Broke my Lee Auto-Prime

[zap]

Yesterday evening I was priming some of my .223 brass. Seating some wolf primers, my thumb lever that you squeeze to push the primer in, broke. That ended my load development in a hurry.

So, i get on the Lee website this morning and see that mine, with the round tray was discontinued in 2010, along with parts for it. They note that you can get any new priming tool from them for half price plus shipping.
I like the hand held type, and I already have all the Lee shell holders, so I'm sticking with Lee for now.
My question: Lee has two hand held priming tools.
The “Ergo prime” and
The “ New auto prime”
Do any of you guys have experience with any or each of these two models ?

I am leaning Towards the ergo model. Anything you don't like about the ergo model ?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You want to sell the old trays and parts? That thumb lever was always breaking back in the day. The 2 newer lee priming tools are junk. If you have to get one of them get the square one not the very newest

 

[Tim Singleton]

Call in they will replace it free of charge
Or they used to
I’m with Dusty I use the square on
But I have that tray on a 21st century tool

 

[jds holler]

Say it aint so!!!

I've got the old round tray type, and have been loving it, especially since Bc'z sent me the entire set of shell holders. I've been pretty much doing all my priming in front of the tv with an episode of Gunsmoke in front of me. I'll be heart broke if it gives up the ghost. jd

 

[Cemetery21]

I'll be heart broke if it gives up the ghost.

Sadly, Lee stopped making replacement handles for the old round tray model years ago. I'm down to my last 2 handles and I use other tools now on bulk loading to save them.
That's partially okay, since my thumbs are thanking me, but those old Lees were as reliable as anything I've used.

 

[hammerjack]

Your old round trays will fit on the newer auto prime hand held tool. The old broke handles can be fixed also with plastic epoxy with a small
steel rod set in it for a backbone . I think I used a 1/8 titanium rod on the two I have.
Use super glue on the joint before the epoxy.

 

[cdngary]

Sadly, Lee stopped making replacement handles for the old round tray model years ago. I'm down to my last 2 handles and I use other tools now on bulk loading to save them.
That's partially okay, since my thumbs are thanking me, but those old Lees were as reliable as anything I've used.

I have broken levers on the old round tray.I have replaced them with the square tray lever, which is much stronger. They don't quite close to the body but they fit and work just fine.

 

[Cemetery21]

I did get one or two replacement handles from Lee that fit okay, but something changed in the leverage. Like you say, they fit and worked, but it seemed like the angle and leverage aggravated my arthritic thumbs more so than the originals.

 

[AckleymanII]

Easy to fix the broken handle on the old lee priming tools. 1/8" soft steel, cut out with a jig saw, then file. Use epoxy to sandwich the two pieces of metal together, and will never break again.

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[Cemetery21]

Thanks for that! I checked my parts box and I didn't keep any broken handles. Just 4 round trays, a couple of new bodies and one handle and link.

I do have 2 I still use, one large and one small primer setup.

 

[Ron IA]

I have one that I broke the top of the shell holder off along time ago. still using the one I got in 1977 couldn't imagine how many primes I have seated with that one

 

[Cemetery21]

If I'm going to load over 50, I use a different tool that saves my thumbs but I have to watch closer.

 

[Cemetery21]

Yes, I had one body split at the shell holder.

 

[Dub]

I have an old one @zap that still has a good handle. You can have it for free if you want. just let me know.

 

[2506]

If you are going to purchase a new hand priming tool take a look at the Frankford Arsenal. You can use the Lee shell holders with it. Midway is running it for $72.99 right now.

 

[JeffT]

Sometimes you can find them on eBay. I bought 2 good ones and a box a parts for a decent price a year or 2 ago.

 

[JMayo]

I've got one in a drawer somewhere.
The primer holding area wore oblong ..
RCBS with square tray.
I Didn't know how nice it is that a square of 100 didn't spill the corner priners.
Wouldn't go back. I can put 400 in there and go for it non stop !

 

[bsekf]

When mine broke, I went with the Lee bench priming tool. Not the best, but it works and gives me a good "feel". Just be prepared for a few "jams".

 

[rr2030]

I have an old one @zap that still has a good handle. You can have it for free if you want. just let me know.

Same model I have been using for 40+ years without fail. I think I paid under $10.00 for it new.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I would be lost if my Lee goes down. I mentioned it to a buddy, he said he had tons of new old stock reloading equipment from auctions/sales. He also said there were several new in the box Auto primes, but I would have to look for them. Sounds like an after stay at home mission.