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.