Looking for a Case Trimmer: Any suggestions?

[ancientriflesmith]

First post here Amigos. A neat rig for a great case trimmer is an adapter made to hold a Lee trimmer cutter so it fits on a Lyman Case Prep Center. I turned mine on a lathe and hot glued the cutter inside the adapter. Just changing the case length gauge make it work for any cartridge. The other stations on this prep center do the rest of the work to re-condition the case like new. Takes only 2-5 seconds to trim the case, depending on how much material must be removed. Didn't really time myself but I cut, formed and trimmed 100 5.56 cases for 300AAC Blk in somewhere around 1.5 hours and that's having to stop every few minutes to pet an attention loving pit bull.
You can use a clearance drill to make the holder and a screw of the proper thread locked into the adapter to screw into the Lee cutter head.
Hope this makes some sense. AncientRifleSmith

 

[gilream]

I am still amazed at the quality and accuracy of the L. E. Wilson trimmer. Granted, it's not a high volume trimmer but it squares the case mouth and trims right to the number you are looking for, every time.

 

[bow shot]

Just a note on the old lee hand set (which is one cutter, and then a gauge for each caliber): Precise and square.. even though its about what… $20 and you are done?

'Thought I should mention that. Don't be thinking cheap = NG. Certainly not in this case.

And As I said before, yes I did have a Wilson and a Forster. And again, I'm not high volume, I'll do 100 or so in a sitting. I consider the Lee fast and easy.

 

[TimP]

I am still amazed at the quality and accuracy of the L. E. Wilson trimmer. Granted, it's not a high volume trimmer but it squares the case mouth and trims right to the number you are looking for, every time.

+ 1

 

[Joe R]

+1 Giraud. My wife calls the Giraud trimmer the "Pixie dust machine" because the shavings look like the pixie dust that Tinker Bell uses.

 

[artbosco]

This is a great option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKUIDOt9B4Q
Indexing is off the bottom of the case, if precision is wanted.

 

[Joe R]

This is a great option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKUIDOt9B4Q
Indexing is off the bottom of the case, if precision is wanted.

Although its a very nice trimmer that is not even close to what a Giraud does.

 

[KenO]

Gotta agree with the Giraud, I didn't get one until a couple years ago, don't know why I waited, I dislike trimming a lot.
It takes about the same time to trim, as to measure, so I just trim every time, and spot check now and then with the calipers.

 

[artbosco]

This is a great option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKUIDOt9B4Q
Indexing is off the bottom of the case, if precision is wanted.

Although its a very nice trimmer that is not even close to what a Giraud does.

The Giraud is a shoulder indexing, mass quantity trimmer, that does not take into consideration the length of the case from the shoulder to the bottom of the case. If you're not interested in keeping all your cases the same length, then the Giraud is the trimmer for you.

 

[Steve Blair]

The Giraud is a shoulder indexing, mass quantity trimmer, that does not take into consideration the length of the case from the shoulder to the bottom of the case. If you're not interested in keeping all your cases the same length, then the Giraud is the trimmer for you.

[br]
My cases, trimmed with my Giraud, are <±.001. It is not difficult. What you need to do is learn how to maintain consistent shoulder dimensions.

 

[Joe R]

Steve Blair said: My cases, trimmed with my Giraud, are <±.001. It is not difficult. What you need to do is learn how to maintain consistent shoulder dimensions.

+1

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

The Giraud is a shoulder indexing, mass quantity trimmer, that does not take into consideration the length of the case from the shoulder to the bottom of the case. If you're not interested in keeping all your cases the same length, then the Giraud is the trimmer for you.

[br]
My cases, trimmed with my Giraud, are <±.001. It is not difficult. What you need to do is learn how to maintain consistent shoulder dimensions.

So, in effect, what you are saying is that what my parents used to tell me when I was young, "stand up straight and don't slouch," is very important for good case trimming.

I finally broke down and ordered a Giraud Trimmer to go with my Giraud annealer. At least, I can pronounce the name correctly.

 

[Steve Blair]

At least, I can pronounce the name correctly.

[br]
Denys, I pronounce it the way my French teacher taught me. Not many others do.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

My comment was not aimed at you specifically, it was more of a general comment. For some reason people insist on replacing the U with an R, making it sound like Girard. It's more like Giro; the D is silent, like the S in my first name. But you knew that already.

And so endeth our French lesson for the month.

Now standup straight and put your shoulders back; don't slouch,

 

[jnyfeler]

Giraud Power Trimmer is simply the best trimmer there is.
After i got my first, i have never used another case trimmer tool and never will.

I could not agree more. Hands down the best.

Jeff

 

[Joe Maisto]

I am still amazed at the quality and accuracy of the L. E. Wilson trimmer. Granted, it's not a high volume trimmer but it squares the case mouth and trims right to the number you are looking for, every time.

+1, All I shoot is short range BR. My ppc cases get somewhere between 25-40 firings. That said, I do not need a $400. unit. Winters are long in WI....

 

[Three44s]

I use a Lyman universal with the optional carbide cutter for heavy cuts and resort to a Wilson for fine cuts.

The Lyman carbide cutter is fast for a hand turner and lasts much longer than a steel cutter does.

In my experience, you cut a case to a trim to length and that's about the end of it. ......... at least on my neck sized cases.

Best regards

Three 44s