flycaster Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 (edited) Hello. I'm using a Lee rotary loading press- I 've had good success with it for many thousands of rounds. But now a used primer is stuck on the tip of the pin, and I can't get into the opening to try to remove it. I also can't loosen the nut that locks the pin in position. Tried about everything. Other than returning it to Lee, any suggestions would be appreciated. Naturally this happened while I was trying to load a bunch of boxes of 9mm. Sheesh. Chuck Edited May 14, 2020 by flycaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 Just raise the handle and it will place the used primer back into the shell. Grind a chisel point on the decapping pin and the used primers can no longer get a grip on the tip on the depriming pin. Some experimentation may be necessary to fine tune the tip but generally a profile of a flat blade screw driver works best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycaster Posted May 14, 2020 Author Share Posted May 14, 2020 I'm a little confused. Since the primer is solidly attached to the pin, I don't see how it gets from the die back into the bottom of a brass case. In any case, it seems to be VERY stuck on the pin. If I'm misunderstanding you, I apologize. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 (edited) are you saying that a primer stuck to the decaping pin .then it pulled back through the case? Lets see a picture of that. otherwise what sarge said.And through that case away if it did pull back through. Edited May 14, 2020 by AHI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycaster Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 Actually, I don't know how it happened. Your question is a good one, but I'm afraid I can't answer it. I only know that there is a spent primer that is very stuck to the tip of the pin. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 are you sure its not a .22 case stuck to the de cap rod? use 2 wrenches 1 on the top of the die the other on the decap rod nut. heat it up with a heat gun etc if necessary. hit decap nut wrench with a hammer sudden shock may break it loose. still would like to see a picture of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycaster Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 You can see where I tried- in vain- to grind the primer out. The die needs a little clean-up after it's done! Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 looks to me the pin is broken not something stuck on the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBomber Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Holy crap . That's a new one for me. Try using needle nose pliers and twisting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycaster Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 On close examination, it does look like the center rod has snapped off. Darn. And Lee Precision is basically closed- no phone number or email address on their website. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Copyright © 1958-2020 Lee Precision | 4275 County Road U | Hartford, WI 53027 | phone (262) 673-3075 | fax (262) 673-927 bottom of page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycaster Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 Thanks! Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Damn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddc Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Snapping that pin (or bending it) is not uncommon. You might as well pick up some replacements unless you don't mind being offline while Lee ships you a new pin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycaster Posted May 17, 2020 Author Share Posted May 17, 2020 (edited) I Forum member has offered one at a below new price. I posted my problem on this Forum before any other, because it doesn't seem like a group of strangers. Nice. Chuck Edited May 17, 2020 by flycaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ming the Merciless Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 (edited) Generally the Lee decapping pins just push up out of the die rather than break unless there is something causing a side load on the pin like debris in the case or the collet nut is overtightened preventing the pin from pushing up. I believe all Lee handgun dies use the same decapping pin (p/n 90027) and it's available on Amazon, Fleabay and else where. https://www.amazon.com/LEE-PRECISION-90027-Decapping-Handgun/dp/B00HZ9U5H2 There are also aftermarket versions that a supposedly stronger, but I have no experience with them. Edited May 17, 2020 by Ming the Merciless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmg1 Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 Aftermarket versions that a supposedly stronger on amazon are a month out in shipping at this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwbfx4 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 I keep a few spare decapping pins on my bench just in case. I broke one a long time ago at an inopportune time. But that one has definitely snapped at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycaster Posted May 19, 2020 Author Share Posted May 19, 2020 Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 I think Midway carries them also. It'll cost you more for the shipping than the pin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycaster Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 I'm up and running again with a new pin. This is a great Forum! Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmojo Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 The Squirrel Daddy hardened steel decapping pins are available on Amazon. Just ordered a 3-pak. $19.95 + $3.99 shipping. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018V7L3C2/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycaster Posted May 25, 2020 Author Share Posted May 25, 2020 Thanks. I'll keep that in mind- just in case. Although, for that price, it might be better to have some spares on hand. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoutmom Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 You can also order directly from Squirrel Daddy direct. https://www.squirreldaddy.com/Decapping-pin-s/336.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 For those of you who are decapping and NOT sizing on the same die, when do you size? I'm new to the RL1100 and am getting primers sucked back into the primer pocket with my Dillon die. I'm thinking of switching to my Lee decapping/sizing die but I wonder how it will work since it's not radiused. When I did this in .40 cal on my 550 press I crushed a lot of cases because the case didn't line up with the die perfectly. If I try a FW Arms or Mighty Armory decapper, then when do you size?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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