Lee Mold Warranty Issue

[Capt Mike]

I purchased a Lee C312-155-2R mold and on my first casting session one of the mold blocks and the sprue plate fell off. I called Lee and the Tech who assisted me said to drive the pin back in. I did this with some trepidation as the pin did not look like a normal drift pin. It had some sort of funny looking threads on one end. I however drove it in as far as I deemed possible and continued to cast. Upon closer inspection, the pin in installed with an Allen wrench or something similar. After the suggested fix the quality of the cast bullets was barely acceptable but for $19 what is one to expect. On the third casting session, maybe a total of 800 bullets, the mold half fell off again. This time I used Lee's email & photo vehicle to see what I could do about replacing the mold. After 3 emails it has been determined that if I send the mold back at my expense they will replace or repair it. I asked specifically if they would replace the mold as I do not feel I should have to pay an additional $8 (shipping) only to receive back a repaired mold that may or may not operate properly. All I really wanted to know was if they would just replace the mold with a new one, but alas I could not get them to commit. I still feel that they should pay for shipping both ways as that is how I conduct my business. Am I wrong here? Be gentile.

[melloairman]

The mold will fit in a priority mail envelope and cost $ 5.60 to mail . You are asking for a commitment before they even see the mold which they more than likely will replace . You make the rules for your business and people play by them . They make the rules for their business and you should play by them . I have had to cover the cost of sending molds back that cost $85.00 to custom mold makers and had them return the mold back with out refunding the shipping or repairing the mold . Lee is normally fair to deal with .Marvin

[Springfield]

First off, I would just buy another one instead of wasting money on that one. Second, you can't tell when the pin is falling out while you cast? I have at least 40 Lee moulds and I know I just have to keep an eye on them while casting, 'cause sometimes things happen. Really, all moulds need looking after, they are relatively delicate pieces of machinery, not a hammer. Not trying to slam you but you might be expecting too much from these things. Hate for you to ruin a 160.00 Mihec or Accurate mould because you aren't careful enough. Just my humble opinion, of course.

[Capt Mike]

Thanks for the input. I have never had a pin fall out before, so I never looked. My bad and I will learn from this. I have used Lee molds since 1980 or so for bullets, sinkers and jigs and things like that and I have to say I have never had a problem before; I currently own 15 or so. I'll probably just fix this one and forgo returning it. It was hard to find anyway and even if Lee sends me a new one I'll probably have to wait awhile for it.

[Vinne]

I'll probably just fix this one and forgo returning it. It was hard to find anyway and even if Lee sends me a new one I'll probably have to wait awhile for it.

Mike, I always had fast service from Lee. Turn around time was surprising. The small amount paid in shipping will be worth it...just for the principle of it.

[Capt Mike]

Thanks again for the input. I decided to put the mold back together again (5/32nd allen wrench does the trick) and order a new one. This one will probably work OK as I now know what to look for. I have no problem with Lee as I use a LOT of their stuff and always have. I'm even looking to give their turret press a go...seems like a nice convenient setup for multiple calibers. I'll send Andy at Lee a message and thank him for the warranty help.

[Bad Andy]

I hear yah loud and clear and have eaten shipping on sun glasses, fishing rods and reels etc but at least I was able to get them fixed or offered a replacement. I hate paying shipping but it is what it is. Hope all works out.

[leadman]

Lee has a policy that if their product is out of warranty they will repair it for half the cost of the retail price in their catalog. They do not repair them but replace them with a new item. The 6 cavity I did this with cost me about the same as buying a new one from an on-line dealer but without the shipping cost from the dealer, so about $38.
I know this mold is covered by warranty still but you can use this later if it gives up.

I have had a couple of these "screws" back out also. I removed them and put loc-tite on them and turned them back in tight and no problems now.

Maybe we need another sticky on these new style 2 cavity molds and how to fix and maintain them.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

my 2¢ about Lee 2 cav molds [and 1 cav molds].
If you buy a new one have have some issues that you think you can fix yourself, That's what I'd do, saving myself and Lee the ship fees. If it is totally beyond fixing, I had one with a bad cavity, I removed the handles and shipped it to them in a padded envelope via first class mail...postage is about $3 depending on how far you are from WI.

[chirodr1]

I had the same experience with a Lee 9mm mold. The second time it fell off I coated the pin with some blue loctite and drove it back in. That was several thousand boolits ago and it has not fallen apart since. It was an easy solution and I did not have to send it back for repair.

[MaryB]

Take a punch and use it to deform the mold block over the top of the pin. Doesn't take much.