help with a Lee Loadmaster

[IrishPirate]

Bought a Lee Loadmaster not too long ago and after mounting it to a bench (the extent of my setup so far) I noticed that the index flipper doesn't always work. It doesn't seem to always catch the lip on the press that is supposed to pull it out, and sometimes it falls off halfway though and doesn't come out far enough for the handle to hit and and spin the shell plate. Is there an easy fix for this? is mine broken? I tried to call Lee but the only number i could find just rang and rang for 10 minutes with no answer. I'd like to avoid sending it back, but I don't want to get into any complicated repairs. anyone have any suggestions? thanks!

[gnauenburg]

IrishPirate,

Try visiting this link: http://loadmastervideos.com/

These folks are totally devoted to the Loadmaster and all of it's intricacies. I am just about to mount mine again after it has sat idle for over 10 years in a garage. I'm no current expert or anything but what you are describing sounds to me like the index flipper is dialed in too far on the index rod. I would try dialing it out one full rotation so that the rod has a little more travel per cycle. When I was messing with my press before I dismounted it from the previous home I found that the flipper needed some adjustment out to work properly with the index cycle. Also make sure to properly lubricate your press before you start to use it for production. The video from Shadowdog on that link is excellent for pointing out the proper lubrication points of interest.

George

[xfer42]

First, lube it up. Just rub a little motor oil on the side of the press. If its still not working, see if it properly indexes when you bring the press down fast (Bring the lever up quickly). Mine will always bind/slip if I go slow. I move the lever down slowly while resizing/seating/dropping powder, then raise it quickly.

If all else fails, rotate the press so the flipper snugs up against the side. You do this by loosening the bolt at the very bottom, then you can rotate the whole shell holder assembly. You may need to rotate it one click so the flipper has less space to "slip" off the slide.

Also, the flipper is made to wear out. Buy about 5 of them when you get the chance. They are only like $2 and they will last between 2000-10000 rounds. The flipper rotates on its threads and will eventually crack open.

[xfer42]

Oh one other thing.

Try unscrewing the flipper one turn... then two.
If thats not working, go the other way and screw it in.

[IrishPirate]

the flipper doesn't screw in.....it's just a bar that sticks out and gets pushed/pulled by the press body, then pushed in by the pull handle...so i'm not sure what you're talking about. Unless I've got the names mixed up...

[gnauenburg]

Trust me when I tell you that it does screw in and out. Take that index rod out of the carrier with the lever down and you will see that the plastic flipper can be screwed on and off of the index rod. My suggesting is to try one full rotation out first. When it is adjusted right there should be a tiny amount of play between the handle and the flipper when the press handle has been raised to the top of the stroke ant he carrier is resting at the bottom of your press. If you haven't checked the loadmaster videos site yet then I highly recommend that you go there and watch the video labeled 23 minute setup video. I am positive that it will clear up your issues.

[at_liberty]

Loosen the nut on the bottom of the ram and adjust the shellplate to allow the indexing rod to operate closer to the tower. That is actually in the instructions but is easy to miss. See Figure 4, page 7, Alignment of the carrier to the turret. I had the same problem, and this fixed it, no turning back. Indexing is now completely reliable.

[zfields]

Lee presses are sort of like harleys, half the fun is making the damn things work.

Sorry this couldn't be more enlightening, be safe reloadin'

[XDRoX]

zfields, that line just made my sig.

[sugi942]

I've had a Loadmaster for 20 years and have never been able to get the flipper to work. I started pulling the out the flipper by hand (left hand) and that's been working for decades.

rofl @ "Lee presses are sort of like harleys, half the fun is making the damn things work". So true!

[at_liberty]

I've had a Loadmaster for 20 years and have never been able to get the flipper to work. I started pulling the out the flipper by hand (left hand) and that's been working for decades.

rofl @ "Lee presses are sort of like harleys, half the fun is making the damn things work". So true!

Well, now you know how to fix it. Better late than never.

[IrishPirate]

Trust me when I tell you that it does screw in and out. Take that index rod out of the carrier with the lever down and you will see that the plastic flipper can be screwed on and off of the index rod. My suggesting is to try one full rotation out first. When it is adjusted right there should be a tiny amount of play between the handle and the flipper when the press handle has been raised to the top of the stroke ant he carrier is resting at the bottom of your press. If you haven't checked the loadmaster videos site yet then I highly recommend that you go there and watch the video labeled 23 minute setup video. I am positive that it will clear up your issues.

for some reason the videos weren't working last night....i check some of the pictures though and saw what you were talking about...it does screw out, you're right, i was confused. I gave it a shot last night and it didn't quite work, but I'll keep trying and come back to the site for help. I'm sure it's a little thing because when i got it out of the box it indexed just fine....i must have screwed something up when mounting it. thanks again everyone

[sugi942]

Well, now you know how to fix it. Better late than never.

Yeah, well I like the Loadmaster, but every once in a while it pisses me off to the point where I start shaking every time I see a Dillon for sale...

[zfields]

Glad I could brighten your day (and sig) with my nugget of wisdom : )

zfields, that line just made my sig.