LEE universal decapper - Replacing pin

schick

schick

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Yes, I actually broke the supposedly unbreakablepin in my universal decapping die (must have been me acting like a gorilla on a berdan case).

Any chance of me replacing the pin, or should I just find a source of for a completre rod and pin?
 
I am not sure what the pin is like on the LEE dies but I broke the decapping pin (and then the spare:() on my Forster die. I had ordered it from Sinclairs Int'l so did not look forward to the long wait that it would take to get a replacement.

To make a new one I used a 1/16" TIG welding electrode and cut it to length with a zip disk. It is precision ground to the proper size and plenty hard for that purpose. After I got my die set up properly, (so it aligned properly), it has served me for several hundred uses since then.

If you can get a direct LEE replacement that would be best but if you need to get back to work right away try the TIG electrode route. My Forester pin is the same diameter the full length but the LEE may be stepped so you will have to double check.

Just an idea
 
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I too broke my Lee decapping pin on a Berdan case. Lee sent me a new one, no charge. I just wrote them a short letter & included the broken pin.

George
 
"...me acting like a gorilla on a berdan case..." You can't use a regular decapper for Berdan primers. You're bashing the pin into solid brass.
Reloading berdan primed brass isn't worth the trouble either. Even if berdan primers were easy to get.
 
I also managed to break the unbreakable. Ordered a replacement from Higginson Powders. I believe he stocks alot of Lee replacement parts. Always great service.
 
I broke one last week.. Same thing. Ended up finding a SPEER .40 that was berdan.. go figure. That's what I get for picking up brass that wasn't mine. I'm going to start blueing brass.
 
Thanks guys.

I forgot about Higginson.

Sunray: I didn't realize it was Berdan case. It was just a big pile of free brass that I needed to prep. Lesson learned is look first, I guess.
 
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