Can't tell from the pic...was it the mounting lug that broke? I've had two Loadmasters for at least 15 years and aside from breaking the primer arm off a carrier assembly have had no problems except for some consumable parts wearing out. Mounted on a 1 1/2" thick wooden table top with zero flex.
Lee Load Master Fail
- Thread starter danv
- Start date
ambishooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southeastern Canuckstan
This could be a common issue with Lee Loadmaster. I saw an item on Ebay that will add an extra mounting bracket to support the back portion of the press.
Since there are only 2 mounting holes on both sides, a casting flaw will definitely weaken the base of the press. Maybe there are more cases like this that we are not aware of so this ingenious idea came up.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reloading-Press-Support-Brace-for-Lee-Loadmaster-FlexStop-/251522566395
Since there are only 2 mounting holes on both sides, a casting flaw will definitely weaken the base of the press. Maybe there are more cases like this that we are not aware of so this ingenious idea came up.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reloading-Press-Support-Brace-for-Lee-Loadmaster-FlexStop-/251522566395
That Flex Stop bracket is likely aimed more at stiffening up benches that are too flexible. I don't think it's intended as a repair option for a broken lug or avoiding a broken lug in the first place. Although it would certainly help for that as well.
The bench looks solid enough provided it's not out on a "wing". If it is then you may be surprised at how flexible even an inch of common plywood can be when you have the leverage of the arm on the press and some over hang off the front edge to use for flexing the wood. Fixing the issue might simply require an extra leg that fits just under the front edge of the table and seats solidly on the floor just under the middle of the press.
In the days of cheap proper FIR plywood an inch of plywood was stiff enough for such use. But with the cheezy and rather rubbery rapid grown spruce and pine plywood they are making now it's about as rigid as Keenex. So it may well be flexing more than you realize just from the amount of extension to the right from the 2x4 legs I see in the picture.
The bench looks solid enough provided it's not out on a "wing". If it is then you may be surprised at how flexible even an inch of common plywood can be when you have the leverage of the arm on the press and some over hang off the front edge to use for flexing the wood. Fixing the issue might simply require an extra leg that fits just under the front edge of the table and seats solidly on the floor just under the middle of the press.
In the days of cheap proper FIR plywood an inch of plywood was stiff enough for such use. But with the cheezy and rather rubbery rapid grown spruce and pine plywood they are making now it's about as rigid as Keenex. So it may well be flexing more than you realize just from the amount of extension to the right from the 2x4 legs I see in the picture.
Spruce and pine plywood are a myth. The outer layer's are, but I know fer a fact the inner layer's are poplar, at least up here.
A friend of mine gave me a brand new piece of plywood that's used in concrete form's. 1 1/2 inch's thick and solid, drill's nicely and the outer coating sucked up the first couple coat's of varnish
A friend of mine gave me a brand new piece of plywood that's used in concrete form's. 1 1/2 inch's thick and solid, drill's nicely and the outer coating sucked up the first couple coat's of varnish
And poplar is even WORSE for stiffness. And again that would support the idea of the table being too flexible.
The proper cabinet grade plywoods tend to be stiffer. I assumed it was still spruce or pine but with more layers and perhaps better veneer grades to give it the added stiffness.
The proper cabinet grade plywoods tend to be stiffer. I assumed it was still spruce or pine but with more layers and perhaps better veneer grades to give it the added stiffness.
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
I have the dinky little single stage press, as well as the turret one, and you would think where the handle joins the press would be the weak spot. Having a look at them now, that area (the rear bolt) is the most protected from force.
and some of it lasts forever- I have a turret that eats gears, but still works great- 3 lee 1000( 9mm , 45acp, and 223) get the idea I don't like to change calibers?- and a loadmaster in 44mag - the 1000s have yet to have their gears changed, and I guess the loadmaster must be nearing the 1 mil mark in reloads- the only thing I have that doesn't work worth a damn is the bullet feeder- I can feed bullets faster by hand - krag style- bullets in one hand,left, while cranking away with the other- entry level kit indeed- I also have a Dillon thatbarely gets used as I don't care for the star wheel method of advancing cases
There will be no duty in either direction. Very much doubt the bench had anything to do with it. Plywood(made the same everywhere) is waaaaay better than particle board. Any cast part can break. Really falls under 'You get what you pay for.'
You'd be buying another press if it had happened after Lee's one year warrantee was past. RCBS kit is covered forever. Even if you buy the press used. S'why it costs more.
You'd be buying another press if it had happened after Lee's one year warrantee was past. RCBS kit is covered forever. Even if you buy the press used. S'why it costs more.
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
My head can't compute how photo in post #1, and photo in post #20 are the same spot?
Rod B
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
The first one looks like that 1970's kind of kitchen/bathroom counter stuff, and the second pic looks like plywood? I dunno, that's my take. Now, I'm not accusing the OP of being "that guy", but some guys could break a hammer given enough time. I bet that break could be duplicated by having only the back bolt snug, and lifting the press.
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
Time for me to take up drinking I'd say.....totally did not realize it was powder.
likewise until i took a better look, i'm also guessing the second picture was when he first got it, hence no bolts in the press.
- Location
- Halifax - NS
OP,
Been there, done that - you're not alone in being disappointed by a Lee Progressive. Just take it as a sign and lesson learned.
You bought one of the cheapest progressives out there and the old adage was again proven - "you get what you pay for".
Now go get a Dillon and be further educated how horrible that press was when it was "working".
I'm sorry to say that life won't get better for a little bit though; when you've loaded your first 1000 rounds without screwing with the press, you'll again be cursing yourself for buying the load master. It takes a while to forget.
Been there, done that - you're not alone in being disappointed by a Lee Progressive. Just take it as a sign and lesson learned.
You bought one of the cheapest progressives out there and the old adage was again proven - "you get what you pay for".
Now go get a Dillon and be further educated how horrible that press was when it was "working".
I'm sorry to say that life won't get better for a little bit though; when you've loaded your first 1000 rounds without screwing with the press, you'll again be cursing yourself for buying the load master. It takes a while to forget.
PitBull1973
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Right Behind You
I have a friend that was in the same boat telling me how great his Lee press is and now finally with several failures he bought a Dillon 650 and can't be any happier .
