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Has anyone repaired a broken "toggle" on Lee press ?


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Apparently they break often, mine has snapped in half at the point where the loading arm goes through it.

 

Lee used to replace them for free, but as the press was discontinued in 2006 they have stopped. The toggle looks like sintered steel, so I'm not sure it will weld easily.

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Apparently they break often, mine has snapped in half at the point where the loading arm goes through it.

 

Lee used to replace them for free, but as the press was discontinued in 2006 they have stopped. The toggle looks like sintered steel, so I'm not sure it will weld easily.

I have done the same to mine mate. Hannams will know what bits you need be under 20 delivered so I'm told. And the new bits are solid so should last longer :)

 

Karl.

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Thanks for the post. I have the same problem and at the moment I'm running with one broken/cracked. It is possible to swap them over which I've done now and previously as a temporary measure. Just been made aware of Karl's post - they're on order at Tim Hannam's and they're awaiting delivery. It might pay to get your back order in smartish though.

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For reference, yes they can be welded. I used DC TIG, 80 amps, Saffire Supersteel rods, argon gas. I ground the cracks back two thirds of the way through, leaving enough of the cracked faces to locate the pieces together properly, then welded along the cracks and also laid a large bead across the cracks. Then I thought why not weld the handle into it for extra strength, so I did this and built up the bead even further. It's working so far with full length resizer on 308 brass.

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Nice one! If the supply dries up, you could be in business. :good:

 

Edit: Just to be certain, we are talking the 'Challenger' press here?

Yes. To be fair on the press it has done many thousands of reloads since I bought it ages ago. Also, my 308 sizer is not carbide like the 44mag, so it needs a bit of lube and a lot more effort.

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Funny enough mine broke last week. i mailed Lee in a hope but the postage was stupid.

 

005_zps675833bd.jpg

 

I went onto Titan Reloading, I have used them in the past but thought their postage would be the same.It wasnt. I bought the 2 upgrade toggles, the square nut thing, the bolt and replacement pin, came to about £17 delivered. it took 10 days to arrive. Funny thing is, their just up the road from Lee.

 

(1) OF3221 - Ram Pin - http://leeprecision.com/ram-pin-step.html [1]
(1) OF3613 - Lever Clamp - http://leeprecision.com/Press-Lever-Clamp.html [2]
(1) OF3609 - Washer - http://leeprecision.com/1-3-16-steel-washer.html [3]
(1) FO2113 - Bolt - http://leeprecision.com/1-1-4-5-16-18-bolt.html [4]
(2) OF2853 - Toggles - http://leeprecision.com/bl-challenger-toggle.html [5]

 

If you have one good Toggle i have one here. i binned the broken one.

 

All the best

 

Phil.

Edited by activeviii
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End of an era it seems. The toggles that we all know and love :no: are no longer available. Like the other Phil, I also have one which is not cracked - yet - should anyone wish to make use of it.

 

Hannams just rang and as we speak there is a 'Roller Handle Upgrade Kit' on its way. I've been told, and from the pictures so it would seem, that this is a real improvement on the original set-up. The Lee Pt. No. is 90074 and the price is £24.48 plus £6 delivery.

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End of an era it seems. The toggles that we all know and love :no: are no longer available. Like the other Phil, I also have one which is not cracked - yet - should anyone wish to make use of it.

 

Hannams just rang and as we speak there is a 'Roller Handle Upgrade Kit' on its way. I've been told, and from the pictures so it would seem, that this is a real improvement on the original set-up. The Lee Pt. No. is 90074 and the price is £24.48 plus £6 delivery.

It wasn't long ago I asked and they had some in :/ ow well.

Looks like I will be getting one of them then lol. Still not fixed mine lazy me ;) have just been topping up using the hand press.

 

Thanks pal will look into one :)

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It wasn't long ago I asked and they had some in :/ ow well.

Looks like I will be getting one of them then lol. Still not fixed mine lazy me ;) have just been topping up using the hand press.

 

Thanks pal will look into one :)

Yep, was told the same but it seems that there was some confusion as to what standard press they were for. phaedra has a point but I also fancy the new handle and am happy to pay for service and convenience.

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It wasn't long ago I asked and they had some in :/ ow well.

Looks like I will be getting one of them then lol. Still not fixed mine lazy me ;) have just been topping up using the hand press.

 

Thanks pal will look into one :)

This is aimed at Amazed but didn't PM as it may well be of interest to other Hornet reloaders.

 

Kit arrived and took all of 30 seconds to install - bearing in mind mine is the old Challenger with only one nut and bolt the others being pins and circlips. Two items of note: My press as always had a 'high spot' which you can feel when operating the lever. Not serious, just annoying so never bothered finding out whether it was a 'bent' ram or the mechanism geometry. It must have been the latter as all is now as sweet as a nut. Secondly, without the need to faff about with cutting grooves, it is possible to reduce the handle length and therefore any load applied which is ideal for the lighter effort required for these rounds. All you have to do is install the handle in the radius (Item 5 on the instructions, there's 2 possible positions) which gives the higher handle position and the redundant length then misses the central pivot bolt/pin. Personal preference here, but I find the new handle grip much improved.

 

These new fulcrum halves are a bit of a brute and will never break. EVER.

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This is aimed at Amazed but didn't PM as it may well be of interest to other Hornet reloaders.

 

Kit arrived and took all of 30 seconds to install - bearing in mind mine is the old Challenger with only one nut and bolt the others being pins and circlips. Two items of note: My press as always had a 'high spot' which you can feel when operating the lever. Not serious, just annoying so never bothered finding out whether it was a 'bent' ram or the mechanism geometry. It must have been the latter as all is now as sweet as a nut. Secondly, without the need to faff about with cutting grooves, it is possible to reduce the handle length and therefore any load applied which is ideal for the lighter effort required for these rounds. All you have to do is install the handle in the radius (Item 5 on the instructions, there's 2 possible positions) which gives the higher handle position and the redundant length then misses the central pivot bolt/pin. Personal preference here, but I find the new handle grip much improved.

 

These new fulcrum halves are a bit of a brute and will never break. EVER.

Thanks mate I know what you mean about the flat spot as mine has the same ! Will be ordering one of these kits soon sounds bang on :good: thanks for the update !

Karl.

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