Repairing the Older Lee Auto Prime Link

[missionary5155]

Greetings
Doctor Bill showed nicely how to repair a broken handle in a previous post.
As I have repaired the link where the small pivot broke off I decided to show how it was done.
The two attached photos give a pretty good idea what to do.

First I drilled the broke off "pivot" and expoxied two steel rods in it. These are to stabilize the pivot to the arm.
The two rods were then bent to the shape needed so the pivot would sit in the proper place where it broke off and follow the shape of the link arm.
Then pivot and rods were expoxied to the link and permitted to dry 24 hours.
This expoxy was then trimmed as needed so the link would function correctly and without any binding.
Then the pivot area was expoxied on the other side of the link to better support it. Again trim any excess expoxy for free movement.



The first photo shows the two rods expoxied in place. Much more expoxy thickness can be added up from the pivot area.
The second photo shows the link installed after trimming and fitting.

If I was to do it again maybe add a 3rd rod to be attached to the reverse side to add strength for any possible flexing.
Only time will tell how long the fix will last. But just today I used the tool to prime some 38 Special brass. I think as long as the tool is not roughly used the fix will hold as it is generally a straight push along the access of the link.
Why did mine break originally. I was priming some S&B brass and did not notice the primer pockets were not beveled. Guess what is the weak point of the link ????
Mike in Peru.... Where there are no spare complete tools available … let alone parts.

[Bookworm]

Necessity is the mother of inventions.

Good thinking on the repair. I would think that a somewhat larger diameter steel pin would help longevity, but perhaps hinder fitting the rod to the bend of the handle.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I pondered the thicker diameter rods but I chose the ones I did as they are good steel yet they were still flexible enough to make the bends needed. As I used two with the same parallel holes though the pivot I also wondered about weakening that pivot and it splitting.
Sadly that "link" is made out of at best aluminum. Or is it zinc ?

[smithnframe]

Years ago I called Lee and they sent me one! As I recall it arrived in 2 days too!

[missionary5155]

Years ago I bought one from Lee to have a spare. Had to use it up there in ILLinois.
Then down here in LLama Land my link broke and I quickly tired of seating primers with a hammer on a flat steel surface. Should have bought a dozen.
I am considering making one from a chunk of aluminum. As I have a working tool again I have the time off and on. Mild steel would be a forever fix.

[dbosman]

If you have, or have access to, a 3d printer, you can make new links.
STL file is here https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2485585
Some filing or sanding will be necessary.
Many public libraries have 3D printers in "Maker Spaces".
One can print new trays, too.

[Gaseous Maximus]

That's a real neat repair. I am not trying to sound like a smart a-- ,and probably don't fully understand the situation, but Lee, about 25 or so years ago started making that link out of steel.