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Thread: Lee C press repair

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub AlexAkai's Avatar
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    Lee C press repair

    The rear foot of my Lee press broke off due to too much flex in my reloading bench. Not wanting to return it or throw it away, I improvised a repair by drilling a 1/4 hole through the base and added a 1/4 threaded rod through the hole. Then used to eye bolts to bolt it to the bench and secured them with washers. It works and feels stronger than before, the biggest complaint I have seen against this press is the rear foot breaking off, not Lee's fault, just dumb customers like myself.
    Attachment 205444
    Attachment 205445

    AlexAkai

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

    pworley1's Avatar
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    No need to get rid of a good press.
    NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Won't Lee replace it for you????
    I remember they had a lifetime replacement warranty before.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

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    If you put a small block of wood under the outside of the threaded rod ( same height as the press base) then tighten it up it will be much more solid. a 1" piece of dowel rod cut to the right length will support the outside end and allow for more down force on the press.

  5. #5
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    Eddie17's Avatar
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    You may be able to just reguest the base from Lee in an email. Not familiar with the press so not sure if, as a consumer you are able to disamble.
    I do know Titanreloading has Pro 1000 bases advaible very cheap, maybe the same for your press.

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy Mike Kerr's Avatar
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    Pretty Durn clever repair.

    If you go back about 20 years in the late 90's those C frame Lee Reloader presses were less than $20 (about 16-18 bucks on specials). Sometimes you could get a special with a Richard Lee reloading book as part of the deal. They have always been handy for extra steps in the loading process or for light duties where not a lot of pressure on the press was required. I love em because they have such open shell holder access with a wobbly ram upstroke for good measure. They were really a good buy for the dollars and a handy tool even if their weakness of a pot metal base led to experiences like yours. They have never been a primary or main press as you discovered BUT your repair gives a reasonably cheap fix to their weakness.

    Now that the durn things run double their old price plus shipping it is good to see a repair that appears strong and cheap to keep the press working. Kudos to you because I think you can breathe life back into a useful tool for low cost.
    regards,


  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy Mike Kerr's Avatar
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    "Won't Lee replace it for you????
    I remember they had a lifetime replacement warranty before.
    "

    When was that?? Lee's warranty time was never more than 2 years even as long ago as the mid 80's. IIRC
    regards,


  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy Mike Kerr's Avatar
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    Eddie 17 wrote:

    I do know Titanreloading has Pro 1000 bases advaible very cheap, maybe the same for your press.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Titan is great as a source and for customer service but the Pro 1000 base may be the only one they have available.
    regards,


  9. #9
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    TNsailorman's Avatar
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    The original Lee Company did offer a life time limited warranty subject to an abuse clause ; at least that is my memory. They replaced a couple of depriming rods for the Lee Loaders of the early 60's for me when I broke the decapping pins out of them on military brass crimped in primers. But the new Lee only offers a 2 year warranty and you had better keep your sales receipt. At the price they sale most of their equipment they could not afford to offer a life time warranty and still stay in business. Lifetime and unlimited warranties are very expensive for a company, I know, I worked in a position in a manufacturing company that had an unlimited warranty on their products and I could see the figures on the financial records.

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy Johnny_Cyclone's Avatar
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    https://www.titanreloading.com/lee-p...-press-casting

    Product Code: CF2086
    Availability: In Stock

    I'm not sure if it'll be the newer Breech Lock frame or the older Thread in frame. Looks like thread in, but.. could be a file pic and not the actual item.

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy Mike Kerr's Avatar
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    I stand corrected for my information in Post 8. Johnny Cyclone posted some correct information regarding a new base for the press.
    regards,


  12. #12
    Boolit Master




    bruce drake's Avatar
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    Before you commit to anothe C-Press purchase, perhaps a strengthening of your bench might be called for.
    I Cast my Boolits, Therefore I am Happy.
    Bona Fide member of the Jeff Brown Hunt Club

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
    Eddie17's Avatar
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    Thank you! Check with Lee to see your maybe your best option!

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Aww heck. It's working fine. He don't need to pay no attention to all the "hints"...
    My Anchor is holding fast!

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
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    The mounting foot breaking off is not Lee's fault? I have been reloading for 58 years, have owned a dozen or more presses and have never had such a part break. But then, I don't use Lee presses. If this is not a design or manufacturing defect, I don't know what is.

    Good on you, for jury rigging a broken press back to functionality again. Next time buy an RCBS. If one of their products breaks for any reason they will replace it, not matter who owns the tool, when it was made or why it broke.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master Drew P's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Char-Gar View Post
    The mounting foot breaking off is not Lee's fault? I have been reloading for 58 years, have owned a dozen or more presses and have never had such a part break. But then, I don't use Lee presses. If this is not a design or manufacturing defect, I don't know what is.

    Good on you, for jury rigging a broken press back to functionality again. Next time buy an RCBS. If one of their products breaks for any reason they will replace it, not matter who owns the tool, when it was made or why it broke.
    maybe you should try it before knocking it . These are much lighter duty presses, and much less expensive. They might not be up to the tasks that heavier, more expensive presses are, but they are just the ticket for some work. Sounds like he knew it’s limitstions and knowingly exceeded them, thus the acceptance of blame.

    I like mine for decapping, and I’m thinking about trying it with a priming tool sometime.

  17. #17
    Boolit Bub AlexAkai's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Kerr View Post
    Pretty Durn clever repair.

    If you go back about 20 years in the late 90's those C frame Lee Reloader presses were less than $20 (about 16-18 bucks on specials). Sometimes you could get a special with a Richard Lee reloading book as part of the deal. They have always been handy for extra steps in the loading process or for light duties where not a lot of pressure on the press was required. I love em because they have such open shell holder access with a wobbly ram upstroke for good measure. They were really a good buy for the dollars and a handy tool even if their weakness of a pot metal base led to experiences like yours. They have never been a primary or main press as you discovered BUT your repair gives a reasonably cheap fix to their weakness.

    Now that the durn things run double their old price plus shipping it is good to see a repair that appears strong and cheap to keep the press working. Kudos to you because I think you can breathe life back into a useful tool for low cost.
    I actually bought this at the end of the 90's, the kit with a die set for 7.62x54R was about $75, the same I paid for a Mosin

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Drew P View Post
    maybe you should try it before knocking it . These are much lighter duty presses, and much less expensive. They might not be up to the tasks that heavier, more expensive presses are, but they are just the ticket for some work. Sounds like he knew it’s limitstions and knowingly exceeded them, thus the acceptance of blame.

    I like mine for decapping, and I’m thinking about trying it with a priming tool sometime.
    No need for a light bench press. I decap and prime with hand tools, most often a Lyman 310. They are fast and durable made from real steel. Other reloading processes are done with heavy and reliable bench presses.

    The press in question is not sold as a depriming and priming press, it is sold as a reloading press. If it won't do that long term without breaking then it is either a defective design or defective manufacture, both of which is Lee fault.

    I don't think it is knocking anything to point out that Lee does not stand behind what it sells and RCBS does. That is just pure fact. If that offends your Lee sensibilities that is your issue, not mine.
    Last edited by Char-Gar; 10-10-2017 at 02:16 PM.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by AlexAkai View Post
    I actually bought this at the end of the 90's, the kit with a die set for 7.62x54R was about $75, the same I paid for a Mosin
    In 2010, I paid $20.00 for a1950's Pacific Super C. It will prime, deprime, FL size and seat even 375 Holland and Holland ammo and will never break off a mounting foot.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master Drew P's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Char-Gar View Post
    No need for a light bench press. I decap and prime with hand tools, most often a Lyman 310. They are fast and durable made from real steel. Other reloading processes are done with heavy and reliable bench presses.

    The press in question is not sold as a depriming and priming press, it is sold as a reloading press. If it won't do that long term without breaking then it is either a defective design or defective manufacture, both of which is Lee fault.

    I don't think it is knocking anything to point out that Lee does not stand behind what it sells and RCBS does. That is just pure fact. If that offends your Lee sensibilities that is your issue, not mine.
    It’s not my issue, you just don’t get it, yet. But, maybe there is still time for you

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check