What is wrong with my Lee expanding die?

[kingmt]

I guess I'm dumb to this new design that jerks the table & wears brass out. My Lee dies must be defective because they don't do ether. The expander does float which would give a tap as it reaches the bottom of the die. Seems that was what the statement was saying. Then again maybe I just don't know how to set them up to get that added feature. I thought you should adjust them to get just enough expansion to get the bullet in.

Why does everyone blame there tools instead of learning how to use them.

 

[GT1]

Mine don't jerk anything nor do they wear any brass. There is just a light thump as the case is pulled away. My Dillon funnel expanders do the same as they are free-floating inside the tube also.

 

[kingmt]

GT1

We must have got a bad run.

 

[rfwobbly]

If the engineer tells me that it is an added precaution to help guard against squib loads in one case and an overcharge in another, and if it makes sense then i believe him.

But first I think you need to find out who was telling you that information: Mr Lee the engineer, or Mr Lee the salesman ?


Just an observation: Dillon also uses the "powder through" setup. The Dillon expanders I have are all polished to a mirror finish.

 

[higgite]

Next time ask the engineer if it's a patented feature. If so, and if it's a desirable feature, that would explain why other manufacturers don't do it. If it's not patented, then it would be interesting to hear the explanation of why one manufacturer feels the need to do it and nobody else in the world does.

 

[dickttx]

I got the bad ones too. All six of my handgun calibers just work.

 

[kingmt]

Lee says it floats & it taping the bottom of the die shakes the powder lose. I wish people would learn to read before passing misinformation around.

 

[Uniquedot]

Just an observation: Dillon also uses the "powder through" setup. The Dillon expanders I have are all polished to a mirror finish.
____________

And it doesn't take a highly skilled engineer to figure out that if you are polishing the inside and outside of the funnel mirror smooth that there is no need for the grabbing of the funnel to shake the powder through. All the usage you can muster isn't going to graphite the rough internal surface of the Lee expander, but Lee isn't charging you for a highly finished part either so the grabbing is necessary to insure the powder doesn't stick to the insides of the rough expander. I would assume that the user would be able to realize if the grabbing was too extreme and if so he/she could send it in for repair or break out a little elbow grease. Heck a lot of responders to this thread are so smart that they can read the mind of Richard Lee. They know that he said one thing when he meant another.

 

[GT1]

I'll give credit to the reloaders, they are passionate about their craft.

If things work, fine, if they don't, get 'em repaired or replaced if you can't, change manufacturer. Whatever gives you zen.

Be safe, be happy.

 

[bbuddtec]

Reloading is zen, hehe, I feel like I'm doing some sort of sitting Tai Chi when I'm feeding my single stage.

 

[zhd]

I'll give credit to the reloaders, they are passionate about their craft.

If things work, fine, if they don't, get 'em repaired or replaced if you can't, change manufacturer. Whatever gives you zen.

Be safe, be happy.

I have a Lee Pro 1000 in .45 ACP. I had to tweak the hell out of it to get to work smooth enough for my liking. As of now it runs fine and I can deal with all the little quirks for the price. But I will never buy another one. Dillion will be my next venture. You get what you pay for...Cheap aint good and good aint cheap.

 

[kingmt]

I have a Lee Pro 1000 in .45 ACP. I had to tweak the hell out of it to get to work smooth enough for my liking. As of now it runs fine and I can deal with all the little quirks for the price. But I will never buy another one. Dillion will be my next venture. You get what you pay for...Cheap aint good and good aint cheap.

Just because you pay more doesn't mean you get more. So make sure you get what you pay for.

Why pay more for less. Just because there is a Craftsman sticker on a MTD that cost a few hundred more then the MTD at Walmart doesn't mean it is better.

I read about more problems with Dillon then I do with Lee & I doubt that is because there is more of them. When I read about a Hornady or Dillon problem the threads normally have all the posters saying they have the same problem or don't use that function. When a problem with a Lee tool is posted We try to teach the person how to use there tools if the Na Sayers would stay out of the way.

So would you like me to help you learn your press or do you want me to just wait until your kicking your Dillon to laugh at you?

I'm not bashing Dillon & have never used one of there tools. I have used only Hornady, RCBS, Lee, & a few others. I have picked Lee over the others. Not only because of price but operation. I am replacing other brands with Lee.

 

[kingmt]

I forgot about the problem with the Redding die. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=655087&p=8110197#post8110197

Does that make Redding junk? Maybe they should cost more so it will work better.

I've never used Redding ether so I can't say.

 

[bbooker]

We all get that you have a hard on for Lee, but seriously, get something better than that MTD. And yes, sometimes you do get what you pay for.

 

[zhd]

Just because you pay more doesn't mean you get more. So make sure you get what you pay for.

True, and with a Lee you get what you pay for.

Just because there is a Craftsman sticker on a MTD that cost a few hundred more then the MTD at Walmart doesn't mean it is better.

True but a Craftsman has a lifetime warranty, the MTD will quit in 3 years and you will have to buy another.

I read about more problems with Dillon then I do with Lee

Prove it

I'm not bashing Dillon & have never used one of there tools

Here's the problem, you can't compare a Dillion to a Lee. YOU'VE NEVER USED A DILLION. I have a Lee and have used a Dillion and let me tell you the difference is more than noticeable. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings about your Lee press, sorry you are so sensitive to that, but then again Lee presses are very sensitve as well. Look pal I own a Lee Pro 1000, it was given to me and it works fine, I have loaded thousands of rounds on it and figured out all the little nuances that goes along with any press, especially this one. I have also had a chance to load on a Dillion 650 and was blown away by the difference. I can assure you to those who can afford the Dillion it is well worth the investment, and for those who cannot (myself included) a Lee will do the same job, it will just take a different route to get there. Try a Dillion out and then repost, I think your feelings will change. For the record, I like my Lee cause it's what I got now.

 

[kingmt]

A Craftsman lawn mower is a MTD & there is no lifetime warranty.

You didn't hurt me. How could you I don't even know you.

I do like all of my Lee presses & all my other Lee tools. I'm no snob tho, I have a LNL AP & a RCBS press also along with other tools. The Lee presses are just better except for paint. I don't have a flaw in my Pro1000, Load Master, or Classic Cast. I believe the paint may be a weak spot but it hasn't came off yet ether.

The only reason I even care to post back to your comments is to put out the truth that there is good tools out there that can be afforded by most people.

As far as proving Dillon has just as many or more problems you can do your own search. I read these threads all the time. Why should I do all the work for you. You won't find as many threads but when you read one you will see the same problems repeated over & over. You also know how hard it is for someone to tell other people there Jag is in the shop again.

Most of the problems with the Lee tools is from new loaders that don't know how to use the tools but the bashers have to come in & trash the threads while those of us that know how to use them are trying to teach.

I have no need for a Dillon because my Lee is without problems. If I was offered a chance to load a few hundred rounds I'd try it but I'm not looking for one. I'll keep my Ford you have fun with you Jag. I'll enjoy all 3 of my fords that was the price of your one Jag.

I just spent $700 on a huge box of Lee tools just because I wanted them & my wife keep telling me to get them. I think a Dillon would have been in my means if I wanted one.

I'm also very cheap so I don't like buying something that I have to replace. I'd switch to all Lee dies if I wasn't to cheap to replace the RCBS dies that work fine.

Wow. Way to much typeing to do on a phone.

 

[zhd]

The Lee presses are just better except for paint. I believe the paint may be a weak spot but it hasn't came off yet ether.

I could care less about the color....I'm more about functionality.

As far as proving Dillon has just as many or more problems you can do your own search.

Guess you can't prove it...

You won't find as many threads but when you read one you will see the same problems repeated over & over.

As many as what? Lee? HA.

You also know how hard it is for someone to tell other people there Jag is in the shop again.

I would consider a JAG to be along the lines of a LEE myself

Most of the problems with the Lee tools is from new loaders that don't know how to use the tools

I totally agree with you on this point only

If I was offered a chance to load a few hundred rounds I'd try it but I'm not looking for one.

You would be after loading a few hunderd rounds, I garuntee.

I'll keep my Ford

Theres the problem...You need a CHEVY!!!!

 

[kingmt]

I'm talking about color. I like Red but the paint itself isn't the quality or doesn't appear to be as nice as the RCBS or the Hornady.

I made my living for better then 10 years working on autos. I would have a Yugo before a Jag myself. I hated working on those things along with Benz & other over priced cars. I would have to say ether Honda or VW was the best engineered. VW was well engineered not best car. Kia is one nice car for the money except for a few models. I agree if you look at Ford as a whole there not that great but most of my picks come from the ford line. I like a few from the Chevy line. I worked for Toyota in production & I wouldn't own one now.

I just can't see where there would be any gain by spending more money on a Dillon since my Lee runs without problems. I set down & crack out a mag in 5 minutes. I could do 100 in not much more if I want & I don't run a press very fast. Some things I like to run differnt & make a mod but that would be with any press. I don't like my LNL powder measure at all & got a Pro Disk for the LNL AP press. Still undecided if I like that press.

My Pro1000 runs just as good as my Load Master. I don't have the problems that others post. I'm not crazy about the hand press but still impressed what it can do.

Like I said I'm not going to do the work of tracking down threads when you can do a search as easy as I can.

 

[dickttx]

I believe it is insecurity that leads people to jump on Lee threads and talk about them being junk compared to their Dillons. If I paid more for a caliber change than for an entire loading setup I would try to justify it too.
Don't know why they are even reading the Lee threads.

 

[USSR]

I forgot about the problem with the Redding die. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...97#post8110197

Actually, the only problem with the Redding die was, he was missing part of the die.

Don

 

[kingmt]

That was my point. A newbie that just need some instruction. It is the same thing with the Lee tools.

 

[Lost Sheep]

A Craftsman lawn mower is a MTD & there is no lifetime warranty.

And the warranty is what makes it worth the higher price (if you think it is worth it).

As far as proving Dillon has just as many or more problems you can do your own search. I read these threads all the time. Why should I do all the work for you. You won't find as many threads but when you read one you will see the same problems repeated over & over. You also know how hard it is for someone to tell other people there Jag is in the shop again.

I read a lot of these threads and find very few complaints about Dillon, but really, when someone asserts a something as fact, it is usually up to the claimant to provide his evidence, isn't it?

Most of the problems with the Lee tools is from new loaders that don't know how to use the tools but the bashers have to come in & trash the threads while those of us that know how to use them are trying to teach.

I think that a lot of people just think it is good sport to bash Lee. I don't have any evidence for that opinion, but it just seems to be the only explanation that doesn't involve envy

Check these two threads
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481812
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481894

Lost Sheep

 

[Walkalong]

Actually, the only problem with the Redding die was, he was missing part of the die.

Yep, bushing dies won't work without bushings.

Some people mistake someones having a less that glowing opinion of a Lee product as bashing, and get upset and defensive. Stating that some Lee expanders are machined very rough and need polishing is a fact, not bashing. Polish them and they work fine. Actually, they work fine as they are, they just tend to grab the brass and jerk when pulled out.

 

[kingmt]

Lost sheep

There is no more warranty on the Craftsman mower then the one at Walmart. Actually Walmart will take it back if your not happy. They will even if you hit a stump & trash it. I have seen it. Sorry I have no proof I can post on here since I'm stating it as fact but your welcome to come see my zero turn mower that had one hour on it & I got it for less then half of there retail price.

I don't see anyone else offering proof to there claims. I'm just offering the knowledge. If you want to take it as truth without proving it to yourself, if you want to not believe without checking, or you want to search for your self. I don't care.

I would rather be helping the guy with the problem not doing thread searches. I haven't heard from him in a while tho so I assume he got it fixed.

Walkalong

Maybe they did need polished but the OP never told us. I believe he was just using it wrong. If someone is asking for help what good does it do to tell them you don't like there tool?

I don't care for my LNL AP so far but I don't bash it ether. I'll ether learn it & enjoy it or get rid of it.

 

[blarby]

if the Na Sayers would stay out of the way.

The truth, she's pretty sometimes.........