New Wilson Carbide Case Trimmer Cutter too big to fit?

[jlow]

I just brought this carbide replacement cutter via Midway and it appears to be too big to fit in the cutter. No measurable difference in size although difficult to get exact measurements because of the way the edges are but it basically will not fit through the case trimmer "tunnel". The old one slides right through without any problem but the new one only goes in half way and gets stuck.

Anybody had that experience and knows of a fix short of sending it back to Wilson?

 

[spclark]

I'd contact Wilson first thing. Depending on how old your trimmer model is, they might be able to tell you whether the cutter bushing can be swapped easily for a new one that'll fit your carbide upgrade.

Curious that it goes in half-way... I'd think if it were truly too large it wouldn't fit at all. Is it possible your trimmer's cutter bushing has been used enough that the handle end bore is worn more than at the case end? You might be able to measure this with the ID tips on your micrometer....

 

[jlow]

Interesting you say that, and good point…

If I insert it in the correct way which is the cutter in first, it goes in half way before getting stuck. If it is inserted in the incorrect way which is the screw end first, it goes in all the way until about 3/10 inch to the end where it again jams. I am now thinking that the bushing may be slightly warped and that is enough to make the cutter hit the bushing.

Will call Wilson tomorrow. Thanks again!

 

[spclark]

My pleasure. You've been lubing your old cutter, right? So it's running in an oil film, inside the bushing it rides in? That's why they put a little hole in the top of the bushing, to facilitate regular oiling. I use gun oil myself, and frequently pull the cutter out to wipe it clean then re-oil.

 

[jlow]

Yea, I've been lubing with gun oil every time I use it and so I doubt it is wear but it could still be off center somehow...

 

[jonbearman]

Just mic both cutters and see how far they are off.Mic at one end and then the other.

 

[jlow]

Using a Mito digital mic, it’s hard to get an absolutely reproducible mic since you are measuring the “blade” area in the front and a slight angle will affect the results (very reproducible if you measure the “body” area - down to 1/10,000"). Still, after doing a lot of measurements, it appears that the new carbide cutter is very close to 0.500” in diameter but the old steel one is consistently around 0.002-0.003” smaller in diameter.

 

[K22]

Had the same problem with a Sinclair Carbide cutter but fortunately I purchased my Wilson trimmer from Sinclair. I contacted them and they send me a replacement trimmer holder for the cutter and it has been working perfectly.

Don't remember all the details since this was several years ago but I believe the Sinclair carbide cutter was slightly over sized and would not fit the standard Wilson supplied holder.

 

[spclark]

Across the cutters my steel Wilson cutter measures 0.4965" while the still-new Wilson carbide cutter I bought years ago measures 0.04970". The shaft diameter (measured twice @ 90 deg. & @ both ends) is 0.4990".

The carbide cutter fits just fine in my trimmer's cutter bushing, I've just not yet seen fit to install it....

 

[jlow]

K22 – fortunately the carbide cutter I brought was also Wilson and I will think they will support me.

Spclark – that is interesting because my old steel Wilson cutter also measures around 0.4965” but the new Wilson carbide cutter is closer to 0.500”….

 

[BoydAllen]

A little detail, what one poster referred to as a digital mic. is not. It is a digital caliper, and just because it is digital and reads to half thousandth does not mean that it is as accurate as a micrometer, or any more accurate than a dial caliper. There are caliper jobs, and there are micrometer jobs. This is a micrometer job, preferably one that reads to .0001.

 

[jlow]

Hi Boyd,

If your reference is to my comment “digital mic”, the answer is yes, I was using a Mito digital micrometer. I have actually used both a mic and a caliper on that cutter. The Mito mic (accurate down to 0.00005”) is theoretically more accurate than my Mito caliper (accurate down to 0.0005”), but for this use because of the angle of the cutter making accurate measurements difficult, it is actually no better. Very reproducible on the body but not in the cutting area.

 

[BoydAllen]

Got it. Thanks for the explanation. I also find that some kinds of measurements are difficult to do with a micrometer, and that when comparisons are made, rather than absolute measurements, that a caliper can come in very handy. Although my selection is pretty basic, I really enjoy the advantages of having the right tool(s) for the job. Evidently your right tools are a little fancier than mine ;D

 

[jlow]

Not a problem Boyd.

Just a quick update: I just finished talking to L.E. Wilson tech support and it looks like they have seen this problem of the carbide cutter not fitting in the bearing of some of their older trimmer. Apparently the cutter is not made by them but another company. Still, the carbide cutter will fit in their current bearing and so they are sending me a new bearing free of charge to fix the problem – great customer service.

 

[spclark]

There ya go! Another great customer service policy in action.

I had a hunch the explanation would follow a pattern like what you've described. All to easy to lose a little QC when stuff gets farmed out.

 

[lightman]

I bought both the trimmer and the carbide cutter from Sinclair, and they fit correctly. Its good to see Wilson standing by you, although I expected nothing less. I was surprised at how quickly the steel cutter got dull, and really happy with the carbide cutter. Lightman

 

[spclark]

I was surprised at how quickly the steel cutter got dull, and really happy with the carbide cutter.

I must be doing something wrong.

I started reloading back about 2001 with an RCBS kit. After a couple years' with their trimmer & frustration, I bought a Wilson. From Sinclair too.

Then about 2006 got told I ought to be squaring up the heads of the LC brass I was using in a 308 NM Garand & bought the carbide cutter I have.

After one or two sessions I put the steel cutter back in, decided it wasn't worth the time or trouble, given how the M1's accuracy was greater than what I felt I could expect from my technique.

That steel cutter still makes nice, thin curls when I spin it, after countless pistol & rifle cases cut down to size. (LOTS of metal cut off 25 & 30 REM when making up 6HAGAR cases too starting late in '07.)

 

[jlow]

Interesting. My steel cutter definitely got dull. Will try to get photos if I have a chance.

The part that I don't quite understand is if you have the carbide cutter, why did you go back to the old steel cutter?

 

[spclark]

... why did you go back to the old steel cutter?

After using the steel cutter to square up faces on LC 308 brass I bought the carbide thinking it might make a tedious task a little easier. Compared to trimming necks, squaring up case heads is a PITA. Much more force needed, raised blisters on my palm running the handle.

Turns out the carbide seemed to take even more force to turn so I put it back in the packaging for another day. My steel cutter still works great on necks (even after the hundeds of 0.063" 's I cut off making 6HAGAR cases) so I'll use it until it gets dull, comfy knowing the carbide's on the shelf for when the time comes.

 

[jlow]

Here is a photo of my old stainless steel cutter, you can see the significant nicks on the cutting edges. The tool has been used for about 3 years and has not been abused and only used to trim brass cases; I am guessing 3-4 thousand cases and using a motorized attachment. Not disappointed as this is at least to me expected. Hope the carbide one last longer though.