Broken handle on Lee auto prime

[abunaitoo]

A friend has broken three handles on his Lee hand auto prime.
I watched him prime some cases to make sure it wasn't just "operator error", and everything looked fine.
I've heard of others having the same problem.
I use a RCBS strip primer.
Anyone else have this problem????
Anyone repair the handle????

[arjacobson]

I never had much of a problem with mine. I usually lube where it pivots though.

[462]

Never had a problem, even when seating the larger Wolf primers.

[jcwit]

Never a problem here either, keep it lubed. I've primed 10's of thousands of cases.

[zuke]

As above.
Gotta lube'em.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Been year since I broke a Lee hand primer, and that is one of the reasons, along with a handfull of others, that I shy away from many Lee products.

Some good ideas, but a bit short on product quality.

Please don't throw stones, this is just IMHO and also one of the reasons we have so many good products to choose from.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[btroj]

I have broken two handles. Will order 2 or 3 next time.

[1hole]

I had heard of Lee handles snapping off so I bought two when I got my first - they are inexpensive. So, I set up one for large and one for small primers. That was 21 years ago, both are still doing quite well. But, maybe part of it is lubing the toggle link knuckle from time to time and also stopping to see why something's not going together properly rather than just pushing harder. ??

[Swede44mag]

I have broken at least 3 off I keep buying them because they work great and are cheap. Mabey someone could make a replacement and we could get into a group buy. Probably not though because of patten problems.

[Kraschenbirn]

Took, maybe, 15 years for me to (literally) wear out my first Autoprime. Handle on my the one I bought as a replacement broke in less than 3000 rounds...but all it took was a short e-mail to Lee Customer Service describing the failure and I had a replacement in hand within 3 days at no charge.

Bill

[jimkim]

Took, maybe, 15 years for me to (literally) wear out my first Autoprime. Handle on my the one I bought as a replacement broke in less than 3000 rounds...but all it took was a short e-mail to Lee Customer Service describing the failure and I had a replacement in hand within 3 days at no charge.

Bill

I bought mine used and finally broke one last year. It lasted me twenty years. The new model is supposed to have an unbreakable handle. IMHO all they needed to do has make either a steel or ribbed handle for the old one.

[AZ-JIM]

My dad just had one replaced. I think the first one was no charge and he got a second one for a spare. The handle + shipping was less than $10 I think.

az-jim

[fatelk]

I've broken several of them over the years. I threw one away years ago and got an RCBS unit that is way better.

I got another Lee a year or two ago as a spare because I read how you're supposed to keep them lubed; broke it. Lee sent me another handle but it was too tight to fit. I had to ream the handle a bit just to make it work. A few hundred primers later it broke too. I hesitate to call them garbage because they obviously work for some people, but to me they are garbage. I have kept the broken parts because I intended to machine a replacement handle (one that's not pot metal).

I'm sure it's because I'm using too much force. I hate high primers. If a primer is anything but slightly below flush, it's just not right. I don't even know how many times I've looked at other people's reloads and felt slightly high primers. I've even seen it on commercial reloads. I just can't seem to get consistently perfect seating depth on all calibers I load with the Lee tool without using too much force, at least on some range mix or surplus brass (yes I properly swage out the primer crimp).

[1hole]

"...Lee tool without using too much force, at least on some range mix or surplus brass (yes I properly swage out the primer crimp). "

A primer pocket difference of only one thou makes a huge difference in seating effort. I wonder about the performance of your swagger. ??

I don't care for the ergonomics or difficuly of swapping shellholders of the RCBS tool.

Since Lee HAS redesigned their's, the old ones like mine are a moot point.

[Jon K]

+1 swage or ream primer pocket.

That's the only way I've broke a handle.

Jon

[bbs70]

I've broken several handles on the Lee hand primer.
Probably excess pressure on it from me.

I got one of the new Lee hand primers and have had no problems after several thousand rounds primed.

[DCM]

I broke 2 of them years ago then I bought a different brand.
I noticed that they have improved the design of the new ones, reinforcing the "paddle".
Although I will never own another Lee hand priming tool they do make other products that are extremely good especially for the price.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Well not being big on a company who has products which need a touch more thought and/or quality, it only took one broken handle for me to get away from Lee.

They could have put just a tiny bit more money in the quality, passed the cost on to me and I'd still be happy as the product work great , untill -------------- [smilie=b:

I went back to the RCBS press mounted primer system which worked, but did throw out a primer evey so often.

Soooooooooo, started looking at other options and decided on a bench mount Forester. JUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!

It QUICKLY was boxed up and sent back to Cabela's, in trade for an RCBS bench top primer system.

This is not the type with "primer strips", I have never tried one of those, however, this is the best primer system I have ever used and I started loading back in the 60s.

Now, because I use an under bench "receiver" system for the mounting of all my loading tools, the primer tool and all other loading tools/presses etc.
DO NOT clutter up my bench top, plus there are NO holes/mounting rails or anything else breaking up the smooth surface of my bench top.

This is about as good as it gets. [smilie=w:

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[AZ-Stew]

AZ-Jim's right. I broke the one on my 15 or so year old one a couple of months ago on a Sunday afternoon when I was trying to prepare some ammo for a match the following weekend. I ran down to Sportsman's Warehouse and bought a replacement unit, then called Lee on Monday and ordered a couple of new handles. Now I have two of the Lee units, one set for large, the other set for small primers. Plus, I have a spare handle. If you keep them lubricated (I use moly grease) and don't over stress the handle, they can last a long time. I seat each primer with several strokes of the handle, rotating the case 1/4 turn between strokes. I seat it fully on the first stroke, using the others to make sure it's seated squarely. This technique reduces handle stress and essentially eliminates high primers.

Regards,

Stew

[jcwit]

I'll add that I'm still using Lee priming tools that date back to the screw in shell holders. I've got both cast aluminum and plastic bodies. These go back to the old Lee company before it was renamed Lee Precision.

[troyboy]

What a broken handle... That is the first I have heard of that!:mrgreen:

[pistolman44]

I have had mine for every bit of 15 years. I had to replace the handle because I finally wore it out where it pivots. For a couple bucks bought a new handle replacement. The only primers I use are CCI, I don't know if thats what made it last that long.

[AZ-Stew]

I'll add that I'm still using Lee priming tools that date back to the screw in shell holders. I've got both cast aluminum and plastic bodies. These go back to the old Lee company before it was renamed Lee Precision.

I used to have some of those. I don't know whether I still have any in working condition, though. I had one that I bought as a stand-alone, as well as a bunch of shell holders for it. The others I got as parts of the old Lee Target Model Loader that was like the classic Lee Loader, but had a "micrometer" seating depth device and an inside neck reamer that certainly uniformed case neck diameters, but typically left the case necks so thin they would hardly hold a bullet. I had at least two of them - one for .22-250 and one for .25-06. Anyway, the bad thing about those priming tools is that there is no primer reservoir. You have to load each individual primer into the tool. I used to get a lot of misfires with them until I started handling the primers with tweezers, rather than with my fingers.

Regards,

Stew

[garym1a2]

I broke mine, since than I switched over to their leval prime system on the classic turrent press. So Lee stuff is great (classic turrent) and some is not.

[Shiloh]

It is a good unit, but the handle levers are pot metal. Fortunately they are cheap. I keep a few spares on hand.

Shiloh

[Bret4207]

I had a 2 set up like some of the guys with one for L R/P, the other for small. Broke them both over time. I went through 3 of them and eventually bought an RCBS. I was breaking the little cast "pusher" between the handle and seater in mine. In all fairness to Lee I loaded many thousands of primers with them and wasn't all that good about cleaning primer pockets. I can't blame Lee for that.

[RayinNH]

I've never broken a handle but did break the top off where the shell holder goes in. I did try to TIG weld it with aluminum rod, but no go with the mystery metal body. I just bought a replacement at a gun shop's bargain bin. Been using it for five or so years. I also do like others, one for small and one for large primers...Ray

[Moonie]

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that the levers aren't available any longer, just the ones for the new square ones, or are they interchangeable?

I also recently broke one and don't have a spare.

[C.F.Plinker]

According to the Lee website, they are not interchangeable. However, if you send the old one back with a note that the handle is broken and you want them to replace it with the new model, they will sell you the new model for half price, ($12.49) plus $5.00 for shipping.

[fatelk]

Darn, I was hoping they were interchangeable. I may still machine a steel one yet, one of these days, though it's probably not worth the time considering I just found another like-new RCBS unit for $10 at the gun show last weekend. I know it takes a little longer to change shellholders, but it's a much sturdier tool and more comfortable to use.

I really don't understand why Lee didn't reinforce the handle decades ago. I understand that many folks have used them without problem for years, but broken handles on these are extremely common. To avoid breakage you're supposed to keep it lubed, clean primer pockets, avoid some brands of brass, etc.. It just seems to me that a tool that can't take at least a tiny bit of abuse is not a very good tool.


has anyone else noticed that the levers aren't available any longer
It looks like Midway still has them for $2. Feedback is terrible. What gets me is the guys who leave bad feedback because they buy half a dozen levers at a time for spares. That $2 adds up and it seems to me that for the price of all the levers they go through they could buy a better tool.


I wonder about the performance of your swagger. ??
I don't have much of a swagger, really. Maybe if I took up drinking or piracy... Sorry, good typo, couldn't resist.:)

I remember a fellow caster and reloader who would talk about "swagging". It took me a few minutes to realize he was talking about swaging, but he was very insistent that his mispronunciation was correct.

[a.squibload]

...I was breaking the little cast "pusher" between the handle and seater in mine...

Like this?

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HQHCU8Kc_g0/T1_WQoq4UfI/AAAAAAAAAY8/9Uu9IbP-DQ0/s640/primer%2520link.JPG

Hey it works!
Probably not worth the effort 'cause now the handle is sure to break.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Ya know, ---- and I know this will not impress the Lee lovers, but had Lee put a bit more integrity into some of their products like the hand primer tool, and simply forgotten some of the other junk they sold, they might have enjoyed a much bigger customer base.

But, I was there and done that many years ago with the broken primer tool, as well as a number of other tools that were not well thought out or produced, and now although I own a few Lee products, I look at much of their line with doubt.

It could have been other wise, but it was their choice and seems to remain so.

Really great that we have products at many levels to please many different tastes

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[jcwit]

So if Parnelli Jones had used a better bearing in 1967 in his Indy car instead of the $6.00 bearing he would have been assured of a win.

All manufactures build their products to a price point and we have the opportunity to buy them or not. Maybe every product should be built to the quality level of a Rolls Royce so everything lasts for a lifetime with no repair.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

jcwit,

Like I said it is great we have such a big choice.

Personally, I come down on quality and integrity of design AND manufacture.

Just an Ol'Coot problem I guess.

CDOC

[MT Chambers]

Over the years I have had and tried alot of different tools to prime cases, including many diff. presses, the easiest/best to date is seating them on my Co-ax press, lotsa power but also lots of feel. Materials used are quality steel, that you would have to work hard to break.

[DLCTEX]

I do most of my priming on my Classic Cast Turret with the Safety Prime now. Plenty of power, feel, and works with regular shell holders.:mrgreen:

[jcwit]

Two of the best engineered IMO are the Sinclair and K & M tools, but then I also have a few of the old, old style one at a time caliber specific Lee priming tools. These are not the ones that have the tray.

[Sonnypie]

Peas porridge cold, Peas porridge hot, Peas porridge in the pot 9 days old....

Round Tray? (http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/Priming_Tool_Round.php)
Or Square Tray? (http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/Priming_Tool_Square.php)

I have 4 of the old Lee Round Tray Types. One is broke.
A little moly grease goes a long way....
Mine are decades and decades old!

Post like this bring to mind glass hammers breaking anvils...:popcorn:

[Kevin Rohrer]

The handles are made from pot metal and break, which is one reason why many reloaders in including me have such a low opinion of their equipment. I have their auto prime and have broken handles, and bought several replacements knowing it is going to happen.

[Romeo 33 Delta]

I'm old and it's been a bunch of years, but I THINK I MIGHT have broken a handle on one of my old, Lee hand priming tools (round tray style). I say THINK and MIGHT because I honestly don't remember.

When the new square tray model came out, I bought one to try it out. I liked it and bought a second as I had done before to set up for large and small primers. I still have both my old ones on reserve, but really like the new one. I am able to run 50 primers at a crack in just under 5 minutes.

No problems, but I uniform and clean my primer pockets and if I use military brass, I ream the pocket to remove the crimp and get a nice chamfer on the edge.
And as has been mentioned time and time again ... LUBE THE PIVOT! (Hey, if it slides, pivots, or moves in any direction ... LUBE IT!!!)

I did try a RCBS unit one time and it went right back into it's box. I generally like Lee, though I don't use their scale or powder dispenser (PACT electronic setup). I've yet to have a problem with dies that were not of my doing and as for the use of metals other than iron or steel, I'm sure that steel would be less prone to failure than pot metal and aluminium, but it would also be more costly. So, given the minimal amount of failures I've suffered over something like 25 years of reloading (linkage set on a Challenger press and MAYBE a primer handle) and given that I generally shoot and reload something in excess of 7,500 rounds of mixed rifle calibers a year ... I've got no reason to complain.

[GT1]

Post like this bring to mind glass hammers breaking anvils...
:drinks:

Some folks just have no feel or hand-eye coordination(or understand instructions), they give it the gorrila squeeze and it will pop eventually.
If the RCBS or Hornady hand primers were worth buying(they suck, and/or cost twice the price, few buy them) people would be complaining about them, Lee owns this market and there are many thousands of the tools out there, so, one is bound to hear more about them.

[Walt]

:drinks:

Some folks just have no feel or hand-eye coordination(or understand instructions), they give it the gorrila squeeze and it will pop eventually.
If the RCBS or Hornady hand primers were worth buying(they suck, and/or cost twice the price, few buy them) people would be complaining about them, Lee owns this market and there are many thousands of the tools out there, so, one is bound to hear more about them.

I've been using the original Hornady hand primer tool for ten years or so? I like it very much, no repairs needed on mine. All that time and I've never heard it making any sucking sounds either. :) I did recentlly get a K&M hand primer, it's a fine tool. It will only be used for accuracy rifle loads, it's a single primer at a time tool. The only thing I've seen wrong with it to this point is that it uses Lee shellholders. :)

[jimkim]

Like this?

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HQHCU8Kc_g0/T1_WQoq4UfI/AAAAAAAAAY8/9Uu9IbP-DQ0/s640/primer%2520link.JPG

Hey it works!
Probably not worth the effort 'cause now the handle is sure to break.

That part was upgraded around twenty years ago. I guess some of the OLD ones are still on the shelves. Give Lee a call and they might send you the steel replacement part. I say might because they discontinued that model.

[a.squibload]

As I recall this one was removed from a shelf about 40 years ago!
Never did any priming on the Rockchucker so guess I got pretty good use
out of the Lee.
Just before it broke I felt it binding, just didn't let up in time.
Lack o' lube done it in. It was getting an indentation on the larger diameter end.

I'm saving the broken part, if something else breaks I'll probably send it in
and get the half-price deal on a new model.

[TEE]

I’ll revive an old thread since this came up in my original search. I have an old round model and broke the handle a couple months ago. Since I live in the socialist republic of Canada, it took months but I ordered a new handle since the old handle is discontinued. It was too tight a fit for the pivoting pushing part but a couple mil off with a small hand file and it worked great. Happy to be back in biz.