Lee new Inline Bullet Feeder

[Whiteymin]

Ever since LiveLife told me about Lee’s new in-line bullet feeder coming in March I have been waiting for one for my 45 acp. I noticed few days ago in Lee site it listed them but had notify me when in stock on all I assumed where they getting release.
Today i was looking through eBay for few things and came across one in 45 acp, so looks like they came to the market before March. I ordered it and can’t wait till it’s here to try it out. Just heads up in case anyone else looking

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Just tried the old style bullet feeder on the Lee 1000. Too many problems. Took it off. Glad it didn't cost much.

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be looking for it. Let us know how yours works. Pictures would help.

 

[jmorris]

Just tried the old style bullet feeder on the Lee 1000. Too many problems. Took it off. Glad it didn't cost much.

Yeah, I should have thrown mine away after reading the instructions to boil the fingers to restore tension, part. However, I did what any man would do and fought it for awhile.

Years ago there was a pneumatic version that was in MA Systems information packet they sent out, that used the same concept of fingers grabbing the bullet from a column and putting it over the case, under the die. I have better photos somewhere and a video but this is one of them.



They worked well but we’re very expensive. IIRC even the small MA Systems collator (like that yellow one) cost $3500 (more than that Dillon press & plastic collator).

 

[GW Staar]

I think Lee's new inline feeders will work great....they are a direct copy of the 3D printed ones I have printed for about $2.50 worth of plastic each plus $1 for 2 ball bearings and another one for springs.....and they DO work great.....100% of the time.

But of course Lee's are made of steel, not plastic.....which is surprising for Lee, since they have always championed using plastic where steel is not necessary. The one downside......$50 a piece.....wonder what Titan will sell them for? Will be interesting to see how the original and unique spring works.....

At $50, you can buy four for $200......or buy a 3d printer for the same....

 

[9mmepiphany]

which is surprising for Lee, since they have always championed using plastic where steel is not necessary.

I think the reason they went with metal is because they use a single captive spring to shut off the second bullet from dropping. If it is anything like the spring in their Autodrum powder measure, there is going to be a lot of pressure on the moving parts...much more than it appears is used on the 3d printed ones

 

[GW Staar]

I think the reason they went with metal is because they use a single captive spring to shut off the second bullet from dropping. If it is anything like the spring in their Autodrum powder measure, there is going to be a lot of pressure on the moving parts...much more than it appears is used on the 3d printed ones

That's probably it, but designing it with a lot of pressure on the moving parts seems the wrong direction to go when it's not necessary. There appears to be zero wear and tear on our plastic ones. I will be surprised if they don't outlast me and my heirs both. I was in fact, skeptical that a 3d printed one would even be worth the effort, but I was talked into just trying one. I was surprised they work so well. Print one and try it.....you'd be out a few dollars at most, in the worst case scenario.......$50 is better than my $120 RCBS rifle bullet feeders....but at least they come with "M" dies to make then stick on a progressive merry-go-round...so really it's more like a $50 to $60 comparison. But the Rcbs ones don't have springs and I have had to hunt ball bearings on the floor!....which I corrected with a 3d printed "helmet". Picture below:



and the $2.00 ones....

 

[9mmepiphany]

...which I corrected with a 3d printed "helmet".

I like it. Made me think of Bender, from Furturama

Print one and try it

I'm getting closer.

I got the Ender 3 V2 Neo, but haven't put it together yet...but it's going to happen soon

 

[jmorris]

I think the reason they went with metal is because they use a single captive spring to shut off the second bullet from dropping.

That sounds like the original KISS feeder, they had a steel body but it was bored quite thin, the rest was plastic and modular so you could alter the height of the column.

 

[GW Staar]

I never saw the original KISS one......thanks for sharing that. Not comprehending that spring tho.....

Rick is one smart guy.....hope he's done well with DAA.

 

[ReloaderNoob]

I've been using the DAA Mini MBF for a couple years now, then saw the new Lee die. Ordered the .355 one ($50 - still cheaper than the DAA!) just to try it out and fed it 380, 9mm, 38 Super, 357 Sig, and 38 bullets, all worked fine. Titan and Midway have these listed at $36, but not in stock until March.

PS: the Mini MBF magazine fits right over the top of the new Lee die, so I don't plan on buying Lee's magazine.

 

[jmorris]

I never saw the original KISS one......thanks for sharing that. Not comprehending that spring tho.....

Rick is one smart guy.....hope he's done well with DAA.

That one was back when there were two guys in business before the split up.

It’s pretty simple, the case neck pushes up on the wire and the bullet drops into the case mouth. As it is lowered, the wire follows the ogive of the bullet in the case and prevents the next one from dropping.

No bullets can get past until they fall into a case and are withdrawn.

 

[jmorris]

It would be a good design to copy for sure works as good or better than any of the “dropper” style do.



One of these days, I’ll get around to making an easy feeder for window style bullet seat dies and just quit using dropper style that occupy a station to just set the bullet on the case mouth.

 

[GW Staar]

It would be a good design to copy for sure works as good or better than any of the “dropper” style do.



One of these days, I’ll get around to making an easy feeder for window style bullet seat dies and just quit using dropper style that occupy a station to just set the bullet on the case mouth.

RCBS actually made such a thing for the Pro 2000, but as they commonly do, they failed to market and perfect. Wish I had one to play with, but they are long gone. What they should have done is make such a thing as an "add-on" option for their Gold Medal Seating die, rather than using a simplified version with no Mic on top. Maybe that's your golden egg? I don't doubt for a minute such a thing would sell.....but make you rich?.....probably not....not enough of us. I'd buy one.

 

[GW Staar]

Just for fun.....the deceased RCBS rifle bullet collator/feeder/seater ..... all in one station:


Shucks, looks like a piece of cake for your 3D printer.....

Seriously.....I would rather not tie it to the up and down of the powder measure....how would you do it? It has to be case-actuated some way......