I have a new 4 die Lee turret press and the primer tool slot on the ram does not line up with the 2 tabs on the base. there seems to be no way to rotate the ram, since it appears to be pinned at the bottom to the arm. In the Lee videos, they just rotate it around, mine does not move. What am I missing?:banghead:
Lee turret ram adjustment
- Thread starter moldywalt
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Lost Sheep
Member
First thing is to post a link to the video you saw. (There are many of them.)
My Classic Turret's Ram was lined up correctly and I didn't think there was any way to get it unaligned (as yours obviously is - can you post a picture?).
For me to speculate more would be pointless, as I do not have my press in front of me right now. I will have to look at it later.
I have found the Lee Precision's Customer Service people reply every time within one working day, so I would send your question to them. It might take a couple of back-and-forth exchanges to sort out the cure, but if you send a message tonight, you will have their first reply by tomorrow afternoon, if my experience is any indication.
Just keep the questions short, clear and as much as possible, one to a message.
Good luck and thanks for asking our advice.
Lost Sheep
Lost Sheep
Member
OK, I got home and looked at my ram. I see the upper part. It is tight as can be (for which I should be grateful). If I ever have to move it, how is that done?
I did a quick search on the internet trying to find out for myself how to loosen the upper part of the ram for rotation, but couldn't get an answer through Google.
Like I said in my earlier post, my ram is correctly positioned, but now I am curious (which, I know, killed the cat, but I can't help myself). Besides, I think the answer will help the O.P.
Lost Sheep
higgite
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I haven't had the problem with my press either, but did see the Lee video that OP mentioned when my press was new. Looks really easy in the video but my press' ram is rock solid tight like yours. I remember reading somewhere that someone had the same problem as OP and had to use a wrench to turn it into alignment. I'd call Lee for advice and consent before I hit it with brute force, though.
tkcomer
Member
You see that groove in the ram that the primer seater sits in? Stick a screwdriver in that groove and you can turn the ram. Mine gets out of adjustment from time to time.
You should be able to use the primer arm as wrench to rotate it. Just raise the primer arm and keep some downward pressure on it so it doesn't pull out and use it as a lever to rotate the ram insert. If it's too tight you can use a large screwdriver as mentioned for more leverage.
snuffy
Member
The top of the ram on the lee classic turret AND the lee classic cast press is threaded to the rest of the ram. I don't know why this is, might be easier to do the machining to a smaller piece rather than the long ram. The top of MY classic turret turns easily, I just put a ½ wrench in the primer arm slot side ways to act like a lever.
If yours is tight, then that's good unless it's out of alignment. Then, a lever long enough to turn it a bit will get it adjusted. If it turns by itself, and this means it's often out of whack, then a fix may be in order. How I would do that is; to turn it completely off, clean up the threads with a good solvent, then lock tite it. I would use one of the red lock tites, 271 is what I will use if mine ever drifts out of whack.
Just be darn sure it's where you want it, once it sets, you'll have to heat it quite hot to get it to loosen. Once loose, it won't hold anymore, you'll have to re-apply it,(once you clean all the old stuff off.)
If yours is tight, then that's good unless it's out of alignment. Then, a lever long enough to turn it a bit will get it adjusted. If it turns by itself, and this means it's often out of whack, then a fix may be in order. How I would do that is; to turn it completely off, clean up the threads with a good solvent, then lock tite it. I would use one of the red lock tites, 271 is what I will use if mine ever drifts out of whack.
Just be darn sure it's where you want it, once it sets, you'll have to heat it quite hot to get it to loosen. Once loose, it won't hold anymore, you'll have to re-apply it,(once you clean all the old stuff off.)
greyling22
Member
tkcomer is right on. screw driver worked for me when I had to replace my out of spec top.
snuffy
Member
Yeah, stick that screwdriver in there, mar the heck out of that slot that the primer arm has to slide SMOOTHLY into.
OR use the flat end of a ½ inch open end wrench that just fits snugly into that slot.
JamieC
Member
Mine is the same way as the OPs, wondered why the primer seating tool didn't fit into the space on the base. My ram is one solid piece, can't rotate it because the linkage for the handle prevents it being bolted to the base itself. Other than that the press works just fine. I've seen the same thing on youtube videos also. I suppose a question sent to Lee might be in order.
greyling22
Member
ok, snuffy's wrench suggestion is better for the most part. But a screwdriver does work and didn't mar anything up for me. I used a large square shank driver.
response from Lee
Sunday evening I emailed Lee Support and had a response when I checked my email tonight.
The slot in the Ram is supposed to be situated at about the 7 o'clock position and the two grooves on the base should be facing straight forward. The Ram needs to shifted off to the side for use with the Primer Arms and Safety Prime, so do not change it. The grooves in the press and the hole between them are for collecting spent primers.
Sounds like the regular turret press and the classic turret are slightly different and this is lined up the way it should be. Quick response also, I am impressed.
By the way, I finally got everything tuned the way I wanted, loaded my first 38 specials, and shot them yesterday, pretty cool. Of course I have to order a bullet puller now to deal with the "do-overs." And so it begins.
Sunday evening I emailed Lee Support and had a response when I checked my email tonight.
The slot in the Ram is supposed to be situated at about the 7 o'clock position and the two grooves on the base should be facing straight forward. The Ram needs to shifted off to the side for use with the Primer Arms and Safety Prime, so do not change it. The grooves in the press and the hole between them are for collecting spent primers.
Sounds like the regular turret press and the classic turret are slightly different and this is lined up the way it should be. Quick response also, I am impressed.
By the way, I finally got everything tuned the way I wanted, loaded my first 38 specials, and shot them yesterday, pretty cool. Of course I have to order a bullet puller now to deal with the "do-overs." And so it begins.
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