Snapped a decap pin on Lee neck collet die

Nomo4me · October 15, 2009, 10:03 AM

Die was in a Co-ax press. 204 Ruger.
I wasn't really paying attention. I guess all the "float" touted in that press means one has to be a bit careful as the pin is about to enter the flash hole.

Looks like I've got to order a replacement direct from Lee. $4 each. Is it common to break these, especially when used with the Co-ax? If so I'll order a few of them.

Thx

chris in va · October 15, 2009, 10:19 AM

Call Lee, they may just send you a new one. I had an issue with the powder through die sticking, and they replaced the sleeve inside.

NavyLT · October 15, 2009, 10:38 AM

They'll replace it for free, probably just a phone call. The little nut on top of the die that holds the decapping pin is too tight, loosen that up a little bit.

Sevens · October 15, 2009, 10:50 AM

There's no nut on the collet neck-only size die.

Lee will repair or replace any die within two years of purchase, so they state. I broke a decap pin on a standard size die once and they never asked me when I bought it, they simply mailed me a pin.

E-mail or call them, you'll have it in less than a week.

wncchester · October 15, 2009, 01:29 PM

"Snapped a decap pin on Lee neck collet die"

I've deliberately removed the decap pin from my collet sizers, use a universal decapper instead. That way I can toy with neck sizing even if the case is primed.

Twinsig · October 15, 2009, 02:25 PM

better get 2 of em, for the next time ya know.

Nomo4me · October 15, 2009, 03:13 PM

They sent one free of charge.

Thanks for the replies.

amamnn · October 15, 2009, 04:42 PM

Sometimes metal parts just fail--I broke a decap pin on a Lee Collet
I was using for the .30-06 and also on a Forster 6BR FL die. Neither of the cases were out of shape, the decap pins were centered in the primer, and new pins installed immediately worked fine.

Nomo4me · October 15, 2009, 05:08 PM

Eh, I was just screwing around in preparation to load my first rounds in 20 years. The resistance was too much and I suspected such an instant before the pin went 'snap'
I'll have to pay attn to how I locate the dies in the Co-ax.

NWPilgrim · October 15, 2009, 05:19 PM

I also use a Universal decapper die. I got fed up bending RCBS decapping pins and just took them all out. Now I use a Lee universal decapping die that has a very sturdy pin and collet arrangement. This is real brute and punches through stuff that other dies struggle with.

Never had an issue with decapping pins until this year when I went through several batches of old cases of mixed headstamps. Some were heavily crimped primers, and a few Berdans snuck in there as well. And since I was running so many more cases through than normal I did have a couple hit the case head off center and miss the primer hole.

October 15, 2009, 10:03 AM	#1
Nomo4me Member Join Date: September 24, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 58	Snapped a decap pin on Lee neck collet die Die was in a Co-ax press. 204 Ruger. I wasn't really paying attention. I guess all the "float" touted in that press means one has to be a bit careful as the pin is about to enter the flash hole. Looks like I've got to order a replacement direct from Lee. $4 each. Is it common to break these, especially when used with the Co-ax? If so I'll order a few of them. Thx

October 15, 2009, 10:50 AM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	There's no nut on the collet neck-only size die. Lee will repair or replace any die within two years of purchase, so they state. I broke a decap pin on a standard size die once and they never asked me when I bought it, they simply mailed me a pin. E-mail or call them, you'll have it in less than a week. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

October 15, 2009, 02:25 PM	#6
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	get 2 better get 2 of em, for the next time ya know.

October 15, 2009, 04:42 PM	#8
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Sometimes metal parts just fail--I broke a decap pin on a Lee Collet I was using for the .30-06 and also on a Forster 6BR FL die. Neither of the cases were out of shape, the decap pins were centered in the primer, and new pins installed immediately worked fine. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

October 15, 2009, 05:19 PM	#10
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	I also use a Universal decapper die. I got fed up bending RCBS decapping pins and just took them all out. Now I use a Lee universal decapping die that has a very sturdy pin and collet arrangement. This is real brute and punches through stuff that other dies struggle with. Never had an issue with decapping pins until this year when I went through several batches of old cases of mixed headstamps. Some were heavily crimped primers, and a few Berdans snuck in there as well. And since I was running so many more cases through than normal I did have a couple hit the case head off center and miss the primer hole. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

October 15, 2009, 10:19 AM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Call Lee, they may just send you a new one. I had an issue with the powder through die sticking, and they replaced the sleeve inside.

October 15, 2009, 10:38 AM	#3
NavyLT Junior member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 1,719	They'll replace it for free, probably just a phone call. The little nut on top of the die that holds the decapping pin is too tight, loosen that up a little bit.

October 15, 2009, 01:29 PM	#5
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"Snapped a decap pin on Lee neck collet die" I've deliberately removed the decap pin from my collet sizers, use a universal decapper instead. That way I can toy with neck sizing even if the case is primed.

October 15, 2009, 03:13 PM	#7
Nomo4me Member Join Date: September 24, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 58	They sent one free of charge. Thanks for the replies.

October 15, 2009, 05:08 PM	#9
Nomo4me Member Join Date: September 24, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 58	Eh, I was just screwing around in preparation to load my first rounds in 20 years. The resistance was too much and I suspected such an instant before the pin went 'snap' I'll have to pay attn to how I locate the dies in the Co-ax.