trimmer help

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Axis II

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I might be able to get a good deal on a used trimmer but we have no clue if it works, whats missing, or how to put it together.


http://www.midwayusa.com/product/614276/forster-original-case-trimmer-kit

I need to trim 44mag and 45-70 cases for leverevolution ammo and cant use the lyman ez trim because the pilots wont let it go deeper. my buddy said we maybe able to shorted the pilot on the 44 or the 44spl to trim it to what I need. I may also be able to get a hornady trimmer and looking for advice?

I have a lymann ez trim for rifle which I don't mind but need something to do the 44 and 45-70 cases.

buy a hornady and be done? buy the ez trim or lee and mod the pilots? try and buy the forster and hope for the best?
 
I might be able to get a good deal on a used trimmer but we have no clue if it works, whats missing, or how to put it together.
Click to expand...

That might be a bit of a problem. If it is missing parts you need to know what is missing and if the parts can be had. If the thing has been well used the cutter might be dull. I have a RCBS and a few years ago my brother gave me the powered version of what I have. Similar in design to what you linked to. I like the trimmers that use that design but to each their own. Once you get a good set of pilots and shell holders you can trim just about any case out there.

The Hornady Cam-Lock Case Trimmer Kit is nice as it uses their cam lock system to support the shell holders and it is cheaper than most. I like my RCBS Trim Pro-2 Manual Case Trimmer Kit but it does the same thing the Hornady does. I like my motorized one but it comes with a cost. I would not have popped for it but as a gift it is sweet.

Personally if I were you, looking at budget restraints, I would consider the Hornady kit. Just remember: Uses Hornady Shellholders Only (Sold Separately) so make sure you get what you need.

Ron
 
Depends on how much you are getting the Forster for? I got the Hornady a few years ago for 50 bucks at PSA during a xmas sale and have been happy with it other than having to buy all Hornady Shell holders, as they have a larger diameter center hole for the lock stud. Then had to buy RCBS shell holders for my RCBS APS Bench Primer.
Also got a Redding model 14 here on this Forum for 20 bucks. Has the old style blade with a Chamfer and debur notch. Just getting around to Cleaning up the rust and ordering a few parts or thinking about updating to the newer style cutter hear that will use the same pilot as the Hornady. Have a couple of friends just getting into reloading that I may give it to.
 
I have used the Forster for twenty-plus years. It gets the job done and is simple to set up and use. I also use mine to inside neck ream for a wildcat cartridge that I load and it handles that easily as well.

You can get the instruction manual and parts list from the Forster website to check whether the used one you are looking at has what you need.

The cutter head will get dull eventually and will have to be replaced, but I've been using mine for years and it is still sharp and cuts cleanly. A new cutter costs about $15.
 
I have the forster and like it a lot. Not knowing its condition would worry me. Anyway to inspect it first.
 
Someone gave him the Forster and it sits in a box under his bench. I asked him if he wanted to get rid of it and he said yes 2 weeks ago than yesterday let him think about it. I asked how much he said let me get back to you after I see if I can put it together. Seems in okay shape but someone gave it to him for some reason.
 
ohihunter2014 said:
I need to trim 44mag and 45-70 cases for leverevolution ammo and cant use the lyman ez trim because the pilots wont let it go deeper. my buddy said we maybe able to shorted the pilot on the 44 or the 44spl to trim it to what I need. I may also be able to get a hornady trimmer and looking for advice?

I have a lymann ez trim for rifle which I don't mind but need something to do the 44 and 45-70 cases.

buy a hornady and be done? buy the ez trim or lee and mod the pilots? try and buy the forster and hope for the best?
Click to expand...

Forget the EZ Trim; I think it's highly doubtful that you'll be able to successfully and satisfactorily shorten the pilot.

A couple of other options would be to buy Hornady brass or to get custom made trim dies.
 
If it has everything pictured in the link, then all you need is the right collet to hold the brass and the right pilot. Have you looked in the box? What all is in there? Can you take a pic?
 
Walkalong said:
If it has everything pictured in the link, then all you need is the right collet to hold the brass and the right pilot. Have you looked in the box? What all is in there? Can you take a pic?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure it has pilots. everything was pretty much tossed in the box. I think someone acquired it or quit and gave it to him.

From what I remember it has everything in the pic but I don't remember seeing collets or pilots. the thing we couldn't figure out is how the left side t handle and black part go together and how to set it up to keep from trimming too much or too less. I don't know what price hes gonna hit me with so some say pass and get the hornady but I don't want to buy the hornady and possibly get a better deal on the forster.
 
The back t handle threads into the body and it is what tightens the collet around the base of the bullet. The collar next to the handle is what adjusts the depth. There are 2 allen head screws, one for sliding the while collar and the other one formfine adjustments.
 
I just found a 45MIN long video showing how it works. just making sure its got the proper parts is my concern. I know its got everything but collets and pilots from what I seen.

so thoughts-worth getting this or spring for another? it also appears for smaller rifle I might need a different cutter but not sure.

I just watched it do 308 but the head looks a little small for 45-70-44mag.
 
How much deeper do you need it to go? The ezee trim pilots WILL go a bit deeper if you don't mount your cases in a shell plate and just hold them in your hand. It will go about .020 deeper. The pilot bottoms out on that little vice thing that you mount the shell plate in. Don't ask me how I know:). If you need less than .020, you can cut off the pin that goes through the flash hole to the correct length you do need and you are done.
 
yeah I tried that and almost wacked my finger off. im not sure on depth cause I don't have the book in front of me but they are hornady bullets and cases need trimmed to use them.
 
I know that there are a couple of models of the Forster. I have an older one and the cutter on mine goes up to .45 at least.

I haven't used it in a while and can't remember if you would ever need more than 1 collet. I know that I only have one and it does every caliber I load for. But I don't do 45-70 or 44 mag.

You'll need a pilot for every caliber size, like .45 or .308 etc. They are readily available at places like Midway for a few bucks each.

Laphroaig
 
just read the reviews on the hornady and they are mostly bad. :(. just priced everything for the forster like pilots and such and the price spiked to about $60 for the calibers I need incase the forster doesn't have it.
 
Not that I'm trying to derail your thread, but have you looked at the L.E. Wilson offerings? I have their bog standard trimmer with the stand, clamp and the power screwdriver adapter. Trimming cases is a cinch and very repeatable. The one downside is that you have to buy a case body holder for each calibre. I can't really compare this to the Forster or Lyman trimmers as I've only used the Lee hand held case length gage and trimmer stud, which the L.E. Wilson blows straight outta the water.
 
Go on the Forster web site, and they show how to put a new trimmer together. As far as trimming the 45-70, there are old and new trimmers. The older trimmers makes you take the T handle collet tightening piece off, take out the collet, and insert the 45-70 case through where the collet was. Then reassemble to trim. The newer trimmers have a larger clearance hole where the 45-70 case head goes, and there is no disassembly. If you have an older unit, the Forster web site says that they will enlarge the hole free. The cutter shaft can be sharpened at Forster, but no cost was given. I have had mine since the 70's I think, so it is the old style. I am tempted to send just the collet holding piece in to be enlarged, but I can put up with the disassembly for a few case trimmings.
 
I've used the Forester Trimmer for 40 years. I also have an outside neck reaming kit for it Also parts for inside reaming of necks.

They have such inside reamers for use after-sizing and others for before-sizing, so it's a good idea to do your homework on the Forster site and make sure you get what you need. Awesome, versatile tool.

The newest parts I've bought for it is the new 3-way trimmers in several calibers....these new carbide cutters trim, chamfer, and deburr in one pass, and work as advertised.

They also have parts to motorize the trimmers with a drill or screw gun.

Quality is super....they last a long time.....more than my lifetime as I'm sure I will pass mine along to my grandkids.

By the way, there aren't that many collets.....I think three will do most calibers I can think of.

One of my favorite reloading tools, the one I have is now called "Original".

The "Classic" version is longer.....maybe for "classic" cartridges like yours......but you can buy the parts to make an "original" into a "classic".

For example the "long" classic base is $25.50.....easily changed back and forth.

I motorized mine a little differently....so I can so with with nearly zero effort on oldish tired hands. Video below demos that (using the 3-way trimmer):

th_ForsterImproved.gif click the picture
 
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I believe I have three collets, and of course one pilot per caliber. I also have a reamer for it. I forget what I got it for.
 
I have and use a Forster trimmer and I would not be without it. It's easy to use, does exact repeatable trimming and has a lot of accessories available for it. I have a second longer base too.

IMO it's well worth the cost!
 
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