Lee Auto-Prime

[Bruce51]

Having one of the older Lee Auto-Primer I was not happy when the lever broke off.

AFAIK there are no parts for the older units from Lee or anywhere else.

Being someone who can whittle out parts with basic tools I decided to try to make a replacement lever.

So I acquired a piece of three quarter inch brass stock. I really enjoy working brass both for reloading and making parts.

First lay all the pieces out. Then get some lines and marks on the brass.



Next get the first holes drilled.



Check out how it is all going to line up and be cut.



Might as well drill some more holes so the Dremel can connect the dots.



Finally the part is cut off so that the finishing work can begin.



After much grinding and sanding I think we have a new part. Some final fitting is needed.



Gave it a try after some minor adjustments and the new lever works as good as the original.



Lessons learned on this one. Incrementally drill the two holes to avoid chatter and oversized holes. As you can tell by the photos there is no need to remove as much material as the original. The important areas include hole spacing and the stop at the bottom.

This fabrication took about two and one half hours to complete. The new handle has some weight to it and I expect it will outlast the rest of the Autoprime.

Tools used were a Dremel, drill press ,bench grinder and a circular pad sander.

I hope you enjoyed this small presentation.

Bruce

 

[robertrwalsh]

That was a LOT of work. I myself like these tools and, when my first one broke that part, I got about six spares. Also the original pot metal ones, when they wear down, start to give high primers. You have to watch for that and lubricate as needed.

 

[H Richard]

I've been using a Lee Auto Prime for over 35 years. I keep 2, one set for small primer and one for large. Just need to change the shell holder to change calibers. These are now mostly all rifle and a few odd caliber pistol, as I do all my 38, 45, and 9mm on my Dillon. I did wear one out, but kept several of the parts for spares when I replaced it.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I have one that has been in use for many years. Back when I purchased it new I filed and polished the parting lines away and have kept it lubed as the instructions say. It still does a good job. I did get nervous and buy another one, new in box and delivered to my door for 20 bucks.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[Bruce51]

Thank you all for adding to this thread. This fabrication project was my first official retirement project. Twenty seven years of handling moving claims and forty four years of repairing anything for a buck.

I also have two Auto-prime for small and large primers. There have been a few broken connecting rods,one broken top main body rim and one broken lever.

The last one I ordered came with a steel, not cast, connecting rod. If I had known there would be no more parts I would have ordered a dozen.

Anyway I will make at least one more lever for my other unit and if I get bored maybe some spares. May even try making the rod out of brass too.

Lee really should bring the original design back. Just saying.

Bruce

 

[J. W.]

Fantastic work!

I have to two Auto Primes that are down due to broken handles. I'm currently using the newer version and while it's fine, I still prefer the original. I'm going to have to see if I can't fab up something similar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Alk8944]

I have several of these, the original round trays and the later square trays. I bought the first 2, for large and small as H Richard said. They were bought in about 1970, have worn out a Zamak connecting rod each, replaced with the later sintered steel connecting rods. Always kept well greased, have probably primed 250-300,000 cases and never broke a lever. Amazing how much less stress there is on the parts when kept well lubricated! It has always amazed me how so many think the Lee Priming tool is such a *** because they wear out and break so many parts! Just like any tool, you have to take care of these.

Like August (Augie) Duesenberg said about his automobiles, "Keep them full of fresh oil and grease and they will last forever!" How true.

BTW, I thing the original is the best of the 3 different tools Lee has sold over the years, The others are a *** IMO. The first time I used the square tray tools the small clips on the tray cover broke off aboutthe second time it was installed on the tray. Well, I had 2, so just took the cover for the other tray. Clips broke off it too, all in less that 1/2 hour! Now they are held on by rubber bands the rare time I use them!

 

[rwsmith]

All I can say is....

All I can say is, "Wow". Nice job.

 

[chief38]

EXCELLENT!!!! I love those kind of repairs!

 

[MJFlores]

Lube? Uhoh....mine is about 25 years old and I've lubed it once. Love that thing! Be right back...gonna go lube er up now. Ballistol or lithium grease?

 

[deanodog]

Great work. I still have a couple but do most priming on classic turret press.

 

[jag22]

I'm not saying parts shouldn't be lubed but I question this scenario. I've broken a couple of handles and I was priming some very tight fitting LPP in 45 ACP. Don't know why, those always requires lot more effort. Brand of primer or brass doesn't seem to matter. Now if I could lube the primers that might help but I foresee other problems doing that.

So if you can start selling those for say, $10 to $15 I'd like to put in my order. Thanks.

 

[Bruce51]

For some reason Photobucket keeps dropping the pictures. Fixed again to sell the story.

I always have lube on the moving parts as can be seen by the smear of black on the laid out parts.

I'm not sure if that was a thirty plus year old handle or a twenty year old handle but they do last a very long time.

Making some more of these will have to wait for a rainy day when I need to get out of the house.

I just wanted to show, that with very few tools, a new part can be made to work.

Thanks for looking!

Bruce

 

[DumpStick]

I've got 3 of the primer tools myself. One for small, one for large, one for spare. I've been wondering what I would do when the inevitable happened, now I know.

Thanks for posting - it shows that a man with a few tools, some time, and some thinking, can do almost anything.

 

[Huskerguy]

Nice job. I always admire the effort and craftsmanship people exhibit. I am one of those people who will drag something home that needs to be fixed and put more hours in than it would appear to be worth it. It just gives a feeling of pride to say you did it.

I am a huge Lee Auto Prime fan although I technically haven't used mine for several years. When I heard they were being phased out I stocked up on spare parts. Now it looks like some more things for the wife and kids to decide what to do with someday! ha

Nice job once again. And congrats on the retirement - I am trying to get there without much luck.

 

[austintexas]

I shop junk boxes at gunshows, I pickup used Lee priming tools and parts. Usually pick up the whole tool used for about $5.00. Different pieces for $1.00.
SWCA 892