L. E. Wilson trimmer vs Sinclairs version

[Rusticlease Shackiforous]

I'm torn between the Wilson trimmer and Sinclairs version of the same. The Sinclair version has the micrometer that reads actual case length. The original Wilson allows you two mounting points for the bearing (the second point allows you to fit a larger case, 30-06 is what they mention as an example). So, does the Sinclair allow two positions for the bearing? If so, that would negate the benefit of the case length micrometer. Or does the Sinclair not fit a 30-06 case?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Form what I can see there is no difference because Wilson makes the Sinclair trimmer.
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloadi...trimmers/case-trimmer-and-kits-prod36320.aspx

I have been using the Forsters trimmer for years and I like it.
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloadi...mers/original-case-trimmer-kit-prod59812.aspx

 

[Rusticlease Shackiforous]

The Wilson has a micrometer too, but you set up for every different cartridge. The Sinclairs micrometer reads actual case length, so whatever you set the mic too that's how long the trimmed case will be. What bothers me about that is the fact that if you move the bearing on the Sinclair (assuming that is an option like the wilson) the benefit of the mic would be lost. If you switched from .223 to 30-06 you would just end up recalibrating anyway. And if the Sinclair doesn't give you the option of moving the bearing (the manual makes no mention of it), then apparently it can't do cartridges as large as 30-06 (as the original Wilson requires you to move the bearing to the second position for this).

 

[cfullgraf]

The core of both trimmers is the same and made by L.E. Wilson. Sinclair makes the stand, the bracket that holds the case holder in place and the Sinclair version of a micrometer adjuster.

Wilson now makes a stand and micrometer adjuster that were not available when I bought my trimmer back in the 1990s.

The trimmer uses a case holder which centers the case with the cutter. The "Shark Fin" case holder clamp that Sinclair provides holdes the case holder against the rails and makes trimmer easier.

I'm not sure what bearing positions the OP is talking about, I have never moved any of the parts of my Wilson/Sinclair trimmer that mount to the base on the trimmer.

The stop is adjustable to allow for different length cases and in the trimmer's basic configuration is just a screw and a jam nut. The micrometer replaces this screw and when adjusted correctly will set the actual length of the case's finish trimmed length.

There is a minimum length of case that the Sinclair micro adjuster will measure but off hand I do not remember what that figure is. If the cutter bearing or the adjuster mount can be relocated, then the minimum will change. Of course, the micrometer head will have to be re-zeroed if a change is made.

If I remember correctly, I've trimmed trimmed cases as short as 221 Remington Fireball and as long as 30-06 without moving any of the main components of the trimmer. These are the extremes of rifle case lengths that I load and shoot. But, I will admit, I've slept since I did any of that on my trimmer so my memory may be faded. Besides case holders for rifle cases, I have a few case holders for pistol cases but I have yet to use them.

I like my Wilson/Sinclair trimmer but it gets used mostly for specialized trimming tasks or for cartridges that I do not trim large volumes of cases. It is a bit slower on a trim/case bases than something like a WFT trimmer. It does do a nicer job than the WFT trimmer and has some flexibility of doing other tasks like neck reaming that a WFT trimmer cannot do.

 

[Rusticlease Shackiforous]

Mounting Wilson Case Trimmer and Clamp to Stand:

That's a video from Wilson that I was watching during some research. You'll see in the beginning that when he takes the bearing off, he mentions the two holes and shows why they are there.

If I remember correctly, I've trimmed trimmed cases as short as 221 Remington Fireball and as long as 30-06 without moving any of the main components of the trimmer.

So if that's the case, then I guess in the video when he says "you can get some extra room for 30-06", it's really just extra room and not necessary. Guess it was more important for certain wildcats. But if that feature is available on the model made for Sinclair, It would definitely change the zero on the mic if you used it.

 

[fguffey]

Looks familiar but my Wilson case trimmer has a brass crank, no hold down tool and it does not have a micro adjustment.

F. Guffey

 

[dgod]

I use the RCBS Trimmer, trimming everything from 9mm, 357, 45ACP, 40 Cal, 45 Long Colt, 5.56, 300AAC, 30-30, 30.06, 243, 308, and 300Min Mag. Great results with all alibers. As you know, Pistol cases rarely need trimming, but I check them with a Case Checker, and in thre case of the 300 Win Mag, I use a caliper, then trim as necessary. Easy to setup.results are just as good as your reading retention.

Dan

 

[Offfhand]

The "shark fin" type holddown clamp on the Sinclair tool is a worthwhile modification to the basic Wilson trimmer but I think the toggle clamp holddown arrangement on my trimmer is even more secure.

 

[cfullgraf]

That's a video from Wilson that I was watching during some research. You'll see in the beginning that when he takes the bearing off, he mentions the two holes and shows why they are there.

Ah, you learn something every day. I bought my trimmer during the 1990s and the bearing only has the mounting hole in the center. The second mounting hole shown in the video must be an improvement that was added over the years to give some more room in the trimmer.

The trimmer offered by Sinclair is just a standard Wilson trimmer, or at least it was when I bought mine. Sinclair used to offer their stand and attachments without the trimmer for folks that had already purchased the Wilson trimmer from other sources or different times.

Here is a photo of my trimmer with a 30-06 case in it.

 

[cfullgraf]

If the OP elects to invest in a Wilson trimmer, I suggest making something similar to the attached photos.

Wilson recommends tapping the case mouth on a soft block to remove the case from the case holder. That just does not sit well with me even though I am sure Wilson trimmer users have been doing it that way for decades.

I set the case holder on the block over the hole and use a long rod to tap on the inside of the case head to tap the case out of the holder.

The other side of the block with the white plastic block is for tapping the base of the case to insert it into the case holder.

The block does not have to be as fancy as mine. A block of wood with a hole drilled in it to accept the diameter of the case would work just a well.

Here is another post with more photos of my Wilson/Sinclair trimmer.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/l-e-wilson-or-foster-case-trimmer.688198/#post-8553677

 

[Rusticlease Shackiforous]

The block does not have to be as fancy as mine.

Challenge accepted!! That's nice though. I'm guessing you have a mill? I'm pretty sure I will be getting the Wilson trimmer. How is the mic Sinclair uses? Pretty solid? I was reading reviews on Sinclairs page and found one that worried me... A guy noticed the bearing on his was machined a couple thousandths smaller on the o.d. than the shell holders. Not a big deal for trimming, but if you plan to run the chamfer or priming tools it might get a little funny. According to him, Sinclair tech support replicated the problem on their end. So maybe it's worse than a one off problem. Maybe he just has an axe to grind. Who knows, but it's got me a little worried because I definitely wanted to use the other tools with it.

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, I have a mill.

I had not noticed a problem with the bearing and the shell holders being different diameters. Except for doing a bit of neck reaming of reformed cases 15 years ago or so, I do not do anything on the trimmer that requires much centerline precision. Even so, i did not notice an issue of off center reaming when neck reaming. The neck reaming was not particularly easy to do on the Wilson trimmer. I've adjusted may case forming process where I do not need to ream the case necks.

I've always chamfered and deburred cases by hand off the trimmer.

Normal tolerance spreads will always have some difference between different components. I've just measured the bearing on my trimmer and one shell holder and the difference in diameter was 0.001". Remember, this is just a single data point.

I do not know what Wilson promises for tolerances, it may be in the instructions or on their web site. If not, a call to them should get the information.

 

[Skeet 25]

My Wilson trimmer arrived today. I like the block idea and will make one out of wood tomorrow.

 

[Rusticlease Shackiforous]

Well thanks for the input, cfullgraf! It has been very helpful.