Forster case trimmer questions

[Thisisnoteasy88]

Hello all.

I own and have been using a original Forster case trimmer for a couple months now and have been looking at a few of their accessories for the mini lathe. I was really just wondering if anyone could give me some feedback on a few items like their neck reamers the od neck turning tool and they also make a 3 way carbide cutting head that I was curious about trying. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch

 

[Whisky Tahoe Foxtrot]

Hello all.

I own and have been using a original Forster case trimmer for a couple months now and have been looking at a few of their accessories for the mini lathe. I was really just wondering if anyone could give me some feedback on a few items like their neck reamers the od neck turning tool and they also make a 3 way carbide cutting head that I was curious about trying. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch

I'm using a Forster trimmer though I'm looking at my unused guns as a source of revenue to buy the Giraud trimmer when I can. For the Forster, I find the 3 in 1 cutter the best accessory followed by the power tool adapter which replaces the handle with a shank for a drill of your choice.

The 3 in 1 cutter trims, chamfers the outside and deburrs the inside. Once setup you can trim pretty quickly and don't need to use a case mouth tool. I set the trim length to match new brass which has worked well for me. Follow the directions for the 3 in 1 cutter closely. There are some adjustments best left alone.

While I have the neck turner accessories for the Forster, I have not used them, I am using the 21st century lathe which works really well.

 

[BW]

I've also been happy with the 3 way trimmer powered by a cordless, very consistent cut and works well for me. I tried the neck turner attachment and in my opinion don't waste your time and money on it. I ended up going with K&M for my neck turning needs. Can't comment on any other attachments.

 

[mjl650]

+2 on the 3 way trimmer. I still use the hand crank but I only load about 100 rounds every 2 weeks. Works for me.

 

[watercam]

+3 for the 3-in-1 cutters. Have .308, 6mm and .223 so far.

 

[PhilC]

Add another for the 3 in 1 trimmer.

 

[Nevanevan]

The outside neck Turner for the lathe works well, however, if you have to ever adjust the measurement for a desired thickness ie 0.0125 it's a complete pain in the a**. It works great if all your doing is skim turning brass for concentricity and if your only using one headstamp as they are all different by manufacturer

 

[dgeesaman]

+5 for the 3-way cutter head. I don’t have the cordless adapter but I’m considering it now.

One thing that would improve the Forster trimmer is to monitor how tight the collet is. When I tighten it on a piece of brass, I note where the tee handle is positioned. If it’s not consistent with the last time, I double check everything. I have been sloppy and overtrimmed a piece when it wasn’t properly seated in the collet.

David

 

[rogina]

I'm using a Forster trimmer though I'm looking at my unused guns as a source of revenue to buy the Giraud trimmer when I can. For the Forster, I find the 3 in 1 cutter the best accessory followed by the power tool adapter which replaces the handle with a shank for a drill of your choice.

The 3 in 1 cutter trims, chamfers the outside and deburrs the inside. Once setup you can trim pretty quickly and don't need to use a case mouth tool. I set the trim length to match new brass which has worked well for me. Follow the directions for the 3 in 1 cutter closely. There are some adjustments best left alone.

While I have the neck turner accessories for the Forster, I have not used them, I am using the 21st century lathe which works really well.

If you buy the 3 way cutter be sure to tighten all the screws before using. It is a bitch to readjust if the cutters move.

 

[Thisisnoteasy88]

So I am a machinist by trade and there are a few things I'm going to do/make to improve how the mini lathe functions. First off I am going to make myself a set of precision pilots out of minus pin gauges. And 2nd I want to make a grind 2 new ends the 2 black pieces on either end that hold the shell and the cutting ram. When I make the 2 new ends I do plan on making either a brass press fit bushing for the cutting ram to ride on to take out any of the slop or I may just get sealed bearings and press them on the shaft. Not sure but I do want to upgrade it in time and make it one of a kind because I do believe this cutter has alot of room for improvement but it also is a very well made item. Simple and easy to use but very very well build and nice. I just wanted to know what everyone thought of the accessories they have for it

 

[flyingbrass]

+ another for the 3-in-1 cutter. It works well. And something to turn the trimmer with a motor instead of by hand. I've been using a cordless screwdriver, but I'm thinking about rigging up something else for larger batches. Anything powered beats turning the crank by hand.

One thing that would improve the Forster trimmer is to monitor how tight the collet is. When I tighten it on a piece of brass, I note where the tee handle is positioned. If it’s not consistent with the last time, I double check everything. I have been sloppy and overtrimmed a piece when it wasn’t properly seated in the collet.

I get dings on my rims (semi-auto) and/or all the rims aren't the same exact diameter. T-handle position for me isn't a reliable indicator of how tight the case is being held by the collet. I go more by feel. And, as you know, the tighter the case is chucked, the further it sticks out of of the collet and the shorter it gets trimmed. Most of the variation in trim lengths seems to come from this. I can usually keep it within a couple thousandths max spread.

Also, make sure the case head is fully seated in the collet before tightening. When using a screwdriver/drill start spinning the case before tightening the collet. This will help make sure the head is all the way back.

One issue I've had with the 3-in-1 cutter is the set screw coming loose allowing the cutter to slip on the shaft. I originally kept the cutter spaced somewhat away from the original fixed cutting head, but later butted it tightly against. No more problems with that since.