Lee Classic Turret Press tips, tricks, quirks and fixes

[awp_101]

In the Turret Press Review Thread I expressed my off and on frustration with the Classic Turret Press and asked about replacements in the price range between it and a Dillon 650. @GyroF-16 mentioned replacement square ratchets and @Crazy Dane mentioned they are a wear part which I didn't know. Since I'm stubborn, lazy and cheap I've decided to learn the quirks, fixes and best practices of the damn thing because it would require spending time and money setting up a replacement press and stand, neither of which are copious at the moment.

First on the list is the plastic square ratchet replacement. I received a pack last week and installed one before I started loading yesterday. The material feels slightly more substantial than the factory part and fit very tightly on the square drive. My factory part split at a corner so I don't know how tight it was originally. Deprimed 50 .44 Special cases and loaded 150 rounds of mixed .38 Special and .44 Special yesterday. So far, so good.

Lee Inline Bullet Feeder - I have the .35 caliber and .45 caliber versions. Fully loaded (5 tubes for the .35, 4 for the .45), they weigh too much for the press to fully advance to the next station and there's a lot of swaying as the turret turns. I have to give the turret a nudge to get it into the proper position. I will try loading only 2 tubes next time to see if it's better. I'll also try feeding .44 through the .45 kit to see if it works instead of having to buy a .44 feeder as well. ***PRO TIP*** - The feed die uses two small ball bearings and bullet length determines which set of holes they go into. DO NOT try to make this switch on the press! As soon as I removed the inner sleeve the ball bearings fell out and were sacrificed to the carpet monster. I suggest removing the die and placing it into a baggie before removing the sleeve. Lee has replacement parts available for cheap so I bought extras.

KMS² UFO Reloading Press Light - I started a thread on this last year, no major updates. After leaving the light on for a while, I was able to restick the drooping parts of the LED strip and it's been fine ever since.

[entropy]

Thank you. Have to revisit the linked threads.

After our recent move, I’m in the process of both rebuilding and downsizing my reloading bench. The need to produce large quantities of anything is just no longer there. While the progressive presses followed me in the move, I no longer see a place for them on the bench. A single stage for precision work stays. I have a Classic Turret that was purchased in 1982 and has had a few overhauls in its life. It’s at the point now however, after who knows how many thousands and thousands of rounds it’s perhaps seen it’s time. The tolerances in the ram and turret ring are….generous. I might treat myself. Sticking with the old skool model would alleviate the need to replace all those 4-hole turrets.

[awp_101]

Yeah, I'm finding myself stocking up on extra turrets. Hoping to out some more miles on the new square ratchet this weekend.

[Exiledviking]

Let me know if you need any 4-hole turrets. I've got some extras laying around.

[entropy]

A bit OT, but not really…

Next “Old Fashioned-fueled quandary” is to decide how to mount the presses. The worktop is a 1.5” oak butcher block. I want to be able to remove the presses for storage when not in use. I’ve ruled out U channel, as it does nothing but collect reloading detritus. Previously had a Lee Quick Change plate, but those look cheap and aren’t the most secure. One idea is to drill several like footprints in the top of the bench and use speed nuts/threaded inserts. Each press or tool would have a matching base and bolt down. Everything could be removed when not in use, stored in a cabinet, and the holes in the bench top capped with a plastic plug. The Inline Fabrication mounts appear to be too bulky plus would not allow me to bolt other types of tools or support equipment onto the bench.

While only sipping coffee presently, I’m open to ideals…lol

[Crazy Dane]

I use the lee quick-change plate. I swapped the Philips head lock down screws to hex head bolts and its never came loose. Prior to rebuilding my bench I used T nuts. If you go the T nut route, size the bolt length to end up flush with the nut, this makes it faster and doesn't leave scars. https://www.homedepot.com/b/Hardware...s/N-5yc1vZc2a4

I had one press then and the Hornaday single stage press I got didn't have the same bolt pattern is why I went to the quick change plate.

[entropy]

Yeah…I made the mistake of going back to the Inline Fabrication site this morning…. There is really no perfect solution I’m afraid. Copy on the hex bolts for the Lee. The Phillips screws were certainly an issue previously.

[awp_101]

Good info on the hex bolts, thanks! During my last session I had a problem with the factory screws coming loose on the lock downs for the press AND the storage area below the press. Never had that happen before but I knew I hadn’t checked them in a while so I didn’t give it much thought.

[Crazy Dane]

FYI, the bolt size is 1/4 x 20 x 3/8 if you don't have the ability or just don't want to cut some to size.

[entropy]

Well crap. Maybe I need to revisit what’s already available to me. Let me dig the Lee plate out and pour another cocktail.