It Had to Happen, Eventually.

[Tex1001]

For almost 30 years my main reloading chores were handled
by the Lee Load Master. Hated by almost everyone, it fits my
procedures really well.
It was chosen originally because it was the only progressive
system at the time that could load 32ACP.
Evaluation now begins for a new system because the Load Master
now becomes an "Emeritus". Lee decided that the system can't
be limped along anymore, so it's retired.
Acquisition of spare parts now begins.
At my age I don't know if its worth investing in a new system,
but I will now find out.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

What parts are you looking for.
Lee still has a few on their site.

FS Reloading will probably have even more.
FS Reloading

Good luck on the parts hunt...

 

[jake1945]

I use Lee reloading equipment almost 100%, but that particular Lee Load Master was a dud from git-go.

 

[BE Mike]

For almost 30 years my main reloading chores were handled
by the Lee Load Master. Hated by almost everyone, it fits my
procedures really well.
It was chosen originally because it was the only system at the
time that could load 32ACP.
Evaluation now begins for a new system because the Load Master
now becomes an "Emeritus". Lee decided that the system can't
be limped along anymore, so it's retired.
Acquisition of spare parts now begins.
At my age I don't know if its worth investing in a new system,
but I will now find out.

Age has nothing to do with it. Do you have the disposable income to buy a new setup without putting any strain on your budget? How much do you still shoot? If the answers are yes and a lot, then get a decent progressive setup. I'm impressed that you can load .32 ACP. 9mm cases are almost too small for me to handle! I suppose some folks drove Yugos until they no longer could get parts or a mechanic to keep them running. Back in the day, I wanted a Star Reloading Press. I had to settle on a Dillon. As I look back, not being able to afford the Star was all to my benefit, as the Dillons are much more versatile and still are supported well.

 

[Tex1001]

Good luck on the parts hunt...

I have a pretty comprehensive parts stash now, thanks.
I'm just an unrepentant prepper.
The Loadmaster was always a clown show. I've just made it work
well for me. I'm probably too old to go with a new platform and
realistically no reason to change over.
Rant over for now.

 

[glenwolde]

Age has nothing to do with it. Do you have the disposable income to buy a new setup without putting any strain on your budget? How much do you still shoot? If the answers are yes and a lot, then get a decent progressive setup. I'm impressed that you can load .32 ACP. 9mm cases are almost too small for me to handle! I suppose some folks drove Yugos until they no longer could get parts or a mechanic to keep them running. Back in the day, I wanted a Star Reloading Press. I had to settle on a Dillon. As I look back, not being able to afford the Star was all to my benefit, as the Dillons are much more versatile and still are supported well.

Running is one thing, but that was true when they were new. Parts can be obtained.

yugo parts

 

[Tex1001]

Lee makes some really useable/adaptable stuff.

I have a pair of 4-20 lead pots that I've converted to
thermocouple-temp controllers. They are great now.

Their collet crimp dies are outstanding. I've adapted their line
to crimp 32 long, 38 special, and 44 special.

A lot of their tools are barely usable, but can be adapted with
a little ingenuity.
They made a hand prime system that worked great, but was
cheaply made of pot metal. Then they discontinued it and they
offer one poorly designed. Thank goodness Franklin took the
old Lee design, improved it and then ran with it.

 

[Tex1001]

Back in the day, I wanted a Star Reloading Press. I had to settle on a Dillon. As I look back, not being able to afford the Star was all to my benefit, as the Dillons are much more versatile and still are supported well.

Laughs at "Settling" for a Dillon.
I would have settled on a Dillon back in the day if I wasn't
poorer than a church mouse at the time.

 

[gwpercle]

A few years before I retired I invested in a new system to go along with my 3 bench mounted Single Station Reloading presses that have lived fo 40 years in a unheated and uncooled out building ... my reloading building .

That new system was a Lee Hand Press Kit ... One of the best things I ever did . The Lee Hand Press lets me reload all my handgun ammo and 30-30 rifle ... inside the heated and cooled house !!!
I sit inside the cool house at my computer desk , coffee table , kitchen table ... I can even do case prep sitting on the bed or in my easy chair .
With the Lee Ram Prime in the Hand Press it becomes the best hand priming tool ever made ... This thing works so sweet ... I bought a second Hand Press and keep it in a shooting bag, along with the extra's , to make it into my Portable Reloading System .
When I worked ... I would bring my "Portable Reloading System" to the office ... and reload at my Desk !!!
The Hand Press ( a single stage C press that you hold in your hands ...no bench required , uses standard dies and shell holders )
The Press alone Sell for $57.00 and the Hand Press Kit $75 .00 see them at Amazon .
I'm 71 now , ordinary upper body strength and hand strength and have no trouble FL resizing all Handgun and small rifle up to 30-30 ,
Big resizing / reforming jobs still require a bench mounted press but for eveything else ...
I just love the Lee Hand Press ,,, Check them out before you pass on really handy reloading tool .
Gary

 

[Tex1001]

The Lee Hand Press has been around since Noah's flood. It
works well, but it doesn't fit my reloading methods. I do not
disparage equipment or methods of others just because it may
work for them.
I'm glad that the system works for you.
Hopefully Lee will keep it in production for a long time.

 

[Green Frog]

Approximately 50 years ago my father and I started reloading, and since I was moving around with school and beginning my career we put all of the gear in “the family manse”. I was satisfied with this, especially when Dad bought a Dillon Progressive. There was always plenty of room on the loading bench for my loading projects as well. We also had a casting setup to use on the workbench, across the basement.
Dad is gone now (and Mom is too) so I partially inherited and partially bought out the home so now it’s all under my sole purview. I really have a lot more stuff than I “need” but “what’s need got to do with it”?
When I want to do some reloading task at the TV, it’s usually hand priming using my old original Lee hand primer with screw in shell holders.

 

[BE Mike]

A few years before I retired I invested in a new system to go along with my 3 bench mounted Single Station Reloading presses that have lived fo 40 years in a unheated and uncooled out building ... my reloading building .

That new system was a Lee Hand Press Kit ... One of the best things I ever did . The Lee Hand Press lets me reload all my handgun ammo and 30-30 rifle ... inside the heated and cooled house !!!
I sit inside the cool house at my computer desk , coffee table , kitchen table ... I can even do case prep sitting on the bed or in my easy chair .
With the Lee Ram Prime in the Hand Press it becomes the best hand priming tool ever made ... This thing works so sweet ... I bought a second Hand Press and keep it in a shooting bag, along with the extra's , to make it into my Portable Reloading System .
When I worked ... I would bring my "Portable Reloading System" to the office ... and reload at my Desk !!!
The Hand Press ( a single stage C press that you hold in your hands ...no bench required , uses standard dies and shell holders )
The Press alone Sell for $57.00 and the Hand Press Kit $75 .00 see them at Amazon .
I'm 71 now , ordinary upper body strength and hand strength and have no trouble FL resizing all Handgun and small rifle up to 30-30 ,
Big resizing / reforming jobs still require a bench mounted press but for eveything else ...
I just love the Lee Hand Press ,,, Check them out before you pass on raly handy reloading tool .
Gary

I suppose that if the Lee Hand Press Kit didn't work for some people they would quit making them. I started out loading with a Lee Loader in .38 SPL back in about 1971. I quickly decided that I wanted a single stage press and got a Lyman Spartan kit. When I got into competitive pistol shooting, not being able to afford match ammo, I got a Dillon 450. That 450 has long ago been upgraded to a 550 and I added a 650. I have a RCBS Junior single-stage press that is used very little to load ammo. I do use it to deprime brass a some. As someone who shoots about 200 rounds of centerfire pistol ammo weekly, I can't imagine sitting down and loading 500 rounds at a time, using a Lee Hand Press, but, that being said, whatever works for you.

 

[Green Frog]

I didn’t mean to ignore the discussion of the Lee Hand Press. Of course I’m on record as liking to use the Lyman 310 tong type hand presses, but I had the Lee for a while. I was fortunate enough to find an HDS Compac press which is to the Lee as a Cadillac is to a Chevy, and use that when I want to do hand press duties now. Nothing wrong with the Lee, the HDS is just nicer!
Froggie