Power trimmer
- Thread starter imjac54
- Start date
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
While maybe not up to competition needs, I have an old Lyman bench trimmer with the shaft for use with a power drill. I use a "flex shaft" to keep the drill clear of the trimmer and give me better options as to where the drill can be located so as to be out of the way. I can trim cases or change the head for turning necks. It works well for my needs.
I also have lately been using a Lee case trimmer with the head for use with drills and such. It works well and is pretty fast. Only drawback is that you need a press-mounted trim die for each cartridge you trim. I find it useful for running cases through in a hurry to just touch up lengths.
I load a lot of different calibers, so I like the Lyman Brass Smith Case Trim Xpress Case Trimmer, it uses the case shoulder for adjustment and does a quick job. It's also not very sensitive to brass trimmings from a previous case scratching the next case or keeping it from getting cut to the proper length.
If you are going to trim a lot of one caliber cases I recommend the Forester Power Trimmer and three-way trimmer head, set up in a drill press. It trims, chamfers, and de-burrs all in one step.
If you are going to trim a lot of one caliber cases I recommend the Forester Power Trimmer and three-way trimmer head, set up in a drill press. It trims, chamfers, and de-burrs all in one step.
Gracey or Girard if you need volume.
I bought the Lyman Trim Express works great and saves on my arthritic hands.
Hengehold
Silver $$ Contributor
+1 for the Giraud. It is fast and easy. An easy way to eliminate a huge percentage of your reloading time. Expensive, but absolutely worth it!
When using the Lyman Brass Smith, get the K&M handle with the case holder and your hands will love you even more.
Be interesting to see a comprehensive test done on trimmers to see the pros and cons and accuracy standard of them all. I have a Forster, had it for 40 yrs , so probably biased, as it has done the job, and I am used to it, change always involves a learning curve and getting used to a new tool. Forster sells 2 base lengths on the base ( get the long one), plus a 50BMG base. Their collets can be a bit tricky in that inserting the case wrong, can result in a crooked mouth. Their 3way cutters are somewhat lmited to calibers, and are more expensive, and not as easily converted to other calibers, than say an RCBS 3way cutter. Henderson is supplying odd caliber Forster cutters on a custom basis.
I also have a Hornady lathe trimmer, can put the RCBS 3 way on it, I find the case lockup pesky to use at times, but, that's about it, it tends to rotate when it isn't convenient. Other than it would be nice if they combined the trimmer, concentricity and neck turn units all onto the one platform, the way Forster does.
Also have the Hornady Trim/prep ctr, I haven't figured out a way to stop the trimmer from creeping short on it, and setting it to length can be an interesting experience. Love the prep side of it though.
And then there is the RCBS powered Trimpro 2, not sure if I like it or not yet, takes a pile of space, has to be mounted to a board and the base plate in the shellholder scratches the case bases, "universal" shellholder is very tight on this one, haven't properly set it up or done any trimming with it yet, but have discovered the shellholder needs some adjustability to it. Not sure if I like the lever system or not either.
I went a bit overboard on getting the 21st Century lathe setup over the years, have the neck turn and trim setup, like it a lot, even though it is pretty damned pricy, it seems to work the way it is supposed to, pretty easy setup. I just have the drill drive version, does what it is supposed to do, and is very versatile. Would be nice if the neck turn head and the trim head were both the same unit, haven't tried swapping pcs between them yet, look like they will though, just the trim pilot and neck turn pilot adj has to be figured out, I think.
I also have a Hornady lathe trimmer, can put the RCBS 3 way on it, I find the case lockup pesky to use at times, but, that's about it, it tends to rotate when it isn't convenient. Other than it would be nice if they combined the trimmer, concentricity and neck turn units all onto the one platform, the way Forster does.
Also have the Hornady Trim/prep ctr, I haven't figured out a way to stop the trimmer from creeping short on it, and setting it to length can be an interesting experience. Love the prep side of it though.
And then there is the RCBS powered Trimpro 2, not sure if I like it or not yet, takes a pile of space, has to be mounted to a board and the base plate in the shellholder scratches the case bases, "universal" shellholder is very tight on this one, haven't properly set it up or done any trimming with it yet, but have discovered the shellholder needs some adjustability to it. Not sure if I like the lever system or not either.
I went a bit overboard on getting the 21st Century lathe setup over the years, have the neck turn and trim setup, like it a lot, even though it is pretty damned pricy, it seems to work the way it is supposed to, pretty easy setup. I just have the drill drive version, does what it is supposed to do, and is very versatile. Would be nice if the neck turn head and the trim head were both the same unit, haven't tried swapping pcs between them yet, look like they will though, just the trim pilot and neck turn pilot adj has to be figured out, I think.
tac284
Gold $$ Contributor
I can recommend the Henderson cutter head. If you have a small drill press with a good quill stop you can combine it with a Forster power trimmer and be pretty proficient.
www.forsterproducts.com
Power Case Trimmer – Forster Products
Power Case Trimmer $ 150.00 Original price was: $150.00. $ 112.50 Current price is: $112.50. Power Case Trimmer quantity Add to cart SKU: PT10
www.forsterproducts.com
CJ6
Silver $$ Contributor
Small.....That's funny right there........I can recommend the Henderson cutter head. If you have a small drill press with a good quill stop you can combine it with a Forster power trimmer and be pretty proficient.
Power Case Trimmer – Forster Products
Power Case Trimmer $ 150.00 Original price was: $150.00. $ 112.50 Current price is: $112.50. Power Case Trimmer quantity Add to cart SKU: PT10
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