I'm currently using the Lee cutter and lock stud to trim my 223 cases. It works fine except the amount of time it takes to trim 200-300 cases, and the numbness in my thumb when I'm done.

I'm looking for a setup that does not require the repetitive screwing and unscrewing that the lee lock stud does. If it could use the lee case trimmer and shell length tools that would be a plus, but not required.

I'd like to keep the price around $50.

Thanks for any advice.

Spudnik,

I switched to the Lee case trimmer because it trims the case to the same length each time (unlike other trimmers I've used in the past). It also turns the case and keeps the cutter stationary, resulting in a more uniform cut. While I agree it's a PITA to screw the case into the lathe's three jaw chuck, I think the results are worthwhile.

A few years ago when I used to shoot beaucoup 5.56, I used a Dillon electric trimmer mounted to one of my Dillon 1050 presses. This worked well, and trimmed cases uniformly and quickly. But the cost was somewhere around $80 for the trimmer, if I remember correctly. The trimmer also needs a sturdy press to mount to. Since I own two Dillon 1050's, back then I dedicated one to processing military spent brass and didn't have to set the trimmer up each time I wanted to trim. The down side (at the time) is that the 1050 press only accepted pistol calibers and one rifle caliber (5.56).

My recommendation is to stay with the Lee trimmer and buy the universal case holder if you don't already own one. You can also buy a widget that allows you to mount it to your portable drill, but I like pulling the string.

Hope this helps.

:)

I can recommend the Wilson tool (http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=WTR&type=storel). It fits your price range. Please note you will have to buy a Wilson shell holder (http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=WXCHTWO&type=store) for each chambering you shoot in order to use it. This tool with one shell holder plus shipping and handling will still be under $50. I also recommend getting the clamping stand (http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=STLC&type=store) for it, though you will need to save up for that, since it would take you over your price limit to get it on the first pass. You can add it later. If you want to get it now and are willing to take your total expenditure up to $65 or so with shipping, they kit the trimmer with the clamping stand (http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=05-420&type=store).

This is a benchrest shooter's tool, and its design guarantees perfect alignment, unlike all the other tools I've looked at short of buying a Gracey or Giraud (hundreds of dollars). For another $90, you can even get a micrometer head for it to exactly repeat trim length settings.

Hmmm I use the Lee as well, and normally do it while watching TV or something. What I did was to purchase complete cutter/holder/pilot for each caliber, and I use a hand drill to spin the cases. For long sessions I keep a small handy pair of pliers to loosen the holder. I normally run 100 cases at a session, chamfering inside and out at the same time.

Eric

I keep thinking, what if there was a lever arm added to the side of the lock stud ring of the Lee system that allowed you to flip the lever to lock and unlock the base of the case while it was mounted in your cordless drill.

It's not a whole lot of space to drill and tap a screw into as a lever but I might have to try it in the next two weeks if I find myself going nuts at home after knee surgery.

Thats a good idea. If you get around to it let me know how it turns out. I might shop around town this weekend for some parts myself to try it out.

i've been thinking about getting a case trimmer too..... all i reload is .38 spl,.357 mag, and 9mms but i suppose they need cut to the right size after a few loadings.... how about that lee zip trimmer that midway has been advertiseing as of late? pull the string and spin the case it looks like..... anyone got one that could shed some light on it?


LIFE IS SHORT................

I keep thinking. . .

I know that's what always gets me in trouble.


. . . what if there was a lever arm added to the side of the lock stud ring of the Lee system that allowed you to flip the lever to lock and unlock the base of the case while it was mounted in your cordless drill. . .

Just be sure to put two identical arms on opposite one another so you don't get a spinning eccentric chattering your trim cuts.

. . . I might have to try it in the next two weeks if I find myself going nuts at home after knee surgery.

That's what my three meniscus surgery recoveries proved good for. An opportunity if there ever was one. Just don't operate power tools before the Vicoden prescription is done with.

By the way, there is an electric screwdriver adapter for the Wilson tool available. It turns the cutter rather than the case. The tool journal has an oiler hole, and a little way oil in there keeps it spinning smoothly in perfect square alignment with the case mouth.

i've been thinking about getting a case trimmer too..... all i reload is .38 spl,.357 mag, and 9mms but i suppose they need cut to the right size after a few loadings.... how about that lee zip trimmer that midway has been advertiseing as of late? pull the string and spin the case it looks like..... anyone got one that could shed some light on it?


LIFE IS SHORT................
JJB,
I have been using the Lee Zip Trim now for 2-3 years and think it is a great product. I also purchased the Lee Ball Grip Handles for each caliber I load for. The Ball Grip Handle is a lot more comfortable to work with for me. Lee sells a Universal 3 Jaw Chuck to use on the Zip Trim inplace of the standard shellholder. I don't have one but it could make trimming even easier. Here is a link to the Lee Case Contioning Tools. All that I have mentioned are on this page.
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1166330193.4323=/html/catalog/casecon.html
Cary

Nick, I never seem to get anything more potent than Naproxen Sodium (Aleve). So I'll be fine with power tools. Thanks for the heads up on the balance. Hadn't thought that far.

Monday 4:30 AM I report for cutting...

Chuck the Lee cutter in a drill press. Keep fingers back..... :eek:

Not for you, Michael, until the drugs wear off :p

. . . Monday 4:30 AM I report for cutting...

Didn't see this in time to wish you luck. Hope it all went well.

Well I found what I was looking for. I got the Forster Original Case Trimmer Kit and I love it. I still use the Lee trimmer to set the Forster and do random checks on the cases to ensure everything is still tight.

Viva la Forster

Merry Christmas

Spud

I've heard some guys just use the Lee cutter and length gauge chucked in a drill press, and hold the brass down on the table with a leather glove. Just make sure you're not lined up with a hole in the table!

Yup... that works great. Although I push the case / shellholder up to the running cutter with my hands, don't lower the spindle. Haven't used my RCBS case trimmer in I don't know when.....

I use the Lyman trimmer and ordered it with the "power adaptor". It's worth it to have both, since you wind up getting two cutter heads, and if I just want to do a few shells, I don't need to charge up the electric screwdriver just for the job.

It comes with most "popular" pilots, but I find the .30 cal pilot works just fine for .303 British (.312 dia) as long as I neck-size first..

I've found that I very rarely ever have to trim straight-walled brass, but always trim a the whole lot when they're brand new after just "touching them up" with a re-sizer die to round out the case mouths perfectly.

I really like the Lyman trimmer and would recommend it.

. . . I don't need to charge up the electric screwdriver just for the job. . .

You will find your batteries have longer life if you don't let them run down in storage, but top them up once a month or so.

I can recommend [[url=http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=WXCHTWO&type=store]

This is a benchrest shooter's tool, and its design guarantees perfect alignment, unlike all the other tools I've looked at short of buying a Gracey or Giraud (hundreds of dollars). For another $90, you can even get a micrometer head for it to exactly repeat trim length settings.


thanks nick, just placed an order for the micrometer/cutter-may as well not "scrimp" on a cutter.

thanks

Congratulations. I think you'll like the tool. You'll notice a small hole in the top of the cutter journal. I put a drop of way oil in there at the beginning of every session (since I have that oil for the lathe anyway), but drop of non-detergent 30W will serve the same purpose.

I think you'll like the micrometer. It makes it easy to adjust for a small change. A caveat is that you want to remove the case from the shell holder to check its length. They stretch slightly long in the Wilson holders. Note also that for some cases with little taper for the holder to grab, you will find they catalog separate holders for fired and unfired cases. .308 for example.

I bought a couple of the small plastic jawed KwicKlamps (sp?) to hold the base to the edge of my bench rather than permanently mounting it. This lets me take it to the range if I'm going to be reusing the same cases repeatedly in an experiment. Once you are familiar with it, you will find you can crank them out pretty quickly. Enjoy!

nick,
last night close to the midnight hr. I done up some .06 brass on this mic. trimmer and once I was able to get it "set" for trimming it was a marvel! A great joy it is. Somethings in life are worth the cost. I never really penny pinched in life but refused to spend the amount for something that could get by-a mistake. Gonna have a RCBS Trim Pro for sale-soon.

like you mentioned I will need to pickup a couple of small c-clamps for the trimmer. Noticed the "new" .06 holder does not allow the fired case although fully resized to really be contained as it should. Did use it nonetheless to trim. Wonder if I truly need to send a fired case off to them to make or just buy the "used" .06 holder from them for fired cases.

06 case length is 2.494" max. the outside knob scale was abit to figure out. Now that I have studied it like a minute back-surprising how it goes that once I adjusted for the 2.4 1/2" I then zeroed out the outside knob and then backed out to a supposed 94 measurement (which is the reading of 44 on the dial knob)-this is the correct way is it not? Will try that out later.

just ramblin

I think you only need to send them a case if you are going to neck-size only and want to leave your cases blown out to the size of your chamber. They probably have a range of holders for fired cases in steps, and just pick the best one for the case you send them. If your cases don't size down small enough for the new case holder, I expect a small base sizing die will get them there. I don't recall having to do anything special but regular resizing with my '06. It's been awhile since I needed to trim some. I did get two holders for .308, though. Regular sizing dies don't quite get them back to original size.

Sounds like you've got the micrometer head doing its thing. Zero where you want and back it out for additional length, or run it in to cut shorter.