What do I need to get this old Lee press functional?

@Varminterror I watched that video and something didn't look quite right to me. So I watched it again and saw what it was. That press has the primer arm set into the ram, similar to my Hornady LnL single stage. The press I have doesn't have a way to put the primer arm in that slot and secure it.

But you guys are giving me ideas, and new directions to think, and I really appreciate all the help. I'm going to go take a look at a few things, and see what I see.

And the chili is simmering along nicely, should be done between 4 and 5 if anyone is hungry.

chris
 
ballman6711 said:
@Varminterror I watched that video and something didn't look quite right to me. So I watched it again and saw what it was. That press has the primer arm set into the ram, similar to my Hornady LnL single stage. The press I have doesn't have a way to put the primer arm in that slot and secure it.
chris
Click to expand...

If your press doesn’t have the cross pin in the ram, then you’d have the option of drilling yours for the pin and using the new style primer levers (or potentially swapping for an LCT ram purchased from Lee which accomplishes the same), OR you’ll simply need to find an old style primer arm - the old T shaped model.

IMG_0105.jpeg

IMG_0104.jpeg

Personally, I’d drill the ram for the pin hole and use the new primer arms:

IMG_0106.jpeg

OR… pick up a Lee APP Deluxe and prime on the APP-D with auto case and primer feeding. With the 3 hole, I actually like this process better, as I could size and expand on the 3 hole, then (tumble off lube if you used anything but One Shot) trim, debur, chamfer, and prime off of the turret, then either charge off press and come back to the Turret to seat (or seat on an arbor press), or come back to throw powder and seat on the turret. 2 turret heads, minimal hand moving, and smooth transitions for multiple operations.
 
DSCN0691.JPG
DSCN0692.JPG

This press is on my bench right now. It was purchased on Ebay as NOS still in an unopened box about 4 years ago. Yes because it was new, unopened I paid a premium for it. It was purchased to complement my Lee Pro1000 press that because of the steel plate it is screwed to I can swap presses in a matter of minutes.

Yes this press also has the Auto Indexing feature. The turrets are the exact same turrets as used on the Pro1000. The Lee Safety Prime system will NOT work on this press as the ram is not designed to accept it. This press uses a two sided primer holder which on one side is fitted for large and the opposite side is fitted for small primers. I will try to get a picture of this part. They can be found on ebay but they are not cheap. Also as mentioned all replacement parts for this press has been discontinued, which is truly sad as I find this 3 hole press more useful for what I do than the 4 hole presses.

I use this press for small production runs which are less than 100pcs, load development where I am constantly removing and replacing or making adjustments. I also use this press exclusively to load my match 223 loads on after the brass has been processed on a single stage press. For this I have a Lee powder measure and drop tube in station one, bullet seating die in station two and 3 is empty.

For this I keep a fired and still primed case nearby to use to set the powder charge drop. After the drop I remove and weigh then trickle. Dump the powder charge into the case to be reloaded and then seat the bullet. Doing it this way I can remove the case at any point and inspect or make adjustments at ease. This also prevents me from having trays of cases sitting around all charged and waiting for bullets to be placed and seated.

I love this little press!
 
kmw1954 said:
View attachment 1189166
View attachment 1189167

This press is on my bench right now. It was purchased on Ebay as NOS still in an unopened box about 4 years ago. Yes because it was new, unopened I paid a premium for it. It was purchased to complement my Lee Pro1000 press that because of the steel plate it is screwed to I can swap presses in a matter of minutes.

Yes this press also has the Auto Indexing feature. The turrets are the exact same turrets as used on the Pro1000. The Lee Safety Prime system will NOT work on this press as the ram is not designed to accept it. This press uses a two sided primer holder which on one side is fitted for large and the opposite side is fitted for small primers. I will try to get a picture of this part. They can be found on ebay but they are not cheap. Also as mentioned all replacement parts for this press has been discontinued, which is truly sad as I find this 3 hole press more useful for what I do than the 4 hole presses.

I use this press for small production runs which are less than 100pcs, load development where I am constantly removing and replacing or making adjustments. I also use this press exclusively to load my match 223 loads on after the brass has been processed on a single stage press. For this I have a Lee powder measure and drop tube in station one, bullet seating die in station two and 3 is empty.

For this I keep a fired and still primed case nearby to use to set the powder charge drop. After the drop I remove and weigh then trickle. Dump the powder charge into the case to be reloaded and then seat the bullet. Doing it this way I can remove the case at any point and inspect or make adjustments at ease. This also prevents me from having trays of cases sitting around all charged and waiting for bullets to be placed and seated.

I love this little press!
Click to expand...
So why is it in a health clinic and not a reloading room?
 
Varminterror said:
With the 3 hole, I actually like this process better, as I could size and expand on the 3 hole, then (tumble off lube if you used anything but One Shot) trim, debur, chamfer, and prime off of the turret, then either charge off press and come back to the Turret to seat (or seat on an arbor press), or come back to throw powder and seat on the turret. 2 turret heads, minimal hand moving, and smooth transitions for multiple operations.
Click to expand...
Hadn't thought about doing it this way, but that really makes a lot of sense. Size/deprime then rotate and expand. Repeat as needed. Prime off press, swap turrets and finish up.

Thank you for that, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out how to do it and do it efficiently. I was thinking "single stage", and not turret press with multiple turrets.

chris
 
ballman6711 said:
Size/deprime
Click to expand...

I deprime with a universal decapper, then wash my brass. I don’t want dirty brass going into my sizers. If you have a brass dryer, you COULD wash with spent primers in place, then dry before sizing/depriming, but I’d rather have more exposure on my primer pockets, so I decap and clean before going back to work on my brass.
 
CQB45ACP said:
Indeed. Back in the 70s I worked with a guy from Cincinnati. He said the best chili was from the Greeks who settled there. He talked about place named Skyline which had the best in town. They opened one here around that time and I admit it changed my entire chili preferences. First I’d ever heard of a chili mac.

But have to say I like it all.
Click to expand...
Skyline chili five way. 🤤😋
Yum!
 
Varminterror said:
I was RELATIVELY confident I recalled the old 3 holes using the same Safety Prime system as the LCT, and found this online:



The primer plunger assembly mounted in the press does look a little different than the current primer lever arm on the 4 hole turret, but I would bet heavily on anyone with an ability to reload ammo to also be able to modify a current production primer lever to fit this press. The lever arm is just a bit thinner on the old model, so the new may work without any modification.
Click to expand...

You are correct it is the same primer system instead of a round holder where you put the primers it is now a triangle but unfolds into a square to fill it . I just left the old safety prime mounting arm on the press and dropped the new style safety prime right on it works fine on my old red base value press . The only thing that might have to be done is loosen up the mounting arm and move it slightly to the left or right that was all I had to do .
 
CQB45ACP said:
I quit using it several years ago. It’s like new, in the box, all the trimmings, but I don’t do online selling (actually it’s the money exchange) so there it sits until who knows when:)
Click to expand...
If you were not so far from me I might be interested is it the new classic cast turret press? I am in Las Vegas
 
LV Gun said:
You are correct it is the same primer system instead of a round holder where you put the primers it is now a triangle but unfolds into a square to fill it . I just left the old safety prime mounting arm on the press and dropped the new style safety prime right on it works fine on my old red base value press .
Click to expand...
Beg to differ but no they are not the same. The rams are different and DO NOT support the new primer arms that the 4 hole presses use. As Varminterror has displayed in the photographs. The Safety Prime does not extend low enough to reach the T.
 
kmw1954 said:
Beg to differ but no they are not the same. The rams are different and DO NOT support the new primer arms that the 4 hole presses use. As Varminterror has displayed in the photographs. The Safety Prime does not extend low enough to reach the T.
Click to expand...
You are correct sir mine has a different ram altogether I purchased mine directly from Lee when I lived in WI it was a factory reconditioned one . I did upgrade the handle and linkage about 4 years ago. I wish I could find a good used base for it the ram is now literally grinding the aluminum out of the base regardless of how much I lube it but it is 28 years old. I am going to replace it with a new value turret press. IMG_1865.jpeg IMG_1864.jpeg IMG_1863.jpeg
 
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