What to check in a used Lee Pro 1000?

[- J -]

Folks,

I've been offered a used Lee Pro 1000 as the subject states. The owner swears by it, so much that he has bought another Lee Pro 1000, the very same model, and he's selling the old one.

He claims that it's in very good condition, but I don't feel entirely confident (why replace it if it's doing so well?). However the price is good, and I'd like to check it out before I discard it.

But due to my reloading newbieness, I don't know what I should be looking for! Are there known failures/tears & wears in Pro 1000s that I could easily spot?


Your help will be greately appreciated!

 

[John C]

How much is the guy asking? New, these things are like $130.

I have no intent to bash, but these presses have a reputation of not working when the plastic friction parts are worn. This mostly affects the priming system. If the price is right, in the worst case you can use the press as a turret press. It will come with dies, which are worth $25, and powder measure which is worth $25.

-John

 

[bfox]

Don't really know what to tell you to look for but
if you buy it see if he can help you start out .
The hex ratchets that make the turret rotate wear out once in a while
they are only like 2 for $1 . Maybe he could throw in a couple .
About half what they cost wouldn't be to bad a price .
Let us know if you buy it .

Good Luck , Bill

 

[Roccobro]

Tagging this thread as I'm in the same boat as -J-. I'm being given one that was given to a co-worker/friend about 15 years ago and never used. I want a Dillon 650 but maybe just learning on this will be a good start.

Justin

 

[evan price]

First, make sure it has all the parts. Or at least, all the parts you will needto load what you want to load.

Here's a great photo guide to assembly and disassembly:

http://members.fortunecity.com/leepro1000/


I just started reloading and now I discovered I can get Pro-1000's cheap from people who are moving up to Dillons. Get 'em home, clean 'em up, get all the parts in order, and I can sell them for decent cash. Nearly every part in itself is dirt cheap & easy to replace.

Problems I see:
1. Index system out of adjustment- usually a bad plastic hex bushing under the carrier. About $.33 each IIRC.

2. Shellplate Carrier: damaged casting- usually means a new carrier. Lee prices a bare carrier at $22 IIRC but you can often buy a complete setup carrier with a shellpalte of your choice for $40 shipped by shopping around.
a. I see the case feed slide rail gouged or nicked from mishandling or abuse. You can file down small gouges but big ones cause the slider to stick or not go full travel. Epoxy may help for patching but bad enough damage = scrap carrier.
b. Primer punch pocket will crack where the slot is cut for the spring clip for the case-detected primer feed. The bottom of the pocket literally cracks off and is gone. No easy way to fix this; I've tried custom spring clips with limited success. Usually = scrap carrier.
c. Slot for wire "finished shell guide" can get damaged by cases with half-pressed primers failing to eject at the ramp and trying to continue around again, and it pushes the spring guide out of the slot; repeated times will erode the slot so the wire spring can't put any pressure on the finished shell wihtout popping out of the slot. Repair = take a Dremel and deepen the slot to fit the wire spring in better.
d. Ram socket in bottom of carrier boogered up by forcing it on or off the ram. May repair with a file, and if carrier is never needed to be removed, can be epoxy repaired and clamped on. Otherwise = scrap carrier.

3. Primer Feed- plastic chute busted, flip tray busted, wire "vibrator" gets broken or worn out, etc. Solution: Replace with a new Pro-1000 primer feed set for about $10 includes large and small chutes and pins, new flip tray, and a nice case to keep it in.

4. Index transfer rod gets burred or damaged- usually mishandling- replace bar.

5. Turret plate cracked/stripped- replace turret plate.

6. Ram gets primer residue or crud in it and gouges the ram- if it is cosmetic only, no problem, clean it up with brake cleaner, apply a coat of light grease or oil, and run it a few times to distribute. If the ram is still tight you are good to go. IF the ram wobbles, the press base is worn out or the ram is worn out, usually not cost effective to repair = scrap unit and strip parts.

 

[wally]

IMHO best bet is have him demonstrate it in operation.

I can't see someone buying a new version of the same press if the original is still working. Makes close to zero sense -- unless he's rich and you're poor and he wants to help you out. I'd keep one setup for small primers and the other for large to minimize the futzing around when changing calibers.

--wally.

 

[- J -]

Thank you all for your messages!

I neglected to include in my profile that I'm in Argentina, and when taking into account shipping and customs costs, plus intermediaries (local stores), our prices go double, triple, or more. The Pro 1000 is being sold here at $480 (US$) new, and this guy is asking for half that price.

For reference, the Dillon 550b is marked $695 dollars here, and the Square Deal B $560.

 

[ShunZu]

I've had a 1000 for over 15 years. When it was new I used it alot... but I always had a problem making it behave when priming. As it "broke in", it started seating primers upside-down -- NOT a good thing. I eventually used it only for .38's, then retired it to a single-stage press because it just wouldn't work properly in progressive mode. I was wasting too much brass and got tired of pulling bullets. Just one story. Good luck with your decision.

 

[John C]

J;

Argentina? Hola, che.

How much does a lee turret press cost in Argentina? The reason I'm asking is that the real risk you face is that the press won't work, which seems to be the case, or why is the guy shelling out the money to buy a new one? If it doesn't work, you basically have a turret press. Don't get me wrong, Lee turret presses are great, and potentially a step up in your reloading.

Since parts availability will be slow and expensive, you probably won't be able to renovate this press on the cheap as others have done.

-John

 

[John C]

One more thing. I find it interesting that the relative prices of presses is much different in Argentina. Here, a Dillon SDB is $319 and Pro 1000 is like $130. There, it's $560 and $480. For an extra ~15%, Dillon is very attractive, especially when you're at the end of long supply chain.

-John

 

[Hook686]

I think having the guy run 30-50 through the press is a good idea. My 1000 does fine with 9mm and .30 Carbine (rimless automatic rounds ... no roll crimp needed). With this usage, the three die Pro 1000 works well enough. However I seldom get more than 20-25 loaded and I get a malfunction. Typically it is the primer feed/seating. This is really a "not fun thing" to correct ... I spill more powder and primers dissassembling the press to fix the problem.

I can see your position, with a press being offered you for about $240 USD ... quite a bit lower than the next closest $480. However, if you have a problem, and you most likely will, even with a new Pro 1000, I imagine it will be difficult to get parts to repair. Starting with a Pro 1000 might just be a pain in the backside you just don't need.

Maybe start with the Lee Hand Press and a set of your favorite dies.

 

[Phil A]

Thank you all for your messages!

I neglected to include in my profile that I'm in Argentina, and when taking into account shipping and customs costs, plus intermediaries (local stores), our prices go double, triple, or more. The Pro 1000 is being sold here at $480 (US$) new, and this guy is asking for half that price.

For reference, the Dillon 550b is marked $695 dollars here, and the Square Deal B $560.

I have a Pro1000 that I tolerate only because it was $119 (new) at the time. Look for a LEE turret press if you can get one at a reasonable cost. The 550 is the best value of the three new presses that you listed. - Phil

 

[jfh]

I think the responses to date have covered the issues to look at, - J - . To which I would only add, unless you are shooting a lot, a new Classic Cast Turret might be a better press overall. The 4-die configuration is an important advance for Lee products, and it is well worth it.

How much is a Classic Cast Turret for you? How would that pricing fit into your consideration of this used press?

Jim H.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

make sure nothing on it floats. that way you wont get in trouble when you throw it in the lake!

 

[- J -]

The Lee Turret is $250 here, plus powder dispenser, plus dies.

I want to thank you all for your assistance and attention, entering the world of reloading is deffinitely not a simple task!


Julian

PS: I might end up buying the Dillon... it's over three times my intended budget, but eventually it will pay itself...

 

[RustyFN]

PS: I might end up buying the Dillon... it's over three times my intended budget, but eventually it will pay itself...

If you shoot a lot the press can pay for itself very quickly. I bought the Lee classic turret with everything I needed for $200. It payed for itself in a few months just loading 9mm. I can't believe how expensive the presses are where you live.
Rusty

 

[- J -]

I intend to start IPSC, that's my motivation for reloading but I don't know how much I'd be shooting for sure... either way it's a lot of money spent


Regarding costs and overprices, we have to pay shipping across almost 9,000 miles... plus 50% customs taxes... plus reseller's profit (and why not a little bit of abuse too, since importing firearms related stuff is not simple here).

 

[woodfiler]

been there

I went the Lee Pro 1000 route and i have coffee cans full or rejects to prove
it.. I need to spend some time with a hammer and take them apart.

If the Dillon is close in price as i saw in your post go for it... the folks at
Dillon will get you where you want to go.

I own a xl650 with casefeeder and will not look back...

There is enough of us her to get you thru most any problems you might
encounter....

Don't spend money twice like i did....

wood

 

[jfh]

the more I think about your predicament, -J-,

I would be leery of buying that used Pro 1000. The reason is simply because, given the prices / costs in your area, it really may be worn out--partially, or wholly, in certain areas of the press.

It is one thing to replace spring clip because it is worn out, or to replace / rotate the right rear post if it is too worn down to vibrate--but it is another thing to buy all the parts for the carrier, and so on, even if your local retailers carry a complete parts inventory for it.

Replacement parts for them here in the US are inexpensive, and maybe you could order direct from Lee--is that possible for you, without undue hassle?

If you really want to pursue this route--i.e., the used Pro 1000, I would ask for a demonstration by the seller. Buy the components to make up a minimum of 100 cartridges, and watch him make them.

If he has trouble dispensing primers, then it may simply need cleaning. If the indexing is bad--then it may just need cleaning or a carrier ratchet rebuild. Neither are really a problem--but if it is significantly worn, then you could be "fived-and-tenned to death."

It is strictly speculation on my part, but I suspect Lee is not too far away from producing a progressive version of the Classic Cast--so, you would have an upgrade path there. Unless money is not an issue, I don't think you have to leap directly into Dillon equipment.

The other variable in owning Lee gear is that you have to want to be a tool-user and trouble-shooter; they do take tweaking. If you are the right kind of owner, that's part of the deal and fun. That characteristic of Lee gear is the reason you can find used Lee gear that is 1) just fine, but needs some tuning, or 2) worn out.

Take a good look at the Classic cast. With it, you can comfortably load 180 rounds per hour once you get running smoothly. Just how serious are you about IPSC? Are you going to shoot 1K rounds a week? 1 K a month?

Jim H.

 

[John C]

J:

Okay, if a Lee turret press is $250, then you have to add dies and powder measure, then I would consider the Lee Pro 1000. Even if everything is wrong with it, you can still load on it as turret press, one round for every 4 pulls of the handle. Plus, the used Pro 1000 comes with dies and powder measure. Lee dies are excellent, and I've heard good things about the disc operated powder measure. (I have a Lee Perfect Powder measure, and it works great)

I'd offer the guy $200 even for the whole thing. Assuming the dies and powder measure are worth $80-100 on their own, you're still doing well.

I think the important thing is to assess how technical you are, and adjust your expectations such that you may end up with a turret press.

-John

 

[- J -]

Jeez, I feel like a woman shopping. I like to hunt when shopping: see prey, go for it, take it, pay and exit the premises. Taking care of little details, discriminating, choosing and picking the best fruits and roots is gatherer's work

The more I research, the more I turn blue. Money doesn't grow in the trees but I can afford Dillon (I just try to cut costs down... I'll sell a thing or two that I'm not using [not guns])... and I can work around tools and problems but I'm not a natural born mechanic.

Once again I want to thank you all for your excellent advice and attitude. Quite often the gun world appears to be full of elitist people who despise and make fun of new guys who don't know/have as much as they do. It's good to see that the internet is providing the good people a tool to spread their helpful nature, and this can only provide a much needed boost to the activity.

Thank you THR!