Worlds Finest Trimmer from Little Crow Gun Works

I have a Dead On! Trimmer that is similar to the EZ Trim for .223 and like it. If all things being equal, I'd probably spring for the Giraud tri trim and be done with it. I like the idea of having interchangeable bushings for different calibers.

Another note on the wft, the chip clearing holes are a little small and the cutters make nice long chips that can get into quite a brass nest inside the tool. Even can air has trouble removing it in my experience.

I purchased a Trim-It for the advantage of the micrometer setting ability it has. This morning I finished trimming a bunch of .223/5.56 brass down to 1.750" and then changed out the interchangeable caliber die to trim some .30-06 cases to 2.484". The changeover and calibration took less than a couple of minutes with results that were both very accurate and repeatable.

If you have ever struggled with the adjustment of the WFT to get it just right, you will appreciate what the Trim-It brings to the table in making adjustments much easier to do.

I still use the old Lyman UNIVERSAL POWER TRIMMER with carbide cutter
I have had it as long as I can remember---it still works like new

I made a clone of the WFT. Cost me $10 for a bearing and material I had on hand. Oh, added a USA 4 flute coated(not the one pictured) endmill that cuts like cutting butter? Probably have $20-$25 into it all...

Looks like and insert he made that rides inside the inner race. You wouldn't want to machine that metal, it's tough!

I use the WFT for .223, and lately it's been going in the lathe much like Walkalong. I copied an idea from another hobby machinist and made a shell holding fixture that goes in the tailstock drill chuck.

Works very well. I added a spring in the fixture I made to keep the brass horizontal better. It drooped a little. This wasn't a major issue, since the WFT would grab the brass and correct it alright. I was just being a little OCD. LOL

I didn't know the Trim It even existed. It looks pretty slick, too. It is quite a bit more money, but it looks to be very versatile.

The lathe fixture helps with arthritis in the hands, which are affected by grasping lots of brass over and over. Set the lathe on a slow speed, and start trimming. An end mill should last for a long time just trimming brass.

Walkalong...the insert was made with a small carbide boring bar. The stock was an old SS barrel. I bored the shoulder angle for 223 and made the same body taper. A reamer would have been much much easier, but didn't have it at the time, LOL. I mainly made it to do bulk LC for a 223 Wylde I put together early in the year.

I took a few more pics and did notice the bearing is made in China, LOL. It's and R8 bearing that I picked up at Home Depot. THe aluminum housing is made out of 6061. I pretty much did the machining on the fly...just fit as I machined. I did make a couple inserts to get it right. I will only fit a sized case. I drive it with a homemade case driver that turns about 180 RPM. Cuts great and shavings are contained to a small area rather than flung across the room when driven by a drill, LOL.

Anyhow...a few more pic will explain it all...

Dsm, that is very nice. I have a ways to go to match that. My copy of a shell holder pales in comparison.

Walkalong, here is what my version looks like. It's almost identical to the one Varmint Al made up. Mine has a slight taper between the different diameters, and although you can't see it in this picture, I put a small spring with a screw to hold the brass horizontally.

Probably not really needed, but I'm retired so I have time on my hands.

I put the WFT in the lathe 3 jaw chuck, and this thing in the tailstock drill chuck. It saves my hands from the constant pressure.

Varmint Al installed a dial indicator so he knows exactly how much he's trimming off. But he's using a different cutter, not the WFT.
I didn't know what his dimensions were, so I just guessed and made it fit a Redding shell holder, and made the other dimensions to my liking.

Nanook,

What keeps the case from rotating in your shell holder when you are trimming the case?

Thanks!

cfullgraf said:

Nanook,

What keeps the case from rotating in your shell holder when you are trimming the case?

Click to expand...

I just started using it recently, so it hasn't come up. I have added a small spring / screw to keep it in place horizontally. So far, I've been able to stabilize it with my hand.

But you have a valid point. I'll see how it works out as it goes on. I was looking for a way to ease the pressure on my hands and it seems to help.

Nanook...I'm still not following you as to how your holder works and how it keeps the case from spinning? You just turning the quill into the ***?

dsm said:

Nanook...I'm still not following you as to how your holder works and how it keeps the case from spinning? You just turning the quill into the ***?

Click to expand...

It worked with several cases without much spinning. I was able to stop it with my hand. Now of course, it spins like mad.

I haven't come up with any ideas for the spinning now occurring. The spring doesn't help with that.

I turned the quill into the WFT when I first used it. The friction must have been enough for those few cases. I was pretty happy with it until the spinning started. Oh well, it is a prototype and I'm a beginner with machining. Back to the drawing board.

The original guy has a different system on his lathe. He's not using anything like the WFT or your version.

I'll try some shim stock, see if that helps any.

I use the WFT in 223, 3030 and 308. From another website I saw someone using an AC drill in a vise and the drill was plugged into a foot pedal switch with the trigger on the drill locked back.

Gave it a try and works GREAT! I also put a rag over the WFT to keep any brass shaving from flying all over the place.

That's how I use mine. Cheap drill, JB welded to metal plate, screwed to bench. Hose clamp or zip tie on trigger (adjustable speed ) and harbor freight foot pedal. The on/off nature of the beast does two things, it keeps the operator sane because it's not a continuous ugly drill motor sound, and the stopping also allows chips to fall out of the cutter that would otherwise be stuck from G forces. I have cutter inserts for 223,300blk and 300winmag. All works excellently.

Paddy, I see that Brian Enos case prep contraption. Tell me more about that

Oh it's just a Hornady case prep center with a Brian enos sticker on it. It's an okay tool, not great, but I use it.

Nanook said:

It worked with several cases without much spinning. I was able to stop it with my hand. Now of course, it spins like mad.

I haven't come up with any ideas for the spinning now occurring. The spring doesn't help with that.

Click to expand...

The case stud and case holder from the Lee trimmers may work. It will lock the case to the fixture.

But, they may not hold the case straight. This is not really a problem with the hand held Lee trimmer and may not be a problem if mounted in the quill of the lathe. The WFT will guide the case into the cutter.

cfullgraf said:

The case stud and case holder from the Lee trimmers may work. It will lock the case to the fixture.

But, they may not hold the case straight. This is not really a problem with the hand held Lee trimmer and may not be a problem if mounted in the quill of the lathe. The WFT will guide the case into the cutter.

Click to expand...

I'll check into that. Thanks for the idea.

I was so excited about making that thing I didn't consider the spinning of the cases.