Catastrophic Failure Lee Classic Turret Press

Published on December 7, 2019
Duration: 5:11

This video details a catastrophic failure of a Lee Classic Turret Press due to extreme cold and user-induced stress during resizing of blackout brass. The speaker highlights the broken turret and cracked mounting ring, emphasizing that the press itself is otherwise functional. Lee Precision provided free replacement parts (turret and ring) after the user shipped the broken components, demonstrating a positive warranty experience despite the user's admission of rough handling and lack of proof of purchase within the warranty period.

Quick Summary

A Lee Classic Turret Press failed catastrophically due to extreme cold and excessive force during brass resizing. Lee Precision provided free replacement parts (turret and mounting ring) after the user shipped the broken components, showcasing a positive warranty experience despite the circumstances.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Press Issue
  2. 00:34Resizing Difficult Brass
  3. 00:53Catastrophic Failure Explained
  4. 01:06Damage to Turret Mounting Ring
  5. 01:35Summary of Press Failure
  6. 02:01Contacting Lee Precision for Warranty
  7. 02:18Shipping Broken Parts to Lee
  8. 02:26Receiving Replacement Parts
  9. 02:47Installing New Parts
  10. 03:03Comparison to Dillon Presses
  11. 03:47Lee vs. Dillon Warranty Service
  12. 03:50Purchasing Small Parts Online
  13. 04:01Lee Warranty Period
  14. 04:13Lee's Customer Service Experience
  15. 04:20Refurbished Press & Final Thoughts
  16. 04:34Recommendation for Lee Products

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the Lee Classic Turret Press to fail catastrophically?

The Lee Classic Turret Press experienced a catastrophic failure due to a combination of extreme cold temperatures (below freezing) and excessive force applied during the resizing of difficult brass, likely blackout brass, which requires significant effort.

What parts of the Lee Classic Turret Press broke during the incident?

The primary components that failed were the turret itself, where dies are mounted, and the turret mounting ring, which cracked in multiple places. A piece of aluminum also broke off and flew towards the operator's face.

How did Lee Precision handle the warranty claim for the broken press?

Lee Precision provided free replacement parts (new turret and ring) after the user shipped the broken components to them. This was done without proof of purchase within the warranty period, demonstrating good customer service.

Is the Lee Classic Turret Press a good value compared to other presses like Dillon?

The video suggests the Lee Classic Turret Press offers excellent value, with a base model having more functionality than a comparable Dillon press but costing significantly less. While Dillon may be more durable, Lee provides a strong warranty service for its price point.

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