Lee Pro 6000 unboxing and testing for OAL consistency

Added bottom carrier cover picture to "Redesigned 'self cleaning' priming pin stress test" under "Troubleshooting and Solutions".

NOTE: Please keep in mind that product operation and update parts information of this newly launched press is dynamic and changing with pre/early production parts; therefore, presses with different mix of production run parts may exist. While I attempt to stay current and be accurate as possible, do realize that information posted on this thread are based on my personal experience with my personal press and parts that have been clarified with contact with Lee Precision. Parts design/update/production runs/lots can vary and influence how they perform in your press.

Press Set Up:
New Priming System:
Press Disassembly and Reassembly:
Fine tuning press operation for consistency:
Troubleshooting and Solutions:
Lee Precision Update Parts:
 

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NOTE: Listing of step-by-step press set up, operation, enhanced practice for greater consistency, troubleshooting/solutions with factory updates on this post - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-16#post-12483867
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Bartojc said:
So you think it is worth the time and effort to put the new pin in ? I do not have the latest bottom cover with the triangle cutout, but I have the latest pin on hand.
Click to expand...
If you have the pre/early production bottom carrier cover with round hole that fits tight around the base of priming pin, I would definitely suggest contacting customer service for replacement as powder granules/debri could accumulate and hinder priming pin dropping down fully which could raise priming pin head above primer slider channel surface to snag/contact primer guide.

And even with the redesigned priming pin, using old bottom carrier cover will not allow "self-cleaning" of hole at the bottom.

This is bottom carrier cover after my "stress test" of dumping powder in station #2 and triangle cut hole readily cleared powder granules out.

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LiveLife said:
And even with the redesigned priming pin, using old bottom carrier cover will not allow "self-cleaning" of hole at the bottom.

This is bottom carrier cover after my "stress test" of dumping powder in station #2 and triangle cut hole readily cleared powder granules out.
Click to expand...


That helps a lot. I've got a ticket opened again. I'm sure I'll have it in a couple days. I only want to tear it down to that point once if I can :)

Thanks for keeping this all updated and all the work.

-Jeff
 
I did not search through the whole thread but do you have a video of the press in operation, or is there one out there on YouTebe? I found 2 but they are not very good. Thanks
 
LiveLife said:
No. Wife won't let me create a Youtube channel to post videos. She said I needed to be "retired" and enjoy my hobbies, not do anymore "work". :p
Click to expand...

Anyway to post a video direct to the forum?? Your pictures are great but I do not know about posting videos??
 
I just found this video, Pretty good Not up to your standards but at least a idea of how it functions,:):)

 
Rule3 said:
Anyway to post a video direct to the forum?? Your pictures are great but I do not know about posting videos??
Click to expand...
THR at the moment does not support direct video uploading to servers, only picture/image files limited to 2 MB in size - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/how-to-add-content-to-the-resources-area.843335/
Mal H said:
Odd Job said:
We have a resources section where members can add things like manuals, guides, user builds ... uploading a PDF ... pictures ... images
Click to expand...
The limit for uploaded files is 2M bytes.
Click to expand...

Embedding/posting videos must use external link that have already been uploaded to another server like Youtube.

ETA: I just checked my phone for 2 MB video file and smallest I could find was 4 MB and it was one second MPEG. So 2 MB video file would be 0.5 second.
 
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Added "Beta testing: Adjusting inline bullet feeder die for RMR 115 FMJ/JHP, 147 FP and X-Treme 100 RNFP" under "Lee Precision Update Parts/New Products"

NOTE: Please keep in mind that product operation and update parts information of this newly launched press is dynamic and changing with pre/early production parts; therefore, presses with different mix of production run parts may exist. While I attempt to stay current and be accurate as possible, do realize that information posted on this thread are based on my personal experience with my personal press and parts that have been clarified with contact with Lee Precision. Parts design/update/production runs/lots can vary and influence how they perform in your press.

Press Set Up:
New Priming System:
Press Disassembly and Reassembly:
Fine tuning press operation for consistency:
Troubleshooting and Solutions:
Lee Precision Update Parts/New Products:
 
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Tilos said:
Thanks for posting all this info
I solved this "last primer in the chute" by adding a pusher (wooden skewer) on my Pro 1000, that might work on the sixpack.
Mostly plastic and wood, with one steel part that could be fab'ed out of brass, all to minimize any sparking.

I hate leaving primers in the chute/tray when I'm finished loading.
View attachment 1110786
Former steel rod in use:
View attachment 1110814
More weight could be taped to the skewer if needed.
The skewer will end up above the priming pin once the last primer is used, so it needs to be watched.
jmo,
.
Click to expand...
OK, I can no longer edit this post so, I quoted myself to update this info and pics of this item designed to push out the last few primers in the chute.
I heated up the chip clip and bent it 90 degrees to replace the metal angle piece.
Simplifying the assembly from 3 pieces to 2, the clip and the skewer.
SkewerChipClip.jpg
BentClip.jpg
thanks for reading,
:D
.
 
Adding "Best Practices" checklist for reliable press operation under "Press Set Up"

NOTE: Please keep in mind that product operation and update parts information of this newly launched press is dynamic and changing with pre/early production parts; therefore, presses with different mix of production run parts may exist. While I attempt to stay current and be accurate as possible, do realize that information posted on this thread are based on my personal experience with my personal press and parts that have been clarified with contact with Lee Precision. Parts design/update/production runs/lots can vary and influence how they perform in your press.

Press Set Up:
New Priming System:
Press Disassembly and Reassembly:
Fine tuning press operation for consistency:
Troubleshooting and Solutions:
Lee Precision Update Parts/New Products:
 
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(Part 4) Problem: Priming chute/trough pin does not contact the frame column groove rings enough to shake the primer tray
Solution 4 (Final - Working with note for flip primer tray): Zip tie primer chute/trough to stiffen unit assembly with primer tray to shake the tray more effectively

Had to do A LOT of root-cause-analysis to arrive at Solution 4 after 1-3 for what I think is the last known issue with SPP/Pro 6000 to run reliably (Lee Precision already fixed the primer slider/spring end and priming pin/powder in station #2 issues to resolution).

These are identified root causes:
  1. Primer chute/trough pin doesn't contact press column groove rings sufficiently
  2. Primers hang up in tray due to "On/Lock/Open" switch and flip rings
  3. Two piece primer chute/trough is loosely held together by base inserted into the grooves in primer slider channel/trough
  4. Primer chute/trough pin is loosely inserted into the hole and can bend/rotate
  5. Due to #3, increasing pressure on pin can separate two halves on top of chute/trough
  6. Due to #3/#5, primer tray is not held tight by top opening of primer chute/trough
So Solutions 1-3 addressed root causes #1, partly #2/#4 but not #3/#5/#6. Solution 4 addressed #3/#5/#6 and #2.

Solution to #2 is interesting as when primers are not flowing and stuck, I instinctively "flick/tap" the tray to flow primers down towards top of primer chute/trough opening. When the ram is raised/lowered at around two seconds per up/down cycle, slow movement of the primer tray starts to mimic the same "flick/tap" motion of being jerked left and right.

With only Solutions 2-4 applied without the pen filler sleeve roller, primer tray is now actuated by both top and bottom groove rings but using the pen filler sleeve roller definitely enhances the "flick" of primer tray like that of manually tapping with finger to flow primers down.

NOTE: When I disassembled the two primer flip trays I tested, I noticed one tray (Left in picture below) had flip grooves only on the bottom half where cup side of primers slide down but the other tray had flip grooves on top and bottom halves (Right in picture below) and primer anvil feet maybe getting stuck with flip grooves on top half of the new tray.

So changing top half to solid smooth surface without any flip grooves may prevent primers hanging up on flip grooves (I will email Lee Precision with this finding along with other findings on this post).

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Here is the primer chute/trough attachment showing hinged top where primer tray inserts

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Since pin goes through the bottom of attachment (Same side as top hinge), there is no mechanism to bring the top of attachment tightly together (Note the tabs where pin holes are and tabs at the top that will receive zip ties below)

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All the way at the bottom is the only point where two halves are keyed

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Even after the pin is pushed through the back hole, there is loose gap along the entire top through which you can see daylight is the weak link that allows movement of the chute/trough

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Solution for this looseness is zip tying the chute/trough at two points where tabs are to prevent crushing the two halves when zip tied together:
  1. Just below the pin hole where there are two halves of tabs
  2. At the top where there are two other halves of tabs
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With the two tab points zip tied, primer chute/trough is made solid with the inserted pin and brought the top together to hold the primer tray tighter.

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Bottom of primer chute/trough has two outward protruding bars that slide down into the grooves of the slider channel/trough attachment point

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Primer chute/trough attachment point on left of slider channel/trough

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And zip tied primer chute/trough inserted with pin contacting the frame column ready to shake primer tray better

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Continuing from post #17 "New priming system" - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ing-for-oal-consistency.911743/#post-12443415

Adding to post #366 "Stress Test of 'Self-Cleaning' Priming Pin" - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-15#post-12482601


The new priming system not only has a round hole in the slide surface by left side of primer chute/trough attachment point (To push up on primer guide to remove), but also four rectangle holes below the hold down tabs.

Together, in conjunction with the new redesigned "self-cleaning" priming pin, these holes make the new priming system "self-cleaning" to clear powder granules/flakes/debri from the channel/trough as primer slider/guide move back and forth.

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The protrusion on the right is the block that limits slider travel of vertical bar under the spring end

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Since the updated longer gray slider (Eliminates the black hold down piece) comes with smaller captive spring end (Eliminates snagging on four hold down tabs), with the ram raised to remove tension on the spring, slider needs to be pulled up over the protrusion for removal.

NOTE: If primer slider/guide movement becomes less smooth or binding, it could be powder granules/flakes/debri caught between these holes and underside of slider/guide. Backing off on the ram lever and cycling the slider/guide back and forth should "self-clean" the slider channel/trough.

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Continuing from post #349 "Primer chute/trough pin not contacting frame column groove rings" - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-14#post-12481094

Continuing from post #365 "Enhanced with new priming pin / Primer chute/trough pin not contacting frame column groove rings" - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-15#post-12482599

Here is potential "tolerance stacking" measurement to consider for those having issues with primer chute/trough pin not contacting the frame column/groove rings enough.

When the top carrier cover is being tightened with two flathead screws, there is some play while the top carrier cover is made captive by right front frame column near base of case slider rail and the index pin through top carrier cover hole. This play was measured to be around .025" and is enough for the pin to contact the frame column/groove ring or not at all.

And as illustrated in post #389, if there is looseness of primer chute/trough due to pin hole area moving particularly with bending of pin, then .025" play can tolerance stack to cause an issue of primer chute/trough pin not contacting the frame column/groove rings.
 
Finally, got the new style priming pin, so I ran another 100 9mm tonight. Did 60 with Fed 100, and 40 with Aguila spp. Night and day difference in seating Feds vs Aguila - Feds slip right in w/ great feel, the Mexican ones you really got to put pressure to get them home. Had 4 that were seated high - just no feel while trying to seat them. On the 550 it took firm press, but they all went home - none stood proud, if they did stand proud it was evident, the plate wouldn't advance and you just press harder. The Aguila sort of slowed me down, checking if they were seated. I may either hand prime before using the Aguila on the Lee, or try and find someone local to swap with another US brand. They're decent primers, just a tad too big.

Anyway, when all the stations are filled up and you're humming along, the OAL is really consistent.

LL above mentioned the primer trays - the one that came w/ my SPP press had the smooth top half, all my older trays before buying this press have the ribs to help flip. The smooth one actually allowed 6 Fed primers turn on their edge and get wedged tonight, didn't have that problem w/ the 40 aguila in the older tray I have. Not sure if it was the different primers - or I might have to run many, many more using the older trays to see it happen there too? I'll try and run Federals in the trays w/ ribs on top/bottom.

It's a good press, and I'm happy w/ the purchase - was a little rocky start the first few times, but things have smoothed out for me and I'm getting more confident with it.
 
Continuing from post #391 on primer tray testing - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-16#post-12490100

So I did some primer "flow" test both with cup side down on bottom trays with flip rings and anvil feet down on top trays:
  • Cup side down CCI SP primers "flowed" without any issue around the On/Off/Open switch
  • Anvil feet side down CCI SP primers "flowed" without issue on the flat surface
  • Some anvil feet side down CCI SP primers did hang up on flip rings
  • Even the top cover with smooth surface had flip rings near/around the On/Off/Open switch
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I could see why Lee Precision decided to add flip rings to the top cover, to help flip primers.

So I did some more primer "flow" test against the flip rings with anvil feet side down and realized something.

What if flip rings were vertically arc'ed?
  • Flip rings can still be applied to both top and bottom covers to help flip primers
  • Flip rings vertically arc'ed won't hang up against anvil feet when stacked around On/Off/Open switch
  • Flip rings following "flow" of primers may actually help guide the primer towards the bottom opening (Even if anvil feet happens to snags on flip ring)
So I did a quick sketch to see how the vertically arc'ed flip rings would look like next to current flip tray rings around the On/Off/Open switch. You think this will help "flow" primers?

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= New primer chute/trough pin update with larger diameter =

SKU 92020 SPP Primer Trough Assembled - https://leeprecision.com/product.php?productid=7244&page=1

With primer slider/spring end and priming pin redesign that are both "self-cleaning", primers not flowing from primer tray is really the last issue to address for SPP/Pro 6000 and Lee Precision has been working on the solution.

With multiple emails that have been exchanged with Calvin, aspects of "tolerance stacking" were addressed and redesigned priming pin helped in that aspect by providing .025" rotational play to bring primer chute/trough pin to better contact with frame column/groove rings - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-15#post-12482599

Lee Precision decided to use larger diameter pin from Pro 1000 and Calvin is already shipping the larger diameter pin/primer trough assembly for me to test and sent this email:

Hello John,

Following our testing, we have decided to go with a larger diameter pin just as used with the PRO1000. This pin agitates the tray and trough much better. If agitation is too aggressive the pin can be extended through to be supported by the carrier cover/case retainer.

I'll get one in the mail today for you to see for yourself.

Calvin Katzfey
Lee Precision​
 
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Nice to see they are no longer including parts which are not needed anymore.
Hopefully they will do that with PR3691 which half the parts do not fit this machine and BP5086 which includes the bin bracket with case ejector and case retainers, how many bin brackets do you need? Case ejectors might be needed though. I smashed one with a Lee die which did not clear it, did not need another bin bracket.

Okay, OCD attack over now.

GD
 
Adding "Updated primer chute/trough assembly with larger diameter pin" to "Update Parts", "New Priming System" and "Troubleshooting and Solutions"

NOTE: Please keep in mind that product operation and update parts information of this newly launched press is dynamic and changing with pre/early production parts; therefore, presses with different mix of production run parts may exist. While I attempt to stay current and be accurate as possible, do realize that information posted on this thread are based on my personal experience with my personal press and parts that have been clarified with contact with Lee Precision. Parts design/update/production runs/lots can vary and influence how they perform in your press.

Press Set Up:
New Priming System:
Press Disassembly and Reassembly:
Fine tuning press operation for consistency:
Troubleshooting and Solutions:
Lee Precision Update Parts/New Products:
 
Adding "Inline Bullet Feed Die/Kit and Multi Tube Magazine" to "New Products" and "Lee Precision SPP/Pro 6000 Knowledge Base" to "Troubleshooting and Solutions"

NOTE: Please keep in mind that product operation and update parts information of this newly launched press is dynamic and changing with pre/early production parts; therefore, presses with different mix of production run parts may exist. While I attempt to stay current and be accurate as possible, do realize that information posted on this thread are based on my personal experience with my personal press and parts that have been clarified with contact with Lee Precision. Parts design/update/production runs/lots can vary and influence how they perform in your press.

Press Set Up:
New Priming System:
Press Disassembly and Reassembly:
Fine tuning press operation for consistency:
Troubleshooting and Solutions:
Lee Precision Update Parts/New Products:
 
= New primer chute/trough pin update with larger diameter =

(* Notice important installation notes below - Avoid repeated removal/reinstallation of assembly which could wear/damage small locking protrusions of base rails)
  • Ensure base of assembly is pushed down enough to lock small protrusions at bottom of rails with cutouts in the slots of slider channel/trough.
  • Once installed, avoid repeated removal/reinstallation which could wear/damage these small protrusions
  • Top carrier cover can be tightened one of two ways:
  1. Lowered to bottom with index pin through shellplate hole with priming pin spring applying tension on the top cover - Push down on the top cover and rotate top over to allow primer chute/trough pin to contact the frame column and tighten two flathead screws. If there isn't enough pin contact with frame column/groove rings to effectively shake the primer tray, lower the carrier back down and loosen flathead screws then apply some pressure on the pin by rotating the top cover. Tighten two flathead screws and check for primer tray shaking.
  2. Raised enough to release priming pin spring tension and place chute/trough pin inside lower groove ring - Hold together top/bottom carrier covers and place chute/trough pin inside lower groove ring without any rotational tension. Tighten two flathead screws and check for primer tray shaking.

Houston, we have a resolution!

Continued from post #394 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-16#post-12493084

I have good news ... The updated larger diameter pin primer chute/trough assembly WORKS!

Received the updated primer chute/trough assembly with larger .093" diameter pin (compared to old .062" diameter pin). You can see the difference in diameter.

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* IMPORTANT INSTALLATION NOTE: Notice the small protrusions at the bottom of rails that slide into slots of the slider channel/trough. The small protrusions "lock" the base of the assembly. If the small protrusions are not pushed down far enough to expand out to cutouts in the slots, assembly base attachment point could loosen to affect performance of primer chute/trough shaking the primers in the tray. And repeated removal/reinstallation could wear/damage the small protrusions to loosen the base of assembly. (So once you install the new assembly, I would not remove it unless it is being replaced). Notice the worn protrusions on the old assembly on the right.

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The small protrusions expand out to cutout in the slots of slider channel/trough to "lock" the base of assembly into the slots. Ensure the base of assembly is pushed down far enough past the cutouts.

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With the new larger diameter pin assembly firmly inserted in the slider channel/trough slots, I noticed the larger diameter pin inserted into the holes of two halves of assembly provided stiffness of chute/trough produced by the zip ties on old assembly (So larger diameter pin is addressing two issues - Enhanced contact with frame column/groove rings and stiffening the chute/trough to better transmit the "shaking" movement to primer tray).

Due to larger diameter pin and stiffened chute/trough, previously utilized "enhanced" top carrier cover installation of rotating the top cover counter-clockwise was no longer necessary as there was sufficient contact with the frame column/groove rings. I initially used the "enhanced" installation and there was too much pin contact with frame column/groove rings.

I tested different amount of rotation clockwise/counter-clockwise and found raising the ram enough to allow the pin to enter the lower groove ring and tightening the two flathead screws without applying tension on the pin produced the optimal amount of primer tray shaking.

I also tested tightening the two flathead screws with carrier cover in the down position of carrier with chute/trough pin just contacting the frame column but this method required pushing down on the top cover to overcome priming pin spring.

WARNING: Applying too much rotational force on the top cover to increase pressure on the pin inside the lower groove ring while tightening the two flathead screws can cause too much contact pressure and bind the pin inside the groove ring

I noticed the new larger pin diameter assembly is twisting less at the pin hole point of primer chute/trough. With the larger diameter pin now contacting the frame column/groove rings better, primer tray is effectively shaking the primers to flow down, even larger pistol primers. Looks like problem solved with some adjustment applied during top carrier cover installation. :thumbup:

< I will add bulleted primer trough assembly installation at the beginning of the post >

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< I was updating post #397 to add new larger diameter pin primer chute/trough assembly testing but got "Honey do" errands to run so later tonight >
 
LiveLife, My results with the new larger pin are the same as yours, the new trough/pin assembly does shake the primer tray enough for the primers to flow. I did not adjust the carrier cover, just replaced the trough and new pin assembly as received from Lee and did a test run. Trays are definitely shaken more than they were before with the old smaller pin. It does appears as if this will cure the problem of primers not flowing out of the tray.
 
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