ErikO
Member
I stuck a case on my Lee Cast Turret after I cleaned and DID NOT LUBE the RCBS dies that I have for .223. When you have new dies, a little wipe with low-weight oil goes a LONG way.
The Lee Pro 1000 and why it was returned
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mastiffhound
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Yes I let it dry per instructions. I think you missed the point of indexing problems, the primer feed sticking, the ram coming apart. That has nothing to do with the dies! I didn't even install the automatic powder charge assembly. Too many people had problems with the chain snapping. I didn't trust it. I don't blame my tools. I'm a mechanic by trade, I've had few problems with tools. I've even made tools. I do think that if I buy something it should work as advertised. I have had few problems with Matco, Snap-On, or Mac Tools. When I do ( like a impact wrench I bought and returned in the first week ) the tool is taken back and I'm credited on my account.
To answer the question about the dies, I was using the dies that came with the Pro 1000. I returned them with it. I then bought a new set, went home and proceded to never have a problem through over 400 cases now. If I had problems with this press or this die set then yes, it would logically lead me to believe it was operator error. I haven't had problem one though? So what does that say?
I am all for protecting a company's good name. But if something is faulty or subpar then others should be told. That is what consumer reports are about. If you love your Lee Pro 1000 then great. I'm not some stodgy old man that hates change. I bought the Lee Pro 1000 thinking it has to be better than my dad's old press. He told me that new fangled thing will be junk. I said you'll see I'll be pumping out rounds faster than you ever could. He called me today and I had to eat a nice big piece of humble pie.
I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one who had problems with it. A quick search shows the Lee Pro Has a multitude of problems. All of those can't be (in reality, not fanboy or I work for Lee and will defend them to the death) operator induced can they? Don't get me wrong I like Lee, American companies are a dying breed. If you make junk you should pay. Ask Toyota how the last few years have been, recalls hurt. Faster and cheaper has become the norm, well built and long lasting has become something that is hard or impossible to find. A quick search on Lee Breech Lock problems shows alot of people asking about them and being recomended but not having alot of problems. Go figure..
To answer the question about the dies, I was using the dies that came with the Pro 1000. I returned them with it. I then bought a new set, went home and proceded to never have a problem through over 400 cases now. If I had problems with this press or this die set then yes, it would logically lead me to believe it was operator error. I haven't had problem one though? So what does that say?
I am all for protecting a company's good name. But if something is faulty or subpar then others should be told. That is what consumer reports are about. If you love your Lee Pro 1000 then great. I'm not some stodgy old man that hates change. I bought the Lee Pro 1000 thinking it has to be better than my dad's old press. He told me that new fangled thing will be junk. I said you'll see I'll be pumping out rounds faster than you ever could. He called me today and I had to eat a nice big piece of humble pie.
I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one who had problems with it. A quick search shows the Lee Pro Has a multitude of problems. All of those can't be (in reality, not fanboy or I work for Lee and will defend them to the death) operator induced can they? Don't get me wrong I like Lee, American companies are a dying breed. If you make junk you should pay. Ask Toyota how the last few years have been, recalls hurt. Faster and cheaper has become the norm, well built and long lasting has become something that is hard or impossible to find. A quick search on Lee Breech Lock problems shows alot of people asking about them and being recomended but not having alot of problems. Go figure..
mastiffhound
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I did learn something, Don't buy the Lee Pro 1000.
zxcvbob
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I like Lee products. I would not buy one of their progressive presses (just don't trust 'em) but have just about everything else.
The stuck cases were not a press problem, it might have been bad dies but more likely was a lube failure -- you either used the wrong stuff or didn't apply it properly (or at all.) Don't worry about it, everybody does that at least once.
Get some Dillon spray lube -- and make sure you let it dry -- or Kiwi Mink Oil.
The stuck cases were not a press problem, it might have been bad dies but more likely was a lube failure -- you either used the wrong stuff or didn't apply it properly (or at all.) Don't worry about it, everybody does that at least once.
Get some Dillon spray lube -- and make sure you let it dry -- or Kiwi Mink Oil.
ranger335v
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A quick search shows the Lee Pro Has a multitude of problems. All of those can't be (in reality, not fanboy or I work for Lee and will defend them to the death) operator induced can they?
Yeah, actually, they could; you need to understand that not a lot of people have a lot of mechanical experience or even aptitude. Progressive presses have quite a few more moving parts than Snap-on, Matco, etc, end wrenches. And saying you didn't 'trust' this or that doesn't mean it actually failed does it?
The usual reason people have those Lee powder measure chains break is because they didn't set the thing up correctly and then ignored it in operation until they broke it. But if you improperly set up the brakes on a Chevy Malibu and they don't work right it's really not a Malibu problem is it?
Cases don't stick in sizers because of the press, they stick because of a lack of lube. There's no question that 95% of the stuck cases we hear of on the net occur with OneShot. I read and follow instructions so it's never happened to me but it seems some either don't allow the carrier to evaporate OR fail to shake the can to mix the lube and carrier. Failure to shake and keep it shaken leads to most of the lube being used early and only carrier/propellent being left towards the end of the can; propellant is a lousy lube no matter how much you spray it or how long you let it dry. Does any of that sound possible to you?
Yeah, actually, they could; you need to understand that not a lot of people have a lot of mechanical experience or even aptitude. Progressive presses have quite a few more moving parts than Snap-on, Matco, etc, end wrenches. And saying you didn't 'trust' this or that doesn't mean it actually failed does it?
The usual reason people have those Lee powder measure chains break is because they didn't set the thing up correctly and then ignored it in operation until they broke it. But if you improperly set up the brakes on a Chevy Malibu and they don't work right it's really not a Malibu problem is it?
Cases don't stick in sizers because of the press, they stick because of a lack of lube. There's no question that 95% of the stuck cases we hear of on the net occur with OneShot. I read and follow instructions so it's never happened to me but it seems some either don't allow the carrier to evaporate OR fail to shake the can to mix the lube and carrier. Failure to shake and keep it shaken leads to most of the lube being used early and only carrier/propellent being left towards the end of the can; propellant is a lousy lube no matter how much you spray it or how long you let it dry. Does any of that sound possible to you?
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Lost Sheep
Member
Ever buy a gun that just didn't meet your expectations after you lived with it for a while, even though it was a good quality gun? It was just not a good fit for you. (This example is not quite analogous, but you will get the idea if you read on.)
Echoing Ranger335V, yes, they can be operator error.
A design that prevents operator error from causing problems would have fewer reports (look at the early Apple Operating System vs the early Microsoft Operating System). Apple's design was more robust and tightly controlled in development. MS was much more open and varied and crashed a LOT more.
Or take a look at pets. You don't expect a cat to come when you call it. A dog, you do. Is it the fault of the cat or is it a fault of unrealistic expectations for the DESIGN of the cat?
Certain functions of the Pro-1000 require constant attention (primer feed, for example). If you don't recognize that fact, it can be as frustrating as calling a cat to come. But don't blame the press. While it is a shortcoming of the press, it is a shortcoming of the operator not to adapt his/her operating technique to the tool. Or switch tools.
But it doesn't make the press a bad press. It just makes it a poor fit for the way you reload. I know it was a poor fit for the way I reload, so I got a Lee Classic Turret, which does fit and I am much happier.
The Pro-1000 costs one-third the price of a Dillon Square Deal and is one-third the press. To me, that's a wash.
Lost Sheep
straitnate14
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There's nothing wrong with the lee 1000, and there is no cheap way to progressively load rifle ammo, if you have problems with the indexing you are short stroking the press or you have it adjusted wrong. The chain that the include for the powder dropper is fine, the spring is to stiff. It needs to be replaced with the spring put of a ballpoint pen. If you want to use the priming system you have to watch the chute to make sure it stays full. I have no problems with any of my lee 1000's I like to tinker with things as I am also a mechanic but I don't buy the cheapest tool I can find and expect it to be perfect the lee 1000 is great for what it cost but my rifle ammo gets done on a single stage.
Gtimothy
Member
I have two LeePro1000 presses but I only use them for straight walled pistol calibers. I reload my Rifle rounds on my Lee turret press.
The dies that come with the LeePro1000 in .223 need to be used with case lube! I think the reason the OP's press started to come apart was because of the force he was applying to pull the stuck cases out of the die. The other issues are known issues with Lee presses and there are fixes for them..
IMHO, LeePro1000s are decent entry level presses for people who are just testing the waters to see if they "really" want to start reloading. If you have the patience to get the Pro1000 working right, then it will do its job well enough until you can take the next step up in equipment quality.
Not everyone can afford a "Blue" press right from the start!
The dies that come with the LeePro1000 in .223 need to be used with case lube! I think the reason the OP's press started to come apart was because of the force he was applying to pull the stuck cases out of the die. The other issues are known issues with Lee presses and there are fixes for them..
IMHO, LeePro1000s are decent entry level presses for people who are just testing the waters to see if they "really" want to start reloading. If you have the patience to get the Pro1000 working right, then it will do its job well enough until you can take the next step up in equipment quality.
Not everyone can afford a "Blue" press right from the start!
mastiffhound
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I must be typing in greek? I used lube, I followed the directions to a T and still had the problems. If it was something I wasn't doing right then the new die would have had the same problem. Guess what, it hasen't. 681 cases decapped and sized now! Not a single case was even close to a problem. I then decapped and sized 50 .45 Colt cases. Guess what, still no problem. I had plenty of lube, the same amount as I always have, 3 sprays and good to go. They were let dry like it says on the bottle. Yes I shook the bottle. NO, I do not work on tools. I use tools to work on cars, I'm a mechanic not a salesman. I'm positive a car has more moving parts than a Lee Pro 1000 press.
Maybe my expectations were too high. I must be getting old. I always expect every thing to work when I pay money for a new product and set it up per instructions. I used to by beater cars for $150 to $300 when I was a kid. Now a beater costs $1200, my niece is looking. Most needed brakes, tune ups, brake lines, head gaskets, heads, or many other things that are too long to list. When I paid for a used car I expected to have to put some work into it. When I got a little older I started buying new cars. If they would have had a problem I would have been angry. I just expected perfection when I bought a brand new car and then a pick-up.
The point is I shouldn't have to dicker around with something that is brand spanking new. If it has so many problems and quirks maybe they should put in the instructions that your going to have to use coat hangers, spit-balls, gum, and duct tape to make this press work properly. If you bought light bulbs, dvd players, safes, dead bolt locks, or lets say an AR-15 ( let me guess, you didn't use enough lube will be the answer) new and they didn't work properly (happens every day or is that all operator error too?) even though you had followed the instructions you would send or take it back. I have seen people on here ask for advice on sending an AR back just because the front sight gas block is canted by .000001 degrees. Everyone hates getting something new and even though they've followed directions something still doesn't work.
I love the new press, haven't had problem 1 with it. Maybe I just expect too much when something says "Made In America. I must just be too old, I remember when that meant well built, like a tank. Must have been my old late 60's steel Tonka Truck.
Maybe my expectations were too high. I must be getting old. I always expect every thing to work when I pay money for a new product and set it up per instructions. I used to by beater cars for $150 to $300 when I was a kid. Now a beater costs $1200, my niece is looking. Most needed brakes, tune ups, brake lines, head gaskets, heads, or many other things that are too long to list. When I paid for a used car I expected to have to put some work into it. When I got a little older I started buying new cars. If they would have had a problem I would have been angry. I just expected perfection when I bought a brand new car and then a pick-up.
The point is I shouldn't have to dicker around with something that is brand spanking new. If it has so many problems and quirks maybe they should put in the instructions that your going to have to use coat hangers, spit-balls, gum, and duct tape to make this press work properly. If you bought light bulbs, dvd players, safes, dead bolt locks, or lets say an AR-15 ( let me guess, you didn't use enough lube will be the answer) new and they didn't work properly (happens every day or is that all operator error too?) even though you had followed the instructions you would send or take it back. I have seen people on here ask for advice on sending an AR back just because the front sight gas block is canted by .000001 degrees. Everyone hates getting something new and even though they've followed directions something still doesn't work.
I love the new press, haven't had problem 1 with it. Maybe I just expect too much when something says "Made In America. I must just be too old, I remember when that meant well built, like a tank. Must have been my old late 60's steel Tonka Truck.
Sport45
Member
I don't doubt you had problems with the first press and understand you hated it.
It's just the problem you elaborated on in the opening post had nothing to do with the press.
It could be you still have a lube problem that you are overcoming by using a press with a better mechanical advantage. You'll know for sure if you find it easier to rip the rim off the next stuck case.
It's just the problem you elaborated on in the opening post had nothing to do with the press.
It could be you still have a lube problem that you are overcoming by using a press with a better mechanical advantage. You'll know for sure if you find it easier to rip the rim off the next stuck case.
Lost Sheep
Member
Same operator working the same way, problem disappears? Different press and different die?
Conclusion: It might be the press or it might be the die or it might be the combination of press and die.
90% sure it has to be the die that was faulty.
It is nearly impossible for the press alone to be at fault. The ram goes up, the ram goes down. Simple.
It could be an interaction between the die and press (because the Pro-1000 has a rotating shell plate, it could be improperly adjusted for alignment). It is unlikely you would have missed noticing this.
Lost Sheep
The biggest problem with using the One Shot is you have to shake the can before using it. Fail to do this and sooner or later you will get a stuck case.
I've used the stuff for 10 years and that is the only flaw I can find with it.
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