Looking for a case trimmer. Is WFT any good??

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Skulptor

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After several thousand rounds of reloading pistol calibers, I am now ready to start gearing up and reloading rifle rounds. .223 to be exact. I wanted to learn and get some experience with pistol rounds first, as was suggested here. I have found a couple excellent recipes! It really makes this hobby worth while.
I'm now in the market for a case trimmer and I searched this forum for any info on this trimmer - the WFT: http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html
I didn't see any and was wondering if you guys had an opinion on it. It looks to be a pretty nice little device from the videos I saw but, I value you guys opinion.
Yeah, I'd like an accurate round but I am not going for 1000 yard shots. :) But, by the same token, if I am spending my time, I'd like to get some accuracy out of it.
I am new at rifle rounds so I appreciate any and all advice.
Thanx a bunch for all the help, past and present.
Chaz
 
I hope it's a good one. I have one coming in the mail tomorrow. :)

If it turns out to be everything that I hope it to be, I'll be ordering one for 300 AAC as well.
 
I have been very happy with mine. My two complaints are that the brass shavings fall all over the bench and are not collected in a container you can empty and you still have to deburr and chamfer (although not much) the brass.

It appears (I have yet to try) a simple solution to the brass trimmings complaint is to use an old plastic pop bottle and cut out one end and attach it to the drill and then cut off the other end, leaving it long enough for the shavings to fall into it but short enough to easily insert and remove the brass cases.
 
The rcbs 3 way head is suppose to do everything in one step plus you can buy different pilots. I plan to buy the 3 way head instead of the wft.

Otherwise the wft seems to be a great trimmer.
 
Is WFT any good??
They are very good trimmers. Mine for .308 arrived yesterday. They cut clean enough that many people are happy enough with the results that they don't deburr and chamfer, and while the cuts are nice, I still like to deburr and chamfer for all the reasons that it's a good idea. It doesn't take long and is worth the trouble to me.

There are trimmers that trim, deburr and chamfer all at once.

If I were trimming brass for a match gun, I would either trim with the WFT and finish with the Wilson, or just use the Wilson to start with.
 
I have several WFTs and am happy with their operation. I tried one, then invested in more.

If you run the cutter fast and turn the case while trimming, it minimizes the flash but I still chamfer and deburr. Just a quick twist with the chamfer tool is all that is needed.

The brass shavings can be frustrating. I keep the drill running for several cases then slow the drill down slowly over a receptacle and it minimizes the flying trimmings. There will always be some. The soda bottle thing might work.

If I trim alot of cases at one sitting, I wear a glove on the case holding hand. If you have a hand or wrist problem, using the WFT may get tiring. But, I suspect this would be the same issue as with a Giraud or Gracey.

I do find using a drill motor inconvenient but it is what it is. I use a battery powdered drill. No cord gives some flexibility in operation.

Someday, I might chuck mine in the lathe and see how that works. At least the chips will fall in an area where chips normally collect.:)

While the Giraud is expensive up front, additional trimming heads cost about the same as each WFT. So, if you are planning to trim many different cartridges, it might be worth going with the Giraud.
 
With the lathe you still have to stop and clear shavings from time to time, but it's nicer than using a drill.
 
Yes it is as good as the video. I have one and use it. I also have the RCBS trimmer attached to a drill. The WFT is twice as fast

I posted a thread where I put it inside a large 1 gal plastic jug (through the bottom) and also cut a hole for the end of the shop vac hose to stick in (hole in with rubber o ring)

Chuck the drill in a vise and trim all you want, no clean up.!
 
Awesome Gents!! Looks like I will be trying one! I will have to look into the tools to chamfer and de-burr next, I guess.
I appreciate all the info in such short time!!!
Chaz
 
I posted a thread where I put it inside a large 1 gal plastic jug (through the bottom) and also cut a hole for the end of the shop vac hose to stick in (hole in with rubber o ring)
Care to share a URL?
 
With the lathe you still have to stop and clear shavings from time to time, but it's nicer than using a drill.

I'm sure it does need to be stopped once in a while.

Probably a little swish of compressed air after the chips fall out also might help prevent a chip getting stuck on the shoulder stop.

Or, put a vacuum up to the WFT as it spins down.

For those unfamiliar with the WFT, if a chip gets on the shoulder stop, the trim length will change.
 
I run mine in my drill press. It makes for super fast trimming followed by a run on my Hornady case prep tool. I enjoy reloading 223 again. One additional positive is that if you buy already primed (pull down) brass, you can use it to trim the cases after you resized them with the decapping pin removed from the die.
 
Great trimmer for high volume. Lube the insides of your case necks well when resizing and it will give you the best results. If the expander drags too much it can stretch the shoulder (trimmer uses shoulder to locate case in trimmer) a bit and vary your case lengths a little.

Waiting to get my .308 family trimmer.
 
Care to share a URL?

I would but I deleted the pics completely. It is very easy.
I used a 1 gal vinegar plastic bottle (stronger than a milk container,

Cut of the top (below the handle) Put some duct tape around the cut edge as it is sharp.

Now drill a small hole in the bottom the same as the drill shaft of the cutter,

Cut a small circle the size of the ship vac hose (with no attachment),

Now put the cutter in the container and check it in the drill on the outside.

Put drill in bench vise. Tilt it slight on a up angle so the brass chips fall to the bottom where the vac hole is.
Put shop vac hose in hole and put a rubber band or O ring to hold it in.

Turn on vac and drill and trim away! Just put your hand with brass in the container. If you give it a twist at the end you do not have to de burr the outside much if at all, Still need to chamfer the inside but I put that tool in the drill also,

It is crude looking but works great. This is a prototype. I want to make one out of a small 2 gal or so white paint bucket. It would be stronger and look better.

If I remember I will take new pics and post it

I trim in the garage and am barefoot most of the time so I did not want to step on brass shavings and track them in the house.
 
Great trimmer for high volume. Lube the insides of your case necks well when resizing and it will give you the best results. If the expander drags too much it can stretch the shoulder (trimmer uses shoulder to locate case in trimmer) a bit and vary your case lengths a little.

Waiting to get my .308 family trimmer.
Hmmmmmm Never thought of lubing them... may keep em from spinning outa my hands if I dont hold tight:D

REALLY Like my WFT... I have tried quite a few.. but this is the best of the Less than $100 trimmers

ill try the lube next time on a few and see how it works

I also do not always need to de-bur after trimming... Just depends on if they are too ruff or not....


get one... youll Love it

Stav...
 
Hmmmmmm Never thought of lubing them... may keep em from spinning outa my hands if I dont hold tight:D

REALLY Like my WFT... I have tried quite a few.. but this is the best of the Less than $100 trimmers

ill try the lube next time on a few and see how it works

I also do not always need to de-bur after trimming... Just depends on if they are too ruff or not....


get one... youll Love it

Stav...

The lube was for RESIZING not trimming. Try to prevent stretching the case The WFT measures off the shoulder of the case not the actual total length of the case.
 
The lube was for RESIZING not trimming. Try to prevent stretching the case The WFT measures off the shoulder of the case not the actual total length of the case.
HAHAHAHAHA

I see what ya mean now that i re-read yer Original Post

Dang.... thought i found a NEW trick ta add to my arsenal

LOL
 
I got my WFT today! Great shipping time! I'm stoked to start using it. I will go by the length they recommend 1.750. Do you have any other suggestions?
Also, I will still need to chamfer. What do you suggest?
thanx
Chaz
 
I use a 3/4" Countersink Bit to Chamfer neck and remove crimp if necessary... Chuck it in a drill and can do both with same Bit just flip the case from end to end... very fast and easy (usually with the WFT de-burring case neck isnt needed) this Bit was like $9 at Home Depot.. The Lyman case Prep system also has a Bit that works well for this

If yer REALLy ambitious

Set Both up in 2 Drills and GO TA TOWN........ Tired it once...LOL... too much on my hands.... so I trimm about 300 Brass... then later or next day Chamfer them all... saves on the sore hands and Wrists



vitrex-heavy-duty-countersink-bit-13mm-x-90.jpg


Lyman Deburring tip.. sold at Most reloading stoes... chuck it in a drill and works Great
lyman_power_deburring_tool_kit_1021303_6_og.jpg
 
Thanx Guys!! Good stuff.
I have several counter sinks (I own a fab shop) I just thought maybe there was something better of specific for this job. That Midway tool is awful cool!! :) I may get that down the road but I'll try some of my chamfer tools first. I guess we just need to not take out to much material. By hand would seem to be the best. I could set up three different drill presses as was suggested! :) lol Nah, not that big of a hurry. :)
Thanx a bunch again!!! You guys are awesome!!
Chaz
(now to find the bullets, primers and powder! :) I can work on my cases till then.)
 
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