Dillon Rapid Trimmer thingy-->don't want it to size

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atblis

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I am pondering getting one, but I don't want it to re-size, just trim.

I am thinking hone the neck part out, and just back it off so it doesn't get the body.

Anybody see a problem with this? Anybody done it?
 
If the die doesn't touch the case the case will probably start spinning since it has nothing to stop it. Also if you back it off far enough to not touch the body you probably won't have enough adjustment to actually trim the case.
 
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=444167

http://www.matchprep.com/trimmer.htm

http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm

The Dillon sizes then trims, each die cost close to $35.00 dollars, not much different from the Giraud or Gacey except the Gearard and Gasey index off the shoulder and the case is held by the hand, it is a utility thing with dies and money, I will spend the money on the trim/form die, I can use the die to form cases, I can use it to trim cases and I do not have to spend the initial $220.00 ++ for the electric trimmer.



F. Guffey
 
Trying to automate this as much as possible. The Giraud I've seen and it looks neat, but I don't want to handle each individual case.

How bout the Rapid trim with the neck reamed out, and the body making some contact?
 
I have 3 dies set up on a 650 tool head. On #1 is a carbide size/deprime die. On #3 is the trimmer, I adjusted the die to simply hold the case, it performs no additional sizing. On #5 is an another size/deprime/and expander die I put there because I had it. It too does no additional sizing but is there to iron out anything left by the trimmer if I let the insert get dull.
That will get you an easy 1800 rounds an hour sized, deprimed and trimmed without ever touching a single case.
 
http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/catid/8/pid/23636/?viewImg=1

I do not get into mortal combat with any task involving reloading, if you do not raise the ram on the 550 B and shove the case up into the die you will have .125 thousands of the case head to hang onto. I would not do it and I do not recommend anyone else DO IT, but a hand held case holder would be used to hold the case, the trimmer could be removed from the press and laid on its side in a vise, then plugged in, turned on and cases could be inserted into the die for trimming, problem, if the die grabs the case and you have a good grip on the rigged shell holder what ever be glad the little motor on the trimmer does not have much torque, friends that use long cords when using large drills with torque and gear multipliers have had to jump on the drill while it ran long enough to unplug itself, one electrician tried to hang on and stop the big grill, he broke both arms and had to wait until someone came looking for him, again because the cord wrapped around his arms and him until it unplugged. I do not get into mortal combat when reloading, I do not have anxieties, when forming cases and I have .200 thousands + to trim, I use a hack saw, then finish with a file.

When using heavy drills I use the shortest cord I can fine then adjust it so 1/4 turn will unplug it.

F. Guffey
 
1200 RT Setup

I use a Dillon trimmer to F/L size and trim .223. Then I use a carbide expander ball the next stage one to ID size the neck. Slick and very fast on an 650XL with a case feeder. IMHO - too pricey for anything but very high volume prep.

Scott
 
Just curious-- the Dillon is designed to size and trim in one operation. Why would you NOT want to size the cases??
 
1. He might want to use a higher quality die.
2. He might want to size and expand the case mouth in one operation.
3. He might want to neck size only.

These are my concerns about this trimmer and why I am considering getting a Giraud or a C-H.
 
Mr. Guffyn you must not have ever been around a Dillon trimmer, the "little motor" is larger than some starter motors and I think a bit over kill. The main negative of the Dillon trimmer is the motor is loud, that is after you stick the vacuum your also using out a local window (run the hose through a hole in a board so bugs stay out side).

Kevin
Again, you don't have to resize with the dillon trimmer, but you do have to "clamp" it into place to be trimmed. You don't bend up a case holding it by hand and if you can set up any size die the dillon trimmer so it will hold the case for trimming and not change the case. FWIW trimming is not needed much if your not FL sizing. Just sizing the neck doesn't "grow" the case much.
 
Again, you don't have to resize with the dillon trimmer, but you do have to "clamp" it into place to be trimmed. You don't bend up a case holding it by hand and if you can set up any size die the dillon trimmer so it will hold the case for trimming and not change the case. FWIW trimming is not needed much if your not FL sizing. Just sizing the neck doesn't "grow" the case much.

Can you use a Dillon powder die to attach the trimmer to?
How do you set the trimmer to trim to a certain length?
 
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The instructions for setting up the Dillon trimmer are on pages 6 and 7 of the pdf file which covers several of their accessories -

http://www.dillonhelp.com/manuals/english/Accessory-Manual-May-2007.pdf

However, from the drawing, it appears that

1. The trim die has an exhaust port for the vacuum to suck out the chips and keep them from falling into the press, where they will jam things.

2. The trim die has different threads on the top, which must match threads on the inside of the trimmer motor, and then has standard 7/8x14 threads on the bottom to fit the press. There is a jam nut on each end to keep everything adjusted.

So, I believe a safe answer to your question re: using a powder die would be "no", as there aren't any threads to mount the motor.

You adjust the height of the trimmer with respect to the case using the threads on the trim die body. From the instructions, a case gauge is necessary so you know when to lock the jam nut after a few trials.

(I have a Giraud, so I'm just guessing on the Dillon... :) )
 
Well went ahead and ordered one.

Also have a flex hone in my possession. Going to open the neck a little.

Current plans.
Dillon XL 650
Station 1: Reddding FL S die with a .245 bushing. Expander ball removed
Station 3: Dillon Rapid trim thing with the neck opened up
Station 5: Lyman M Expander die
 
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