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case length trimmer

I have a Lyman Universal case length trimmer and am not getting consistant case lengths. I can crank it x times measure and be above the length I want, retrim (x cranks) and push harder on the crank ( toward the cutter head ) and it take a load off the length. The next case will not go to the low depth - so I don't think the set screw is slipping. Plus I rounded off 2 allen ends checking the screw tightness.
I am think that this trimmer just ain't for me. I havent given up yet, but am looking at a Wilson timmer. Does anyone have any suggestion on thye Lyman and/or Wilson.
Thanks for your response.
 
paul223,
I have been using the Wilson trimmer for over five years. I upgraded to the carbide cutter, a trimmer power adapter and a cheap cordless screwdriver to make trimming easier. Next I want the trimmer micrometer attachment to make measuring the length of the cases easier. My cases measure within +/- .001"-.0015" of the desired length without the micrometer attachment. But it takes me longer to set up the trimmer for each individual cartridge I reload for. This trimmer is very consistant, hope this helps.

Ron
 
paul223,
I too have a Lymna universal trimmer - in the closet! I just don't have the heart to sell that POS to some unknoweldgeable or unsuspecting person. That thing did the same thing with my brass and though it may work on hunting loads, it is useless on accuracy ones. Now I admit the Wilson it a very nice trimmer. But I bought and have use (for over two years) the Redding 2400 Trimmer that has the mic gauge. Works great for me and has since I changed trimmers. One thing to keep in mind, yes its the trimmer that can cause you some grief, but you will also have a few pieces of brass, no matter the brand, that might be .001 longer or shorter than the rest. Ain't no such thing as perfect pieces of brass. But that Lyman trimmer is flat out irritating and even changing the shaft and spacers didn't help.

Alex
 
little crow gun works has a trimmer that i have been using for a few months now on my 6mmbr brass. i have extremely consistent case lengths now. i am within one half thousandth . it is as accurate as the shoulder is. check them out.
 
Wilson with the Sinclair upgrades produces very uniform case lengths and does not alter the inside of the case neck like so many trimmers do that use a pilot.

I highly recommend the Wilson. The Sinclair upgrades - handle and support stand - are great additions which will make trimmer easier.
 
K22 said:
Wilson with the Sinclair upgrades produces very uniform case lengths and does not alter the inside of the case neck like so many trimmers do that use a pilot.

I highly recommend the Wilson. The Sinclair upgrades - handle and support stand - are great additions which will make trimmer easier.
don't forget the shark fin. Best thing since sliced bread, maybe.
 
It is good to know your comments about the Lyman trimmer. The Sinclair catalog makes it sound very appealing to the uninformed.
 
i have been using thRCBS, with power adapter, for years, on pd loading, as well as other lower volume loading.

i find if i do my job adjustin it it is very accurate, fast and will not change while in use.

Bob
 
Last month I was in the same boat as you with the lyman so I bought the wilson/sinclair with micrometer adjustment and all problems solved....
 
I use a C-H trimmer I've had for many years. It's identical to the Wilson, even accepts the same case dies (I use 'em both.) It's very accurate and consistent, and either (C-H or Wilson) would be an excellent choice.

I'm thinking about getting a WFT ("World's Finest Trimmer") for when I have a lot of cases to trim. It's reviewed in the "Gear Reviews" section of this forum and looks intriguing. Could save a lotta time, not to mention wear & tear on my thumb. You might want to look at the review before you decide.
 
I had trouble with any trimmer that utilizes a cullet getting consistent lengths. I bought separate trimmers for each bench gun, the new style RCBS that uses a shell plate to hold the case in place and now have no troubles with inconsistencies. Set it once, and you'll never have to change the depth setting again.

I haven't yet, but plan on getting the Wilson/Sinclair with a micrometer adjustment for everything else
 
skyav8r said:
K22 said:
Wilson with the Sinclair upgrades produces very uniform case lengths and does not alter the inside of the case neck like so many trimmers do that use a pilot.

I highly recommend the Wilson. The Sinclair upgrades - handle and support stand - are great additions which will make trimmer easier.
don't forget the shark fin. Best thing since sliced bread, maybe.

I believe the "shark fin" comes standard with the "trimmer kit" from Sinclair but you're correct - this is a must for easy trimming.
 
Thanks for all your comments and guidance. Well I had hot pants to reload and was in a gun store and for $11 bought a new Lee case length trimmer. IT IS VERY VERY CONSISTANT. BEST MONEY SPENT. I did 20 cases - all to 1.7545". none shorter. For the "gamble" it is well worth it. I was happy as a pig in mud till my decapping rod broke and the spare I ordered from Midway was found to be @ 1/2" too long. So I called Lee and bought 2 from them.
Again thanks for your input.
Paul
 
Ya, the Lee will work if you don't mind trashing the inside of your case neck with it. I just got my Wilson a couple of weeks ago and I love it. Doesn't touch the inside of the case neck and does not hold the case from the head with a shell-holder type arrangement, which is bad ju ju if the case head is not perfectly square.
 
yes to all of the comments above: I remember using all of those trimmers at one time in the past 25 years. I threw the Wilson type confusing machine away. I woreout my lyman cranker, and have since used with great ease and uniformity my hand held trimmer made by little crow" I think that is the name. I also have a RCBS power trimmer which is very nice and easy to use.
 
ava123 said:
yes to all of the comments above: I remember using all of those trimmers at one time in the past 25 years. I threw the Wilson type confusing machine away. I woreout my lyman cranker, and have since used with great ease and uniformity my hand held trimmer made by little crow" I think that is the name. I also have a RCBS power trimmer which is very nice and easy to use.


Wilson confusing ? .....I'm confused by that statement.........if it helps, the case only fits the holder one way, the mouth of the case must face the cutter and the crank must be turned to cut, turning clockwise works better than CCW.....hope these hints help.
 
I have had very good results from the Lee trimmer also. I am very confused about the post on ruining case necks with it. I have not had this experiance with it and dont even see how it would possible. Please explain if you would.
 
Use a good set of jeweler's glasses to look at the inside of a case neck before trimming and after trimming with a Lee. The degree of galling depends on how smooth the Lee tool is and whether or not a particle of brass from trimming falls inside and gets caught between the case and the trimmer while you are turning. I don't dispute consistent case lengths from a Lee. It does do that.

Actually, the worst culprits for galling the inside of a neck are neck turners. You have to be very religious about lubing the mandrel and holding the tool to avoid brass shavings from going inside the case while turning. Also, friction and heat from same can actually weld a piece of brass to the mandrel if you turn too fast. That will really put a whammy on your case neck galling.
 
Ebb----------Case trimmers that run an arbor inside a case neck "could" distort thin wall necks typically found on competitive cases such as 6 PPC and 30 BR where they may run as thin as 0.007 wall thickness. I say "could" since I have never done tests to prove this true, but having started my reloading career with a Lyman trimmer, I can appreciate that design would not be conducive to providing dimensionally stable case necks ( it had a lot of wobble).
Also, the arbor will tend to burnish the inside of the case necks.......I find that leaving that carbon layer intact (other than a pass through with a nylon brush) is best for most consistent neck tension which is paramount for best accuracy.

Paul---------no need to measure to half a thousandths for case length......most people can't measure that close, and you'll drive yourself crazy trying to do so because readings that small are influenced by temperature.
 
I just received my WFT trimmer from Little Crow. Rather than using a drill to power it, I hold it in a collet in my lathe. Once set to the desired trim length it will hold .001". It is so fast that it makes little sense to measure cases before trimming. Even if the case is short, you will know immediately because the cutter (two flute end mill) won't cut. In addition to being fast and accurate, the cutter doesn't leave a burr on the inside or outside of the neck. You will also quickly know if you missed a cracked neck during a prior inspection. The cutter will grab at the split and spin the case letting you know something isn't right.

These trimmers are caliber specific so you will need one for each.
 

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