I know it's a long shot....

[Muleskinner]

I have a Lee 3 hole press that I have been using for nearly 30 years. The cast metal base shattered on me the other night while I was decapping a few hundred 9MM brass.

Does anyone happen to have one or know where I can get one?

 

[tomandjerry00]

Contact Lee, good chance they'll replace for free/cheap.

 

[Muleskinner]

Contact Lee, good chance they'll replace for free/cheap.

I thought this model was out of production...maybe not?

 

[Trekker]

I thought this model was out of production...maybe not?

Even if the model is out of production, Lee may simply replace it with an in-production model. The product support provided by manufacturers in the reloading industry is incredible, and there are other cases when the manufacturer finds it easier to provide a replacement product rather than bother with repairs.

 

[jimbobborg]

They'll want the old one back first. At least that's what they told me when I broke another Lee press. I even sent pics of it in two pieces.

 

[teratos]

Even if the model is out of production, Lee may simply replace it with an in-production model. The product support provided by manufacturers in the reloading industry is incredible, and there are other cases when the manufacturer finds it easier to provide a replacement product rather than bother with repairs.

The presses probably aren't the big money maker for them, the accessories probably are. I'm sure they are more than happy to give you the press, since you will buy all the other stuff you need for it.

 

[Sticky]

Lee is pretty good, I'd definitely contact them about it..

 

[Muleskinner]

The press is out of production. The best they will do is sell me a 4 hole for 50% of the MSRP. That would also mean buying 4 hole turrets at half of MSRP. I found a guy that was selling new in the box Lee 3 hole presses for less money than I would have spent replacing it with the 4 hole. The rep was a bit condescending and I don't like the idea that they charge half of MSRP which makes the press only a few bucks less than what big box outdoor stores charge once shipping is added. I got the 3 hole for $109 with a new set of .223 dies thrown in for "free" (gave those to a friend who was just getting in to reloading) I guess in the big picture it's not that big of a deal. I bought the press in 1984 and have reloaded upwards of 50,000 rounds over the years with it. nothing lasts forever...

 

[Traveler]

The press is out of production. The best they will do is sell me a 4 hole for 50% of the MSRP. That would also mean buying 4 hole turrets at half of MSRP. I found a guy that was selling new in the box Lee 3 hole presses for less money than I would have spent replacing it with the 4 hole. The rep was a bit condescending and I don't like the idea that they charge half of MSRP which makes the press only a few bucks less than what big box outdoor stores charge once shipping is added. I got the 3 hole for $109 with a new set of .223 dies thrown in for "free" (gave those to a friend who was just getting in to reloading) I guess in the big picture it's not that big of a deal. I bought the press in 1984 and have reloaded upwards of 50,000 rounds over the years with it. nothing lasts forever...

Sounds like the old press does not owe you a dime.

 

[byf43]

The press is out of production. The best they will do is sell me a 4 hole for 50% of the MSRP. That would also mean buying 4 hole turrets at half of MSRP. I found a guy that was selling new in the box Lee 3 hole presses for less money than I would have spent replacing it with the 4 hole. The rep was a bit condescending and I don't like the idea that they charge half of MSRP which makes the press only a few bucks less than what big box outdoor stores charge once shipping is added. I got the 3 hole for $109 with a new set of .223 dies thrown in for "free" (gave those to a friend who was just getting in to reloading) I guess in the big picture it's not that big of a deal. I bought the press in 1984 and have reloaded upwards of 50,000 rounds over the years with it. nothing lasts forever...

Maybe not, but, Dillon has a "Lifetime No B.S. Warranty".

As for lasting forever, I've got an RCBS RockChucker that's been running strong for 40+ years, and a MEC 600 Jr. (not a MKV) that's waaaaaaaay older than that.

That isn't 'forever', but, sofar I'm good-to-go.

 

[Muleskinner]

Well there is one thing I have taken away from this experience...Lee will not honor their warranty...I realize that my press is old and the warranty expired long ago...and they claim my press is out of production...But I can still find them online brand new...and they haven't been out of production very long...So I asked the rep if they would honor their warranty (2 years) if I bought one and it broke inside the warranty period....her response was that the press was discontinued and the warranty does not apply, even if the press is new...I'm done with them...been using their stuff nearly exclusively for over 30 years..no more..

 

[campns]

what is the warranty like for hornady?

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Well there is one thing I have taken away from this experience...Lee will not honor their warranty...I realize that my press is old and the warranty expired long ago...and they claim my press is out of production...But I can still find them online brand new...and they haven't been out of production very long...So I asked the rep if they would honor their warranty (2 years) if I bought one and it broke inside the warranty period....her response was that the press was discontinued and the warranty does not apply, even if the press is new...I'm done with them...been using their stuff nearly exclusively for over 30 years..no more..

Might be time to go drink the Blue Kool-Aid...

 

[Muleskinner]

Might be time to go drink the Blue Kool-Aid...

Dillon? not familiar with them. Can I use my Lee and RCBS dies?

 

[teratos]

Dillon? not familiar with them. Can I use my Lee and RCBS dies?

Yes, you can.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Dillon? not familiar with them. Can I use my Lee and RCBS dies?

Yes. I'm using a set of Lee 300BLK dies on mine.