Video of Lee Progressive Press Set Up

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Thank you denton!

Really clear as far as setup and function. Also very professionally done. I'm guessing you've done these videos before.

Look forward to the next one.

Dave
 
Well done. I did a video a few years ago on a Pro 2000 and someone commented on how much movement the press had on my bench. I was surprised....didn't notice when I was making it, and so corrected the problem before I did any more. Before you do your next one (for which I'm waiting on pins and needles), see if you can tighten things up....both plate to plate and plate to bench.

Not only will it make the videos even better, I betcha it'll make the Lee press work better too. On my bench trading lag screws for bolts clear through worked better for me.

I'm interested in this press's simplicity. Will probably add one to my collection. Since you are starting with .223, a rifle cartridge, I'm even more interested. I thought Lee said that you have to remove the station rotation rod and manually advance with rifle. Clearly now, they must be referring to rifle cases larger than .223.

Again, great job......wondering what software you are using?........and who's your excellent cameraman/woman?:)
 
GW Staar said:
Well done. I did a video a few years ago on a Pro 2000 and someone commented on how much movement the press had on my bench. I was surprised....didn't notice when I was making it, and so corrected the problem before I did any more. Before you do your next one (for which I'm waiting on pins and needles), see if you can tighten things up....both plate to plate and plate to bench.

Not only will it make the videos even better, I betcha it'll make the Lee press work better too. On my bench trading lag screws for bolts clear through worked better for me.

I'm interested in this press's simplicity. Will probably add one to my collection. Since you are starting with .223, a rifle cartridge, I'm even more interested. I thought Lee said that you have to remove the station rotation rod and manually advance with rifle. Clearly now, they must be referring to rifle cases larger than .223.

Again, great job......wondering what software you are using?........and who's your excellent cameraman/woman?:)
Click to expand...
You're right, I noticed the same thing about the flex. It's visible in the video, but I didn't notice it when I was working. I would not be surprised if I end up with through bolts. The bench is made from multiple laminated pieces of lumber, and that corner has actually always been just a tiny bit soft when you crank on it with a 2 foot lever arm. I've thought of drilling it and running a few half inch oak dowels into it.

It would be fun to slip in the #2 shell plate and see exactly what prevents loading 308 on it as it sits. But you are correct, Lee says to take the rod out for larger cartridges.

My cameraman thanks you. This is an el-cheapo operation, so it's me. The camera is on a tripod, and I hit RECORD and then take my place and start my spiel. Camtasia does the editing chores.

Glad you enjoyed it. I'll do the time trials as soon as I get a chance.
 
Well done, and keeping my attention isn't easy....oh look....squirrel........

Flowed nicely without a lot of fluff, stayed on task with good info.
 
denton said:
You're right, I noticed the same thing about the flex. It's visible in the video, but I didn't notice it when I was working. I would not be surprised if I end up with through bolts. The bench is made from multiple laminated pieces of lumber, and that corner has actually always been just a tiny bit soft when you crank on it with a 2 foot lever arm. I've thought of drilling it and running a few half inch oak dowels into it.

It would be fun to slip in the #2 shell plate and see exactly what prevents loading 308 on it as it sits. But you are correct, Lee says to take the rod out for larger cartridges.

My cameraman thanks you. This is an el-cheapo operation, so it's me. The camera is on a tripod, and I hit RECORD and then take my place and start my spiel. Camtasia does the editing chores.

Glad you enjoyed it. I'll do the time trials as soon as I get a chance.
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting the vid
I noticed the "flex" too, and it looks like the press sub-plate is moving left/right under those gold colored Z clamps.
You may not have had the screws tight, if it were me I'd trade out those 4 Philips screws for hex-heads with a flange or a socket heads cap screws, so you can apply more torque.
:D
 
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Tilos said:
Thanks for posting the vid
I noticed the "flex" too, and it looks like the press sub-plate is moving left/right under those gold colored Z clamps.
You may not have had the screws tight, if it were me I'd trade out those 4 Philips screws for hex-heads with a flange or a socket heads cap screws, so you can apply more torque.
:D
Click to expand...
That corner of the bench has been just a little soft, but it turns out that the problem this time was that I did not snug down the four phillips head screws very well, and they worked loose a little as I was shooting the video.

If I get socket heads, can I torque them down farmer tight (i.e., as far as they will go and then another quarter turn)?
 
Go to 1:32 in your video and pause. If I decide to use the Lee quick change brackets.....I think I will drill and tap a hole in each side on the verticals (only on the bench mount) and screw in hex head set-screws. The once the top "socket heads" (good idea, BTW) are tight, screw in the socket head set-screws on each side to prevent side-to-side motion. I think even tight on top you will see movement with all that torquing unless you address all that side to side play.

Only bad might be if those parts are really brass and not brass-plated steel. I realize there is play where you can push those two parts in and tighten....but I also know even farmer tight.....slots slip.....thus the set-screws.

The flex on the bench itself may or may not be in the horizontal support.....but if it is....you can bolt angle iron across underneath fastening to the back and front to stop the support from twisting under torque. If it's only in the top.......screw it down with 3" long deck screws. You will be amazed at the difference when you get it secure.
 
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denton said:
That corner of the bench has been just a little soft, but it turns out that the problem this time was that I did not snug down the four phillips head screws very well, and they worked loose a little as I was shooting the video.

If I get socket heads, can I torque them down farmer tight (i.e., as far as they will go and then another quarter turn)?
Click to expand...

As I see it, it depends on how much thread engagement there is into the base plate.
The surfaces where the screws tighten on those Z clamps are angled by design, the reason I suggested hex heads with a flange (sometimes called Mopar bolts).
Using setscrews here, as GW Starr suggested for something else, and flanged nuts, would eliminate the movement between the screws and base plate threads when tightening/loosening, and move it to between the setscrews and nuts, lessoning the chance of strippage.

I was always interested in that Lee mount, but never could understand the use of wooden blocks for the press, and built my own plate system because of it, the metal plates Lee sells now are a great improvement over the wood.
index.php

All presses have a similar plate, 6"x6"x1/4", bought locally for $4 each.
That 3rd bolt centered more than 6" behind the press makes it rock solid, with no need for an overly thick bench top.
Sorry...way too much info,
:D
 
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