Problems Setting Up Lee Pro 1000

[Kilber]

Hello. Maybe I'm just inept, but I am having a hard time setting up my Lee Pro 1000. I just don't think I'm setting up the powder measure correctly (with chain), and I'm unsure if my case feeder is properly mounted.

I know it may be alot to ask, but would anyone mind helping me get this thing operational? If you wanna cruise by, and check out my setup, I got some beers, reloads, or other goodies I can hook you up with. In the Clairemont area of San Diego. Thanks for any help.

[1HitaQuita]

There are some really good setup tutorials on youtube.

[ns3v3n]

I'm in norcal so that's out of the question for me, but do yourself a favor and get rid of that ball chain and yourself something sturdy from home depot. That ball chain breaks really easily. I have the same press, once you set it up and understand how it works, it works just fine and will churn out thousands of rounds.

If you go on the Lee's website, there's videos on how to set it up, youtube as well, great resources on youtube.

[Kilber]

Thanks for the help guys, I think my main problem was related to the drive bolt. It turns out that the plastic drive inside was cracked, and the shell plate wouldn't index. The press came with 2 replacements, and I tossed a new one in. Seems G2G now.

[1HitaQuita]

Thanks for the help guys, I think my main problem was related to the drive bolt. It turns out that the plastic drive inside was cracked, and the shell plate wouldn't index. The press came with 2 replacements, and I tossed a new one in. Seems G2G now.

Be sure you contact Lee customer service & let them know you had a broken part. I hear they're pretty good about replacing parts if it's faulty.

[IntoForever]

+1 on getting rid of that garbage chain. I've broken a few and ended up replacing it with a spring.

[Kilber]

+1 on getting rid of that garbage chain. I've broken a few and ended up replacing it with a spring.

What size spring did you use?

[Cowboy T]

Check out my videos on the Pro 1000, disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly. Free downloads from my Web site (in the sig).

[polo.45]

Check out my videos on the Pro 1000, disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly. Free downloads from my Web site (in the sig).

I like your videos!

[IntoForever]

What size spring did you use?

Ummm, no idea specifically? I brought my press into the hardware store and matched one up.

[Cowboy T]

A small bungee cord will also do the trick.

You can also replace that chain-activated mechanism with the one for the Turret Presses. That's what I did, and it works like a charm. There's slightly more of a risk for double-charging if you short-stroke the press at the top, but just pay attention to what you're doing, and no worries.

[elx144]

I just tuned up my Pro-1000 today and cranked out around 90 9mm rounds in 20 or so minutes. All I really did was watch Cowoy T's videos about assembly and cleaning, then took the shell holder plate off and slicked it up with some gun lube. I also had to snip a little off the spring under the ball bearing so powder doesn't fly out. That only seems to be a problem with short cases like 9mm. Before loading any rounds I made sure everything was smooth and adjusted nicely, then I started cranking and had very few problems. The springs holding the case into the holder seemed to come loose. I bent them back in but the press came with a spare or two. Now I get to see if these will cycle my gun tomorrow morning, then I'm set I can crank out a thousand or so.

[Flipdude]

I used Everbilt Extension Springs Model no. 16086 from Home Depot on my Lee Pro 1000 powder auto disk and it seemed to cycle properly. They come with four springs, 2 large and 2 small. I had to cut about 1/3 of the the large one and used a strong paper clip to attach it to the bottom of the plate. Now, it also depends on what kind of powder you are using. The auto disk system doesn't meter stick or extruded powder very well. I have been using Alliant AR Comp for my .223 loads, which is a stick powder and it doesn't meter well at all. So, I resize, prime and seat on the Pro 1000 but I manually charge my powder and it can be a real pain weighing and measuring powder for 100 .223 loads this way.

The consensus is that the auto disk powder measure will meter ball or flake powder very well compared to stick or extruded powder. I just got 2# of ball powder (H335) today and will use the auto disk powder measure to charge my .223 loads next week. I just started reloading myself but have been studying it for a while...lots to learn and absorb and form good safety habits when reloading. Anyway, here is a picture of the springs and good luck with your powder measure...I'll let you know how mine turns out.

[elx144]

Is there a different indexing rod for different shell holder plates? I have a 9mm press and tried to switch to the no. 4 plate but it won't index all the way. I just ordered the no. 2 full carrier so I could switch to .45 ACP. Am I going to have to order two more presses and use these parts as spares, or am I missing parts for the conversion?

[bubbala]

I used Everbilt Extension Springs Model no. 16086 from Home Depot on my Lee Pro 1000 powder auto disk and it seemed to cycle properly. They come with four springs, 2 large and 2 small. I had to cut about 1/3 of the the large one and used a strong paper clip to attach it to the bottom of the plate. Now, it also depends on what kind of powder you are using. The auto disk system doesn't meter stick or extruded powder very well. I have been using Alliant AR Comp for my .223 loads, which is a stick powder and it doesn't meter well at all. So, I resize, prime and seat on the Pro 1000 but I manually charge my powder and it can be a real pain weighing and measuring powder for 100 .223 loads this way.

The consensus is that the auto disk powder measure will meter ball or flake powder very well compared to stick or extruded powder. I just got 2# of ball powder (H335) today and will use the auto disk powder measure to charge my .223 loads next week. I just started reloading myself but have been studying it for a while...lots to learn and absorb and form good safety habits when reloading. Anyway, here is a picture of the springs and good luck with your powder measure...I'll let you know how mine turns out.

thanks guys, you just talked me out of a 1000