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  #1  
Old 01-12-2017, 09:46 PM
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Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret?  
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Default Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret?

I'm setting up my brand new Lee Cast turret press. The spring and ball that are inside the upper housing pop out every time I remove the turret. It would seem that someone could easily loose them as they are rather small. Is this correct? Do they always pop out? Is there a fix?
I will be calling customer service tomorrow.

I also noticed the finish on the ram is poor. It has grooves running length ways.
My single stage Lee has a very smooth ram.
Thanks for any help/advice.
David.
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Old 01-13-2017, 12:44 AM
dkals dkals is offline
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Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret?  
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The spring and ball should not pop out at all. Contact Lee customer service and tell them what is happening. I think the only solution is for Lee to send you a new upper housing so that you can replace it.
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Old 01-13-2017, 03:28 AM
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Originally Posted by dkals View Post
The spring and ball should not pop out at all. Contact Lee customer service and tell them what is happening. I think the only solution is for Lee to send you a new upper housing so that you can replace it.
Yes, the spring and ball should stay put when the tool head is removed.

Also, the ram should be finished as smooth as glass. Sounds like you should get a whole new press.
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Old 01-13-2017, 09:39 AM
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I have the Lee classic 4-hole turret press that works and looks great. That being said, my friend bought the newest version and I think the quality has fallen off greatly. Call Lee and ask to return your entire setup for another one.
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Old 01-13-2017, 10:16 AM
BZimm BZimm is offline
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Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret?  
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Oh shucks....

Here I am researching and pondering which equipment to buy for a reloading setup and I had to read this!! All the engineering in the world can't overcome poor manufacturing QA/QC though. I am in no hurry though, so I'll just keep researching and pondering.

Wait; are we talking about the value model or the cast iron classic model?

Last edited by BZimm; 01-13-2017 at 10:19 AM. Reason: Another thought
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Old 01-13-2017, 02:40 PM
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Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret?  
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I've used Lee products, along with several other manufacturers, for 30+ years. The Lee products I have purchased have no greater failure rate than any other mass produced reloading tools/equipment that I've used/purchased. I'd say to base your decision on a purchase from one "bad" tool is not a wise decision. (so far I have about 10,000 rounds loads on my older "value turret". And I've managed to wring out some 308 Win. ammo that consistently shoots under 1" @ 100, with a best at just under 7/8").
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Old 01-13-2017, 03:06 PM
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Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret? Possible problem with new Lee Cast Turret?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 68Dave View Post
...I will be calling customer service tomorrow...David.
Contacting Lee customer service should be all it takes to get this resolved. Lee has a pretty good reputation for doing the right thing.

Let us know how this turns out.
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Old 01-13-2017, 06:13 PM
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I bought it through Midway. They will swap it out after I follow exchange procedures online. I saved a little by ordering online, but would have already exchanged and be reloading tonight had I bought it local.
Thanks for all the replies.
David.
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Old 01-14-2017, 09:32 AM
Thomas15 Thomas15 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 68Dave View Post
I bought it through Midway. They will swap it out after I follow exchange procedures online. I saved a little by ordering online, but would have already exchanged and be reloading tonight had I bought it local.
Thanks for all the replies.
David.
It is difficult to find a retailer that is better than Midway so things will happen fast.

Last edited by Thomas15; 01-14-2017 at 09:36 AM.
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Old 01-14-2017, 12:34 PM
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Midway is great when it comes to damaged or defective items. They don't give you a hassle about returns and even pay the shipping for you. If returned to Lee , or any other manufacturer, you get to pay for the shipping.
I always buy from them when local dealer is not an option.
Gary
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Old 01-14-2017, 01:04 PM
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I received a new 4 hole Lee Classic Turret Press and a few extra 4 hole Turrets 2 months ago and it is made perfect.I have it attached to the loading bench in a Lee plate.I added a Lee Pro Auto Disk with adjustable powder measure.

All I had to do is use a 1/4" wrench to adjust the indexing into perfect alignment with the cases in the shell holder.

I load 9mm,38spl,357mag,45acp,45 Auto Rim and 45 Colt on the press using Lee 4 die sets.

Some special ammo I still load one at a time with a Lee Hand Press,Lee Hand Primer and Lee Classic Powder Measure.

I check powder drops with an RCBS 10-10 scale
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Old 01-14-2017, 04:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BZimm View Post
Oh shucks....

Here I am researching and pondering which equipment to buy for a reloading setup and I had to read this!! All the engineering in the world can't overcome poor manufacturing QA/QC though. I am in no hurry though, so I'll just keep researching and pondering.

Wait; are we talking about the value model or the cast iron classic model?
Helped a friend set up a new Lee Turret press yesterday. It was an interesting process. I have had a Dillon 550B for about 25 years and was not at all impressed with the design or the plastic parts! It appears to work fine since we got it running. I was interested as I had never seen one in operation before.

I will stay will Dillon presses, thank you very much.
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  #13  
Old 01-14-2017, 11:53 PM
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I have the Lee Classic turret press, the material and workmanship is very good those plastic parts are the small part that wear and can be replaced for a few cents.

Started with Lee Presses because of price, but the quality was good and it did what is was supposed to do.
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Old 01-15-2017, 01:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightowl View Post
It appears to work fine since we got it running. I was interested as I had never seen one in operation before.
While some of the Lee plastic accessories do seem kinda cheesy they work and they last.

The little square drive ratchet will fail if you try to move the turret backward by hand with the ram in the wrong position.
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  #15  
Old 01-15-2017, 07:58 PM
Wee Hooker Wee Hooker is offline
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In my experience, Lee' customer service has been stellar. Even better that some of the other brands. Admittedly though, I've only called them a handful of times in 20 years of using their products.
I'm sure this will be made good in short order one way or the other.
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Old 01-16-2017, 12:12 PM
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It sounds like your press slipped through the QC by mistake. Like said, the ball and spring should not come out and the ram should be smooth. Midway will make it right quickly.
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Old 01-20-2017, 09:20 PM
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Midway did a full refund plus return shipping. Press was then sold out, that's my luck. I did pick up a new one locally, the ball stays in. The ram looks the same as the first one, but works fine. All I need now is the powder riser, but as my luck would have it, sold out. (Locally)
It's always something.
David
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