L3i Lyman Case Trim Xpress 3 Way Cutter Review

[RabbitSlayer]

I finally got around to trying the L3i 3 way cutter for the Lyman Case Trim Xpress. I am very happy with the results. It took some fiddling with the blades to get the inside and outside chamfer how I wanted it. While making those adjustments I found that it is crazy sharp. Just turning it in my hand to test the cut the thing was shaving down brass like butter.

The mandrel is a snug fit. After ten pieces it came loose. I applied purple loctite on the screw and tightened it down, and after that I had no further troubles. Once it was tightened down it barely made any marks inside the neck.

Interestingly, I have a mark on the ring that sets the depth. The new cutter head was within .001, so I did not need to adjust it. When i removed the collar and re installed to tighten the mandrel back down it returned to my setting perfectly.

I also tried a piece without the mandrel and it worked fine, but the inside cut had chatter marks, not bad though. It was also slightly uneven.

Trim length consistency seems improved since the mandrel prevents variation by keeping the cut square. I stopped measuring after 10 pieces cuz they were all dead on.

The part of reloading I hate most is chamfer and deburring, especially 223 size cases. It hurts my hand to grip it and the are soo many hundreds to do.

I think I might just keep this one setup for 22 cal and get another one for 6 mm and 7 mm. Swapping out the cutter is easy and seems repeatable, but still annoying.

Not sure why this isn't more popular and why lyman doesn't just offer 3 way cutters for it.

3-way Cutter Head for Lyman Case Trim Xpress - L3I Design Solutions

Trim, chamfer, and deburr in one step with our 3-Way Trimmer Head. Features carbide blades for smooth, long-lasting performance. Fits cartridges up to .308 caliber—average trim time just 6 seconds per case!

l3idesignsolutions.com

Get on the mailing list. When they are in stock they go fast.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I wanted to follow up, because I did 400 cases. Eventually there were some pieces that got hung up on the pilot. After one or two, the pilot collected brass, and then got hung up on every case scratching the inside of the neck badly and ripping the case from my hand.

I found that the diameter was about .222. Well no wonder. I carefully ground it down with diamond files, steel wool, and then iosso on a drill. I went slow testing it. I ended up at .217. At around .220 it was good on most cases except an occasional one it would touch the neck shoulder junction. Must be a small donut there. Not sure why they thought making the pilot the size of a turning mandrel was a good idea....Now it should be .002 clearance on each side.

Ruined some cases getting it dialed in, but then hundreds came out perfect. No big deal with .223 cases. Id be really upset if it was 7 saum ADG brass!

Also tried no pilot some more. It would work ok for a while, but eventually the blades would move and the chamfer wouldn't be enough. I tightened the blades real tight too.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

That looks eerily similar to a Henderson?

 

[209jones]

Sounds like std issues with that type of retaining method for various tools, the little setscrews seem to have a habit of being obstinate, drills in countersink tools is first to mind. I can say the 21st Century one doesn't appear to have that issue, but, is a bit more loot too. Forster is much the same as the L3I or the Henderson, they used to make the Henderson ones. That looks like many other gizmos, maybe takes some fiddling to get it going, but, well worth it in this pursuit.

 

[pilediver]

I have the Forster 3 way cutter and my experience mirrors yours. Fantastic tool after I polished the mandrel down to prevent having such a tight fit .

 

[smach8]

I just installed mine yesterday and it took me about an hour to get it to cut the way I wanted it to. The mandrel is snug on mine also, so I guess I'm going to have to polish it down a little.

 

[BHP9]

I picked up an L3I 3 way cutter and while being a PITA to set up, it works flawlessly.

I had no trouble with the pilot. As per L3I, the pilot is RCBS. I asked.