Case trimmer- good, better, best?

[gifbohane]

Interesting to me that the weak link in my Wilson lathe is the cutter. I seem to be wearing them (2 of them) out quickly and I do not consider myself a big quantity user.

I have the cutter chucked onto a power screwdriver (Riyobi) and I do not know if that makes a difference in wear rates.

 

[n2omike]

The Frankford Arsenal unit is HARD to beat... but comes with really cheap cutters. Once updated, they run nice and true... and last a really long time. The McJ pieces linked in the previous page are high speed steel, and are pretty nice. They are also IN STOCK. lol In addition to the parts linked, they also sell the primer pocket reamers for military brass.

Below is a short video of the Frankford Arsenal unit at work. They run around $150-$165. Optics Planet carries them for $165. Last time I looked, they had them in stock.

 

[Obturation]

The Frankford Arsenal unit is HARD to beat... but comes with really cheap cutters. Once updated, they run nice and true... and last a really long time. The McJ pieces linked in the previous page are high speed steel, and are pretty nice. They are also IN STOCK. lol In addition to the parts linked, they also sell the primer pocket reamers for military brass.

Below is a short video of the Frankford Arsenal unit at work. They run around $150-$165. Optics Planet carries them for $165. Last time I looked, they had them in stock.

The Frankford trimmer is only for bottleneck cases, only bottleneck I deal with is the ultra modern whizz bang 30-30, really need something for straight cases.

 

[NMexJim]

So, the Sinclair is $170 plus you will still need to buy components (case holders) for your cartridges. They are not expensive.

An LE Wilson is $169 and looks to be the same as the Sinclair.

A Hornady Cam Loc is $99 and that includes 7 pilots.

Lyman is $129 unless you want a carbide cutter which will takes it to $160. Both include pilots. I wore one of these plumb out in yesteryears.

RCBS base model is $150 w/ pilots. A base stand is $38. Same model with electric drive, $400.

I happen to own a Forster which lists for $166 with all collets and pilots, but I added a shorter base for rimed pistol cases and a handy plastic storage box for the bits and pieces, and that added another $50. I like it. Sharp. Lots of goodies available for growth into neck turning and all that. Drive for drill $21.

If you don’t want to go w/ one of the electric trimmers, at least get the power adapters for a electric screw driver. I’m sooo over turning a crank handle.

If you want simplicity, then I’d go Hornady first and Lyman second.

Now all you gotta do is find something in stock somewhere.

 

[murf]

the l.e. wilson case trimmer is the best, imo. i have a lyman trimmer and the case mouths are not cut straight (perpendicular to the case wall). the wilson cuts the case mouths straight. current price is $111 for the trimmer and $26 each for the q-type holder.

here is my setup:


that is a 45 colt die in the trimmer.

luck,

murf

 

[gifbohane]

here is my setup:
View attachment 988243

that is a 45 colt die in the trimmer.

luck,

murf

\\
Murf- That looks like a PITA to remove and replace the clamp after trimming each case. You might be able to buy the Wilson clamp and install it.

 

[Riomouse911]

I’ve had good luck with a Lyman trimmer with the carbide cutter. Really easy to set up cutting length and it has a universal case clamping system so all that’s needed to swap calibers is the right sized pilot. This makes caliber changes a snap.

So far no issues with .270, 6.5x55, .45/70, .30-30, .35 Rem, .243 and 7mm Rem Mag. Lengths look consistent using my Dillon calipers.

It’s slower and more work than an electrical trimmer, so if you have a pile of cases to go through an electric trimmer may be better for your needs.


(Stock photo)

Stay safe.

 

[murf]

\\
Murf- That looks like a PITA to remove and replace the clamp after trimming each case. You might be able to buy the Wilson clamp and install it.

thanks for the idea. but, i like slow-and-sure when trimming cases. and with the wilson trimmer each fired case has to be wedged into the die, the die placed on the trimmer rails, the die clamped down, the case trimmed, the clamp removed, the die removed, the case tapped out of the die, and repeat! those clamp/unclamp steps don't really add much to the process. and, that little trimmer has been used in my family since the early 1960's (my dad trimmed 38 special and 45 acp cases for his bullseye loads) so the c-clamp kinda fits.

what i really want is the cases to be trimmed relative to the fired case body (hence the die), not the base of the case on which most other trimmers index. the portable setup is so i don't have to stand at the reloading bench and trim, i can sit at the kitchen table and relax a bit.

if i ever get into high volume 5.56 shooting, i'll get a little crow gunworks trimmer. until then, i'm going to stick with the wilson.

murf

 

[n2omike]

I’ve had good luck with a Lyman trimmer with the carbide cutter. Really easy to set up cutting length and it has a universal case clamping system so all that’s needed to swap calibers is the right sized pilot. This makes caliber changes a snap.

I have that Lyman. Came in a kit my dad bought me to get started 13-14 years old. I'm 53 now. Lol.

Anyway. I hate the thing. You can tighten down the set screws, but the locking collars never stay put. I had put one of my kids to work trimming brass, and he destroyed a BUNCH of 30-06 by just cranking through with the adjustment steadily collapsing. It moves on me too, but I'm more prone to notice. I'll never trust it.

I bought the Frankford Arsenal unit and will never look back. Works AMAZING for trimming shouldered brass, and the primer and debuting tools make you smile every time you turn the switch on. Lol

 

[Skeptic13]

I bought the Forster original case trimmer kit to replace the Lee trimming equipment I had. It has been a great tool and I am so glad I switched.

 

[cfullgraf]

So, the Sinclair is $170 plus you will still need to buy components (case holders) for your cartridges. They are not expensive.

An LE Wilson is $169 and looks to be the same as the Sinclair.

Wilson makes the trimmer and case holders. Sinclair makes the base and other base accessories.

See post #19 above.

 

[Targa]

I use the lee ones that you chuck up in a drill. They wont cut deeper than the case should be.

What I use as well, works great.

 

[cfullgraf]

Interesting to me that the weak link in my Wilson lathe is the cutter. I seem to be wearing them (2 of them) out quickly and I do not consider myself a big quantity user.

I have the cutter chucked onto a power screwdriver (Riyobi) and I do not know if that makes a difference in wear rates.

You might be trying to cut too fast and over loading the cutter. Try easing off on pushing on the cutter and let the blades do their job.

 

[NMexJim]

There’s some truth to Lymans being a little loose and walking cuts. Kinda why I suggested the Hornady over it.

The Forster is not intuitive and I’ve a few notes on various cartridge set ups. You can figure it out, but it’s best to pay attention to the instructions. But, once it’s up and running, it’s easy and fast, and accurate. I like the way it cuts - clean. I also like the Brown and Sharp collets - very precise and great case holding.

I’m sure the Sinclair/Wilson is a great unit too. But, jeeze, murf! That’s painful looking.

 

[cfullgraf]

I’m sure the Sinclair/Wilson is a great unit too. But, jeeze, murf! That’s painful looking.

murf’s set up is innovative but a bit kludgy. If you get the Sinclair base to use with the Wilson trimmer, it is a great set up. Look at the pix in post #19.

 

[flatsticks]

I have a similar set up to the pics in post 19 that I use . been working well for me .

 

[lightman]

Interesting to me that the weak link in my Wilson lathe is the cutter. I seem to be wearing them (2 of them) out quickly and I do not consider myself a big quantity user.

This has been the case with every trimmer that I have had. I have some of the Lee case gauge type trimmers, the Lyman, the RCBS and the Wilson. All of them seemed to dull quickly. The carbide cutter is a great upgrade. Expensive yes, but it works great!

I have the Wilson trimmer with all of the bells and whistles that Sinclair offers with it and its a great trimmer. I use a Giraud trimmer on the rifle cases that I shoot in volume. It trims and deburrs both the outside and inside in one pass. I can run 15 to 16 cases per minute at a sustained rate and hold the tolerance to .001.

 

[gifbohane]

You might be trying to cut too fast and over loading the cutter. Try easing off on pushing on the cutter and let the blades do their job.

CFULl- I think that you are correct. After a while I start to get impatient and start to push the process. Sometimes, even though I have jammed the case into the holder pretty well, the cutter will spin the case, especially with my latest cutter, the $45 titanium cutter. I believe that it is a Wilson.

 

[Walkalong]

I have the clamp for one of my two Wilson trimmers, but took it off and just use my hand

 

[film495]

I have a Forster trimmer that was my Dad's and a similar cutter that is an old Herter's, but the parts interchange. One is from the 60s the other I think the 70s or 80s. Seems to still work good - and no dull blades, consistent lenghts. I'm not too picky and don't trim thousands and thousands of rounds. I just hold it with my hand, not mounted to anything, can do 200 or so cases pretty quick. Not sure how it compares to the other manual cutters, the look very similar in function. The few collets and pilots I've added, do seem a bit expensive for what they are, but they are little precision tools so, guess part of the cost is quality.

 

[Captcurt]

I happen to own a Forster which lists for $166 with all collets and pilots, but I added a shorter base for rimed pistol cases and a handy plastic storage box for the bits and pieces, and that added another $50. I like it. Sharp. Lots of goodies available for growth into neck turning and all that. Drive for drill $21.

If you don’t want to go w/ one of the electric trimmers, at least get the power adapters for a electric screw driver. I’m sooo over turning a crank handle.

I concur. I've used the Forester trimmer for 20+ years. I took the handle off and chuck it in my Ryobi drill. It doesn't take long to do 100 cases.

 

[Walkalong]

I have the power adapter for my Forster trimmer. Works well.

 

[lefteye42]

I like the Frankford Arsenal unit. The cutters are cheap, but are common sizes, and the RCBS trimming head interchanges. There's also some decent cutting heads on Amazon pretty cheap. They start with a J. Can't remember the name offhand.

Frankford Arsenal Case Trim & Prep Center is excellent tool. Fast & consistent. The RCBS cutter head is an improvement.

 

[peeplwtchr]

If you like to trim, chamfer and deburr in 3 seconds or less, get the Giraud Tri Way. I used mine on a hand drill, but just got a bench grinder for it. Here isva video of it in action:

 

[murf]

I have the clamp for one of my two Wilson trimmers, but took it off and just use my hand

the c-clamp is a recent addition to the wilson setup. i added the clamp when the 44 magnum and 45 colt (large diameter) cases kept jumping the rails. bottle neck rifle cases and small (38 spl) handgun cases really don't need anything but hand pressure to get a good trim.

murf