Best Cheap case Trim setup? Drill press?

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RCBS makes such a cutter head beast.
It trims, deburrs, and chamfers all at the same time.
But you have to use it in an RCBS case trimmer.

I use the Lee cutter and depth stop on a drill press table, hand holding the case.

The iron drill-press table is the depth stop for the Lee trimmer pilot pin.

If you use the screw-tight case holder depth stop?
You might as well do it by hand anyway because it will take just as long on a drill press tightening it and loosening it every case anyway.

rc
 
I would love to find something that would debur and trim if it exists.

Giraud trimmer trims, deburr and chamfers in one step, but it ain't cheap.

The Lee system is pretty good and inexpensive.

Just add a deburr/chamfer tool. If you use a drill press as rcmodel does, deburr/chamfer by hand after trimming. Quick and easy.

If you chuck the Lee case stud in a drill motor to hold the case, deburr/chamfer before removing the case from the case holder. Quick and easy.
 
Seems like a lot of people have used the lee case trimmer in a drill press. This deal:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476992/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-and-lock-stud

Is this a good setup? I would love to find something that would debur and trim if it exists.
I went in to Cabela's looking to buy a RCBS hand trimmer and the associate working turned me on to this Lee setup. I tried it this weekend with a 1/4" drive battery operated screw driver and it worked great! Plus it was a lot cheaper than the RCBS trimmer. Until the new Lee trimmer comes out, I say give it a try!
 
I am using that Lee trimmer for 223. I used a 22-250 pin and ground it to register on the inner case web. That way everything is from one side. Cases vary, so I keep the calipers in hand. It is still pretty fast even with a measure or two.
 
IMG_2158.jpg

I use this Wilson set up with different tools for different cases. No set up time, trims to extremely close tolerances, and can do about 500 per hour.

I chuck a deburring tool in a drill and do my thing.
 
I'm not sure a drill press would save time over a cordless hand drill... The standard lock stud as pictured will work but I would suggest upgrading to the ball cutter - it's much easier to hold on to when you have to do large batches; I used to get hand cramps from the small one.

I also recently picked up the Lee 3-jaw case holder as shown in the pic - it also saves a little time and sore fingers during large batches. While the case is still chucked up after trimming I chamfer and debur the case with the Wilson rocket tool.

XRFdjH


http://sdrv.ms/XRFdjH
 
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When using the drill press method to trim as RC has described...

Has anyone figured out a way to use the press for the chamfer/debur process instead of doing it by hand?
 
as anyone figured out a way to use the press for the chamfer/debur process instead of doing it by hand?

yes, the power adapter for the possum hollow trimmer also fits the standard chamfer/deburr tools like the Wilson, RCBS, Lyman, Forster, etc.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/295771/possum-hollow-chamfer-and-deburring-tool-power-adapter

i use it with the RCBS chamfer/deburr tool. i did have to polish it down with emery cloth to get it to fit. it was just a thousandth or two too big. i got the jaws of the chuck on my cordless drill on the pin in the middle of the deburr end and just spun it in the emery cloth in my hand.
 
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I own several:
Hornady cam-lock
RCBS original, RCBS trim pro 2 manual, RCBS trim pro power.
Forrestor original, Classic and power.
L. E. Wilson
Dillion RT.1200 b in .223 & .308

RCBS and Hornady power case prep centers
Unless something better hits market will get another RCBS case prep machine.

Once I set up a trimmer for a particular caliber I like to never have to change it again. Low volume calibers get a manual and high volume get power. Since I have a full machine shop we built several case holders for various calibers. My milling machine has programmable X an Y axis feed table so built chuck to hold12 cases but lining the first up is time consuming but the next 11 run without user input. Long run its easier to do at bench with proper tools for me. Most drill presses have more slop than my anal retentive tendencies are.comfortable with. Use what your budget and others experience say. If you like to tinker, when you build a better mouse trap I am all ears and ready to copy it.
 
I've been using the Lee with a cordless drill for decades and I think it works just fine. And the fact that you only need one cutter head means you only have to buy the length stud abd shell holder for other cartridges applications.

GS
 
I like Forster trimmers, i've used their std. trimmer with a power drill then with a cordless drill when they became popular, i also have this one to use in a drill press,
p_749006609_1.jpg

It works just fine for me...

DM
 
Seems like a lot of people have used the lee case trimmer in a drill press. This deal:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476...-and-lock-stud

Is this a good setup? I would love to find something that would debur and trim if it exists.

Yes.

If you have a drill, its hard to beat in terms of price. Its plenty fast enough unless you are literally trimming thousands and thousands of pieces of brass at a time.

After about 200 or so, my fingers get a little tender from unscrewing the lock stud, but thats about it.

I've been using the Lee with a cordless drill for decades and I think it works just fine. And the fact that you only need one cutter head means you only have to buy the length stud abd shell holder for other cartridges applications.

And it also doubles as a fantastic go-no go gauge for required trimming with any flat surface.


Fantastic stuff.
 
If you don't mind supporting the "little guy":
I've seen the "World's Finest Trimmer" advertised in gun magazines. It looks good in that it spaces off the shoulder so you don't need to lock the case on the other side. Not particularly cheap at $70 per caliber, but watching the videos on the page makes it look pretty easy.

I personally use the cheap Lee setup with a corded drill on a vice. I trim so few cases that I could probably twist by hand, but I've had a couple of instances where I trimmed more cases than I expected and ended up with blisters.
 
After about 200 or so, my fingers get a little tender from unscrewing the lock stud, but thats about it.

An open end wrench of the appropriate size will fit the Lee shell holder, one jaw across the opening, the other across the back of the holder. It will snug or loosen the shell holder quite well.

A 5/8 or 9/16 wrench works depending on the diameter of the case head, if memory serves me correctly.

i keep a set of stubby wrenches with my reloading tools, in part, for just this task.

Saves the fingers.

An ajustable wrench will work but will be a bit cumbersome due to the size of the wrench. A metric one works best.:)
 
I got a e mail back from Lee. The tool is in there but will not be available until maybe Feb.

The cutter tool is universal and you buy a seperate die for what ever caliber,


I do not like the shavings either so I thought I would set up my old single stage press some where else and hook up the shop vac and have a cheap Dillon trim system:)

Maybe mount a shallow try underneath the press and then bolt it down.??
 
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