Lee 90933 Automatic Processing Press Deluxe Steel

Mastering Brass Processing: Elevate Your Reloading with the Lee Automatic Processing Press Deluxe Steel

For serious reloaders, whether hobbyists striving for precision or enthusiasts churning out high volumes of ammunition, the efficiency of brass preparation can be the bottleneck. Manual processing—depriming, swaging primer pockets, removing case bulges, or sizing cast bullets—is often tedious, time-consuming, and physically demanding. Many reloaders frequently ask: "What's the best way to speed up my brass processing?" or "How can I make my reloading setup more efficient without investing in a full progressive press?" The answer lies in specialized tools designed to automate these repetitive steps.

Enter the Lee 90933 Automatic Processing Press (APP) Deluxe Steel. This innovative piece of equipment from Lee Precision is engineered to transform the most cumbersome aspects of brass preparation into a swift, nearly effortless operation. It’s not just a press; it’s a dedicated, high-speed processing machine built to reduce your effort, increase your output, and enhance the consistency of your ammunition components. If you're looking to optimize your brass workflow and reclaim valuable time, the Lee APP is designed precisely for you.

The Need for Speed: Why Automate Your Brass Preparation?

Every reloader understands the immense satisfaction of crafting precise, reliable ammunition. However, before a primer is seated or a bullet is crimped, each piece of brass requires meticulous preparation. This often involves:

• Depriming: Removing spent primers. A dirty, repetitive task for high-volume shooters.
• Primer Pocket Swaging: Essential for military brass with crimped primer pockets, this process removes the crimp to allow new primers to seat properly. Doing this manually can be a major chore.
• Bulge Busting: Correcting "Glocked" brass or cases expanded beyond SAAMI specifications, often from unsupported chambers, ensuring proper resizing and safe chambering.
• Sizing Cast Bullets: Achieving uniform bullet diameters for optimal accuracy and consistent performance, particularly for those who cast their own projectiles.

Performing these tasks manually, or even on a standard single-stage press, can quickly lead to fatigue, inconsistency, and a significant time sink. The Lee APP addresses these challenges head-on, offering a purpose-built solution that handles these critical steps at an unprecedented pace, allowing you to cycle through cases or bullets as fast as your hand can operate the lever. It transforms a laborious chore into a fluid, efficient motion, freeing up your progressive press for actual loading or enabling your single-stage press to focus solely on sizing and seating operations.

Unpacking the Engineering: Core Features of the Lee APP Deluxe Steel

The Lee 90933 Automatic Processing Press is a testament to Lee Precision's commitment to innovative, user-friendly, and highly functional reloading equipment. Its design incorporates several unique features that distinguish it from conventional reloading presses.

1. Unparalleled Speed with Automatic Operation

The most striking feature of the Lee APP is its speed. It allows you to deprime, swage, bulge bust, or size cast bullets with incredible rapidity. Unlike traditional presses where you manually position each case or bullet, the APP features an ingenious system where jaws automatically open, grasp the case or bullet, rapidly position it for the operation, and then release it after the task is complete. This seamless, hands-free operation on the shell holder eliminates fumbling and vastly accelerates your processing time. It’s engineered for continuous, high-speed work, making it perfect for large batches of brass.

2. The Revolutionary "Frameless" Design

Breaking away from conventional press architecture, the Lee APP employs a unique "frameless" design. In most presses, the forces exerted during an operation are channeled through the press frame itself. However, with the APP, nearly all the processing forces are directed straight to the dies via robust steel linkages. This innovative approach means less stress on the overall structure, improved durability, and a more direct, efficient application of power to the task at hand. This design minimizes flex and maximizes the effectiveness of each stroke, contributing to more consistent results and a longer lifespan for the press.

3. Counter-Balanced Upper Die Carrier for Smooth Operation

Safety and user comfort are paramount. The upper die carrier on the Lee APP is expertly counter-balanced by a centrally mounted coil spring. This thoughtful design prevents the handle from inadvertently falling downwards, safeguarding your fingers from pinching and ensuring a smoother, more controlled operation with every stroke. This small but significant detail greatly enhances the user experience, especially during extended processing sessions.

4. The Versatile Lee Breech Lock System

A hallmark of Lee Precision innovation, the Breech Lock system is fully integrated into the APP. Both the top carrier and base are precisely machined to accept Lee Breech Lock bushings. This means that the press is universally compatible with standard 7/8"-14 dies from virtually any manufacturer. The quick-change Breech Lock bushings allow for rapid die swaps without needing to re-adjust the die settings, making it incredibly convenient to switch between different processing tasks (e.g., depriming to swaging) in a matter of seconds. This adaptability adds immense value, making the APP a versatile tool for various reloading needs.

5. The Ingenious X-Press Shell Holder System

Central to the APP's speedy operation is its "X-press shell holder." Unlike traditional shell holders that require manual removal and insertion of each case, the X-press design allows the case or bullet to pass completely through the shell holder after the operation is performed. This innovative "pass-through" mechanism, combined with the automatic opening and grasping jaws, facilitates an incredibly rapid cycle time. It's designed for efficiency, eliminating the need to manually manipulate each piece of brass, which dramatically reduces the time and effort required for high-volume tasks.

6. Comprehensive Automation Package Included

The Lee 90933 Automatic Processing Press Deluxe Steel comes ready to tackle a multitude of tasks right out of the box, thanks to its comprehensive automation package. This includes:

• Three Most Popular X-Press Shell Holders (#2, #4, and #19): These cover a wide array of common rifle and pistol calibers, ensuring you can start processing immediately.
• Pline Drive Breech Lock Bushing: A specialized bushing for certain operations, further enhancing the press's versatility.
• Universal Type Shell Holder Quick-Change Adaptor: Allows for even faster and more convenient changes between different shell holder sizes.
• Feed Tubes, Tube Supports, and Risers: These components enable automated feeding of cases or bullets into the press, supporting high-volume, continuous operation.
• Case Slider: Facilitates the smooth entry of cases into the processing area.
• 22-Caliber Bullet Feed Jaws: Specifically designed for processing .22 caliber projectiles, demonstrating the APP's capability for bullet sizing as well as case preparation.

This all-inclusive package ensures that you have the essential components to begin automating your brass and bullet processing without needing immediate additional purchases (beyond specific dies for your chosen task).

Versatile Applications: What Can You Achieve with the Lee APP?

The Lee APP Deluxe Steel is a multi-talented workhorse, adept at a range of critical brass and bullet preparation tasks. Its design optimizes it for:

• High-Volume Depriming: Easily the fastest way to remove spent primers from hundreds or even thousands of cases. The automatic feeding and ejection system means you can deprime brass at an astonishing rate, preparing it for cleaning or subsequent steps. Many reloaders use the APP exclusively for this dirty job, keeping grime off their primary loading presses.
• Effortless Primer Pocket Swaging: If you frequently process military surplus brass, you know the frustration of crimped primer pockets. The Lee APP, when paired with an appropriate swaging die (sold separately), makes short work of removing primer pocket crimps. The consistent, powerful stroke ensures uniform swaging, allowing new primers to seat smoothly and securely without force, preventing crushed primers or "crunchy" seating.
• Effective Bulge Busting: Pistol brass, particularly from firearms with unsupported chambers (like some Glock models), can develop a "bulge" near the base that prevents it from being resized properly in standard dies. The APP, combined with a bulge buster die (available separately), can safely and effectively restore these cases to SAAMI specifications, making them reloadable and saving you money on replacing brass.
• Precise Sizing of Cast Bullets: For hand-casters, consistent bullet diameter is crucial for accuracy. The APP excels at sizing cast bullets through a push-through die (sold separately), ensuring each projectile meets your exact specifications. The automatic feed jaws and rapid cycle time make it ideal for processing large batches of cast bullets quickly and consistently.
• Other Specialized Operations: With its ability to accept standard 7/8"-14 dies, the APP can be adapted for various other specialized tasks, such as decapping rifle brass that requires a specific pin, or even specialized case trimming operations if compatible dies are available.

Who Benefits Most from the Lee APP Deluxe Steel?

The Lee 90933 Automatic Processing Press is an invaluable asset for a diverse range of reloaders:

• The High-Volume Shooter: If you shoot competitively, train frequently, or simply enjoy extended range sessions, you generate a lot of spent brass. The APP dramatically reduces the time spent preparing this brass, allowing you to load more, shoot more, and spend less time on tedious chores.
• The Precision Reloading Enthusiast: While designed for speed, the consistent stroke and robust design of the APP contribute to uniform processing. For tasks like primer pocket swaging or bullet sizing, consistency directly translates to improved ammunition quality and accuracy.
• The Cast Bullet Aficionado: If you cast your own bullets, the APP offers a highly efficient way to size them, ensuring consistent diameters for optimal performance and less lead mess compared to other sizing methods.
• The Budget-Conscious Reloader: Salvaging "Glocked" brass or efficiently processing military surplus brass saves money on buying new components. The APP pays for itself through salvaged brass and the time it saves.
• The Novice Reloader: While it adds another piece of equipment, the APP simplifies brass preparation, allowing new reloaders to focus on understanding the core principles of loading, rather than struggling with manual, often frustrating, brass tasks.

Setting Up and Maintaining Your Lee APP

Getting started with the Lee APP is straightforward. The press is designed for easy bench mounting, and its intuitive design means less time spent on setup and more time processing.

• Installation: Simply secure the press to your reloading bench using appropriate bolts. Its relatively compact footprint and ambidextrous operation make it adaptable to various bench configurations.
• Die Installation: Utilizing the Breech Lock bushings, installing your depriming, swaging, or sizing dies is a quick, tool-free process. Simply twist the die (in its bushing) into place.
• Feed System: Attach the feed tubes and supports to allow for automated feeding of cases or bullets, maximizing your efficiency. Ensure the case slider is correctly positioned to guide cases into the shell holder.

For optimal performance and longevity, minimal maintenance is required. Keep the press clean of brass shavings and primer residue. Periodically apply a light lubricant to the steel linkages and pivot points to ensure smooth, friction-free operation. Proper die adjustment is also crucial for achieving desired results without over-stressing the press or components.

The Lee Precision Legacy: Quality and Innovation

Lee Precision, the manufacturer of the Lee 90933 Automatic Processing Press, has been a cornerstone of the reloading community for decades. Known for their innovative designs, commitment to value, and high-quality manufacturing, Lee Precision tools are trusted by reloaders worldwide. The APP, constructed from durable steel and engineered for precision, embodies this legacy. Its robust build quality ensures it will be a reliable component of your reloading setup for years to come.

When considering where to acquire such a specialized tool, discerning reloaders look for reputable suppliers. The Lee 90933 Automatic Processing Press Deluxe Steel, along with a wide array of other Lee Precision products and essential reloading supplies, is readily available through trusted retailers such as DEGuns. DEGuns offers a comprehensive selection of reloading equipment, ensuring you have access to everything you need to enhance your ammunition crafting endeavors.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Lee APP Deluxe Steel

Users often have specific questions when considering a specialized tool like the Lee Automatic Processing Press. Here are some common inquiries:

• Q: Is the Lee APP a progressive press?
  • A: No, the Lee APP is not a progressive reloading press in the traditional sense, which typically performs multiple loading operations (sizing, priming, powder, seating, crimping) with each pull of the lever. The APP is a single-stage processing press designed for high-speed, dedicated brass and bullet preparation tasks like depriming, swaging, and sizing. It processes one case or bullet at a time but does so with incredible rapidity and automation of the feeding/ejecting process, making it significantly faster for these specific tasks than a standard single-stage press.
• Q: What dies are compatible with the Lee APP?
  • A: The Lee APP is designed to accept standard 7/8"-14 dies from virtually any manufacturer. Its integrated Lee Breech Lock system allows for quick and easy die changes, making it highly versatile for various processing needs. Specific dies for depriming, swaging, bulge busting, or bullet sizing are typically sold separately to match your specific caliber and task requirements.
• Q: Can I use standard shell holders with this press?
  • A: While the press uses standard press shell holders from most manufacturers, its speed and primary advantage come from the included "X-press shell holders." These specialized shell holders allow cases to pass through, enabling the automatic feeding and ejection system that makes the APP so fast. The press includes a universal type shell holder quick-change adaptor for added flexibility.
• Q: What types of brass can the Lee APP process?
  • A: The Lee APP is highly versatile and can process a wide range of pistol and rifle brass for depriming, primer pocket swaging, and bulge busting (with appropriate dies and shell holders). It’s also excellent for sizing cast bullets. The included X-press shell holders cover many popular calibers, and additional shell holders can be acquired for other calibers.
• Q: Is it difficult to set up or maintain?
  • A: The Lee APP is designed for user-friendliness. Setup involves basic bench mounting and inserting dies with the Breech Lock system. Maintenance is minimal, primarily involving keeping the press clean of debris and light lubrication of moving parts to ensure smooth operation. Lee Precision tools are known for their robust design and simple upkeep.

The Lee 90933 Automatic Processing Press Deluxe Steel is more than just a piece of reloading equipment; it's an investment in efficiency, consistency, and ultimately, more enjoyable shooting and reloading. By taking the repetitive strain out of brass preparation, it allows you to focus on the precision and artistry of crafting your own ammunition. This robust, ingeniously designed press is a critical addition for any reloader seeking to optimize their workflow and elevate their output.

Lee 90933 Automatic Processing Press Deluxe Steel: Specifications