Something I almost never see refered to on ANY reloading site is cleaning and relubing of the press, ALL of the press, the ram, the linkage pivot pins, the linkage to the ram.
I disassemble a new press, wash everything with solvent, amazing at the crud the factory leaves, especially in the cast iron and steel models, apply neverseize, the nickel bearing high pressure lube to the ram and all pivot points, same on my Lee hand primer. Then Lubriplate over the neverseize.
I clean and relube all of them at least 2 times a year.
I have an RCBS that is more than 35 years old and has no play,a $15 Lee cast aluminum that is 6-8 years old and has no play, a Lee 20ga loader that is likely 25 years old, my Lee handprimer is more than 20 years old and is like new except where my thumb has worn off some of the plating.
I really believe if you do basic maintenance and lubing, most any press will last longer than you will.
Don
