Broke Lee Classic Cast

[clodhopper]

Was sizing 380 auto cases down to 356, for use as jackets to make some .357 bullets. The cases were difficult sizing, it took two hands on the leaver to push them through the die.

A sharp crack rang out, fragments were bouncing, and the press leaver left the press and was still in my hand. Looking for the problem, the die was okay, ram and punch okay, frame, solid as ever.

Looking down the press the leaver sleeve was missing. Looking around among the containers of brass, most the parts were right there.

Made from powdered steel the part might not be up to swaging. Lees web site show that part first on their parts page, sells it for 4 dollars. Heck they probably would replace it, but its made from powdered metal.

Looking around the garage, I found a piece of 1" iron pipe, the outside diameter was close enough. Chucked it in the lathe, it was not very good going the metal was soft and gummed up the parting tool a few times. After getting a clean cut. the inside diameter was too big.

Rummaging around I found an old shaft, rusty. a few short slots for woodruff keys, one end mushroomed.


That ugly old shaft machined up nicely.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Nice fix!

[Oily]

How many did you(swage) before it broke? Was this derimming at the same time?

[clodhopper]

I'm not done fixing it yet, I need to cut 48 little notches on one end, and a 5/8 half round on the other end.

I have been using this press for few years, have sized about 5000 9mm cases to 30 caliber jackets, five steps each. Maybe 1500 9mm to .357 jackets, at two step each. maybe 800 .380 to .357 jackets. It also has been handling regular reloading duty.

Replaced the original hollow steel leaver with a stainless steel rod a couple years ago. This press has earned a few new parts.

Not much of a rim on .380

[Sig556r]

Try checking with Lee if they still stock that part, if so, they'll send you one, just pay for shipping (which ain't cheap).

[clodhopper]

Try checking with Lee if they still stock that part, if so, they'll send you one, just pay for shipping (which ain't cheap).

Lee's replacement part is made from powdered metal, 100 percent suitable for reloading.
Brittle and not quite up to the heavy sizing I have been using the press for.

[Conditor22]

Send the broken part to lee using the cheapest method you can and they will send you the replacement part for free (they used to)

[Sig556r]

Send the broken part to lee using the cheapest method you can and they will send you the replacement part for free (they used to)

No need to send broken parts, just email/call them & they'll take care of you. If they carry it in their website (under parts) you can put in in your cart & just pay shipping

[Hickory]

You might want to think about annealing your 380 brass before taking up swaging them again.

[BT Sniper]

Seen that part break before, I think it is one of the design fail safes, it breaks befor damage to rest of press or dies.

All though I've never broken one or any other part of Lee classic. I do recommend using grade 8 replacement bolt that holds the handle together.

Yes Lee would replace it for free but what fun is that

Sewage on

[BT Sniper]

I wonder if you could cut only 4-6 grooves rather then the 48? Match it to the other of course.....

[clodhopper]

Here's my notches, CNC mill wasn't too worried about 48 of them.

Hickory, I might have to anneal them again, they sat around in an open box for several months, any ole .380 floating around could have landed in there.
Some were pretty tough to get through.
Like the one that broke collar sleeve.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Seen that part break before, I think it is one of the design fail safes, it breaks befor damage to rest of press or dies.

All though I've never broken one or any other part of Lee classic. I do recommend using grade 8 replacement bolt that holds the handle together.

Yes Lee would replace it for free but what fun is that

Sewage on

Brian beat me to it.
I believe Lee has that in their design as "THE" weak link.
I've never broken one either, but have seen/heard of several others breaking them...I have ordered a spare or two, just to have them laying around. (I have two Lee Classic Cast single stage presses as well as a LCT).
~~~~

clodhopper, be careful with your new improved "Link" that isn't so weak.

[Hamish]

A little case lube maybe?

It's amazing just how much the Lee stuff can handle.

[Conditor22]

No need to send broken parts, just email/call them & they'll take care of you. If they carry it in their website (under parts) you can put in in your cart & just pay shipping

You can ship the item(s) to them much cheaper than they charge shipping and handling when you get them free online to ship it back.

If you live near them and bring in the broken part they will replace for free.

[nun2kute]

Now I know who to call if I break one of mine !

[clodhopper]

Weak link... Dose my walnut hill have one? either of my CSPIIs, Rockchucker, Redding C frame?

Thanks for the warning guys, but if it bites, I will man up and buy my own band aid.

[Traffer]

I broke the same part on my Lee Classic Cast about 2 years ago. Lee sent me a new one for the cost of shipping... About $5.
As someone else suggested, use CASE LUBE. You would be absolutely amazed at how well it works. I have some full case resizing dies made for using a hammer. Without case lube one would swear the case would never fit into one. But with lube PRESTO like magic they work. You can make your own case lube with Lanolin and alcohol or like me lanolin and a little canola oil.

[Traffer]

Lee's replacement part is made from powdered metal, 100 percent suitable for reloading.
Brittle and not quite up to the heavy sizing I have been using the press for.

The replacement one they sent me is much better than the original that I broke. The one I broke was brittle and grainy like some kind of cast iron. I think the trick is to not torque the bolt that holds it in too tight. I broke mine while tightening with a 14" adjustable wrench.

[clodhopper]

Yes I have been using case lube, castor oil applied via stamp pad.
The case lube comment was written in purple so I just took it as a fun little poke of obvious.