Lee Auto Prime hand priming tool

[Wallyl]

462

My Lee priming tool (old model 90230) also had a curved lever which broke at the weakest link, the pivot point. I never primed crimped primer pockets with it. The pot metal zinc is a poor choice of materials for such a critical part. So I bought the new model and the small portion where the plastic molding affixes to the body broke off. The plastic material is polystyrene the same materiel used on a Bic stick pen. The ears are a real weak point and the material used it should be far more beefier. I recall when the original 90230 came out the connect rod (picture below) was made of plastic and broke fairly often, so Lee starting using pot metal.

 

[freebullet]

I also recommend the hornady.

Waco showed us the Frankford unit with adjustable depth setting. I regret not getting one on clearance.

Lee..nope not for priming, not for me. Been....

 

[Brad]

Mine broke right where the flat portion of the lever attached to the larger section with the pivot points. Seems this is a common place for them to break. I primed 10s of thousands of rounds on mine.
I made a new pivot and lever section a year ago and never need to worry again.

 

[Bret4207]

I know how mine broke and where the fault lies- me. Dirty primer pockets, off brand brass/surplus brass, no uniformer, no pocket cleaner outside of a screw driver ground to "sorta"fit. Add in that I'm impatient, or at least was a lot more impatient and the fact Lee used a pretty frail metal...sometimes they will break. Oh yeah, and I used to prime and load with a buddy, while drinking! Gave that up a long time ago and drinking altogether also. It's a wonder I'm still alive.

FWIW, on the old style that used the flat shell holders- I made several of those out of standard shell holders. Just cut/grind off the inverted "Tee" at the bottom and you have a Lee style flat shell holder.

 

[Winelover]

Ninety percent of my reloading is done on an RCBS JR press. Use to use, the presses priming system for many years but switched to the portable LEE hand prime. When I wore that one out, I tried the new model with the square tray and primer shut off. PITA, with jams and tray cover rising in use. Then, I went to RCBS better built version, with the removable shell holders. Took too much time to switch from Large to Small...................so I bought their Universal Shell holder version. It worked better with Large primers than the Small. Dedicated the Universal to Large and the Shell holder one, for Small.

I was still looking for a better mousetrap and found it when I went to the RCBS bench mounted priming tool...............the one with the primer tube feed.

Automatic Priming Tool | RCBS

Buy Automatic Priming Tool at RCBS, the leading producer of high-quality reloading equipment supplies for over 60 years.

www.rcbs.com

I use the bench mounted one, when I prime in large batches. For small batches, I grab the appropriate RCBS hand primer. The bench prime, I found on Amazon for @ $83, a few years ago.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Like some of you I have owned most of them including a few not mentioned.
I swore off that LEE almost two decades ago after breaking three “dog bones” in a row!
I do not like the Hornady model either.
BUT although I’m. It a LEE fan. I AM USING a LEE bench mounted seater and I like it. The primer inserts are hit or miss I had to buy a couple
To get well functioning models. My Small is cracked and broken but glued and taped back together cause it feeds so well.
I have a few RCBS primers too and over all I like them. I DID have to get b ew jaws last spring but quick and easy fix.
CW

 

[358156 hp]

My first LEE hand primer seemingly lasted forever! Then I bought a second one so I could have one set up for each primer size. The second one didn't last very long so I bought a third one to replace it. It didn't even last as long as the second one, then the first one went down. Now I have one of the early RCBS hand primers, and even though it's decades old now it has yet to fail me.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

This mirrors my own experiences. Took place for me about 1988-89. I bought a bunch of loading tools powder and primers in the early 1990’s and a RCBS primer was one. I also was given a RCBS APS priming tool by the RCBS rep to use. I liked that allot!! I still have some Primers in those strips!! I also have bunches of the strips and the tool
To load them. But the tool Is large and takes up too Much real estate. Maybe when I finish my expansion.
CW

 

[Winelover]

Mount the RCBS Bench priming tool on a scrap piece of 2 x 6 then C- clamp it to your bench, when you want to use it.

 

[fiver]

I put mine on a 1x4 then shot a screw down into the bench with a washer under the board and just spin it around when I need it.
I'm considering some type of changeable slide in/out arrangement for it and some other tools.

 

[Wallyl]

I have one of these....



For those that are rich you can buy this one on e-bay...

RCBS Hand Priming Tool, (90200) includes large and small primer plugs .





Condition:
New



Price:
US $1,257.91

RCBS 90200 Hand Priming Tool - Silver/Green for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RCBS 90200 Hand Priming Tool - Silver/Green at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I put mine on a 1x4 then shot a screw down into the bench with a washer under the board and just spin it around when I need it.
I'm considering some type of changeable slide in/out arrangement for it and some other tools.

I like that slide in our idea!! This RCBS of mine has a 4x10 foot print so a slide out “plank” might just be a dandy idea!!

 

[Bret4207]

I have one of these....

View attachment 12805

For those that are rich you can buy this one on e-bay...

RCBS Hand Priming Tool, (90200) includes large and small primer plugs .





Condition:
New



Price:
US $1,257.91


View attachment 12806

RCBS 90200 Hand Priming Tool - Silver/Green for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RCBS 90200 Hand Priming Tool - Silver/Green at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I'll order 3!

 

[Rcmaveric]

I broke the small primer plastic insert. It broke because some times the primer seater pin would sometimes stick and the handle would be stuck up. I would smack the side of it and the pin and handle would spring open. A few times it got smacked harder than necessary from anger and frustration. Lol guess to much force when it spring back or recoil. I ordered a few extra from Midway, those plastic inserts are cheap. I dont use the hand primer much any more now that I have a turret and Loadmaster. They primer reliably for me.