Never done this before,REPLY FROM LEE

Kelly Timoffee

Kelly Timoffee

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Went to decap and size some brass ran through about 10 and them BAM!!

Press is stuck!!Won't extract.

Frigging weird I figure since it is a collet sizer.

Played around a bit and finally said F it, just backed off the threads on the die and let it screw itself out, here is what I had:



#####ed the die but they are cheap anyways but strange how that occurred.

Most upset because it is Lapua brass!!
 
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Ah, awesome, makes more sense.

Maybe the sizing stem/rod got worn at the top undersized it and jamming at the bottom.
 
The only thing I can think of is the collet became jammed in the closed position? Send an email to Lee with pics and explanation thru their customer service and they'll send you a new one for free.
 
Had that happen to me as well, when i was new to the game I was sizing a mixture of brass, one batch, had been neck turned and the other ones had not, after a neck turned case the collet would jam on the regular one (took me a while to figure this out), I was told by lee tech support to unscrew the top and give the die body a firm tap with a metal bar/small hammer, this allow the collet to snap open, if you just pull down on the case the collet will not release and you will get what you see in your example. In your case the collet probably needs some lube, as I assume all your necks are the same thickness.
 
Yes, they have all been turned.

roberti11 said:
Had that happen to me as well, when i was new to the game I was sizing a mixture of brass, one batch, had been neck turned and the other ones had not, after a neck turned case the collet would jam on the regular one (took me a while to figure this out), I was told by lee tech support to unscrew the top and give the die body a firm tap with a metal bar/small hammer, this allow the collet to snap open, if you just pull down on the case the collet will not release and you will get what you see in your example. In your case the collet probably needs some lube, as I assume all your necks are the same thickness.
Click to expand...
 
Get this...............

Got a reply from Lee , this morning.

From you photos, way to much pressure was put on the die. If you return
the die it can be refurbished for 1/2 of the suggest retail price,
$20.50 + $6.00 S&H. Just return your die with a note, and payment.
Thanks,

Dave
Tech Service
Lee Precision
4275 Highway U
Hartford, WI 53027

A) I have done thousands of cases in this die and other neck sizers. I suddenly put too much force onto it?
B) Other manufacturers would have simply sent new parts to either rebuild or replace entirely.

I will just either buy another or use my bushing sizer, I think I will reply with a thanks but no thanks.

After exchange and duty it will be the same to buy a new complete die up here.

Think I will just stay green from now on.
 
I've had a few " my fault" breakages with Lee parts and they've always covered replacement parts. Did you mention that you have done thousands of cases without incident?
 
Keep pressing them. Sometimes they just don't want to send out a new part but if you hold your ground and insist it was a faulty Lee part then they will send you one.
 
I did and I also mentioned that I wanted to purchase an item from their custom shop that retails for a fair amount.

Like I said, green is the way to go, I don't press or push an issue, they made their decision when they said it was my fault.


Trinimon said:
I've had a few " my fault" breakages with Lee parts and they've always covered replacement parts. Did you mention that you have done thousands of cases without incident?
Click to expand...
 
Did you try and "gently" tap the mandrel out of the mandrel sleeve thus pushing the brass case neck off the mandrel? If its too tight then use a drimel tool or a fine jewelers file and cut through the brass without touching the mandrel.
(it ain't broke and you can fix it) ;)

I do not set my Lee collet dies as per the instructions, I let the press cam over and reach maximum extension, this provides a mechanical stop and guessing how hard to pull the handle.

Read the third post down by J. Valentine on how to do this type adjustment at Benchrest Central.

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?49899-Lee-Collet-Die-Adjustment

I tried the torque wrench method but I couldn't get the torque wrench to "click" and break at the correct inch pound setting.

torquepress_zps80ffd788.jpg


Sorry I watched too many episodes of "The Red Green Show" on our American educational channel. :evil:
 
It was tighter than gently tapping would relieve.I got it apart no biggie.

And FYI , no I didn't jump on the handle of the ram to get it that tight. ;)


bigedp51 said:
Did you try and "gently" tap the mandrel out of the mandrel sleeve thus pushing the brass case neck off the mandrel? If its too tight then use a drimel tool or a fine jewelers file and cut through the brass without touching the mandrel.
(it ain't broke and you can fix it) ;)

I do not set my Lee collet dies as per the instructions, I let the press cam over and reach maximum extension, this provides a mechanical stop and guessing how hard to pull the handle.

Read the third post down by J. Valentine on how to do this type adjustment at Benchrest Central.

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?49899-Lee-Collet-Die-Adjustment

I tried the torque wrench method but I couldn't get the torque wrench to "click" and break at the correct inch pound setting.

torquepress_zps80ffd788.jpg


Sorry I watched too many episodes of "The Red Green Show" on our American educational channel. :evil:
Click to expand...
 
Well if you're satisfied with buying a new one then all is well. We know we get what we pay for but I still like Lee :) What are you getting from the custom shop? (I'm a tool whore :p)
 
I wanted a collet sizer for .338 LM, but I may not after this especially since I specifically asked about it and had zero response in regards to that request.

I am not high and dry without sizers but IMO they could have handled it with a bit more tact.

supernova said:
Well if you're satisfied with buying a new one then all is well. We know we get what we pay for but I still like Lee :) What are you getting from the custom shop? (I'm a tool whore :p)
Click to expand...
 
I had my 9mm depriming rod on my lee die break and had to pay $2 to get a new one shipped.... Hornady has no problem shipping me extra ones for my 45 die for free. You ultimately get what you pay for.
 
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