Case prep station thoughts please.

[GHinNH]

Considering purchasing a case prep station and been eyeballing the Frankfort Arsenal unit. Just the prep station, I do trimming elsewhere.

Who has which one, and pros/cons? Still glad you bought one?

 

[lightman]

I use a cordless drill and a handful of tools from Sinclair. A buddy has the station from RCBS and it works well. We have prepped cases together and it has run for hours at a time with no problem.

 

[dredd]

I have been using the Lyman Case Prep Express for years. I like the way it is laid out.

I did swap in the RCBS Primer Pocket Cutter/Uniformers. I like those better than the Lyman.

Today's Tip:
Put screws in all of the unused stations & storage spots.
You won't have to worry about cleaning out shavings

 

[FROGO207]

I am cheap! I have built several different ones in the past. Seems like I have a surplus of old battery drills around. It often costs more for a battery than to replace battery, drill, and charger with a different new one. Took the drill and mounted it pn a piece of 2X8 with 2 hose clamps. Ran electrical wires from inside to a foot switch then to an old 12 volt 4A battery charger. Used a mini C clamp to squeeze the trigger to set the speed and chucked tool of choice into drill. Total cost was a foot switch from ebay for $10. It might be handier to get a station that has multiple tool spindles but I survived well with my rig so far. I also trim on a desk top drill press from HF Using the Lee cutter and length stop chucked into the press. Did I mention that I was cheap?

 

[GHinNH]

I'm using a cordless drill at the moment but it seems I could save mucho handling if I had a all in one unit. Perhaps I'll price components and look at a DIY station. It would go well with my DIY annealer

 

[GHinNH]

Did I mention that I was cheap?

I like cheap! My honey knows by now when I say I'm going to the hardware store, she knows I usually mean the dump..

 

[FROGO207]

Our local dump turned landfill turned transfer station was run by Harley for years. I always say I'm going to Harley's Mart.

 

[HDMontana]

X 2 on the Lyman case trim Express. Have had mine for a couple of years. I really like it.

 

[irishlad]

X 2 on the Lyman case trim Express. Have had mine for a couple of years. I really like it.

+3 Works great.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I have both a Frankford Arsenal Case Prep and the FA trimmer. Both are outstanding equipment.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I wanted a case prep station and bought the RCBS only because I love thier customer service.
When I buy new I buy RCBS.
Used I will buy other brands but usually not Lee items.

 

[chamokaneman]

I was just thinking about a prep station this week prepping 600 223 cases. I've discovered that I can put my hand tools for debur, chamfer, crimp removal into a little vice and spin 223 brass chucked lightly into a cordless drill.

They look nice but I'm cheap and have found I get by pretty well without it.

 

[Jeff Flannery]

+3 Works great.

+4 for the Lyman

 

[Milt1]

+5 for the Lyman

 

[Whiterook808]

Another happy RCBS Trim Mate user here. I like the Lyman, but the RCBS takes up a little less space.

 

[rocirish]

I was looking at the Lyman when I found a used RCBS on this site. I have been real happy with it

 

[Highland Lofts]

The case prep center beats the hell out ofvthe old school hand tools.

 

[marchboom]

I have had the RCBS Trim Mate for approx 8 yrs and it works great.

 

[GHinNH]

So....
I got a gift card to Amazon but they want $$ more than I am willing to pay. Years ago amazon was great, but I cannot seem to find bargains there anymore.I cancelled my prime and seldom get things there anymore.

Anyway, I used up the gift card and bought all the stuff I need to put one together. (2) 100rpm motors for neck de-burring, (1) 200rpm for primer pocket countersink or neck brush, and (1) 300rpm for primer pocket brush, and other pieces/parts..

That of course added up to almost as much as buying a reasonably priced FA unit, but I had the gift card and I will enjoy putting my own creation together to match my DIY annealing machine.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I have the FA prep unit. I like it.

 

[GHinNH]

Finished putting it all together today, R-L 150/300/100/100rpm. Ignore the brush in the far right I just stuck it there. It will be R-L small countersink for primer pocket corners, pocket brush, then neck ID OD chamfer. I need to figure out how to mount a small countersink next. I use NATO brass and a pocket swager so it is necessary to break the corners so the primers do not catch going in.

 

[deadeye30215]

+6 on the Lyman.