only guessing here, as it is hard to tell without actually seeing what it is doing. Only other thing is make sure the turret is aligned correctly.
Correct. Shell holder #2. Case little lose and it seems like it slides out a tiny bit just enough to present problem.
I made another little batch with holder slot turned more to the left and seems like it worked! I guess I'm learning but now it starts to work better
I made another little batch with holder slot turned more to the left and seems like it worked! I guess I'm learning but now it starts to work better
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