![Embarrassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
Lee dies in Co-Axle press
-
- Supporter
- Posts: 83
- Joined: 09 Mar 2019 17:59
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: Mid America
- Has thanked: 31 times
- Been thanked: 22 times
Lee dies in Co-Axle press
I prefer Lee dies over other brands because of their precise dimensions, "tapered" expanding stems, and ease of getting cases "unstuck" if I make a mistake. Likewise, the "finger" adjusting rings beats the "heck" out of having to use an "allen wrench" to tighten and loosen the rings for adjustment! Which brings me to a subject I read on another site that states, "one must use some other brand of die rings, other than Lee, in a Co-Axle press". I have been using Lee rings in my Co-Axle for decades and have never encountered a problem. Am I misinformed or "functionally" incorrect (I know I'm asking for some rude comments to the latter
)?I realize that using "neck" sizing dies would have little effect in the process if there were any "slop" in holder; however, I have not encountered a problem with "full length" resizing cases either. (I do run all my reloaded ammo through my rifle, especially before a hunt to make sure it functions smoothly and has sufficient room in the magazine.) Thanks.
![Embarrassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
- daboone
- Founding Member
- Posts: 1397
- Joined: 30 Nov 2013 21:47
- My Press Choice: Single Stage
- Location: AZ, TX, HI
- Has thanked: 677 times
- Been thanked: 787 times
Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press
My old Bonaza CO-AX has no problems with Lee dies even their neck sizing dies. I've even used Lee lock rings successfully.
An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out.
When setting a job up for myself it must be Idiot Proof as well, as I am a bigger idiot than most people I know, and I prove it to myself everyday.
When setting a job up for myself it must be Idiot Proof as well, as I am a bigger idiot than most people I know, and I prove it to myself everyday.
- GasGuzzler
- Moderator & Supporter
- Posts: 2040
- Joined: 26 Jan 2016 22:39
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: Cooke County, TX
- Has thanked: 330 times
- Been thanked: 500 times
Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press
I'm not sure what difference the brand of press makes. Lee doesn't have lock rings, just big nuts. ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
I've always been crazy but it's kept me from goin' insane.
I've always been crazy but it's kept me from goin' insane.
-
- Founding Member & Supporter
- Posts: 674
- Joined: 30 Jun 2013 09:30
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: S. Oregun
- Has thanked: 203 times
- Been thanked: 371 times
Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press
I have a fairly new Co-Ax and I did buy several Forster and Sinclair lock rings for my dies, but I still had some Lee dies to use but ran out of Forster rings. None of my reloading, or press use would put too much pressure on the aluminum rings so I removed the O-ring and drilled and tapped the ring for a set screw (nylon tipped). Yes, the rings are narrower than the slot and they will move upward a bit. But, they will move the same distance every time, so there is no variation. I have been using some of my "modified" rings on my Lee dies for several months and several hundred (thousands?) of rounds with no variations, no trouble. I keep fergitin' to buy more Forster rings... ![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
FWIW; the Lee lock rings work on a "pressure-jam" principle. The nut is finger tightened and the O-ring applies upward force, "jamming" the male/female threads together with enough friction to hold the nut/ring in place. Same principle as a spring washer between the nut and fixture/press surface.
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
FWIW; the Lee lock rings work on a "pressure-jam" principle. The nut is finger tightened and the O-ring applies upward force, "jamming" the male/female threads together with enough friction to hold the nut/ring in place. Same principle as a spring washer between the nut and fixture/press surface.
- Ranch Dog
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6457
- Joined: 22 Jun 2013 17:16
- My Press Choice: Progressive
- Location: Inez, TX
- Has thanked: 1617 times
- Been thanked: 2850 times
Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press
If you want to secure your Lee Lock Rings, use a Titan Reloading Lock Nut Finger Wrench. I've gotten them so tight that, months or a year later, I'm not so sure I'm going to get them loose when I start trying to remove the die.mikld wrote:FWIW; the Lee lock rings work on a "pressure-jam" principle. The nut is finger tightened and the O-ring applies upward force, "jamming" the male/female threads together with enough friction to hold the nut/ring in place. Same principle as a spring washer between the nut and fixture/press surface.
![Image](https://www.titanreloading.com/image/data/D2g/FWrench.jpg)
Michael
![Image](http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/GIF/press1.gif)
![Image](http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/GIF/press1.gif)
- RBHarter
- Founding Member
- Posts: 2042
- Joined: 13 Mar 2014 19:45
- My Press Choice: Single Stage
- Location: The green hell 90 miles north of Texarka
- Has thanked: 76 times
- Been thanked: 670 times
Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press
If of course your concerned about hard contact between the press , nut and die you can simply flip the nut over and the 0ring becomes a friction device and the nut a solid stop on the press and dies .
Just a Red neck,White boy, Blue blood American.....
-
- Founding Member & Supporter
- Posts: 674
- Joined: 30 Jun 2013 09:30
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: S. Oregun
- Has thanked: 203 times
- Been thanked: 371 times
Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press
From my last job (heavy construction equipment repair) I have a handfull of 7/8-14 nuts, a few grade 8, in my toolbox. One or two I have drilled and tapped to use as a lock ring where I have room, but during my 25 years on that job I had a lot of formal training, some on fasteners. There's a lot more about bolts nuts, and screws than just "righty tighty, lefty loosy"! ![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)