Lee Phoenix Press

[mallc]

Hey folks.

I was trainined as a classic tool maker in the 70's before we had CNC equipment. I'm likely one of the last people trained to pour babbit bearings in this part of the country. I like precision tools.

A couple of weeks ago I received two single stage presses which had been through a fire at gun shop. One is a venerable RCBS Rock Crusher, the other a Lee Classic.

I"ll admit that I scoffed at the Lee as a cheap press. I'm posting this because I've changed my mind. The photos show the condition of the press when received and ready to go back to work.

I have a Dillion 650, Redding T7, RSBC Reloader Special, and a Rock Crusher. For most duties, the Lee Classic is every bit the press as any of the others. If you need more proof, both presses were set up with shell holders for the ammo shown melted onto the Lee...348 Winchester.

Scott

 

[SSN Vet]

yikes!

great job restoring the Lee...looks good as new

 

[Rod B]

Great job. ( The phoenix, rising from the ashes)

However I believe the Lee in the pics is the Challenger, not the newer cast iron Classic.

BTW, I have both & have had good service from each.

 

[FieroCDSP]

That is impressive. Nice work bringing that back to life. It looks like the plastic from the ammo box might have spared the finish from some of the heat. Did you recoat the red factory paint or did it clean up like that.

 

[scrat]

wow good job. No life for the RCBS

 

[mallc]

Challenger is Correct

My mistake. It is a Challenger. Sorry.

The factory coating is very tough. The plastic ammo box actually melted into the factory coating in a couple of places. I recoated the press body with Krylon, which is my favorite aerosol paint, then sanded the paint off of the letters.

The RCBS is recovering nicely. I'll post a photo when it returns to duty. I have a very small shop and mount my tools to standard size pieces particleboard or plywood so they can be clamped to the bench when needed and shelved when not. I have a stand for reloading with interchangable top plates for different operations. I'm building a new setup to correct a couple of problems and thought I'd post the plans and dimensions here in case anybody else needs them.

Scott

 

[FieroCDSP]

I'm building a new setup to correct a couple of problems and thought I'd post the plans and dimensions here in case anybody else needs them.

Sure. I've been looking to build a bench lately.

 

[Smiling Bob]

I have a stand for reloading with interchangable top plates for different operations. I'm building a new setup to correct a couple of problems and thought I'd post the plans and dimensions here in case anybody else needs them.

Scott.
I'd like to see a your plans n dimensions too.

 

[Roccobro]

Me too.

Justin

 

[Uncle Don]

You did a great job on the Challenger. I didn't recognize it as a reloading press in the first picture. Since it's aluminum, I would have though it would have had the frame melted.

I would say however that if you were impressed by that press, I hope you put your hands on the Classic sometime soon. It's cast iron and steel just as the RC, but has a better primer disposal system, a little more clearance and the ram is slightly larger - oh ya, and half the price.