broke my Lee press

It was 20 years before my challenger was replaced it broke there too. And if a guy is real tight for money I still say get it. You will get your money out of it. Is it a lifetime tool, no, but it will get you going.

I replaced mine with the lee classic, now that is a lifetime tool, nothing but cast iron and steel. And it was still 2/3rds the price of a rock chucker.
 
I have a Rock Chucker that my Father bought in 1969 and when he died in 1983 it became mine, it is still going strong having never broken after untold thousands of rounds and getting close to 40 years of use. I think we got his money's worth out of it and then some.
 
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Flip them over, the other side will keep you going until you buy the linkage off the 1000.Or better yet,buy the Classic.The Factory Crimp die is tough on the pot metal. I went through a few until I changed over.Classic being the last designed has the most features.BTW some early Rockchuckers broke using the Lee Collet die,RCBS had to redesign.:)
 
I'm with NAA I got my press in 88 and have loaded thousands of rounds for my .223, 6.5X55, 30-30, 30-06, 8mm, 6mm, .300 mag and .444 No problems and its still going strong. I must be lucky too!
 
FYI there was a "service bulletin" from Lee where they have identified this problem as well as the old cast link breakage issue at least 2 yrs ago, but still honor. They will replace for you at no cost other than the shipping(in some cases). As has been stated, contact Higginsons as they are the Lee dist in Canada and very good with product support..
Cheers
dB:)
 
Cinch it tight

One thing leading to early failure of the lever connecting arm is the thru-bolt not being torqued enough and loosening with use.
I changed mine for a good graded bolt and a nylock nut. Never had a loosening problem after that.
Now, don't get me wrong, I changed over to a RockChucker because I was given one :) (it's a very good press) and relegated the Challenger to priming chores by permanently installing on it the RCBS autopriming system which makes use of color-coded plastic strips holding primers. It works great!
If I had to buy another press, I think I'd give a try with the Lee Classic Cast and their new Turret Classic, too.:)
PP.
 
When I bought my Lee pro 1000, it had a broken part, I sent a pic of it and a global pic of the press, they sent me 5 parts (only one was needed) free in 4 days

Top notch service
 
well, Higgenson said they would replace it. I ordered a few tidbits while I was at it. :dancingbanana:

I also have another plan in the works. Or rather, I will be a bystander to another plan in the works. CGN is a great place with many interesting people, and someone has offerred me something I could not refuse :)
 
I have been reloading on mine since about 1985. All my reloading has been done on this press, it is a cherished old friend now. If it ever breaks, I am going to send it back to Lee so they can use it for bragging...I dunno how many thousands of rounds came off this thing. It has been with me for half my life now.

It's funny how a guy can get attached to stuff. Old guns, old tools, and old cars become old friends in a silly sort of way.
 
Proutfoo said:
I also have another plan in the works. Or rather, I will be a bystander to another plan in the works. CGN is a great place with many interesting people, and someone has offerred me something I could not refuse :)
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### #### is no way to make a living Proutfoo. Just give the man his candy back and keep walking...
 
CanFire said:
### #### is no way to make a living Proutfoo. Just give the man his candy back and keep walking...
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hehehe :D who says its a he? ;)

It seems that metalurgy is a skill that has not gone with the fall of Rome, and that some 'nutz master this art. I do not have this skill, yet some others, it seems, do. :D
 
Proutfoo said:
It seems the broken links on the challenger press does happen after all....

lee-links.jpg


I got this from Higgensons. Is there any kind of warranty? I think I have loaded maybe 300 rifle cases with this press and blam! :confused:

Can I order just the links?

I am not a brute, I am actually something of a girlie man - makes me wonder how many of these have broke! :(
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Heck I left the main page thinking something serious had happened. Then I realized a lee had died...We'll be ok folks,nothing important....LOL
 
Just as a follow up, less than 24 hours after my email to Lee, they responded asking for my mailing address and offerred to send me some for free.

I respectfully declined, saying I had worked it out with Higgensons.
 
Proutfoo said:
Just as a follow up, less than 24 hours after my email to Lee, they responded asking for my mailing address and offerred to send me some for free.

I respectfully declined, saying I had worked it out with Higgensons.
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Lee can ship replacement parts like nobody else,thats for sure:runaway:
 
blindside said:
Lee can ship replacement parts like nobody else,thats for sure:runaway:
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:D yup, I guess they can :redface: At least I did not have to argue or fax them bills and proofs of purchase, I guess they dispense with the "get the customer on my back" ploy :rolleyes:
 
I had that press for a while and upgraded to a classic cast press and am very impressed. Call Lee and ask about that one, I bet they will let you upgrade for the difference.
 
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