lee has a new single stage press coming out Lee APP

[GW Staar]

The new handle is of course a vapor product so far. The high price reflects the fact that it requires new twin arms as well.

https://leeprecision.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1&keep_https=yes

 

[TTv2]

I ordered mine, I have come to conclude I need a second press and wanted a single stage. Intending to use it mostly for re-sizing and mouth flaring for .32, but I think I may end up using it to decap too, possibly some bullet sizing.

I figure if I size all my cases first, then I can set the LCT up and do mouth flare/powder measure and seat and crimp with the indexing rod in. Might speed things up so well I may never need a progressive press.

I look at the APP and I see a lot of the Forster Co-Ax in it, especially with the dual pin setup for proper alignment/perpendicularity. Seems that a lot of people aren't sure how this thing is going to hold up for case sizing, but as long as you're not trying to size 500 cases of .45-70 a day with it, it should last just fine. I'm only intending to do pistol with it, maybe in the distant future something like .350 Legend and .357 Maximum.

 

[GW Staar]

I use the APP a lot for prepping .223 and .308. It didn't feed them well, so you all know I added drop tubes to stabilize the process.

Well I got tired of the mickey mouse setup time to change calibers ....... so I did something about it.

I find that the coupling nuts not only stabilized the whole feeder better, another one underneath made tightening things just plain easier.....I hate getting on my knees to find the stupid nut.....



I forgot to splain one detail.....I used a nut under the coupling nut to lock it.....but you can't add a locking nut to the lower nut that rests on top of the press frame....because it interferes with the slide. So I used blue thread locker.......if I had red in the house it would have been the stronger red threadlocker.

I plan to do something similar to all the single tube loaders too for pistol applications.
I like quicker changes....

I'm not a welder....have to beg a nephew to do that....but my next detail is to get him to tack weld an oversized wing nut to the bottom of the lower couplin nut.

 

[Tilos]

The new handle is of course a vapor product so far. The high price reflects the fact that it requires new twin arms as well.

https://leeprecision.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1&keep_https=yes

This guy MacGyver'ed the stock handle into the "new D Handle" that has no been released yet.
Check it out:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...sizing-press&p=4886628&viewfull=1#post4886628


Edited to change link

 

[MuthaFunk]

I use the APP a lot for prepping .223 and .308. It didn't feed them well, so you all know I added drop tubes to stabilize the process.

Well I got tired of the mickey mouse setup time to change calibers ....... so I did something about it.

I find that the coupling nuts not only stabilized the whole feeder better, another one underneath made tightening things just plain easier.....I hate getting on my knees to find the stupid nut.....

I love the idea! I’ll be doing the same. I may also use those on my mounting bolts. I don’t use a quick change kit as I only mount it when I’m going to do a bulk batch run and for me right now it’s pretty quick to screw in three wing nuts.

 

[Tilos]

I love the idea! I’ll be doing the same. I may also use those on my mounting bolts. I don’t use a quick change kit as I only mount it when I’m going to do a bulk batch run and for me right now it’s pretty quick to screw in three wing nuts.

Coupling nuts, you mean like this:

I've posted this pic a lot and no one has asked about the chain links used to prime on the bottom instead of the top.
Frees up the 2nd die station for the powder drop instead of priming.

 

[GW Staar]

That's a first....nice "feature!"

BTW I had to add another paragraph to my last post....to clarify why that bottom nut doesn't move even without a lock nut......and I really like idea of a wing nut....just not up under there where the one I had on hand had clearance issues.

 

[BBarn]

While there isn't room for double nutting near the case slider, I did manage to get a nylon insert locknut into the space. It was hard to get that type of nut on there since I threaded it on upside down. It might also work if threaded on normally, but I didn't try that.

 

[GW Staar]

BBarn: Never thought of a nylon nut.....that works for the base nut......

In your application, it would be easy to measure the distance you have there, and cut a coupling nut to match it.....then you tighten the coupling nut to the feeder and only need one nut underneath to fasten it to the press.....or that distance minus a nut and use a short bolt and nut that you then screw the coupling nut too.

What I like about the short top bolt and nut permanently fastened to the feeder, is that you can remove only the coupler/all thread combo and make each application its own at each height you need.

 

[BBarn]

What I like about the short top bolt and nut permanently fastened to the feeder, is that you can remove only the coupler/all thread combo and make each application its own at each height you need.

Yes. The only negative with that approach is access to the bottom is a bit inconvenient.

I'm considering a piece of threaded rod or a longer bolt fixed at the bottom, an unthreaded thin wall spacer of the appropriate length on top of that, the feeder housing, then something like a stepped nut on top that fits inside the hex bore in the feeder housing. To make a change, you loosen the top nut, remove the feeder housing, the spacer, and replace them with a different feeder housing and/or different spacer, and tighten the top fastener. This approach also allows use of the same feeder with different height settings as determined by the unthreaded spacer length.

 

[BBarn]

The top nut could be a piece of coupling nut turned down on one end to fit inside the hex of the feeder.

 

[BBarn]

Looking at it some more, I'm not sure there is enough clearance between the bolt/threaded rod and case slider for a spacer, even a thin walled one.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I have a Pacific that I have semi-retired, it's been around since 1975 or so. It does a great job on anything I put on it.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[GW Staar]

Looking at it some more, I'm not sure there is enough clearance between the bolt/threaded rod and case slider for a spacer, even a thin walled one.

Come to think of it, you are right......now I remember the reason I didn't make it all solid coupling nut all the way down, was clearance where the slide runs past. So I ended it before the slide protrusion could interfere.


It was that pesky ledge, right in the middle!

 

[GW Staar]

We were talking about how Lee is coming out with a new roller handle in July......

The following post, really made me smile!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...sizing-press&p=4886628&viewfull=1#post4886628

There are smart people....and then there are smart people who see things better than other smart people! I didn't see that, did you?

I'm going to go out on a limb.....I predict that next year all APP's will have reversed the handles......and the red plastic one will go the way of the Dodo bird. Now that the jig is up, will Lee really be able to charge $30 for the new piece of wood? Not from me.....I will buy a 1" x 3' Oak Dowel and carve it pretty.....and give my friends one too. Wood is my element! and I was wondering what my next project would be....

 

[AR-Bossman]

@GW Staar -- That blew my mind. Do you think it was designed like that from the beginning or did someone in the office go.. "hey.. what if we do this"?

I finally used mine the other day and that little handle is not very comfortable at all.

 

[Tilos]

We were talking about how Lee is coming out with a new roller handle in July......

The following post, really made me smile!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...sizing-press&p=4886628&viewfull=1#post4886628

There are smart people....and then there are smart people who see things better than other smart people! I didn't see that, did you?

I'm going to go out on a limb.....I predict that next year all APP's will have reversed the handles......and the red plastic one will go the way of the Dodo bird. Now that the jig is up, will Lee really be able to charge $30 for the new piece of wood? Not from me.....I will buy a 1" x 3' Oak Dowel and carve it pretty.....and give my friends one too. Wood is my element! and I was wondering what my next project would be....

YES, I saw it
I saw that posted there and linked to it here, in this very thread:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ming-out-lee-app.858477/page-11#post-11483343
Did you follow the link I posted?
just askin'

 

[GW Staar]

That's too funny.....I thought you were referring to another post there, that I'd already read. Nope. Sorry....not the sharpest tack here. Nor is GWS there...also me.

 

[Demi-human]

I just sanded my handle more curved at the point that the metal enters the handle, so it would glide in between my fingers better.

I see the wide roller handle putting twisting strain on the press linkages. At least the way I use it.
Perhaps with a stiff bolt and a tight assembly the handle can keep the metal arms parallel.

And with one of the sproingy door stops attached to the left side, so it thwacks the shaker collator with each pull. Then it would self feed cases!

 

[GW Staar]

After closer examination, I have to agree with one of the posters over there.....reversing the handles alone might cause wearing problems above that of the original. One guy used nylon washers. Might help, but I'm not that uncomfortable yet. I can wait for Lee to make reversed levers with the stand offs on the opposite sides. Now I see said the blind man, just machined aluminum casting rotating in steel holes in the handles.

The tool is made on the cheap side for sure, and obviously that's to keep costs down. By cheap side, I mean no bearings, not even bronze.....keep STP in the joints as they recommend, or it'll wear out fast with heavy use.

 

[Tilos]

That's too funny.....I thought you were referring to another post there, that I'd already read. Nope. Sorry....not the sharpest tack here. Nor is GWS there...also me.

Yep knew that, your avatar gave you away
I'm kenstone over there,

 

[GW Staar]

Yep knew that, your avatar gave you away
I'm kenstone over there,

Well, you didn't leave much in clues! good to know.....didn't know kenstone was a friend of mine...... I'd be GWS on all of the forums had I known better years ago when I started confusing people...... shorter too.

Staar isn't my last name, I borrow it in tribute. I'm a big fan of one of the best drummers out there.....he kept the beat in Beatles without taking over like many drummers do....that takes talent.....and more than a little humility. His talent was underrated only by those who didn't know better. His band companions did not underrate him.

 

[TTv2]

I got mine this week and got it set up on the Lee stand I have and resized about 500 .40/10mm cases in the span of a few hours. I had plenty of issues with cases not dropping, not wanting to go into the shell holder, not wanting to leave the shellholder, but all those issues aside, I still got all that work done faster than I would have if I was doing it all on any other press that's not a progressive.

Quick thoughts:

+ The handle looks like cheap junk, but it actually worked great and was WAY more comfortable to use than the ball handle that comes with most Lee presses. Seeing how much difference a handle can make, I definitely am getting the roller handle for my LCT.

+ The APP is also my first hands on experience with quick change die bushings and while I'm not looking at buying one for every die I own, I will definitely be using them for all my sizing dies. My intentions for the APP were to use it for decapping, resizing, and mouth flaring, so I'll probably be buying the quick change bushings when they go on sale and such.

- I don't like the height adjustment for the case feed tubes, it's just not a pleasant experience and with how this press works, if I'm doing a certain caliber (say .357), I'm gonna resize .38 too because the die is in the press already, the shellholder and correct size feeding tubes too, but then I have to dial in the height with the two nuts working against each other and it's just aggravating and I'm certain that some of the feeding issues stem from the height of the case tube setup.

- Replacing the shellholder is not as easy as a normal press. It is what it is.

Overall I like what this press can do, it's quite versatile and because of that versatility, strength, and low cost, I see no reason to ever pay money for the Lee Breech Lock Reloader press, that's their traditional "C" frame press. The videos I've seen of people full length sizing rifle brass with the APP would have broken that C frame press in no short amount of time. The base APP press costs about $15 more than that press and to me is worth triple that amount. The issues I'm having are probably just part of the learning curve and once I get them figured out I'll probably have nothing but good things to say about this press.

All I need to do now is get the Lee case collator and the 4 tube feeder thing and some more shellholders. Come on Lee, you know everyone is going to buy the #1 and #11 holders, so make them!

 

[GW Staar]

- I don't like the height adjustment for the case feed tubes, it's just not a pleasant experience and with how this press works, if I'm doing a certain caliber (say .357), I'm gonna resize .38 too because the die is in the press already, the shellholder and correct size feeding tubes too, but then I have to dial in the height with the two nuts working against each other and it's just aggravating and I'm certain that some of the feeding issues stem from the height of the case tube setup.

Yup, I don't like the height adjustment either. Problem with me....and maybe other old people...is remembering. I don't appreciate having to relearn the adjustment setting everytime I change something........So I think it's worthwhile to make a standoff for each and every use of the press.......like I did for changing the feed between .223 and .308 rifle brass......see post #253

It'll take me a while, but I plan to make one to feed each caliber I want to play with. To keep things put, I use Loctite on the nut I don't want to move....the one that sits against the top of the press casting. Another used a nylon lock nut....

I also think it's more than worth while to get rid of the one long bolt....and use a short one as shown in my video, and use a coupling nut to tie it to a lower all thread and locktite/nyton locked nut. I will eventually have all my case/bullet feeder operations handled that quick-change way.

Will get back to this project as soon as I have my current covid quarantine-inspired project, the "shaker" rifle bullet feeders debugged to my satisfaction....almost there ..... rolling eyes.

BTW! The only remorse I have now is not buying the Inline Fabrication Quick Change mount with acro side bin set up for it instead of Lees quick change.
Inline didn't have one at the time, but I shoulda known they were on the way. Still may get the flush mount and set up the two tools now mounted with the Lee mounts......afterall I do have a router and I'm not known for pristine "unholy" benches anyway.....

https://inlinefabrication.com/products/sidebin-system-lee-app-press

 

[TTv2]

Day 2 with the APP went a LOT better than day 1. I figured out (thru reading the directions) that I needed to use one of the case slider risers when using revolver brass and with smaller cases I needed to adjust the jaw opening. After doing those things, I had about a 99% success rate with .32 H&R Mag, but .327 was still being a bit troublesome. The only reason I can think is that the riser I was using was not tall enough for .327, which is leading me to think that Lee needs to offer more riser heights because when we get into the revolver cases, there's a lot of tall cases like .327, .357 Max, .445 Supermag, .454, etc. that are getting to a point where they are too big for one riser, but the next larger riser is too big to be used.

So, yeah, I sized about 800 cases in one sitting over the course of a few hours and all I could think was "I need that case collator and 4 tube thing RIGHT NOW!!!"

The only thing that bums me out right now is that I cannot use the press to it's full capability and do .38 or .45 Colt because Lee decided those weren't popular enough to include Xpress shellholders for. I at least did learn that I don't need the holder for .32 ACP as the #4 holder does that well enough and I was lucky that it comes with the #4 holder solely because that's the holder that is used for .223.