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

[ballman6711]

My parents came to visit a few days ago and bring us some Christmas gifts. Dad also brought me his old Lyman tumbler and his old Lee press. Thanks dad!

Anyway, researching the press it appears to be a Lee three hole turret press. It's about 40 years old and missing a few parts. I know I need a three hole turret to make it useable at the least, but what other parts do I need? I have no interest or desire to make it an auto rotating press, so those parts don't need to be mentioned. I have dies and shell holders, so don't need those either. Here's a pic of the press, the ram was a little sticky but I soaked it with a few drops of oil and worked the lever a bit and now it's pretty smooth.



Thanks.

chris

 

[CQB45ACP]

Love the way parents offload their unwanted stuff on the kids—do it to both my sons.

The best way to fix this old three hole press? First, buy a new three hole press…

 

[PWC]

Instead of asking us, contact Lee with pics

 

[ballman6711]

Love the way parents offload their unwanted stuff on the kids—do it to both my sons.

The best way to fix this old three hole press? First, buy a new three hole press…

I'll be honest, I really loved this response!!!

I actually told him if he was coming to visit I would take any reloading stuff he has. He hasn't reloaded in about 40 years and he's not going to start again, not at 82 years old.

He has enough brass to fill a five gallon bucket, and I'm sure he has dies and shell holders somewhere, as well as at least one turret.

I did look at getting another press, but for $20 or so I can get a turret and use this press for decapping and sizing. But I also need a primer arm if I want to prime on press, and even though I have found primer arms, I'm not sure which one/ones I would need.

chris

 

[algaeguy]

Call Lee. If upgrade to a new 4 holder, they will give you credit for this one. Might be cheaper in long run

 

[Show Me]

Good lord what lame responses. I have two of those and they work fine. Got one in a box that came out of a leaky garage. It's my newest. One I set one up as auto index 4 hole. Get on the Lee website and get the instructions. Check out spare parts. After your familiar call them with your questions. Very nice people. You can order instructions for dies or anything else that shows up. If the prime arms are obsolete there are good options. I've made thousands of hand gun rounds. Simple way to spend time compared to my progressive press. Good luck

 

[JohnMc]

It looks like it's missing the widgets for indexing the turret. There's a clamp on deal and an indexing rod. The auto index clamp is plastic in the current 4-hole ones and has some extra parts, I don't know what it's made out of on the 3-hole ones.
Asking Lee Precision customer service is probably the best way to go.
I'll also agree that it may make the best sense for your wallet to go with a new Lee Classic Turret, not counting possible sentimental value of the three hole. It may be so old even the type of primer arm isn't made any longer; the older ones had a T shape.

 

[ballman6711]

I'll also agree that it may make the best sense for your wallet to go with a new Lee Classic Turret, not counting possible sentimental value of the three hole

It is the sentimental value of loading on a press my father used all those years ago. I don't need to get it running, I have a press that I use and really like.

It may be so old even the type of primer arm isn't made any longer; the older ones had a T shape.

Thanks for that, that's the kind of info I'm looking for.

I looked on Lee's site, and didn't see any parts available. It's been discontinued, and they don't have the instructions or the parts schematic on their site, at least not that I can find.

I'll keep looking. I think Dad would like the thought of me loading ammo on the same press he used all those years ago. Ebay or other sites may be the ticket, or it may just end up being a pipe dream.

chris

 

[JohnMc]

It is the sentimental value of loading on a press my father used all those years ago.

Well it looks like it's got everything it needs except a turret to run in manual indexing mode with off-press priming. Midway USA has the turrets for about $15.
Does the ball detent on the turret ring look OK? If pressed in with a finger, does it pop back out?
In addition, there should be a wire spring to keep the shellholder in place (can't see if it's there in the photo). If it's missing, something can probably be cobbled together to get the press going.
Add some bolts, nuts, and washers to hold it down and, as the Brits say, Bob's your uncle! To knock out a few rounds, anyway.

 

[Show Me]

It looks like it's missing the widgets for indexing the turret. There's a clamp on deal and an indexing rod. The auto index clamp is plastic in the current 4-hole ones and has some extra parts, I don't know what it's made out of on the 3-hole ones.
Asking Lee Precision customer service is probably the best way to go.
I'll also agree that it may make the best sense for your wallet to go with a new Lee Classic Turret, not counting possible sentimental value of the three hole. It may be so old even the type of primer arm isn't made any longer; the older ones had a T shape.

A three hole had no self indexing

 

[JohnMc]

A three hole had no self indexing

Lee Three Hole Turret Press Index Adjustment

Lee Three Hole Turret Press Index Adjustment

www.youtube.com

 

[Tilos]

My parents came to visit a few days ago and bring us some Christmas gifts. Dad also brought me his old Lyman tumbler and his old Lee press. Thanks dad!

Anyway, researching the press it appears to be a Lee three hole turret press. It's about 40 years old and missing a few parts. I know I need a three hole turret to make it useable at the least, but what other parts do I need? I have no interest or desire to make it an auto rotating press, so those parts don't need to be mentioned. I have dies and shell holders, so don't need those either. Here's a pic of the press, the ram was a little sticky but I soaked it with a few drops of oil and worked the lever a bit and now it's pretty smooth.



Thanks.

chris

Lots of used parts on ebay and Lee has all manuals available to download on their website.
Manuals also available on Titan.

WELCOME TO TITAN RELOADING - WE AIM TO PLEASE

Looking for Lee Reloading Supplies? Titan Reloading is a Master Distributor of Lee Precision reloading equipment & supplies. Call 262.397.8819 to learn more.

www.titanreloading.com

WELCOME TO TITAN RELOADING - WE AIM TO PLEASE

Looking for Lee Reloading Supplies? Titan Reloading is a Master Distributor of Lee Precision reloading equipment & supplies. Call 262.397.8819 to learn more.

www.titanreloading.com

Lee turret press parts for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for Lee turret press parts at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

.

 

[The Glockodile]

I actually told him if he was coming to visit I would take any reloading stuff he has. He hasn't reloaded in about 40 years and he's not going to start again, not at 82 years old.

He has enough brass to fill a five gallon bucket, and I'm sure he has dies and shell holders somewhere, as well as at least one turret.

Damned children…

…always getting in the way of things…

…them, and real life.

 

[Lefty38-55]

… just buy some newer 4-hole turrets for it and RELOAD for it brother! That’s all I use for my reloads, rifle or pistol!

 

[JohnMc]

Lots of used parts on ebay and Lee has all manuals available to download on their website.
Manuals also available on Titan.

WELCOME TO TITAN RELOADING - WE AIM TO PLEASE

Looking for Lee Reloading Supplies? Titan Reloading is a Master Distributor of Lee Precision reloading equipment & supplies. Call 262.397.8819 to learn more.

www.titanreloading.com

WELCOME TO TITAN RELOADING - WE AIM TO PLEASE

Looking for Lee Reloading Supplies? Titan Reloading is a Master Distributor of Lee Precision reloading equipment & supplies. Call 262.397.8819 to learn more.

www.titanreloading.com

Lee turret press parts for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for Lee turret press parts at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

.

There's very little on ebay specifically for the three hole.

 

[ballman6711]

Well it looks like it's got everything it needs except a turret to run in manual indexing mode with off-press priming. Midway USA has the turrets for about $15.

That's what I was thinking as well, and I have found the 3 hole turret there and a couple of other places.

Does the ball detent on the turret ring look OK? If pressed in with a finger, does it pop back out?

Yes to both. I was concerned with the ram being a bit sticky that the detent ball might be too, but to my surprise it wasn't.

In addition, there should be a wire spring to keep the shellholder in place (can't see if it's there in the photo). If it's missing, something can probably be cobbled together to get the press going.

It's there but I haven't tried to put a shell holder in it yet. I see no reason it won't work.

… just buy some newer 4-hole turrets for it and RELOAD for it brother! That’s all I use for my reloads, rifle or pistol!

I thought about that, but the 4 hole turrets won't fit without an adapter kit (8 lugs vs. 6 lugs) and the adapter kits are also discontinued.

chris

 

[ballman6711]

Since it looks like all it will need is a turret head to be useable, I think I'll just order one (or maybe a couple) and see how it goes. For $15 + shipping it's worth it to me to get it set up. I can prime off press, or I can prime on my other press like I normally do now.

Thanks everyone.

chris

 

[Show Me]

Brings back memories. That handle looks like a mold handle

 

[Show Me]

… just buy some newer 4-hole turrets for it and RELOAD for it brother! That’s all I use for my reloads, rifle or pistol!

Need the new turret ring. Just counted up 7 three hole stacked up and dusty

 

[Show Me]

Lee Three Hole Turret Press Index Adjustment

Lee Three Hole Turret Press Index Adjustment

www.youtube.com

My two doesn't but my 1994 instructions shows it as an option. Still it's old stuff. Obsolete I suppose. We were on a party line still.

 

[Lafitte]

Looks like you need to ask Pop if he has some more parts for that press. Take a look at the Lee web site, they have a lot of information about their pressed and operation of them.
Lafitte

 

[Show Me]

Since it looks like all it will need is a turret head to be useable, I think I'll just order one (or maybe a couple) and see how it goes. For $15 + shipping it's worth it to me to get it set up. I can prime off press, or I can prime on my other press like I normally do now.

Thanks everyone.

chris

Thank you for the story

 

[ballman6711]

Looks like you need to ask Pop if he has some more parts for that press.

You're probably right, but if you saw his basement you might hesitate.

I will say that the press is in very good shape except for the missing bits. I'm sure he has them somewhere, but where is the 64 million dollar question.

Maybe I can get some better pics and post them for you all to see.

chris

 

[JohnMc]

Still it's old stuff. Obsolete I suppose.

100%

 

[ballman6711]