Crushed cases on Lee 1000

[teamsterjohn]

Hi, l have a 2023 Lee 1000 press. 3 hole press. On the powder drop stage where it flares the shell it crushes them sometimes. It seems that the case isn’t lining up properly to be flered. A wasted case and primer. Can anyone give me some advice. Thanks John

 

[kev74]

There is a procedure for adjusting the indexing of the shell holder plate. Run the ram up, then back down, then tighten the adjuster screw until the shell plate clicks into place- then give it another 1/2 turn.

If it's only misaligned on one stage, something else is goofy.

 

[FP1201]

Generally, you adjust the shell plate to index to almost "click" into the ball-detent when you're at the bottom of the stroke....it's a nuance to getting the timing perfect, and if you overshoot it, just turn the screw until it indexes the next slot in the Shell Plate.
Make sure the springs are holding the cases in the Shell Plate (sometimes they're missing/sloppy and the case floats out enough to pinch)
Second thing is the flaring bell in the Powder Die: sometimes they have rough machining that makes them grab...other times the Powder Dispenser gets clogged/bound up requiring excessive force (crushing the Case) and not to be overlooked are cases that are longer than trim length.
IF you have a metal Polishing setup or really fine sandpaper, you can spin up the flaring plug and shine it to a chrome finish...
Fact is, you're going to fubar a few cases getting it tweaked to run properly, even then you should be paying attention to every operation as it's happening, you'll also get a "feel" for each stage up to all three processing at the same time...part of learning the machine.

 

[teamsterjohn]

There is a procedure for adjusting the indexing of the shell holder plate. Run the ram up, then back down, then tighten the adjuster screw until the shell plate clicks into place- then give it another 1/2 turn.

If it's only misaligned on one stage, something else is goofy.

Thank you. I will double check everything but it is weird.

 

[teamsterjohn]

The de-chapping station lines up, and so does stating #3, the bullet seating. But#2 station, the bullet flaring and powder drop does not. And that’s where my bullet casings are getting crushed sometimes.

 

[kev74]

Is it possible that the flaring/powder die is too low?

What caliber are you loading?

 

[teamsterjohn]

380

 

[teamsterjohn]

380. No, it’s not to low. The flat on my cases is just enuff to seat a bullet

 

[kev74]

Maybe there's some gunk in the rim groove in the shell plate?

The only time I damage cases on mine is if either the case feeder doesn't push the case all the way in, or if the next case to be fed goes too far forward when the case drops off the feeder arm.

A call to Lee might help.

 

[4WHLDRFTN]

Seen this on other presses. Case is too tight in shell plate not letting the case center itself.
Cases are not the same spec, so if you’re using a mixed bag. It’s probably one company

 

[teamsterjohn]

Thank you. That makes sense. I never checked the manufacturer of the cases, but I’ll do it in a few minutes and then report back.

 

[teamsterjohn]

Different cases. I did call Lee and he gave me a few things to try and I sent them pictures and we’ll see tomorrow what they have to say. They had me move the dies around and put them in different stations.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Only time this has happened to me is when I forgot to adjust the height of the powder drop die when I was switching between 45 ACP and 45 GAP.

 

[RooftopKorean]

To trouble shoot, I'd suggest doing some single stage action in getting your cases resized and primed.

Take out all the dies except your powder drop. Set your depth level and do a couple of test drops.

This way you can see for sure if it is the powder drop that is causing the issues and ruling out your other dies.

 

[teamsterjohn]

The powder drop die does not line up in the bullet seating station#(3) rather. I will tell this to Lee Precision when I call them back. It sounds like the dye is off.?

 

[teamsterjohn]

I just installed the powder die into station #(1) with is the de-capping station. And it crushed the case there also.

 

[kev74]

Is the little expander insert weird looking? Is either the die or the expander insert unsymmetrical?

 

[teamsterjohn]

I’ll take a better look at it but what I am noticing or hearing is there is definitely a clicking sound when the casing goes into the dye no matter what station I put it in so somethings not right.

 

[fresch]

Take the die apart and look at everything, measure the expander.

 

[teamsterjohn]

Thank you, will do

 

[repete]

You say "crushing" is it crushed all the way around or just on one side?
A pic or two will help.

 

[teamsterjohn]

I’m happy to say that Chris from Lee Precision gave me another idea to try, and it worked. He said to loosen the top three bolts , have the shell plate loaded and lower the handle to bring the cartridges into the dice, wiggle them around and re-tighten the three bolts and I did it put it back in alignment. Thanks to everyone who tryed to help me. John

 

[teamsterjohn]

All fixed now

 

[FP1201]

Thank you. I will double check everything but it is weird.

I understand what you're saying; is the Shell Plate carrier assembly properly seated on the Ram without tilt/deflection?
Is there any "wobble" or excessive gap between the bottom of the shell plate and the Plate Carrier? (spring pressure might make it tilt just enough to snag the flaring bell in the Die)
I suppose the Die carrier could be defective: swap the dies around to see if that cures or it follows.