Forster Case Trimming

[nosmr2]

I currently reload 223 and trim, chamfer, deburr with the Lee Zip Trim. It works fine, but it is what it is and my arm soon tires from the lawn mower starting motion. I don't reload a ton, maybe 300 rounds per month, but I dread the Zip trim. I've done some research and the Forster Original Case Trimmer Kit, 3-in-1 cutter and the power adapter looks like it would suit my needs.

Has anyone junked their Zip Trim for this setup and was it worth it to them? Time is money and I'm looking at a $30 setup to a $170 setup when its all said and done. Also, I think the Kit includes everything I need, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks as usual.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

for bulk 223, i trim with a possum hollow trimmer then deburr and chamfer with a generic double-ended tool. i use a drill adapter and run them in a small benchtop drill press. the same adapter fits the possum hollow trimmer and the chamfer/deburr tool. it's very quick.

everything else is generally small batches and i trim with a wilson trimmer and chamfer/deburr manually.

 

[GW Staar]

Yes. With the three-way and the power coupler you can end your sick-to-death with trimming without having to pay for a Giraud.

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[Blue68f100]

Another option if your only doing 1 or 2 caliber would the WFT.

http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html

 

[Jasper1573]

I trim .308 Win with both a Possum Hollow and the Forster Original. When doing large batches I use the Possum Hollow...for match grade stuff I use the Forster and trim by hand. The Forster provides a smoother cut than the Possum Hollow run by a drill, and I can control the speed of the Forster better using my hand than with a power attachment.

Both work well.

 

[bluetopper]

I use the Forster trimmer with the 3-way cutter and power adapter.

I don't even measure brass anymore because I can have a case trimmed to length and chamfered inside and out by the time I can measure it.......and be reaching for another one.

My set up is not upright like the pic above, it's sitting flat and my drill is too.

 

[NuJudge]

I finally broke down and bought a Giraud. I can have it set up in about 5 minutes. I can easily do several thousand cases in an evening. It takes about 3 seconds per case.

 

[Clark]

I either use Forster with a door knob handle and clamped to the bench.

Or combination of Lee and RCBS and do it in the vertical mill.

But the best is to not trim at all.
Neck size.
Buy new brass.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have been using a Lee Zip Trim for a few years now and for the price it was just fine. That was until I helped out a friend by trimming a few hundred 308 cases on his Forster Trimmer. Well, after the first 100 I found myself saying out loud, "I have to have one of these" and now I do! Let me tell you, it's one of the best tools I've bought in a long time and well worth the price IMO. I also bought the Primer Pocket Chamfering Tool for taking care of military brass with crimps. GREAT and fast tool for removing the military primer pocket crimps!

Highly recommended!!!

 

[GLOOB]

If you already have the Lee trim gauges for your calibers, and you are tired of pulling the cord, you might try using the Zip Trim 3 jaw chuck in a drill.

If you already have the 3-jaw chuck, all you need is one of these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/17...ank-for-use-with-3-jaw-chuck?cm_vc=S014352653

If you don't have the 3 jaw chuck, then you'll need this, too.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/352653/lee-zip-trim-case-trimmer-universal-3-jaw-chuck-case-holder

For $16.00, you can trim with your current Lee cutter/guide, chamfer with your current hand chamfering tool, and polish and/or remove lube, all with your cordless drill. You can also use the standard shell holders in a drill, but the 3 jaw chuck is a lot faster and easier.

 

[bluetopper]

This is the exact same set up I use with the Forster 3-way power trimmer.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWZszN6u-3o

 

[blarby]

Another option is using the bit adapter, and chucking it in a drill- very fast.

Or, placing it in a bitholder screwdriver- very quiet.

I use both, depending on how that day is going... I still have a zip-trim..., but don't use it. Its neither fast, nor quiet.

 

[nosmr2]

Thanks for all the input. The WFT looked great and in my price range. The Forster looks real nice and according to your input would also work as desired. However, before spending $60 or $160 I tried the Lee Zip Trim chuck in a drill route. I couldn't turn down a $6 option before trying the others, especially since I had most of the stuff needed.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but the 3 jaw chuck doesn't seem to work as quick as in the videos I've seen. It takes some time to unscrew then put the case in, screw then start the drill. And if you don't get it right the case will wobble out since it isn't being held in. Or that's just the price you pay for the cheapest solution.

 

[GLOOB]

Yeah, that's just how it works. You have to unscrew it till the case drops out, and then a little more. How much more depends on how much the rim thickness varies on your brass. An extra half a turn or so usually does it. The jaws have to be able to close over the next cartridge without rubbing/binding against the top of the rim, or they stop closing. When the case pops out, it's still under pressure. When you unscrew it some more, you're adding a little slack to the jaws for the next case.

It's a 2 step process. 1. Jaws close with very light force and center on the groove. (As the jaws take hold, let go of the case, so it centers. Or hold the drill facing up and balance the case in middle as you close.) 2. Then continue tightening til the jaws lock down on the top of the rim like a vice.

The jaws have very little closing power. The chuck locks the case in with the downward force.

Hey, even if you decide to upgrade, this is a unique tool because it spins the cases rather than the tool. I'm sure it'll come in handy at some point.

 

[GW Staar]

Thanks for all the input. The WFT looked great and in my price range. The Forster looks real nice and according to your input would also work as desired. However, before spending $60 or $160 I tried the Lee Zip Trim chuck in a drill route. I couldn't turn down a $6 option before trying the others, especially since I had most of the stuff needed.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but the 3 jaw chuck doesn't seem to work as quick as in the videos I've seen. It takes some time to unscrew then put the case in, screw then start the drill. And if you don't get it right the case will wobble out since it isn't being held in. Or that's just the price you pay for the cheapest solution.

I've been using the Forster for nearly 40 years and just "motorized" two years ago. I also couldn't resist trying the Lee first. I had a time screwing the case collet tight enough to prevent slipping, and when it was tight enough (with a little pliers help), then it required pliers to take it apart. Hated that. You younger guys may do better, but it's hard on arthritic wrists.

I forgot to mention that my picture in post 3 is a video....click the picture to see the video or click the link below. One thing you will notice is Zero wobble. The Forster is a finely machined tool. For the price it's a steal. The three-way is an option, and adds $50 bucks per caliber diameter. I bought a .223, then a few months later another for .308. By then I found it to be so much fun, I added a .243 a month after that. Doesn't hurt so much when you spread the hit. I still haven't even approached the cost of a Giraud with one caliber. (even counting the dedicated drywall screw gun I bought at Home Depot.)

The other neat thing is you can trim any case with the original one-way cutter (the three-way is simply slipped over it and attached with a set screw. The Forster Original Trimmer "Kit" has included collets and pilots for most brass.

(from Midway) Collets Included: Yes Collets #1, #2, #3 (they will fit most rifle cases from the 17 Remington to the 375 H&H and most handgun cases from 38 Special to 45 Colt (Long Colt)
Pilots Used: Forster
Pilots Included: Yes, Pilots for 22, 24, 25, 27, 28 and 30 caliber pilots. (Additional Pilots Sold Separately)

Link to My Video

 

[ranger335v]

I have a couple of hand-lathe case trimmers but like to use Lee standard trimmers too. I just chuck the case holder/stud in my 1/2" battery drill; works fine and no need of a three-jaw chuck.

Lee's trimmer systems work great but they are clearly not for high volume users. We need choose the correct tool for any job we tackle and not blame the tool if we choose incorrectly.

 

[x_wrench]

i never bought a zip trim. it looked to funky for me. if you could pull it a few times, and it would store the energy, so you could trim 10 cases, that would be fine. the whole idea just seemed weird to me. anyway, i bought a used Forester case trimmer off from flea-bay, and saved a pretty good chunk of change doing so. it already had over half the adapters i needed. i have tried putting an electric drill onto it, but unless you have a lot of material to trim, it is a waste of time and effort as far as i am concerned. a few cranks are most cases are done. and they all come out the same length! i really do not mind doing case prep work. i figure it is one thing i can do that WILL have an effect on accuracy, AND safety. i still have my lee trimmers. most of the time, they just collect dust. but if i only have one or two cases to trim, i will dig them out. on a side note, i also use a bronze brush on the inside of the case necks now. after i pulled down some 300 win mag cartridges that i had loaded. the bullets were scratched, and in some places had carbon imbedded into the bullet! and that was after they were tumbled and sized. and no, they were not crimped, and the shells had been chamfered with a vld cutter.

 

[Duckdog]

I have 2 foresters I got at an action for about $20 with all the collets and gides, but I also use the zip trim for cutting 223 brass down for making into 7.62x25 brass. I also use the zip trim for polishing brass as well. That simple littoe gadget really does work swell with that 3 jaw chuck. I highly recommend both the foresters and zip trim.

 

[jmorris]

I have $30 in this setup. The trimmer was bought used and the power window motor was free from a autobody friend.