Would you buy a used Loadmaster now ?

[big5ifty]

The idea of buying a used Loadmaster or two keeps popping into my head.

I've got 2 progressive presses setup, both are Hornady Pro-Jectors [ with flawless priming systems ] one for large primers, one for small.

 It would be ideal to have two more setups in the other two calibers I use the most.

I''m looking at the Loadmasters because it seems like the used price has bottomed out, with complete units going from between 4 and 5k.

I used to own Loadmasters, I had three in total over the years, and I could never get the priming system to work reliably. That was in the time of the round primer tray.

These days they seem to be fitted with the triangle tray.

How reliable is the priming system on the Loadmaster these days with the triangle primer tray ?

For the record, I always said  that if Lee had just focussed on making a working priming system for the Loadmaster, they would have completely taken over the progressive reloading press market with it.

[janfred]

The main problem I had with the priming system is not ensuring the primer chute stays full.

Oh, when changing form small to large, if you do not place the little spring exactly right, the spring gets deformed and then it does not work at all.

Appart from that, ensure the round tray has 100 primers, with 20 in the chute, case tubes have 100 cases and the powder hopper is filled. You can run through all 100 cases in less than 10 minutes and prepare for the next 100.

[big5ifty]

Would you say that by keeping the press setup for large or small pistol only, it eliminates possible mechanical issues ?

[janfred]

Getting that spring misaligned is very easy. And you only realize when it doesn't feed primers.

So, yes. Either small or large primer. And get plenty spare springs.

[BBCT]

After trying at the beginning to do on-press priming, it took me probably only 1 session to decide to prime off-press. At this point, even if I got one of those "infallible" blue presses I think I would continue with my current regime which is:
1) deprime with Lee universal deprimer. This makes it easy to pick up the occasional berdan case that gets mixed in, as well as cases with loose primer pockets and throw them away.
2) wash deprimed cases in a bag in the washing machine
3) prime cases with hand primer. This is normally where I notice eg 9mmK or 9x21 cases that somehow appear from I don't know where.
4) put primed cases into Loadmaster:
4a) First staion I have a sizing die with depriming pin removed
4b) Second station has a small LED light that allows me to see whether cases have powder in them after 3rd station.
4c) Third station bells the case and throws powder from an auto-disc measure.
4d) Fourth staion place bullet manually in case mouth and seat. Sometimes I pick up a split case here because the case mouth hasn't belled on the 3rd station so the bullet doesn't go into the mouth.
4e) Fifth station has one of those Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die that just squeezes everything down to factory spec because my match pistol has a tight chamber so I just size everything to work in that.

The above allows my OCD to believe that I am completely in control of the QC for every step of my progressive reloading.

I only load 9mmP on the loadmaster because that is the only calibre that I shoot almost enough to justify a progressive press. If I'm honest with myself I could make do with a turret press.

[DuaneWessels]

The idea of buying a used Loadmaster or two keeps popping into my head.

I've got 2 progressive presses setup, both are Hornady Pro-Jectors [ with flawless priming systems ] one for large primers, one for small.

 It would be ideal to have two more setups in the other two calibers I use the most.

I''m looking at the Loadmasters because it seems like the used price has bottomed out, with complete units going from between 4 and 5k.

I used to own Loadmasters, I had three in total over the years, and I could never get the priming system to work reliably. That was in the time of the round primer tray.

These days they seem to be fitted with the triangle tray.

How reliable is the priming system on the Loadmaster these days with the triangle primer tray ?

For the record, I always said  that if Lee had just focussed on making a working priming system for the Loadmaster, they would have completely taken over the progressive reloading press market with it.

No! Nee! Moenie! Don't do it!
There is a reason they are going so cheap. Parts are almost non existent and parts will be non existent next year.
Turrets are not made anymore, index rods, yokes, carriers are end of life...no 1 shell plates are gone...not worth it.

And by the way Lee did make a working priming system...it's on the Six Pack Pro.

[oafpatroll]

I've said it before and because I'm a boring old fart I'll say it again. Lee are seriously at risk of pissing off their fans like me. Since old Mr Lee passed his offspring have begun playing fast and loose by obsoleting things that their dad intended to be used for lifetimes. Their new stuff is cool and I have some of it but brand loyalty isn't built only on shiny new widgets that you have to keep replacing except where you are selling to the crowd who get a new bakkie every three years.

[DuaneWessels]

I've said it before and because I'm a boring old fart I'll say it again. Lee are seriously at risk of pissing off their fans like me. Since old Mr Lee passed his offspring have begun playing fast and loose by obsoleting things that their dad intended to be used for lifetimes. Their new stuff is cool and I have some of it but brand loyalty isn't built only on shiny new widgets that you have to keep replacing except where you are selling to the crowd who get a new bakkie every three years.

The Load Master was in production for 30 years.
Lee advised that it will go into legacy status in 2022.
The die for the body broke...
The press was replaced with a much better design...Andy Lee has brought some innovative ideas to the company, the Six Pack, APP, Pro4000, new design Pro1000 to name a few.
I am a huge fan of Andy's work.

Some of the Load Master parts are not shared with any other products, those parts have run out or are running out.

Same story with the Pro1000...redesigned with a better priming and index system...stuff people have been complaining about for years.
The carrier for the Pro1000 was updated in 2017 and then updated again in 2023.
Pre 2023 carriers have run out and are not manufactured anymore.
The Pro1000 has been on the market since 1984.

The same thing happened with the 3 Hole Turret.
Lee updated it to a 4 hole and sold a conversion kit for years but those parts are also not available anymore.
The 3 Hole was Lee's first press...

[oafpatroll]

All true there Duane but the fact remains that people are sitting on kit they bought new a few years back that is now unsupported by the manufacturer. Like it or not intentionally making your mechanical products obsolete and unsupportable well within their designed service life does not build trust or brand commitment.

[big5ifty]

In fairness, it's unreasonable to expect a manufacturer to keep producing the same spare parts for eternity, just because it sold well and a few units still remain in circulation.

With any product, sales continue till the inventory is depleted, then the product is obsoleted. The last buyers get recently obsoleted product. That's what happens.

Even with Dillon, obsolete means gone.

[oafpatroll]

In fairness, it's unreasonable to expect a manufacturer to keep producing the same spare parts for eternity, just because it sold well and a few units still remain in circulation.

With any product, sales continue till the inventory is depleted, then the product is obsoleted. The last buyers get recently obsoleted product. That's what happens.

Even with Dillon, obsolete means gone.

I'm not suggesting parts supply for ever, that's just silly. What I am saying is that a durable mechanical device should not be made obsolete within less than 10 years or so from the date of last new unit sale as it's not a cellphone or a laptop. It is not unreasonable to expect that parts supply should at least equal the design life of a device and in many industries it substantially exceeds it. That is often done at reduced or even zero margin by the manufacturer to build reputation and brand loyalty.       

The 'right' way to do this sort of thing is to stop selling new units and announce the date of the end of parts support. Parts can then be sold off at a premium if necessary till that date. In many industries third parties will buy the entire parts inventory from a manufacturer and continue the parts supply on an outsourced basis.   

[DuaneWessels]

Look I also have a Load Master here that is now a display piece.
The LM tooling broke after 30years.
Spend money on retooling for an outdated press or invest in a new press?
Simple answer to me.

I am not defending or fighting, just informing you to think hard about investing in a press that has no parts soon.

I stopped selling Load Masters as soon as parts became an issue...yes I have sold some 2nd hand ones but told the buyer the situation.

I am not Lee or their agents, just a dealer and did my best to inform everyone.

But South Africa is a special place...I still get guys looking for parts for 3 hole turret presses

[oafpatroll]

None of my criticism of Lee's policy was aimed at you Duane. You have always taken pains to make people aware of the situation re future parts support. I've no doubt that has come at the cost of at least some sales that you could have made had you kept quiet.

[janfred]

What a coincidence that the old tooling broke not long after the release of the new models.

[big5ifty]

What a coincidence that the old tooling broke not long after the release of the new models.

That's just another way of saying " oops, we forgot to tell you, the product was obsoleted a few years ago".