Case trimming from a Case Prep machine?

[jaytee]

I thought I read somewhere or saw something about a case trim "die" or tool that you can use in the powered case prep units like the RCBS Trim Mate and others. Does anybody know of such a tool?

 

[RegionRat]

Not clear on the question, maybe you are thinking of the dies used on progressive machines in the trim station? Those act similar to a sizing die in order to grip the case so it doesn’t spin under the cutter. A Wilson trimmer also uses a case body tool to hold and center the case on the tooling. Other than that, I am drawing a blank?

 

[jaytee]

Not clear on the question, maybe you are thinking of the dies used on progressive machines in the trim station? Those act similar to a sizing die in order to grip the case so it doesn’t spin under the cutter. A Wilson trimmer also uses a case body tool to hold and center the case on the tooling. Other than that, I am drawing a blank?

I'll try to clear it up if I can. I thought I'd seen somewhere of a "die" or tool or whatever you choose to call it, that allowed you to do case length trimming and inside and outside deburring from any one of the different brands of motorized case prep stations in use today. The RCBS Trim mate is what I referenced because that is what I own. I have done some looking and found that Frankford Arsenal has a case prep station that does indeed have a case length trimming die that is part of the unit. However it does not use one of the 8-32 threaded ports but instead is its own dedicated spindle, therefore its not removable and can't be used on other case prep stations that utilize the 8-32 threaded spindles.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Lee calls it a case gauge. It has a cutter that screws into the tool station on a case prep center. You just stick your case in a holder and stick it in the cutter and it will stop at the preset length. I use them on my lyman CPC and love the things. trim and then run them on the deburr tools. Fast. This fella is using it in a Lyman

 

[jaytee]

Lee calls it a case gauge. It has a cutter that screws into the tool station on a case prep center. You just stick your case in a holder and stick it in the cutter and it will stop at the preset length. I use them on my lyman CPC and love the things. trim and then run them on the deburr tools. Fast. This fella is using it in a Lyman

So does it index off of the flash hole or something else? I apologize but my laptop has a blown speaker so everything sounds like a muffled scrambled mess.

 

[jpx2rk]

So does it index off of the flash hole or something else? I apologize but my laptop has a blown speaker so everything sounds like a muffled scrambled mess.

You use a LEE case holder which will cause the case gauge to index off or even with the base of the case.

You need both of these items:

Lee 8-32 Threaded Case Trimmer Cutter Lock Stud

The Lee Case Trimmer and Cutter is designed to be used with only Lee Case Length Gauges and Shellholders (sold separately). This handy tool is made from...

www.midwayusa.com

Lee Case Length Ga Shellholder 223 Remington

The Lee Case Length Gauge is a precise and easy way to trim brass cases to length and square the case mouth. Requires a Lee Cutter and Lock Stud to...

www.midwayusa.com

to use a case prep center and the lee trimmer.

 

[SeabeeKen]

So does it index off of the flash hole or something else? I apologize but my laptop has a blown speaker so everything sounds like a muffled scrambled mess.

What JPX said. You can also back the mandrel out from the cutter if you want a longer case. The thread design allows it to stay snug enough that it doesn't move.

 

[JMayo]

Lee calls it a case gauge. It has a cutter that screws into the tool station on a case prep center. You just stick your case in a holder and stick it in the cutter and it will stop at the preset length. I use them on my lyman CPC and love the things. trim and then run them on the deburr tools. Fast. This fella is using it in a Lyman

Ahhh, now i know !
ive got a hand held cutter. And several of The caliber spacific mandrels that poke up through the flash hole.
I didn't know what i had. I destroyed 2 of the mandrels recently .

Years ago I got a bunch of rifle stuff in a package deal i got when just starting pistol reloading. Hunting cal Dies & factory crimps.
Never have used any of them.
Can't make any money on em so it's laying in a box.

 

[jpx2rk]

Ahhh, now i know !
ive got a hand held cutter. And several of The caliber spacific mandrels that poke up through the flash hole.
I didn't know what i had. I destroyed 2 of the mandrels recently .

Years ago I got a bunch of rifle stuff in a package deal i got when just starting pistol reloading. Hunting cal Dies & factory crimps.
Never have used any of them.
Can't make any money on em so it's laying in a box.

Afraid to ask, but how did you destroy 2 mandrels ?????

 

[JMayo]

Afraid to ask, but how did you destroy 2 mandrels ?????

I cut off the tip of one and the threads off the other. 243 & 25 06 ... I "needed" them that way ... But i don't remember why !

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Lee calls it a case gauge. It has a cutter that screws into the tool station on a case prep center. You just stick your case in a holder and stick it in the cutter and it will stop at the preset length. I use them on my lyman CPC and love the things. trim and then run them on the deburr tools. Fast. This fella is using it in a Lyman

Interesting video, but I’m not sure about the way he wobbles that case back and forth after deburring the case mouth inside and out.

 

[jaytee]

Interesting video, but I’m not sure about the way he wobbles that case back and forth after deburring the case mouth inside and out.

Yeah that just makes me think that it can't be that accurate or give a uniform cut but maybe it does. Seems that a lot of the spindles that I see on these trimmers have a lot of runout but thats probably the anal retentiveness coming out in me! lol

 

[nakneker]

I think

I'll try to clear it up if I can. I thought I'd seen somewhere of a "die" or tool or whatever you choose to call it, that allowed you to do case length trimming and inside and outside deburring from any one of the different brands of motorized case prep stations in use today. The RCBS Trim mate is what I referenced because that is what I own. I have done some looking and found that Frankford Arsenal has a case prep station that does indeed have a case length trimming die that is part of the unit. However it does not use one of the 8-32 threaded ports but instead is its own dedicated spindle, therefore its not removable and can't be used on other case prep stations that utilize the 8-32 threaded spindles.

you may be thinking of the Frankfort arsenal prep center. I don’t have one but I’m pretty sure they have a way to trim brass using the machine. You tube has a few videos on it. Just search “Frankfort arsenal case trimmer” a few videos will come up using the their prep center to trim brass. Hope this helps. I added one link but there are several videos covering it.

 

[Rsadams]

Interesting video, but I’m not sure about the way he wobbles that case back and forth after deburring the case mouth inside and out.

It's crazy but I do the same thing , it's the only way it seems to get it done on the outside.... I use a different tool than the one that came from Lyman for inside the neck , works great.... It's almost like the outside one is to small or something.... I have always thought about changing it.... Maybe someone else might chime in on it.... I would never ever rock it on the inside though....

 

[Rsadams]

Ok I am going to try this for bulk AR .223 were to me it doesn't need to be 100% perfect.... Ordered everything for it and 9mm yesterday... Problem is I went out to Cabela's to get the 9mm part and ended up paying double what midway was.... Then I ended up doing something for my birthday I have been wanting to do for a few years now.... I bought a new bow and had them tune it etc.... Ok ouch I can't say I paid a penny more than ordering it but jeeze what happened to the prices..???? I was complaining and my wife reminded me that the last time I owned a bow was about 40 years ago.... Wow the prices have gone up but so has the technology , speed , aiming , everything including arrow technology....

With the price of gas and shooting stuff I can build a range in my backyard and shoot bows with my buddy and cut down on the 70 mile round trip to the range normally 3 times a week twice for skeet practice.... I need to pick up some targets that are for the compound bow and a few hay bails for a back stop and away we go....

After shooting it for awhile , even with the poundage turned down while the pro shop was setting it up and tuning it my muscles are talking to me this morning.... I used to love to mess with bows when I was young... Honestly I could have bought a nice Ruger , Savage or even a Remington box hunting rifle with a boxed Leupold 3x9 scope for what the bow cost with all the stuff that goes along with it....

 

[Bill Norris]

If you are feeling mechanically incline you can cut the bristles off of an RCBS primer pocket cleaning brush and grind flats on the sides. Then drive in into a regular 1/4 inch drive x 1/4 inch socket so the Lee cutter-lock stud will fit into it and then screw the primer pocket cleaning brush threads into the case prep tool and trim brass with the Lee trim tool & shell holder.

Did this years ago when I first started hand loading. Always works fine if you can find the proper case length gauge & shell holder. Some calibers Lee does not make. Again, improvising and modifying comes into play.

 

[JMayo]

I jb welded a 8/32 flathead screw into a socket that my pocket uniformer fit in and jb'd it.
I could do the same with a socket the case holder bit fit in.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have one of the FA prep centers with the trim function feature, worked good for about 500 pc of 223 brass and then quit trimming. Cutter head still turns, but won't trim. I moved on to the Giruard 3 way for 223 brass.

 

[RegionRat]

I have one of the FA prep centers with the trim function feature, worked good for about 500 pc of 223 brass and then quit trimming. Cutter head still turns, but won't trim. I moved on to the Giruard 3 way for 223 brass.

A typical HS Steel cutter will wear out noticeably faster than a carbide version.

The cutter in your FA prep center can be replaced with either the same type or with a carbide version.

(You obviously know all this but someone starting out might not... The FA and the Giraud are very different in terms of the FA is a universal design with a straight cut, versus the Giraud which requires a specific cartridge guide and has a three-way cut that eliminates the chamfer chores of the straight cut. You should get a spare replacement ready for a tool like the FA before you need one to avoid stoppages. They wear out slowly at first, but then the wear accelerates to the point of frustration quickly.)

 

[jpx2rk]

A typical HS Steel cutter will wear out noticeably faster than a carbide version.

The cutter in your FA prep center can be replaced with either the same type or with a carbide version.

(You obviously know all this but someone starting out might not... The FA and the Giraud are very different in terms of the FA is a universal design with a straight cut, versus the Giraud which requires a specific cartridge guide and has a three-way cut that eliminates the chamfer chores of the straight cut. You should get a spare replacement ready for a tool like the FA before you need one to avoid stoppages. They wear out slowly at first, but then the wear accelerates to the point of frustration quickly.)

Failed to mention that I did replace the cutter tool head, still no joy. LOL That's why I moved on.