I've seen the light! (case trimming)

[howlnmad]

I think the rcbs with the 3 way cutter head would be quicker. Unless I'm mistaken you have to use the chamfer/debur tool with the PH.

Also the shell holder is super quick and easy. Hooked to my drill once I had a rhythm figured out I was easily doing a case every 5 seconds. I did have my cordless drill. And it was already chambered and deburred.

Hydrostatic,

I also have the RCBS with the 3 way cutter. Push handle down, insert brass, release handle and move other lever to left and let run while I clean pockets and deburr flashholes.

For small quantities, I'll do as SSN Vet does with the Lee and drill press.

 

[TheCracker]

Do you have any troubles setting up the cutter? Or keeping it set at the proper chamfer or debur setting?

there are Allen screws that you can loosen to adjust the chamfer and debur cut. It says it's set at the factory but mine was not chamfering enough for my taste. It was very simple to loosen the screw adjust just a tiny bit. I did stop every 50 cases or so and measure length and inspect the chamfer and deburing. After 600 cases nothing changed!

It was freaking awesome to be able to zip through case trimming and know each case was cut the same and had the same chamfer cut. That's assuming the case was long enough to cut.

 

[MCMXI]

Do you have any troubles setting up the cutter? Or keeping it set at the proper chamfer or debur setting?

Setting up and maintaining the setting of the 3-way cutter is easy enough, but the end result will depend on three things (assuming that the cutter is set up correctly).

1. Uniformity of case neck wall thickness
2. Concentricity of the neck to the case head
3. Fit between the pilot and inside of the case neck

Fortunately, with quality brass and careful preparation using good dies, this isn't a problem.

 

[Fmjblack]

I trim a piece of brass every 2-3 seconds with the possum hollow in a power drill. Honestly for plinking .223 ammo I don't find chamfer/deburring necessary. Running the brass through the tumbler after trimming deburs it and chamfering really isn't needed for boat-tail bullets for plinking.

 

[Redhat]

I trim a piece of brass every 2-3 seconds with the possum hollow in a power drill. Honestly for plinking .223 ammo I don't find chamfer/deburring necessary. Running the brass through the tumbler after trimming deburs it and chamfering really isn't needed for boat-tail bullets for plinking.

I tried the Possum Hollow a while back. My experience was it was hard to adjust to length, didn't cut very smooth or straight. I like the idea of it so if you guys have any tips, please let me know.

Thanks

 

[petrey10]

well looks like my next purchase is going to be the 3 way cutter and pro trimmer instead of a new boyds stock...

 

[bloominonion]

So, does anyone know if the 3-way cutter is the same thread as the Lyman universal? Or what the thread pitch/size is?

 

[Fmjblack]

I tried the Possum Hollow a while back. My experience was it was hard to adjust to length, didn't cut very smooth or straight. I like the idea of it so if you guys have any tips, please let me know.

Thanks

It can be a bit tricky adjusting the length in small increments. But once it is set just lock the screw down tight and you are done. Did you try by hand or in a drill? Using the drill I just press the brass into the cutter firmly for a couple of seconds and it comes out nice and clean and straight. If you are turning the cutter by hand I can see where it wouldn't work as well.

 

[rodregier]

If you need to feed a semi-auto, the Giraud is the way to go. I've used the lesser options, and finally bought a Giraud. No regrets, great value for the money!

 

[gregj]

I also use the PH trimmer chucked into a table-top size drill press. Also use the LE Wilson chamfer and debur tools the same way. I can go through 1K 223 cases in about 2 hrs I guess, maybe less.

Someone mentioned using a rubber glove. A word of warning, dont use the nitril type rubber gloves. I had a finger tip get wrapped around a case, ripped the nitril glove, and bent the shank at the cuck. A thicker type rubber glove shouldnt have this problem.

 

[Hondo 60]

I used to use a Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud with a cordless screwdriver.
But my tired old bod began to balk at doing multiple boxes per sitting.
It worked fine & can recommend it to someone who's younger, in better shape or doesn't do too many in one sitting.

I bought a Lyman Power Trimmer. I don't plan on ever going back to the manual thing

 

[Redhat]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Redhat
I tried the Possum Hollow a while back. My experience was it was hard to adjust to length, didn't cut very smooth or straight. I like the idea of it so if you guys have any tips, please let me know.

Thanks

It can be a bit tricky adjusting the length in small increments. But once it is set just lock the screw down tight and you are done. Did you try by hand or in a drill? Using the drill I just press the brass into the cutter firmly for a couple of seconds and it comes out nice and clean and straight. If you are turning the cutter by hand I can see where it wouldn't work as well.

Yeah I had it mounted in a hand held drill. Due to the fact I have to hold the case head in my hand, I don't see how it can be anywhere as accurate as my LE Wilson, but maybe I'm asking too much of it?

 

[atblis]

I saw the light too. Dillon Rapid Trim on a 650 with a case feeder. I have better things to do than trim 223 brass by hand.

 

[Welding Rod]

For low volume I like Hornady file to trim dies... and a big file.

 

[RustyFN]

I don't have the problem with the cases slipping out of the shell holder but can relate to the sore fingers. I trimmed 960 223 cases the other day and my finger and thumb were sore the next day. I would love to find something five times faster that didn't cost $450 like the giruad. With the Lee trimmer I cam trim and chamfer the inside and outside in around five seconds. If it only takes you one second complete for each case then the RCBS might be worth a look.

 

[TheCracker]

I don't have the problem with the cases slipping out of the shell holder but can relate to the sore fingers. I trimmed 960 223 cases the other day and my finger and thumb were sore the next day. I would love to find something five times faster that didn't cost $450 like the giruad. With the Lee trimmer I cam trim and chamfer the inside and outside in around five seconds. If it only takes you one second complete for each case then the RCBS might be worth a look.

I don't know about one second but there is no comparison on speed with the rcbs vs lee. Using a power drill with both the rcbs wins hands down. You don't have to chamfer and debur separately and the lever that you push is way easier and faster to insert and remove cases than turning the lock screw.

It's really unfair to compare both systems considering you could buy around 8-10 lee cutter set ups for the price of the rcbs with a 3 way trimmer. It's worth every penny to me even after the one time I've used it.

I could make a video if anyone wants to see what I'm talking about. I've been thinking about putting some stuff on my YouTube channel anyway.

 

[petrey10]

please do!!!^^

 

[TheCracker]

Finally got around to making a YouTube video of the RCBS trimmer in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ksPtk_3xM

 

[Roccobro]

I'm waiting for someone to make an adapter to mount the PH trimmer onto my LNL press.

I've got some ideas and plenty of tools to tinker with, but just not the time.

Yes, I know the Dillon's can do it already.

Justin

 

[mineralman55]

I spotted this trimmer (called the WFT for World's Finest Trimmer) in a recent issue of Handloading magazine, and thought I'd give them a call. What a find! Wish I had it years ago. They have a trimmer that chucks into a hand held drill, drill press or lathe (my favorite) and beautifully trims cases to about +-0.002" of target length. Normally with my Lee trimmer system (I like it, not knocking it at all) it would take me 6+ hours to trim 500 cases. With the WFT in my lathe it took a little over 2 hours and that included measuring every 2nd case with calipers to ensure the cut was the proper length. The cut ends were square, and while not needing chamfering or deburring, I kept a Wilson trimmer in my left hand. A few twists and I had a ready to load case. Careful sizing was imperative, as any case shoulder dents would cause a case to be trimmed too long. I'm sold on it. Cost was ~$70 shipped, so way less expensive than other powered trimmers. I'll see if I can take some pictures and post them.


http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't know, I bought a Lee Zip Trim and it works well for me. I paid only $16 when I bought it. Add the $4 Case Length Gauge and the Lee Cutter w/Ball Grip and you're set. I spent $27 and it works for me. BUT, if you like the RCBS tool and feel it's worth the money then it is. When a do a few Hundred cases I do wish it were a little faster.

 

[flashhole]

mineralman - I could not find a trimmer with your link. Did I miss somegthing?

 

[cemjr]

I have no previous trimming experience to reflect on and there certianly is a wide price range of equipment to choose from. I reload 9mm, 380 and 223. I finally made a decision and ordered the RCBS trim pro w/22 cal 3way cutter head.

 

[Bmac1949]

I've got the Lee trimmer and didn't really like using it in the drill there was too much wobble so I retired it and got a LE Wilson trim lathe it's not much faster but it's dead on accurate and easier on the hands.

 

[mineralman55]

"mineralman - I could not find a trimmer with your link. Did I miss somegthing?"

Flashhole, go to their website and give Dale a call. They haven't gotten around to posting it on their website. Send me your email and I'll send some pics after I take some.