New Lee ABLP for me!

[drband]

I’ll post several pics to show my progress setting up and getting the ABLP going. Please give suggestions if you see something I miss.

Out of the box, sitting on the Lyman press riser— nothing is mounted.


Another view, the Lyman riser seems very sturdy. Holes in the riser top plate fit the ABLP perfectly!


more to come…

 

[drband]

Mounted on the bench:

This press/riser combo feels really solid.
Note the addition of the case feeder topped with the collator.


Dies installed. ABLP comes with the newer “lock ring eliminator” quick change bushings. (Integral lock rings on the bushings)


I really do recommend the Lyman press riser as the best value of its type. $59

 

[drband]

I ordered an output bin bracket from inlinefabrication.com. I have their reverse case kicker and bin bracket on my LCT and love their design and functionality.

Here’s the output bin bracket, installed:


Note how it bolts on under the press. Holes are machined perfectly to match the bolt spacing.


I’m almost ready to do final die adjustments and load some 9mm!

 

[drband]

Here’s a plug for the Lee collator mod @LiveLife told me about…

Mod in place on top of the collator— it’s just a penny drilled out to accept an empty .22LR case.


You can see the case in the penny in this pic.


The mod works perfectly and keeps 9mm cases from dropping into the fill tubes upside down. The tubes will accept up to .45 sized cases and they will allow 9mm cases to enter in the wrong orientation occasionally— without this mod.

 

[drband]

I’ll post more when I get a chance to load a few. The press action is very smooth. Everything seems to work exceptionally well.

So far, so good!

 

[LiveLife]

New Lee ABLP for me!

Congrats on the press!

One tip is if index timing goes out (Index rod don't line up with holes in the shellplate), simply back the shellplate a little bit and work the ram lever ... Presto, your index timing is set "perfect" again.

 

[drband]

Congrats on the press!

One tip is if index timing goes out (Index rod don't line up with holes in the shellplate), simply back the shellplate a little bit and work the ram lever ... Presto, your index timing is set "perfect" again.

Thanks! Good to know!

 

[Radom Guy]

Just one thing to be aware of (I own this press, too). In various situations especially when using the Lee case feeder, a case will fall or not slide into the shell plate. If you are human like me, you may make the mistake of raising the ram and crushing the case on the red plastic ramp. That will instantly put an unfixable dent in the ramp and cases will end up flying or not feed into the shell plate properly.

this is unfortunately a well known issue. I have had the Lee ABLP for two years. This has happened to me four times. The fix is to replace the upper carrier plate, which needs to be done with the press unmounted and most everything disconnected. Order extra upper carrier plates for it. I now have two extra on hand.

there are some 3D printed replacement ramps but they did not work for me. I have entirely mostly given up on using a case feeder on this press and I watch that ramp so carefully. But it still can happen. I can still load around 250 rounds an hour with everything prepared beforehand (primers, bullets, etc.) which is a good thing, I guess. But I have no choice but to watch if like a hawk. I actually just purchased a Hornady progressive a couple weeks ago because I am so displeased with Lee's design of the ABLP. I have been a loyal fan of Lee, owning five of their presses and a million dies and other parts, but I currently am holding out for someone to make a metal case ramp. Until then, only one careful case at a time, if I do use that press (but I'm mostly avoiding it right now).

Despite all that, now that you are aware of this design flaw, maybe you can enjoy it better than I can enjoy mine, as it was such a disappointment to me, especially with all the faith I have had in Lee's products over the years (ESPECIALLY the Classic Cast Turret Press).

 

[drband]

Just one thing to be aware of (I own this press, too). In various situations especially when using the Lee case feeder, a case will fall or not slide into the shell plate. If you are human like me, you may make the mistake of raising the ram and crushing the case on the red plastic ramp. That will instantly put an unfixable dent in the ramp and cases will end up flying or not feed into the shell plate properly.

this is unfortunately a well known issue. I have had the Lee ABLP for two years. This has happened to me four times. The fix is to replace the upper carrier plate, which needs to be done with the press unmounted and most everything disconnected. Order extra upper carrier plates for it. I now have two extra on hand.

there are some 3D printed replacement ramps but they did not work for me. I have entirely mostly given up on using a case feeder on this press and I watch that ramp so carefully. But it still can happen. I can still load around 250 rounds an hour with everything prepared beforehand (primers, bullets, etc.) which is a good thing, I guess. But I have no choice but to watch if like a hawk. I actually just purchased a Hornady progressive a couple weeks ago because I am so displeased with Lee's design of the ABLP. I have been a loyal fan of Lee, owning five of their presses and a million dies and other parts, but I currently am holding out for someone to make a metal case ramp. Until then, only one careful case at a time, if I do use that press (but I'm mostly avoiding it right now).

Despite all that, now that you are aware of this design flaw, maybe you can enjoy it better than I can enjoy mine, as it was such a disappointment to me, especially with all the faith I have had in Lee's products over the years (ESPECIALLY the Classic Cast Turret Press).

I see the issue in the pic you attached. Do you mean the slider block (pusher) hangs up and fails to push the case to the shell plate? I just want to fully understand the malfunction.
I understand replacing the top carrier plate/ramp is a pain to do. If I watch for the malfunction maybe I can figure out a plan. I have seen a video from another user who recommends greasing the slider block to reduce wear and promote free movement.
Thanks for the head’s up!

 

[LiveLife]

when using the Lee case feeder, a case will fall or not slide into the shell plate

Your case feeder is not installed correctly. It appears to be too high, which is likely the cause for case tipping/not sliding smoothly.

Lee Precision instruction for case feeder installation on page 2 for ABLP requires penny's thickness above the case mouth to bottom of feeder and penny's thickness away from tool head - https://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/TR3872.pdf

[FIG 6] Install the correctly configured feed plate keeping the bottom of the case feed plate a pennies thickness above the case mouth. Slide a case through feed plate. Place penny on top of the case, slide feed plate into carrier. [FIG 7] The 4 tube feed plate should be a penny’s thickness away from the tool head casting.​

Here's instructional video on case feeder installation on ABLP (At 0:50 second of video, use of penny for clearance is shown)

 

[Radom Guy]

I see the issue in the pic you attached. Do you mean the slider block (pusher) hangs up and fails to push the case to the shell plate? I just want to fully understand the malfunction.
I understand replacing the top carrier plate/ramp is a pain to do. If I watch for the malfunction maybe I can figure out a plan. I have seen a video from another user who recommends greasing the slider block to reduce wear and promote free movement.
Thanks for the head’s up!

It can actually happen for a variety of reasons but mostly from the case feeder. On the upstroke of the ram, a case can randomly fall out unexpectedly. Not a huge deal in and of itself, but because the upper carrier plate is made of the type of plastic that it is, it dents the ramp and the ramp causes real problems afterwards. So, no, it's not really caused by the case pusher.

the last time that it had happened to me, I had literally just replaced the carrier plate that day from the previous time it happened. That is when I decided to no longer use a case feeder. I have not had the problem since, as I am quite careful now and do not use a case feeder.

i had even tried a 3D printed case feeder setup that drops the case differently to prevent such problems, but it did not work out.

but again, since you are aware of this common problem going into it, you can hopefully really enjoy your new progressive press.

 

[Radom Guy]

Your case feeder is not installed correctly. It appears to be too high, which is likely the cause for case tipping/not sliding smoothly.

Lee Precision instruction for case feeder installation on page 2 for ABLP requires penny's thickness above the case mouth to bottom of feeder and penny's thickness away from tool head - https://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/TR3872.pdf

[FIG 6] Install the correctly configured feed plate keeping the bottom of the case feed plate a pennies thickness above the case mouth. Slide a case through feed plate. Place penny on top of the case, slide feed plate into carrier. [FIG 7] The 4 tube feed plate should be a penny’s thickness away from the tool head casting.​

Here's instructional video on case feeder installation on ABLP (At 0:50 second of video, use of penny for clearance is shown)

I did all that, working on the press for two years. But thanks anyway.

 

[drband]

@LiveLife have you seen this occur on your ABLP?

 

[LiveLife]

@LiveLife have you seen this occur on your ABLP?

Never! Just kidding.

Case feeder adjustment/gap above case mouth is crucial to case smoothly sliding under the column weight of cases in the tube. If gap is too much, case mouth of sliding case can hang on the rim of case above causing it to tilt and preventing smooth release of case which will jerk/move case away from slider to not feed into shellplate fully. With gap properly set (Penny's thickness as indicated by Lee), case mouth will slide under the rim of case above if not pushed/forced too fast.

Unlike Pro 1000/older version of case feeder which used solid "Z-bar", ABLP uses rigid spring which applies tension to pull the slider towards shellplate. Unlike solid Z-bar which had some play, spring tension better ensures case is fully inserted into shellplate.

My recommendation is just operate the press at a speed where you can keep an eye on the feeder to ensure case is fully inserted into shellplate so you can avoid the issue posted by member Radom Guy.

 

[kmw1954]

The issue being discussed has been a point of contention for me since this press was released. Lee's new and improved design was a complete step backwards as far as I am concerned. Yes, cost reduction but at what cost? They should have stayed with the full metal shellplate carrier that has been in service on the Pro1000 since it's inspection. I understand that no one die-casts anymore it is now all injection molding.

 

[Radom Guy]

Never! Just kidding.

Case feeder adjustment/gap above case mouth is crucial to case smoothly sliding under the column weight of cases in the tube. If gap is too much, case mouth of sliding case can hang on the rim of case above causing it to tilt and preventing smooth release of case which will jerk/move case away from slider to not feed into shellplate fully. With gap properly set (Penny's thickness as indicated by Lee), case mouth will slide under the rim of case above if not pushed/forced too fast.

Unlike Pro 1000/older version of case feeder which used solid "Z-bar", ABLP uses rigid spring which applies tension to pull the slider towards shellplate. Unlike solid Z-bar which had some play, spring tension better ensures case is fully inserted into shellplate.

My recommendation is just operate the press at a speed where you can keep an eye on the feeder to ensure case is fully inserted into shellplate so you can avoid the issue posted by member Radom Guy.

P.S. Keep an eye on the case feeder itself too. Even when set up perfectly with penny's width, etc.,as I did, and with lock washers or nylock nuts, it can move out of that thickness that initially set it to.

P.S. FYI: It's actually the penny width in the picture, I kept a penny right next to the press (it's still there and I have not used the case feeder in months). The height of the dropper is high in the picture because I was trying the large case pusher attachment in between time when I took the picture, using a different caliber. The picture was not actually taken when the problem happened; I had staged it at that moment to show a friend what was going on with the press.

 

[Radom Guy]

The issue being discussed has been a point of contention for me since this press was released. Lee's new and improved design was a complete step backwards as far as I am concerned. Yes, cost reduction but at what cost? They should have stayed with the full metal shellplate carrier that has been in service on the Pro1000 since it's inspection. I understand that no one die-casts anymore it is now all injection molding.

I hear you. I notice that the carrier in the forthcoming Lee Six Pack 6000 is metal once again. The whole problem took the enjoyment out of the press for me, but as I said in my comments above, hopefully the gentleman can go in with knowledge of this issue and be able to enjoy it.

 

[LiveLife]

I’ll post more when I get a chance to load a few. The press action is very smooth. Everything seems to work exceptionally well.

So far, so good!

FYI, here's a gavintoobe video on Pro 4000 (ABLP kit) set up. BTW, case feeder set up starts at 6:50 minute of video



And here's a close up of case feeder in action (Jump to 2:00 minute of video). Note the clearance above case mouth and how case slides smoothly from the feeder into shellplate along with ram cycle speed.

 

[f.g]

I join the conversation to congratulate Drband on the acquisition of this press.

I agree with @LiveLife: a good setting of the case feeder is necessary for it to work properly !!! Nevertheless for an optimal functioning and a 0 defects insurance, I added a small piece of PLA that prevents the cases from moving too much and jamming the press.
I have developed all this on my thread dedicated to the ABLP.

If it can help or give ideas to @drband or others .... I'll be glad to continue posting

 

[drband]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far! I certainly have a lot to consider and watch for as I get the press fine tuned. I hope to spend some time with it later today.

 

[drband]

***Quick question: is the slider block spring attaching screw supposed to be in the rear hole of the slider block? Thanks in advance.

I notice the only direction on Lee’s documentation references the pro 1000 and says to use the rear hole. This refurbished press came to me with the screw in the forward hole of the slider block.

Also, I loaded a couple dozen ends while ago. I went slowly, caught my self making mistakes, and slowed down some more. I finally got into rhythm and it began to make sense! My next session, I’ll start really slowly and then adjust tempo as the steps become ingrained.

Handle down (ram up), insert primer (safety prime)

Handle up (ram down), prime case, check powder charge, place bullet, check stations for case position in shell plate

pay attention to bullet feeder!

don’t short stroke!

I did spend a little more time adjusting dies so my rounds met my measurement criteria. Lock rings on the bushings tightened down—settings secure!

I hope to do a little more tonight.

 

[f.g]

I admit I didn't pay much attention to the hole used on the case feeder shuttle ... I will look at it when I go down to my reloading room.

To use the ABLP correctly, it's better to start slowly ... what you are doing is good !!!
The wide movements of the ram are a key to success ...
For more security, I have integrated a powder cop so that it can signal me if a problem appears during the powder distribution. I recommend this die

 

[LiveLife]

is the slider block spring attaching screw supposed to be in the rear hole of the slider block?

I notice the only direction on Lee’s documentation references the pro 1000 and says to use the rear hole. This refurbished press came to me with the screw in the forward hole of the slider block.

Just like with use of "Z bar", rear hole was used to apply more force/tension on the case to fully insert into the shellplate. Try the slider with the screw in the forward hole to see if you experience any insertion into shellplate issue. If so, I would use the rear hole, which would apply more spring tension. (Note however, that all the stock photos I could find shows Lee using rear hole)

I went slowly, caught my self making mistakes, and slowed down some more ... next session, I’ll start really slowly and then adjust tempo as the steps become ingrained.

Good practice.

 

[drband]

Just like with use of "Z bar", rear hole was used to apply more force/tension on the case to fully insert into the shellplate. Try the slider with the screw in the forward hole to see if you experience any insertion into shellplate issue. If so, I would use the rear hole, which would apply more spring tension. (Note however, that all the stock photos I could find shows Lee using rear hole)


Good practice.

I’ll try the rear hole for a while and see how it goes. Thanks!

 

[Radom Guy]

***Quick question: is the slider block spring attaching screw supposed to be in the rear hole of the slider block? Thanks in advance.

I notice the only direction on Lee’s documentation references the pro 1000 and says to use the rear hole. This refurbished press came to me with the screw in the forward hole of the slider block.

Also, I loaded a couple dozen ends while ago. I went slowly, caught my self making mistakes, and slowed down some more. I finally got into rhythm and it began to make sense! My next session, I’ll start really slowly and then adjust tempo as the steps become ingrained.

Handle down (ram up), insert primer (safety prime)

Handle up (ram down), prime case, check powder charge, place bullet, check stations for case position in shell plate

pay attention to bullet feeder!

don’t short stroke!

I did spend a little more time adjusting dies so my rounds met my measurement criteria. Lock rings on the bushings tightened down—settings secure!

I hope to do a little more tonight.

I do the same when using the ABLP, I say out loud with the ram up, "Prime, case." As I insert a primer and then put a case on the ramp. Ram down, i say, "Powder, Bullet," as I check my camera for powder in the case, then check for or add a bullet to the primed and charged case. Doing it this way ensures no missteps on my part. Even when adding both the case and the bullet manually, I average around 225 rounds per hour when loading 40S&W. Without rushing. It's a good safe way to load.

I'm curious, how do you verify powder charges? Do you have a powder cop die, or check every so many rounds, or just peek down into the shell? For me, I need to sit while I reload so I cannot peer into the case directly. I have a wireless WiFi "endoscope" camera pointed at the bullet drop station to verify it has a charge before I put a bullet on the flared case. I view it on an old cellphone that I keep at my reloading bench for this single purpose. That $18 endoscope from Amazon has paid for itself thousands of times now!