Lee Pro-autodisk measure "wear issue"

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Original post:

Has anyone ever used the Lee pro auto disk measure til it's too worn to function perfectly ?

Well, I think I did.
I've loaded over ten thousand rounds (probably more like 30K) of pistol ammo over the course of the last decade, using this one powder measure on a turret press. I first noticed an issue last summer, that depending on which caliber Lee PTED and which disk I'd use, that the mechanism wouldn't move the the disk totally to the powder drop hole.

I have another complete unit I use with the double disk kit(that I rarely use), and so I have that, to compare with the worn unit. The worn unit had a lot of slop movement, whereas the newer, less used unit was tight as a drum.

So I took the worn unit apart. There is substantial wear on this part.
http://leeprecision.com/swivel-actuator.html
in two places, first where the nut tightens it to the lower part of the drop tube...and second where the "lever" engages. It seems to be some die-cast pot metal.

Everything else looks real good on this worn powder measure, so I ordered the part, as well as a new hopper to replace the darkly discolored one ...I use to store powder in it, instead of emptying it after each use ...Yes, I learned years ago that it was a bad thing to do.

I will report back when it arrives, to see if it was worth the effort and cash, or if I have over looked other problems.

edited and added everything below: 1-9-2015

I received the parts from Lee Prec. yesterday, that was fairly quick :)
The Fix was a very easy, to say the least. Here are some photos.

Before the swivel-actuator replacement.
This photo shows the large gaps above and below the part, with the assembly stretched out as much as possible.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/Oldcouplerslopdown_zpsf4a495f0.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/Oldcouplerslopdown_zpsf4a495f0.jpg.html)


Before the swivel-actuator replacement.
This photo shows the smaller gaps above and below the part, with the assembly contracted as much as possible.
Measure the distance between the above and below photo, and that is the slop that was causing my issue of the disk hole, not perfectly aligning with the drop hole.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/Oldcouplerslopup_zpsad3789ea.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/Oldcouplerslopup_zpsad3789ea.jpg.html)


The Old swivel-actuator and the Shoulder nut.
I think part if my problem was when I was tightening the shoulder nut with a pliers, the plier marks acted like a saw blade on the swivel-actuator, wearing it. This photo shows it after I did some filing and wire wheel brushing that edge, so it wouldn't prematurely wear the new swivel-actuator...and I will lay off the tightening it with a pliers.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/oldcouplerandshouldernut_zpseb283225.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/oldcouplerandshouldernut_zpseb283225.jpg.html)


The Old swivel-actuator next to the new one.
You can see the wear from the abused Shoulder nut as well as the wear in the slot from the Lever...I never thought of lubing that spot, I sure will from now on.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/coupleroldandnew_zpsc9a297ee.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/coupleroldandnew_zpsc9a297ee.jpg.html)


'AFTER" the swivel-actuator replacement.
This photo shows the gaps above and below the part, with the assembly stretched out as much as possible.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/Newcouplerslopdown_zps45fee822.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/Newcouplerslopdown_zps45fee822.jpg.html)


"AFTER" the swivel-actuator replacement.
This photo shows the gaps above and below the part, with the assembly contracted as much as possible.
Not much difference from the above photo and the below photo...That was what I was hoping for.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/Newcouplerslopup_zpsaf443c0e.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/Newcouplerslopup_zpsaf443c0e.jpg.html)


Done, and ready to install.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/refurbedunit_zps85ec23a2.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/refurbedunit_zps85ec23a2.jpg.html)


Installed onto the press and successfully reloading some 41Mag WC's
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/refurbedunitmountedonpress41MagWC_zps55cc70ed.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/refurbedunitmountedonpress41MagWC_zps55cc70ed.jpg. html)

[troyboy]

Wear parts are cheap and they are easy to work on. I'd rather fix something i have worn out then trash and buy new.

[tazman]

Those are easy to replace. I had one that I had to lube since it wouldn't allow the disk to completely reset. A tiny drop of oil on the pivot point took care of it.
When I replaced mine I got the part that has the knurled tightening ring in it so I could tighten the measure down in any position I wished.

[Mike Kerr]

Good information. I will check an older Pro Auto Disk that I keep as a standby. Not used much anymore since I use Dillon's measures for the most part these days but still viable.

[gtgeorge]

Thanks for the info and report. I am watching mine but debur and lubricate all moving parts with dry lube before putting them in action.I am thinking of adding a measure to each caliber setup but that get's expensive quick.

I do have well over 30K on mine with no signs of wear yet. Maybe a good time to disassemble and put some more Finish Line lube on the moving parts?

[MT Chambers]

"some die cast pot metal" not on a Lee Precision.

[dikman]

Well, it's certainly a cast alloy of some sort, and considering it has a steel arm rubbing over it every time it's used it's bound to wear. The good thing about Lee stuff is parts are readily available and pretty cheap.

[Eddie17]

I think MT Chambers is jesting.

[Jeff Michel]

If you return to Lee they will send you a new one for half price. I'd call first to verify but that is what they used to do.........

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

If you return to Lee they will send you a new one for half price. I'd call first to verify but that is what they used to do.........
Jeff,
I think that is still their policy, BUT...
I thought long and hard about contacting Lee about the worn part on a 10 year old, well used, powder measure, that technically still works, just not as perfectly as a new one(which sells for $35) ..... and then 10 seconds later :) I ordered the $6 part and saved both Lee Prec and myself some valuable time.
Jon

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I got the parts yesterday and replaced them.

I edited the first post with photo's and details about the replacement.

[vwpieces]

Original post:


Installed onto the press and successfully reloading some 41Mag WC's
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/refurbedunitmountedonpress41MagWC_zps55cc70ed.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/refurbedunitmountedonpress41MagWC_zps55cc70ed.jpg. html)

PSSST... Your single stage is mounted upside-down. :-P

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

PSSST... Your single stage is mounted upside-down. :-P
Yes it is, AND isn't that awesome :wink: