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In the market for a new press......

GardDog

GardDog

LT
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 16, 2009
2,200
1
52
New Orleans
After 4 years of loyal service, my Lee press finally gave up. I was depriming / sizing the cases from last weeks' range session when the arm broke off into my hand. It appears that the aluminum cracked and gave way under the stress of sizing(?). I checked with Lee and they only honor the warranty for two years, so I guess I'll upgrade to one of the higher end models.

No knock on Lee intended here. Just a warning to other Lee press users.


 
Re: In the market for a new press......

I would recommend the RCBS Rock Chucker II. I have them and I am sure that they will outlast me or possibly my son too.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Perhaps Lee would sell you the part to fix it. </div></div>

You know, after the initial pissed-off-ness wore off, I took another look at the press and came to the same conclusion. I am going to contact Lee & see if that one piece is available. I only use the bench mounted press for sizing / depriming, so an inexpensive fix would lessen my anguish.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Prepare for the T-7 vs the CoAx wars!! </div></div>

Not my intention, by any means. Not looking for the "Which press should I buy" thread to start.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

Looks like a cheap fix. I would guess around $20.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

I have a RCBS Rockchucker II and it's fine for me, but if it were to break, the Redding T-7 is on the wish list
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

Co-Ax all the way, but I bet Lee will fix it for free, if not let us know so we can all avoid them.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

Redding Big Boss II...look no further, it does it ALL.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

I checked the FAQ's and located the place to get replacement parts for my model of press. Not sure if I have an older model than the one shown (I purchased from Smiling Larry in November of '06), but none of the pieces match mine. I sent an email and will go from there. I'll be using the hand press for now.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

Speedy email response advised that for $7.50 (including shipping) I can be back in the game. I usually don't break $3.00 parts, so I'm pleased to say the least.

I'll dream of the high dollar presses, as I save my coins for new optics for my wsm.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GardDog223</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Speedy email response advised that for $7.50 (including shipping) I can be back in the game. I usually don't break $3.00 parts, so I'm pleased to say the least.

I'll dream of the high dollar presses, as I save my coins for new optics for my wsm.</div></div>

Very fair price indeed, glad to hear they didn't gouge you $10+ for shipping alone.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

My Lee press did the same thing after 3 or 4 years of service. While I was sure it was a cheap fix I just had an itch for a better press so I replaced mine with a Hornady. But good to know that you had a good experience with Lee.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's a link to the parts list. You may have to call Lee to find out what your part needed is, but they're mostly cheap.
</div></div>

With the frame at $34 and the ram at $9 you have eliminated the two most expensive parts. The most any other part costs is $7.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

Every time I contact RCBS, like when I broke my rockchucker, some sweet female voice wants to send me a lot of new things, even if it is my fault. That makes me feel guilty.

Every time I contact Lee, they say it is not their fault, even when it is, but they send me new parts for dirt cheap and dirt cheap shipping through the US mail. That makes me feel ghetto.

Every time I contact Forster to tell them of my next product improvement suggestion, some sweet female voice tells it is so appreciated, but the owners are not here right now. That makes me feel ignored.

Every time I tried to contact Redding, I googled "redding dies" and got some obituary. I guess they finally fixed that. Anyway, it made me feel stupid.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

One time I called Hornady with a product improvement suggestion and they incorporated it. Made me feel loved, and smart.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

RCBS Rock Chucker II will handle anything you throw at it and their customer service has always been good. I used to live near Lewiston, ID and got lots of free stuff everytime I showed up to their doorstep...
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Clark</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Every time I contact RCBS, like when I broke my rockchucker, some sweet female voice wants to send me a lot of new things, even if it is my fault. That makes me feel guilty.

Every time I contact Lee, they say it is not their fault, even when it is, but they send me new parts for dirt cheap and dirt cheap shipping through the US mail. That makes me feel ghetto.

Every time I contact Forster to tell them of my next product improvement suggestion, some sweet female voice tells it is so appreciated, but the owners are not here right now. That makes me feel ignored.

Every time I tried to contact Redding, I googled "redding dies" and got some obituary. I guess they finally fixed that. Anyway, it made me feel stupid. </div></div> Every time I call Dillon I get some crabby old fart who wants to send me free parts. He's a cranky f'er but the parts are free and show up quick.
laugh.gif
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

You can't go wrong with any of the top press manufacturers. I like the CO-AX and my RCBS 2000Pro the best. Either will last my lifetime and be passed down to my son.
DSC02904.jpg

DSC03411.jpg
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

Sound like a relatively cheap fix. Hornady lock-n-load progressive press was my choice if you are interested in an upgrade to multi-step press.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

FYI - the order arrived this week and I am glad that my OCD required me to order two of the part that the folks from Lee indicated was needed. The part is an inverse of itself, so you need two of them to replace the piece that broke. So, all in all, $10 spent and my dedicated deprimer / sizer rig is back in service.

Now if I could just manufacture the time for loading & shooting.....
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

Again...... I need to stop sizing brass after talking to my ex-wife. lol

d0d3c5b4.jpg
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

you can buy the replacement part, but sooner or later you will broke it again,because the two toggle halves are constructed like a pre-fragmented grenade_You can upgrade the Challenger in two cheap ways : 1) before mounting together two good toggle halves, fullfill,and I mean FULLFILL, them with some bicomponent synthetic resin for bedding or some product for fast repairs,as "liquid steel",etc._ 2)replace the original Challenger toggle halves and lever with toggle halves and lever from the Lee Turret Press: ugly as sin,but seems last forever,in comparison _
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

Yeah, I replaced it once before. Looking at the FAQ info today, it seemed that they offer an "upgrade" to a better design, but I'm waiting on an email reply.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

Just as I experienced back in 2010, I received a speedy response from Lee via email. I called the customer service rep that responded to my email and I was informed that the Challenger Press was discontinued a few years back and they have since run out of any of the replacement parts. I was also informed that they have replaced the aluminum "toggle" (that I seem to find a way to break) with a better steel part. It's not a drop-in replacement, but they offer the pieces needed to swap everything over to the new style lever at half off list price for folks in my position. Great customer service, with a speedy resolution to my problem. $13 shipped and I should be back in the game.
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

The new parts look much sturdier. If you own a Lee Challenger Anniversary single-stage press, the $12 upgrade might be a good option.

777a02f7.jpg


3e7e813f.jpg
 
Re: In the market for a new press......

You did the right thing. My Breech Lock Challenger came with the updated linkage. I prefer hardened steel linkage over the competitions cast steel linkage. Many people focus on the ram strength, but the linkage takes a lot of stress.
 
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