Anyone experienced with drill press powered trimmers?

[fnbrowning]

I would like to know if anyone here has experience with either of these two drill press style trimmers.

Both models utilize your existing drill press to trim cases quickly.

I'd like to decide which product trims with the greatest accuracy and integrity, while requiring a minimum amount of effort to insert and remove the case.

Thanks for your opinions!

Forster Power Case Trimmer

Lyman Drill Press Trimmer

P.S. I would also be interested at what speed you trim your brass at?

 

[Car Knocker]

I had the opportunity to use the Forster a few years ago to trim 500 cases. As I recall, it didn't take much effort to secure the case in the collet. Accuracy is determined by the quality of the drill press, not the device that holds the case. If the quill adjustable stop is sturdy, you'll get accurate repeatability. If not, you'll get a few thousands variation quite easily. I don't recall what speed I was using but it wasn't too fast.

 

[Dave P]

Look at the EJS tools that Cabelas has. Has adapter to chuck in drill press, and indexes off the neck, so works with any press.

I use them a lot.


(EJS is part of the Sinclair family)

 

[Johnny Guest]

Forster horizontal type - -

Looks kinda like the old Lyman hand cranked model, but with adaptor for electric drill. Pretty low seed, but I don't know number of RPM.

Works well; time consuming.

Best,
Johnny

 

[bogie]

It's not much slower to use, and the Wilson trimmer works perfectly.

 

[fnbrowning]

Dave P;

You have me quite intrigued with this Kwick Case Trimmer.

Can you go more indepth?

Are you chucking it into the Chamfering/Deburring Tool Power Adapter to use on your DP?

Only four Kwick Case Trimmers work on most cartridges??
So, since I load .223, .308 & .30-30. I need only buy the size 527 & 529? Is there something I don't know about the relative shoulder-datum to neck rim length in cartridge famlies?

The Kwick Case Trimmer looks like it was made primarly to be a hand-powered tool. What happens when it rides against the shoulder of a brass case @ 300 rpm? Does it just put a shimy spot there or do I have to worry about grooving the shoulder? {Currently, 300 rpm is my slowest speed}

Kwick Case Trimmer is supposed to eliminate the need for both shellholders and pilots, how do you handle or hold the case in your DP?

Sorry for all the questions, but that's whatcha get for piquing my curiosity!!

 

[bogie]

I have two kwick case trimmers (I must be a slow learner). I have problems with chatter with both of 'em.

 

[Ross]

I have no experience with the Lyman, but have used the Forster drill press attachment for serious trimming and like it. Nowadays when I can I use the Lee, as it is faster and less liable to variations in length.
Any collet type is subject to wee bits of swarf preventing the case from seating fully and allowing slight variations in length.
I usually do not run at very high revs.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Case Trimmers

I have had a Forster for 40 years and A C-H for 25 They both work fine for the prices paid and there was over a hundred dollars difference between them.

John Paul

 

[Dave P]

Are you chucking it into the Chamfering/Deburring Tool Power Adapter to use on your DP? zzzzzzz Yes, buy thier adapter to hold it (unless you have a 1/2" DP chuck - then you don't need the adapter).


So, since I load .223, .308 & .30-30. I need only buy the size 527 & 529? Is there something I don't know about the relative shoulder-datum to neck rim length in cartridge famlies? zzzzzzz I have 223 and 308. User adjusts the depth of the cutter blade (end mill bit?), so 308 prolly works on 30-30.

What happens when it rides against the shoulder of a brass case @ 300 rpm? Does it just put a shimy spot there zzzzzzz Yes, shines up the neck and shoulder.

Kwick Case Trimmer is supposed to eliminate the need for both shellholders and pilots, how do you handle or hold the case in your DP? zzzzzzz hold in my fingers. 300 rpm should be fine, I think I am on slowest spped. I too (like Bogie) can get chattering during the cutting, but it ends as you finish the trim.

These trimmers are not as precise as the wilson type tools, and I wouldnt reccomend it for benchrest standards, but I use for all my highpower loads. Minor variations in neck length will not change velocities enough for me to worry about.

I trim in 3 stages on the dp: 1) trim with qwick trim tool 2) outside deburr with cheap Lee tool in adapter 3) inside chamfer with wood countersink bit. Can do a batch of 50 cases in just a few minutes this way. I think this is much faster than using the wilson type tools.

 

[dickwholliday]

i'd personally scrap the drillpress idea and get the RCBS trimmer and convert it for use with a cordless drill...Very simple to do....put a threeway cutter on it and it's a one time deal....no need to deburr or anything....DICK

 

[only1asterisk]

For just trimming cases the drill might be overkill, esp. if you have a good hand trimmer. But for cutting cases down .05" or more (as in making 41 special cases for example), it's great. I don't try to trim to exact length, but get them with a .01 or so. I finish them on a hand trimmer.


David