Lee Turret Press

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dts686

New member
The one I do not like about the Lee turret press is how often the indexing ratchet part needs to be replaced. Why can't the make one out of metal (not plastic) that would last awhile. Sorry for the rant. Anyway I'm thinking about the Lyman T-Mag as a replacement.

I would like to know how you good folks deal with it. Thanks!
 
Someone makes an after market part for that which is metal . I've seen the link in a thread somewhere . I'll try to find it but don't hold your breath .:D
 
The advance mechanism can be removed, leaving only metal parts. Then it operates like other manual index turret presses. It has only four stations whereas others have five or more. But if you can make due with four it's fine, and extra turrets are inexpensive.
 
Properly used the plastic ratchet will last a very long time. Improperly used it will break in a very short period of time.

I am on my second ratchet in 7 years, well over 40K rounds loaded....and the part is like $2.00

To me, its a non issue
 
I've heard of people using (2) square ratchets at the same time, I've never tried it though, never had to...like any mechanical part, things will ware, the tires on your vehicle are no different. Luckily, the SPARE ratchets are much cheaper.
 
I would like to know how you good folks deal with it. Thanks!
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The one time that I boogered up the plastic ratchet piece, I dealt with it by replacing it with a spare plastic ratchet piece and never reversing the handle movement in mid-stroke again. Never had another problem.
 
I've had mine for 3 years, going on 4. Don't know how many thousand rounds with it.
I've never had a problem with mine.
 
I believe that plastic sacrificial part will last indefinitely with a disciplined user. The turret will turn without damaging that part if you have the handle down about half way, enough to start the turret moving. You can go forwards or backwards...it's free to move. You can feel the lack of resistance when the turret is free.
 
dts686 What ya do is take that out and then manually index it like every other turret press. Problem solved. Or don't short stroke it or try and run it backwards.

jaguarxk120 it really is too bad that none of the other main line companies offers an auto index turret press. Maybe they could do it better!
 
This little Turret press is a great value. I'm not an engineer, but I think that the plastic rachet is designed to be a weak point and break before damaging anything else.
 
I must be doing something right . I've had my LCT for couple years now and loaded at least a few thousand rounds by now based on the primers I've used . Mine is still using the original ratchet piece . Because of this thread I did just order 4 from Lee though just in case :D

Oh , and I can't find that after market piece so you can exhale now :cool:
 
I go through one at about every 10 thousand rounds. It doesn't bother me to replace it because that is the only thing that has broken in years of use on my LCT
 
If you short stroke it you can damage that piece. It is a sacrificial part. I'm on my second one in and it was my fault the first one was damaged. Have loaded several thousand rounds and the one in there is still fine but they are super cheap and easy to change. Just don't force anything during the stroke. If it gets tight something is wrong. The LCT is a great little press.
 
mikejonestkd said:
Properly used the plastic ratchet will last a very long time. Improperly used it will break in a very short period of time.

I am on my second ratchet in 7 years, well over 40K rounds loaded....and the part is like $2.00

To me, its a non issue
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This. In over 10's of thousands of rounds loaded over about 8 years, I only replaced that small part once. I use spray lube on the indexing rod to make operation smoother and that seems to be the trick.
 
"Why can't the make one out of metal (not plastic) that would last awhile. "

Because that is the "fusible link" in the system that prevents damaging other (more expensive) parts. I apply wheel bearing grease to the area where the turret turns in the frame and seldom replace the little plastic widget. "Yanking and wanking" of the operating handle will also wear the follower quicker than a slower consistent movement.
 
Short stroking Kills that piece on the 4 hole. It can be done as long as the turret head doesn't start to turn. I do that all the time when checking powder throws or seating depth.

The 3 hole press a short stroke will throw the turret out of time every time. I know because that is what I still use.
 
I sold my Lee Turret when I bought my Hornady AP, looking back now I wish I had kept that old Lee and just put it in a box.

Might just be me but I would have to be going through a lot of $2 parts to justify spending $200 on a new press. Add in another 50 bucks for every spare turret and another $30 or $40 for a primer feed if you want one and that buys a heck of a lot of plastic rachets
 
dts686 said:
The one I do not like about the Lee turret press is how often the indexing ratchet part needs to be replaced. Why can't the make one out of metal (not plastic) that would last awhile. Sorry for the rant. Anyway I'm thinking about the Lyman T-Mag as a replacement.

I would like to know how you good folks deal with it. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I've had to replace mine twice in 5 or 6 years. Not sure what you're doing.
 
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