case trimmmer: electric vs manual?

[David Wile]

Hey Duelling,

Like everyone else, I have always hated trimming cases. I think it was about 40 years ago when I bought a Lyman case trimmer with a new "universal" type of case head chuck, and I thought this was a great idea. It was a great idea compared to the way we did them before, but turning that hand crank was just as bad as ever. My fingers were sore after a dozen cases and blistered if I did fifty.

A few years later Lyman offered for sale a replacement turning shaft that could be chucked in a hand drill instead of turning with your fingers. Wow! Talk about finding the good life. I am still using the same trimmer, but in recent years I have been using a cordless variable speed drill. I think turning the cutter at a slower speed works better for me.

When it comes to de-burring and chamfering, I use one de-burring tool chucked in a cordless drill at slower speed to put a nice smooth chamfer on the inside of the case mouth. I then use a different de-burring tool in my fingers to lightly de-burr the outside of the case mouth. Doing the outside of the case mouth takes very little effort, so it really is not such a pain on the fingers. Doing the inside of the case mouth takes a lot more effort, so the drill power is very useful for me.

A nice chamfer on the inside of the case mouth is a real benefit to reloading. Not only does it keep jacketed bullets from being scratched during seating operations, I have also been able to seat cast bullets in bottleneck rifle cases without the use of any "M" or expansion die.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[jk2008]

I've used Lee's case length gauges and trimmers both manually and electrically (chucked the case holder in the drill). The set-up is inexpensive and fool-proof, as long as you agree with the length of Lee's gauge.

I don't recommend the "Zip Trim", however.

 

[Blue68f100]

I use the Lee Case trimmer hooked up my Drill Press. This saves time of since you do not need to use the base holder. I just set it on the Drill Press Table and run the trimmer down. Now your table must be align pretty close for it to work easily. The use of a foot switch frees up your hands to only holding the brass and run the cutter up and down. Now if you need to change the depth of the cut it's dot a good choice. You do not have fine control. But you can just get another cutter and shorten if needed.

 

[sweater914]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned the Forester Power Case Trimmer. I mounted this case trimmer to a 17in Delta drill press spinning at 450rpm. Overkill, maybe, but I watched my ole Man burn up two powered case trimmers in the late '80s-'90s, one Lyman and one RCBS. By the time you figure the cost of 2 burned up bench mounted case trimmers, spending the money for a drill press was easy. After more than 3000 5.56 cases and a handful of .30 cal, no issues, except a cutter getting dull.

 

[amlevin]

I use the Lee Case trimmer hooked up my Drill Press. This saves time of since you do not need to use the base holder. I just set it on the Drill Press Table and run the trimmer down.

One thing to watch for is the tip of the pilot wearing a hole in the drill press table. Most, like mine, are merely a casting that's been milled flat.

I found that using a piece of hard plate that I lapped on a flat surface with some fine wet/dry sandpaper, and clamped to the table, provided a surface that the pilot tip won't work into. If this hole develops cases will progressively get shorter and shorter by a few thousandths.

 

[GLOOB]

The base holder is kinda funky with the Lee trimmer. It's a bit fiddly, and it rarely holds the case centered. I read that you can use the 3 jaw Zip trim chuck in a drill. I have 1 on order to try it out. Putting the cutter in the drill press is a great solution to this problem. But there is one small advantage to spinning the case, rather than spinning the cutter. After you size the case, you can give it a 1/3 second spin on the chamfer tools, and you're done. The other way around, you have to either do it by hand and or batch process it. Or have 3 power stations set up. I say it's a small advantage, because chamfering is so easy. Actually, most outside chamfering tools I've tried micro-chatter badly under even modest rpm, anyway. Even by hand, I get vastly superior results when turning very, very slowly. Of the limited varieties I've tried, only the cheapo 2.00 Lee chamfer tool seems to be amenable to high rpm outside chamfering. That is, unless you consider this result acceptable:
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/04/dont-over-chamfer-your-necks-bullet-damage-can-result/
... *shudder*

I actually might have never learned this, except that I started with a Lee tool. I was determined to figure out why the expensive tool wasn't leaving the cases nearly as pretty as the Lee. Instead of giving the tool/brass a quick, instinctive twist, like with the Lee, the 3 prong outside chamfer tool only worked as nicely when turning slowly and deliberately, like sub 12rpm. If you think about the deisgn, it's obvious why. The 3 pronged tool only touches the case at 3 knife edges. Rotate it too fast, and one edge will cut deeper, and the case/tool willl start bouncing back and forth between knife edges. The Lee tool touches the rim all the way around.

For my rifle brass I went old school and use a Wilson case trimmer. I haven't sprung for the drill attachment, yet. It was a bit tedious trimming some 700 cases by hand, the first time. But if you have a sickness that compels you trim way more often than necessary, it only takes a few turns, thereafter.

 

[Blue68f100]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue68f100
I use the Lee Case trimmer hooked up my Drill Press. This saves time of since you do not need to use the base holder. I just set it on the Drill Press Table and run the trimmer down.
One thing to watch for is the tip of the pilot wearing a hole in the drill press table. Most, like mine, are merely a casting that's been milled flat.

I found that using a piece of hard plate that I lapped on a flat surface with some fine wet/dry sandpaper, and clamped to the table, provided a surface that the pilot tip won't work into. If this hole develops cases will progressively get shorter and shorter by a few thousandths.

I use a piece of harden tool steel my stop. I use this to bride an opening to make getting the brass in and out easier.

 

[NoAlibi]

One78Shovel: "I am considering the Dillon 1200 but have read quite a few negative reviews on it."

I was considering the Dillon for high volume .223 reloading because it will size and trim in one operation and the cost seems reasonable IMO.

I don't chamfer the cases because I only load boat tail bullets, so deburring is the only operation that I need which is not covered by the Dillon. An almost effortless twist of an RCBS beburring tool on the case mouth while watching a DVD would easily complete the chore for me.

What were the negative reviews and where did you read them? Thanks.....Doc

 

[Deavis]

I am considering the Dillon 1200 but have read quite a few negative reviews on it.

I'd be curious what the negative reviews said. It is a great piece of equipment and I've happily worn the brushes down to nubs on mine without a hitch. The cuts are incredibly clean and deburring isn't necessary if you follow it with a M-die and a quick tumble to remove lube IMHO.

 

[NoAlibi]

Deavis: "The cuts are incredibly clean and deburring isn't necessary if you follow it with a M-die..."

Okay, you got me. What's an "M-die"? Thanks.....Doc

 

[Deavis]

M-die is lyman's neck expansion die. Smooth lead in to the expansion, run it inside the mouth and it removes any burs as well as trimming that may be just barely hanging on after trimming.

 

[Hondo 60]

I went to an electric trimmer when it just hurt my hands too much doing anything manually.

Ya, it was a nice chunk a' change, but I don't regret it one bit!

If you can comfortably afford the electric, or you just can't do it manually, go for the electric model.

If you don't have any issues with arthritis, it might not be worth it to you.

Just my 2¢ Of course YMMV

 

[Act2325]

I enjoy the hornady trimmer I got a few years back. I prefer the manual just because I dont have to have one more cord hanging around. Plus It makes me feel like im trimming that much more consistently.

 

[Dueling1911s]

anyone have a picture of how they put in a hex bolt/ screw into the handle of a rcbs trimmer?

had to order it from midway cuz my local reloading supply plane only had the one with the motor with it

 

[Eazmo]

I Didn't see anyone mention the Gracey power trimmer. It's the original off the shoulder trimmer. I just upgraded to one and love the thing. I got mine set up for .223 and what a pleasure. i hated case trimming and now its a breeze. money well spent IMHO

http://www.matchprep.com/