Lee APP Press

[Oso]

Courtesy of the Pandemic, I had a chance to revisit my reloading process for both precision and bulk as well as the equipment that I have been using. There have been a number of improvements and upgrades. One area of marginal frustration is handling dirty bulk brass from AR's. I would love to tumble with primers removed but I am tired of loading one case at a time into a single stage press and I don't want to cycle dirty brass (range brass and suppressed brass) through a progressive presses. I decided to purchase a Lee APP Press as part of my case prep process (dedicated decapping station) before steel pin tumbling these cases. I thought I would do a review / follow-up on the Lee APP Press that ties together a few threads and discussions that I have engaged in recent months. I have decapped approximately 4K sases (223/5.56 & 300BO) in past few weeks, and I think that I have a pretty good idea of how the little APP Press works.



My Setup:
- Lee APP Press
- Lee Roller Handle Upgrade
- Lee Case Feeder (4-tube gravity feeder that you then can place a collator funnel on top)
- American Accurate Case Collator (designed to more easily feed rifle length cases into the case feeder tubes)... buy direct on Ebay
- 3-D printed Feed Tube Clamps to help align/stabilize (Ebay vendor)
- FW Arms "The Popper" self-centering, spring loaded decapping die
- Inline Fabrication Quick Change base plate
- Inline Fabrication Side Bin Storage plate
- Fast & Friendly Brass - Brass Funnel V2 for Dillon 1050

I watched all the videos of use that I could find on YouTube and read some threads and then went shopping. I don't have any plans to hook up an automated case feeder so I went with Lee's "Case Feeder", which is a simple 4-tube gravity fed system. It seems a little wonky as it is supported on a single bolt, BUT it works really well. Instead of using the Lee factory collator (brass funnel for loading cases into the tubes), I went with the American Accurate Case Collator that has an improved design to more effectively feed both pistol and rifle length cases. The Lee Collator is really geared more for shorter cases, such as pistol. The only modification to the case feed system that I did was to swap out 2 of the 4 standard nuts that secure the riser bolt with 2 locking nuts (dome topped nut with locking washer incorporated inside), which keeps the riser spacing from loosening up during use.

The shell carrier system on the APP Press is a simplistic design that is actuated in part by a spring. This is a clever design, but also the weak link in that it doesn't have the mechanical force to power through any issues. Maintaining the orientation of the spring is important in order to maintain tension. Keeping the feed ramp clean and maybe even lightly oiled is also an important step. If the feed ramp gets dirty (dirty or carbon/grime will cause friction and the shell carrier with start dragging and not fully moving/placing the case in the center of shell holder for decapping. Periodically wiping it down with a Q-tip with alcohol on it solves this potential issue. Not a big deal.

 

[Oso]

I was struggling with decision of which decapping die, FW Arms or Might Armory. Due to the self-centering feature, I purchased the FW Arms Decapping Die. There are times where the shell carrier doesn't perfectly center the case over the primer chute hole. The self-centering feature of the FW Arms die will ever so gently shift the case over to align/center it properly.

Instead of a bucket on the floor or some other make-do solution, I wanted a catch bin or similar setup for collecting the processed brass. I started day-dreaming answers and realized that I didn't own a end mill or 3-D printer... I am using the Inline Fabrications mounting system so I gave them a call. It turns out that Inline Fabrications already offers a storage bin adapter plate for the Lee APP. I wasn't thrilled about the output bin facing outward and started contemplating alternatives.




You can see the Storage Bin Adapter plate sitting on top of the bottom mounting plate and mounted underneath he Press using the same 3 screw.

I found a Brass Funnel made by Fast & Friendly Brass that looked like just the ticket. It is designed for the DIllon 1050 and has a hose attachment to mate up with a 1 3/4" ID shop vac hose. It was a near perfect fit. https://fastandfriendlybrass.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=97

 

[Oso]

I needed to make a couple of minor modification to the Brass Funnel in order to get it to slide underneath the APP's ejection ramp, First, I had to ease the top lip of the Funnel directly below the Ejection Ramp so that they weren't making contact. Second, I had to remove a small notch of material on rear hanging tab of the Funnel so that it could slide forward enough to fit underneath the eject ramp. The Funnel now makes contact with the press and Ejection ramp hang over the opening of Funnel.




This notch is located in the upper right corner of the Funnel closest to the Press in the top photo. This small notch is only in the tab that hangs over the metal hanging arm on the bin adapter stand. I used a box cutter to remove this material. No skills required.

 

[acloco]

I clamp a gallon bin the right side below the drop ramp.

 

[Oso]

I clamp a gallon bin the right side below the drop ramp.

Bucket is a respectable solution. Unfortunately, one of my reloading benches is tall (4 foot drop to the bucket) with a benchtop that doesn't overhang the lower cabinets by enough space. For me the Home Depot bucket wasn't going to work without cases periodically hitting the floor.

 

[tommeboy]

Take a red straw that comes on wd40 or like spray cans and stick it in the feed spring. You can also wrap the spring with electrical tape with the straw to make it feed better. I have one of the very first production models and all the stuff that was available for it. The deprimer and primer swage has had at least 3 revisions. I mainly use mine for bullet sizing my cast bullets. I have a auto bullet feeder from a guy on facebook. When it is set just right you can go as fast as you can pull the handle

 

[Oso]

I wouldn't be surprised if LEE bought the rights to manufacturing this component upgrade... If they aren't then they are missing out on a great upgrade for the APP Press. Cartridge inserts that are a universal height so no more adjusting the spacing on the feed tube riser rod/bolt. With a little effort Lee could improve this prototype.

 

[trdjohn]

I have an early APP press I bought in late 2019, it has the original decap kit, and original swage kit - both use the X shell holders. I also have the 4 tube case feed w/ collator. I've tinkered with it a few times adjusting 9mm, 223 and grendel cases to get a feel for it, and then life happened and put it away.

I recently pulled it out again, cleaned it up, and then started to decap a bunch of 9mm, ran smooth first 100 or so, then the shuttle (case inserter) wouldn't slide completely to the right, centering the case under the decap die. I need to constantly tap it to fully push right, and the black plastic shows decent wear w/ the very little use I've had on the machine. I notice my plastic case inserter and risers are black, the newer ones have red plastic - think they made a change in plastic for production?

My first question is - any tricks to slick up the mechanism? I cleaned the parts, and tried a very light coat of silicon spray on the plastic parts and it worked for a bit, but then it acted up again.

Next question is the new style Lee APP decap die be less sensitive to directly centering the case below the die? Notice the new style doesn't use X-shell holders. Any one use the new small style decap pin? I bought a decent amount of Norma 9mm ammo, and half of the cases have VERY small flash holes, I already bent one standard size pin. When I encounter small flash hole I've just set them aside. I've heard about the Mighty Armory decapper w/ small pin, if the new style Lee isn't worth it I might get the MA.

That 3D printed case feeder adapter looks very cool. I don't know anyone w/ 3D printer, is there anyone selling them on eBay?

Thanks

 

[Oso]

I just logged in and happened to see the title to the thread and thought I'd take a peak... pleasant surprise to see a machine setup just like mine... Oh wait... it is mine.

No idea about any design changes between your model and mine. It could be something as simple as they changed the color. Best to call Lee Customer Service to answer that question.

The spring's strength is just right when everything is running smooth, but not strong enough to muscle through issues. The position of the spring is important for smooth operation of the sled. It needs to be attached (spring's hook located on right side of eyelet on tool head). It also helps if the spring is reinforced so not so floppy. Cut a length off a spray tube from WD40 can or similar diameter straight tube and insert it inside center of the spring. There are a few (not many) videos on YouTube for some of these fixes. There are a few things to routinely check if you start having feeding issues:

1) If your brass is dirty then you'll need to periodically wipe of the sled base with a Qtip. A thin lube doesn't hurt, but if brass is dirty then need to be mindful of the slurry that you are creating that may become counter-productive. I usually just wipe off the sled's base track with a Qtip wetted with some isopropyl alcohol.

2) Besides dirt, my experience is that the shuttle doesn't travel the full distance if the case feeder is making contact with the shuttle either the alignment/height of feeder to shuttle is wrong causing hang-ups or if the support rod or nut for case feeder is making contact on the far side of the shuttle.

3) Another potential culprit is the cases themselves. If the case rim has a burr or other damage then this may causes it to bind when entering the shell holder. The spring isn't strong enough to pull through a friction bind.

My last recommendation is spend $65 on FW Arms Decap Die. Not only is it spring loaded, like the Mighty Armory Decap Die, but it also is self-centers. The self-centering feature is a huge improvement helping align cases that may not have gotten all the may into place/centered.

 

[Hangs4Fun]

I wouldn't be surprised if LEE bought the rights to manufacturing this component upgrade... If they aren't then they are missing out on a great upgrade for the APP Press. Cartridge inserts that are a universal height so no more adjusting the spacing on the feed tube riser rod/bolt. With a little effort Lee could improve this prototype.

you may have something there. I can't find that Thing (4691592) on thingiverse anywhere. I even messaged the creator (a2chrzz) and will update here if he responds to why that item was taken down

 

[Sandstorm]

I run 7 PRCW and Shehane cases through mine. I have the same setup with the E-Bay parts
and its slick as hell for decapping 100 pcs of brass....works flawless with the FW self centering de-capper.
Do a 100 in 10 minutes without a hitch....It keeps the crap out of your dies doing it on a separate process.

 

[Just Say Moe]

you may have something there. I can't find that Thing (4691592) on thingiverse anywhere. I even messaged the creator (a2chrzz) and will update here if he responds to why that item was taken down

Is this it?

APP case feeder

 

[Oso]

I just happened to log in and saw a notice from this thread. Yes, I believe that may be the component. The only way to confirm it is to 3D print it. If you do print one then drop an update on how it works and the quality of the design to print.