Case Prep Center Recommendations

GarySTL · Nov 12, 2015

Looking for a motorized case prep center such as the Hornady, RCBS, Lyman or Frankford Armory. I've read the reviews on Amazon, but they seem to vary a lot. I guess folks have different standards and expectations.

http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Case-Prep-Xpress-115-Volt/dp/B004TABTWU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1447338407&sr=8-3&keywords=lyman

http://www.amazon.com/Hornady-Lock-Load-Case-Prep/dp/B007TNXAGM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447338605&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=hornady+reloading+case+prep

http://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Trim-Mate-Case-Center/dp/B000GU6WN8/ref=pd_sbs_200_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=31YUNdqxRNL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=110NSPP1NDPW91FJM94E

http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Platinum-Center-System/dp/B00HS7JEB4/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1447338925&sr=1-3&keywords=frankford+arsenal

I don't want the case trimmer on the Frankford unit, so that's probably out. I think I like the horizontal orientation on the Hornady unit, but the Lyman catches the brass shavings. :scrutiny:

Anyone used these things? I'm cramping my hand spinning my deburring tools.

X-Ring · Nov 12, 2015

I have the Lyman, it works well, lowest price, and I am happy with it.

Rule3 · Nov 12, 2015

I always keep looking at them, but can't justify the expense. (yes, I am cheap)

I just use the tools in a power drill clamped in my bench vise when needed

I converted my RCBS trimmer to run on a drill and have the 3 way cutter so not much other prep work,

Paddy · Nov 12, 2015

I have the hornady 3 station and I like it, although it is a tad slow imo. It's 12vdc with wall wart and I'm thinking about hot rodding it to 15vdc and see what happens. Also, since it's horizontal you need to screw it down so I had to drill two holes in it for that purpose.

MondronT · Nov 12, 2015

When first starting a friend loaned me his RBCS since he no longer reloaded. Well after about 6 months he started again so I purchased the Layman. Both worked very well but I think if I had to replace I'd go with the layman again.

HJ857 · Nov 12, 2015

I have the RCBS prep center and never use it anymore. Using it to chamfer and deburr was never all that efficient anyway.

I'm with Rule 3, once I switched to a trimmer that does all three cuts at the same time the prep center became irrelevant.

I use a basic handheld tool to cut away primer crimps if I need to.

I also use the RCBS Trim Pro with a three way cutter and chucked in a cordless drill. The three way cutter is worth it's weight in gold if you prep even a fair amount of brass. Any trimmer that does all three cuts at the same time will give you that efficiency.

GBExpat · Nov 12, 2015

GarySTL said:
... Anyone used these things? I'm cramping my hand spinning my deburring tools.

I just use a hand drill motor to spin deburring tools.

A year ago a bought a Lyman Case Prep Express. All of the stations were, in varying degrees, off-axis.

When I moved it after using it to prep a couple of hundred 5.56 cases, I found that it had taken a neat ~1½" dump of what looked like MDS grease on my bench. While it appeared to be high-quality grease, it was doing me no good where it was deposited.

IIRC, after chasing Lyman CS for almost a month and finally getting someone to respond, I sent it back for refund to Amazon.

FWIW.

GarySTL · Nov 12, 2015

Well, that's not good at all. Part of my problem is using the lyman double ended tool. Not too comfy on my hand.

The Hornady unit that also trims is nice, but I'm not will to spend that much as I already have a Redding trimmer.

Toprudder · Nov 12, 2015

MondronT said:
When first starting a friend loaned me his RBCS since he no longer reloaded. Well after about 6 months he started again so I purchased the Layman. Both worked very well but I think if I had to replace I'd go with the layman again.

Pretty much my opinion, too. I have the RCBS and it works fine, but my friend has the Lyman and I like the fact that it catches the shavings and you can sweep them into the cup.

USSR · Nov 12, 2015

I have the Lyman and it works well.

Don

GarySTL · Nov 12, 2015

Hey rule 3, I didn't know rcbs had a three way cutter!

So I ordered the cutter as well as the rcbs trimmer. I'll sell my Redding trimmer.

I guess I don't need the power case prep center, at least for now.

Rule3 · Nov 12, 2015

GarySTL said:
Hey rule 3, I didn't know rcbs had a three way cutter!

So I ordered the cutter as well as the rcbs trimmer. I'll sell my Redding trimmer.

I guess I don't need the power case prep center, at least for now.

You actually can buy one three way cutter and just buy another pilot for it if you do another caliber. I found that out too late. Not everyone sells the pilots for the cutter so look around.

So I bought a 223 and a 308. Oh well, only money

and I do not have to adjust it.

GarySTL · Nov 13, 2015

308 is the only rifle I'm loading right now, so don't need others, yet

Paddy · Nov 13, 2015

Can either of you post a link to this magical cutter?

gunfighter48 · Nov 13, 2015

I have the Lyman case prep center and it does and excellent job. Much faster than using 5 or 6 different tools! Everything is in one location and ready to use. Works fine for me!!

GBExpat · Nov 13, 2015

To the folks who have the Lyman unit ...

How many of the stations on your Lyman suffer from an off-axis "wobble"? By this I mean that instead of the shaft (and, therefore, the attached tool) spinning smoothly on a vertical axis, the tip moves in a circle.

On mine, all six stations had this problem, 2 of them so bad that I deemed them to be unusable.

Lyman CS expressed neither surprise nor concern about the issue, so I had to assume that it was what they regarded as normal for the product. :scrutiny:

Just wondering ...

LUCKYDAWG13 · Nov 13, 2015

How many of the stations on your Lyman suffer from an off-axis "wobble"? By this I mean that instead of the shaft (and, therefore, the attached tool) spinning smoothly on a vertical axis, the tip moves in a circle.

On mine, all six stations had this problem, 2 of them so bad that I deemed them to be unusable.

Lyman CS expressed neither surprise nor concern about the issue, so I had to assume that it was what they regarded as normal for the product.

Just wondering ...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I have the Lyman my kids got it for me last Christmas i have used it a lot
with no issues at all its one of the best tools on my bench maybe you just got
a lemon

GarySTL · Nov 13, 2015

Here's a link to the 3 way cutter:

RCBS .30 Caliber 3-Way Pilot/Chamfer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KW6KWA/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_0mErwbFQFY0DM

tcoz · Nov 13, 2015

I have the Frankford Arsenal and like it because it has a trimming head as well as three other positions. One is for deburring, one is for chamfering and I use the fourth one to attach either a case neck brush, primer pocket reamer or primer pocket cleaner depending on which step in the process I'm at.

Bamashooter · Nov 13, 2015

I have the Lyman. Works well for me. I added the adapter to use the Lee case length trimmer, much easier to use than hand tools for large quantities.

GarySTL · Nov 13, 2015

I think I'll end up with the Lyman eventually.

Paddy · Nov 13, 2015

My Hornady 3 station unit has somewhat wobbly tool shafts but it doesn't matter functionally.

I'm looking at that 3 way cutter and I still don't understand how it works.

Also, how does the trim function on the Frankford work?

Edit: okay I see that's just the pilot now I see the cutter. That's very cool! Boy, if there was a way to install that unit inside the trim-it or similar case trimming tools it would really save a lot of process on my brass. Listening trim-it!?

Rule3 · Nov 13, 2015

GarySTL said:
Here's a link to the 3 way cutter:

RCBS .30 Caliber 3-Way Pilot/Chamfer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KW6KWA/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_0mErwbFQFY0DM

That link is ONLY the pilot. You need the actual cutter head.

http://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Trim-3-W..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=03B7Q4GEA63ZRCPRQ1Y2

As I mentioned above you can buy say a 22 cal completed cutter head and then buy the other pilot say for 30 caliber and save some money but it all needs to be adjusted each time you change over. Until you are familiar with it it is a little bit of a PITA to adjust.

guns3738 · Nov 13, 2015

Ive also been looking for one and sofar eveyone at my local load shop seem to like the lyman thebest

GarySTL · Nov 13, 2015

Rule3 said:
That link is ONLY the pilot. You need the actual cutter head.

http://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Trim-3-W..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=03B7Q4GEA63ZRCPRQ1Y2

As I mentioned above you can buy say a 22 cal completed cutter head and then buy the other pilot say for 30 caliber and save some money but it all needs to be adjusted each time you change over. Until you are familiar with it it is a little bit of a PITA to adjust.

I believe my link is for the complete pilot/cutter. I'll know for sure on Tuesday!
Your link seems to be for a 22 Cal unit.

Case Prep Center Recommendations

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