Busted my first press

[acemedic13]

I was swaging a few bullets with my new dies yesterday when I devastated the linkage on my lee classic. Its my own fault because i was impatient. I have an RCBS just for this but I wanted to "push a few out" just to see how it all worked and see what the bench would hold up to....well......I found out!

My real question here is.... One, how do I order a new linkage? I looked on lee's site and it does not show them. I know they have them because thats how I got this one. Two, what type of bench setup are you seasoned pros using? Thanks for any replies even the " I told ya so's"...Joel

[a.squibload]

Like this?
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...light=lee+part

I was just looking at the Lee site an hour ago, those links sell for $10
but it's on a different Lee site, press parts? Maybe I can find it or you can search this forum (swaging),
memory is not my strong point!

Yep here it is (dang I'm good!):

http://leeprecision.com/xcart/CLASSIC-CAST-PRESS-PARTS/

If that's not the right model just click on the left side.

I ordered the "lever sleeve" just in case, some guys have reported it broke.

[acemedic13]

Thanks squib I really appreciate the resource. I just did this last night and did not have the chance to really get down to some serious googling yet. Whats even worse here...is that it took two people to actually break the press and bench. My hand is way to weak to get that handled by myself......But...With a bit of teamwork...... We got it done!

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I'd like to see photos of the broken parts.

If your press is less than two years old and you
have a receipt, they will replace the parts for free.
Call them.

I use a medium sized electric wire spool for a reloading bench
and I use it for swaging also (I've re-enforced it).
Jon

[BT Sniper]

Joel let us know if you find a extra one. If not I have one.

Watch that pressure. Shouldn't take that much. Measure the rim of the formed bullet. When the rim just starts to swell above it's standard size you are good! Make sure that brass is annealed and use as soft as lead as possible. Also watch the combined weights of the bullets to try and keep them as consitant as possible. A heavy combination of core and jacket will cause a lot more pressure when formed in a die that is set up for a lighter combination. You don't always need to go all the way to the top of the stroke of the press either. Stop when you "feel" you have applied enough pressure will always work.

After all that let me know if you have any questions.

How did the few bullets you made look?

BT

[a.squibload]

No problem Ace, I needed something to do last night.
Next time try a long pipe on the press handle!

Good lookin' table there JonB.

I wonder if I'm overdoing it? My first batch of 40s (not BT's samples)
all came out at .400 at the rim BUT they took a lot of force on the LCC handle.
Of course I'm not that heavy (lie detector should go off right now).
Some of 'em didn't want to come back out of the die, when they popped loose
stuff came falling off the shelves on the back of my table.
I'm thinking of storing lead on the table for ballast, or bolting it to the wall.

Anyway I need to cast more cores. Using stickon WWs with trimmed and annealed 9mm cases.

Considered making new links of steel to move the hole for more leverage,
read here that the links are not very machinable. Also ordered the "lever sleeve" last night,
just in case.

Oh yeah, think gas is expensive? Finally got some castor oil to mix with lanolin,
$5.79 / 4oz bottle! Walgreens.
I forget the ratio, will search...

[ANeat]

Squib I drilled out my links for less travel/more leverage. The material is some kind of casting or MIM material. It drills Ok but you just get powder out, no chips to speak of like you get from "steel"

What swaging I did on the Lee its (the links) held up fine.

I also eliminated the shoulder bolt/pivot and just use a push pin. Much easier to swap around.
Its not a swage press in my opinion but it is an improvement over "stock"

[Jailer]

ANeat did you get any binding in the linkage with that setup? Mine started binding a bit right before I broke the linkage. I'm guessing it was way too much pressure on the handle because it looked a bit out of round and worn on the broken end.

My buddy is working on my replacement linkage pieces as we speak. Might just have to drill them and add a pin as you did.

[ANeat]

No binding, its as smooth as original, just less travel and more leverage.

As brittle as the material is it seems like a matter of time before something breaks if youre doing a lot of swaging

[a.squibload]

Aneat:
Saw your pics in another thread, looks good.
Pins - great idea.

Jailer:
Did your friend have an idea about the serrations/bumps at the handle end of the links?
Not important?
I thought about how to provide "traction" at that point without a mill.
Almost anything I came up with would weaken the link.
Maybe just radial scratches with grinder or coarse sandpaper.

Don't forget lubrication! Couple drops of oil at least.
With a pin like Aneat's it would be easier to get some grease in there.

[Knight Templar]

Hi,
My bench plans came from the Handloaders manual of cartridge conversions. It's easy to build with very little cutting and stout enough to hold a vice for barrel removal. I also added 2 shelves under it to hold ammo cans which help to hold it down and give it mass.