Case Prep Center Recommendations

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Gary, your link is only the pilot, you won't be able to use it without the main tool part that also does the outside chamfer etc. and holds the pilot. that tool is more $ like 45$ it looks like, but possibly comes with a select pilot?
 
You may be correct.

It's scheduled to arrive tomorrow, with the actual trimmer arriving Tuesday.

The descriptions on Amazon are not the best. I'll look at RCBS website.
 
The link in post #18 comes up for me as the pilot.:confused:

But whatever, the whole cutter is needed.

If it cost $15 it is the pilot:)

If it is $45 or so it is the whole thing.:)
 
Rule3 said:
The link in post #18 comes up for me as the pilot.:confused:

But whatever, the whole cutter is needed.

If it cost $15 it is the pilot:)

If it is $45 or so it is the whole thing.:)
Click to expand...
Looking at the pictures on Amazon as well as RCBS website I'm convinced you're correct.
 
After getting industry grade case trimmer and prep center from CTS Engineering I will never buy anything else.
 
I looked at their website and a few you tube videos. Looks like the trimmer works well, but you still need to chamfer/deburr. They say not but I've done it that way since the 70's. I guess I'm old fashioned.

All my trimmers have located on the base of the cartridge, not the shoulder. I only neck size and one of the videos specifically mentions that you need to full length size.
 
I've got all three items coming from Amazon. The trimmer itself, the . 30 pilot, and the three way cutter.

Thanks for helping. I do plan to get the lyman unit for cleaning and evening primer pockets though.
 
GarySTL said:
I've got all three items coming from Amazon. The trimmer itself, the . 30 pilot, and the three way cutter.

Thanks for helping. I do plan to get the lyman unit for cleaning and evening primer pockets though.
Click to expand...

You should only need TWO items?

One 3 way cutter (which comes with a pilot) and another pilot if doing another caliber.

Unless you are trimming THREE calibers.
 
You are correct. But it appear that the three way cutter on amazon comes with a .22 pilot. I did not see any listed with .30 pilots.

But it's OK because I keep all my .223 brass and will eventually load those. Or maybe I'll do a good size and trim and offer them for sale.
 
The 30 Cal pilot came in today's mail. It's the pilot alright, but it also chamfers the inside of the case. Tomorrow the 3 way cutter arrives. But the trimmer itself is sched for Tuesday.
 
I have an RCBS, and I'm very happy with it.

My buddy just bought a Lyman, and he's thrilled with it (he's spent considerable time with my RCBS)

I don't think you can go wrong with either.

I've never used the Hornady, or the Lee, so no input there.
 
I've never really compared these kinds of units, but after looking at all four, I think the Frankford Arsenal unit is the best buy--even though it's the most expensive.

OP said he wouldn't use the case-trimming feature, but it's very similar to the Possum Hollow system where you chuck the trimmer in a drill and the cutter indexes off the shoulder--which is how bottleneck cases like .223/5.56 are headspaced anyway.

I've used the Possum Hollow trimmer and it's fast and accurate, but chucking it in a drill and finding a way to clamp down the drill and catch the brass shavings is problematic for me.

I'm going to cogitate on this; I might just put the Frankford Arsenal unit on my Christmas list.
 
I have the Lyman 5 tool prep unit. No wobble in mine. All bits replaced with Hornady, the stock black bits were junk - seemed softer than the brass! Love the Lyman prep center.

I also have a Hornady Cam Lock trimmer, with a home made cordless screwdriver adapter. I also use the RCBS 3-way trimmer head for bulk 5.56 processing for high volume multigun that gets progressively reloaded, and a conventional trimmer head for my 260REM and 308 brass for precision work that is hand trickled and then loaded on a single stage.
 
mongoose, I think you're making a good decision. My earlier post (#19) stated the biggest reason I like the FA unit. It's an all-in-one and yes, it might cost more but when you add the cost of most of the other units to the cost of a case trimmer the difference disappears or becomes pretty small.
I've never used any other powered unit so I'm not sure how they're adjusted for trimming but it does take a bit of trial and error to get it right with the FA. The way I do it now is that I've taken a photo of the micrometer adjustment scale when I have it set for a particular caliber so the next time I need to set it up for that caliber, I adjust it to where the neck of an already trimmed case is just touching the blade then adjust the dial as the picture indicates. This gets me really close then I sometimes have to do a fine tuning.
All of the brass shavings fall into an old aluminum baking pan that I keep it in so there isn't any mess to clean up.
The only problem that I can foresee, and maybe it's an issue with all trimmers like this, is when I go to trim a 300BLK case, the case is so short that there won't be much of it sticking out for me to grab and hold onto while the trimmer is doing its job. I may have to use a pair of padded pliers to hold the case but we'll see when the time comes.
 
I use the RCBS trim mate and find its works great. I have ran thousands upon thousands of cases through the stations and the unit still runs just like the day I purchased it. I prefer the tools to be vertical for this work as I belly up to the bench with my right elbow on the bench working cases in the stations. I have changed my chamfer tools out as the RCBS ones that come on the unit are so so. For outside chamfer I use this one from RCBS. I have taken off the plastic guard deal so I can see the case mouth in the tool.http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Case-Preparation/Case-Trimming/Trim-Mate%E2%84%A2-Carbide-Chamfer-Tool.aspx

For inside chamfer I use the VLD tool I think made by lyman but I see RCBS has one as well.

For primer pocket cleaning I have given up on the primer pocket brushes and just use the primer pocket uniformer reamer. The first time or two brass will be removed from the primer pocket to uniform it, after that a couple turns of the tool removes the carbon in the pocket faster and cleaner then the wire bursh cleaner tool.

Like other have posted for high volume brass prep its hard to beat the RCBS 3 way cutter. I mostly use mine for 223 brass and switch the pilot over when its time to process a few 1000 pieces of 308 brass. For low volume prep I just use the trim mate.
 
Yep, that's the one. Same price on Amazon but with Prime shipping. I'm about an hour East of Midway so when I order from them I drive out and pick it up. I take the dogs along as they love to ride.

I'll probably still buy a powered center because I can still use it for cleaning primer pockets and unifying primer pockets.

I thank you all for you insights and advice.
 
GarySTL said:
Yep, that's the one. Same price on Amazon but with Prime shipping. I'm about an hour East of Midway so when I order from them I drive out and pick it up. I take the dogs along as they love to ride.

I'll probably still buy a powered center because I can still use it for cleaning primer pockets and unifying primer pockets.

I thank you all for you insights and advice.
Click to expand...

I have the original version that uses shell plates or holders but chuck it to my power drill works just fine.

I do not mess with primer pockets (cleaning) I use the same drill and a Hornady reamer, Want to get the RCBS reamer tool but need to build up an order on Midway or somewhere

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/25...er-straight-cone-military-crimp-remover-small
 
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