Frustration w/ Lee Safety Primer Feed

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I was having intermittent feeding problems with the Lee Safety Primer Feed attached to my Classic turret press, with primers regularly jumping out either from the feeder head or from the feeder channel. In utter frustration, I made the mistake of taking it apart by removing the 2 screws. The 2 springs inside sprang out and it happened so suddenly that I failed to take note of how the parts fit together.

Now I'm left with 2 springs & 4 pieces of plastic that I have to figure out how to put back together again. I searched YouTube but couldn't find a video on the subject. I'm sure an engineer can intuitively figure out how to do it, but not being one, this is a challenging jigsaw puzzle for me. Is there a step by step illustrated diagram of how they are supposed to be put together, complete with an exploded parts view? Better still, a video clip would be helpful. If all else fails, I may just put these parts in a bubble envelope and send them back to Lee, but I'm wary of the time lost waiting for it to come back. Any help would be appreciated. Right now, I'm just feeding primers by hand and it is quite tedious.

Also, is there a better system of priming cases instead of this hit-or-miss, inefficient jumping jack flash Lee primer feed system? How can I make this Lee primer feed work smoother and better? The gentleman who said he primes his cases from the comfort of his Lazy Boy lounging chair while watching TV, were you using a hand priming tool and how exactly were you doing it? What tool were you using?

Thanks,
 
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Buy new ones or insert primers by hand. And keep the press clean. Mine acts up when it needs to be cleaned.
 
I saw a forum comment some where about this problem and the person having the problem was using his left thumb while working the lever (or something like that). Basically, using the thumb and index finger at the same time resolved his feeding issue. Watch some you tube feeders and see how they work the mechanism. Also, make sure the primer bar lands directly in the middle of the press base two notches.
 
Not only do I prime my cases in my La-Z-Boy with an RCBS hand primer, I use a Lee hand press to do my sizing and flaring. I hate having to get up!:rolleyes:
 
Pisgah said:
You have unwittingly made a vast improvement to your press. Buy yourself a hand primer and don't look back.
Click to expand...


I guess I'll have to differ with this view. I have owned and used the Lee priming attachment for thousands of rounds with none of the problems mentioned by the OP. I wish I had been there to watch while he was having problems, because I'm having trouble visualizing them here at a distance.

The only possibilities I've thought of are a)misalignment of the feed attachment with the block insert in the ram; or b)incorrect manipulation/operation of the feed attachment.

I suppose a defective attachment is possible; in which case I would contact the company to see what they would do for me.

Regards,
Andy
 
snowman said:
I guess I'll have to differ with this view. I have owned and used the Lee priming attachment for thousands of rounds with none of the problems mentioned by the OP. I wish I had been there to watch while he was having problems, because I'm having trouble visualizing them here at a distance.

The only possibilities I've thought of are a)misalignment of the feed attachment with the block insert in the ram; or b)incorrect manipulation/operation of the feed attachment.

I suppose a defective attachment is possible; in which case I would contact the company to see what they would do for me.

Regards,
Andy
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I am with you. I have used this for many years with absolutely no problems. I to wish I could see what the problem is, as I just love using mine. Good luck on getting it to work.
 
Many guys using Lee presses prime off press. Me, I would buy a better press, but that is just me.
 
shortrange said:
I am with you. I have used this for many years with absolutely no problems. I to wish I could see what the problem is, as I just love using mine. Good luck on getting it to work.
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I also agree. I had to put a washer underneath piece of plastic that the primer feed mounts to. This better aligned the unit, and I've loaded THOUSANDS of rounds with NO issue on my Lee Turret.

I love it that guys say to buy another press! :rolleyes: The Lee press is great!
 
Yep, Lee presses are terrific! If I ever need a ligjht boat anchor, it's my first choice.
 
fredj338 said:
Yep, Lee presses are terrific! If I ever need a ligjht boat anchor, it's my first choice.
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Please dont say that too loudly I dont want the thousands of rounds I have loaded to get self esteem issues or the silhouette animals to get a complex. How would you feel if you were a 200 yard ram and steadily got knocked down with ammo loaded on a Lee press. Please!!
 
I've had less problems with two lee Safety Prime Systems than I've had with ANY other press (including a blue one.)

I'm with those that are thinking misalignment. It's also possible that the OP is using small primers in the large primer feeder or primer arm . Once set up properly, these things run forever. One of the other nice things about these systems is that they are inexpensive. It's not going to cost an arm and a leg to buy a replacement or replacement parts.
 
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shortrange said:
Please dont say that too loudly I dont want the thousands of rounds I have loaded to get self esteem issues or the silhouette animals to get a complex. How would you feel if you were a 200 yard ram and steadily got knocked down with ammo loaded on a Lee press. Please!!
Click to expand...

No one EVER said you can't make accurate, reliable ammo on a Lee progressive or turret. The issue is how relaible & easy the process is. So when the press positively, absolutely has to work, I never recommend Lee. YMMV
I agree, priming is the weak link on ay progressive, the Dillon 650 is nearly bullet proof. I have never had a single issue in more than 15K rds to date. That is running the press @ a rate of 650-700rds/hr. The 550 does require more cleaning & more TLC, but you can still reliably prime on press @ 400rds/hr, many Lee guys can not.
 
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Satisfied Lee Customer

I use a Lee turret press. Remember first, there are a lot of people out there that do not need to load 500 rounds in an hour! I had to also place a washer under the plastic mount for perfect alignment of my primer feed arm. There have been times when I have had to use my thumb to drop the lever in place.
But, for what I paid for this press, it does a great job for me. I agree with others it is a simple alignment adjustment to make this press work efficiently.
 
Another satisfied turret press / safety prime user...

Started using the turret press w/ safety primer about 3 years ago. Also placed a washer under the plastic bracket for better alignment, has worked perfectly for several 1000s loads so far.

I'm betting on an alignment problem... takes some patience to get it right.

Will
 
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