Lee priming tool fix

[ackleyman]

A lot of us have used the older lee priming tool over the years, and eventually the handle will break. This is a simple fix that I thought I would share.

material is 1/8" piece of steel(this one happened to fall out of my recliner).

I cut the piece of steel with a saber saw, then filed the edges smooth, use any kind of epoxy, this happens to be Accra Glass, but anything will work, just degrease the parts prior with brake cleaner or similar decrease product.

Handle will NEVER break again!

It is a good idea to put some grease on the round cam to keep it from wearing, which keeps the primers flush with the base of the case.

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[DannoBoone]

Great idea! Thanks for posting the info and photos.

From reports I've read, it sounds like few people are satisfied
with the newer Lee priming tools. My oldie is still doing fine
and was made in the mid-80's. Per instructions, it has always
been grease lubricated. Most problems came because people failed
to grease them.

 

[Rustydust]

Keith you are so clever! I have two of them things set up for different primer sizes. Yes I have broken one too and I have a spare for if (when?) it happens again. But you being the innovator that you make me realize that I will probably never have to buy one ever again. What a guy.

 

[ackleyman]

Handle is made of pot metal, metal fatigue is a killer on these handles.

 

[orkan]

Ackleyman, I'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas.

Put an order in for a CPS, and I'll give it to you for half price. You'll never pick up a hand priming tool again unless you plan to use it as a weapon. Just PM me here with your order number and I'll make it so.

http://www.primalrights.com/reloading-equipment

 

[Jay Cummings]

I use one myself but have never broken the handle. Good fix Keith! Simple and easy! Thanks

 

[Plant.One]

i broke my lee out a few weeks ago when i was teaching a friend the basics of reloading. let him get a feel for it.

next time i'll let him use the on press CPS and leave him grumble about the lee

 

[Smokeless]

Thanks Keith, those Lee auto primes are worth saving.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have read that the handle from the newer "square" tray lee hand primer tools will fit into the older round tray versions with little effort but no 1st hand experience.

 

[ackleyman]

New Lee will not fit in older models, they ought to fire the guy that invented the new one.

 

[cm250]

Saw your post a while back on repairing a Lee hand priming tool. Have two broken ones myself. Know I could send them back to Lee for free replacements, but liked your idea on repair. Got one out the other day and supper glued back together for proper angles. Had an old broken oil filter wrench. 1/8” thick and 5/8” wide verse 3/4” wide on original handle. Trimed and formed brace to follow original handle lines, at narrow/hinge points. Went one step farther than you did. Right at back bone side at mid point between hinge points, drilled and tapped a 4-07 metric screw hole. Never used epoxy before, got some Permatex epoxy and glued it all together and installed flat head screw. That stuff is amazing and appears to be real strong.. let it cure for 48 hrs, used it today to prime 200 .223, never missed a beat. Thanks for the advise on a permanent cure for a weak point on a good hand primer. Now just need to repair the other one so I will have two working hand primers.