I'm in the market for a new/improved trimmer. What are you happy with...and not happy with? Thanks in advance

I prefer the K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, shooter) Lee case trimmer. While you admittedly need a pilot for each cartridge you load, one would be hard pressed to find a more consistant system.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=481398

I love mine.

If I don't bump the shoulder back, the cases grow so slowly, I don't need to trim.

Best thing since sliced bread. Micrometer is not necessary but is very cool. When I first got this thing I got the power addapter, waste of money as this is the smoothest cutter I have ever used.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?catego...em=05-470&type=store


Simdow

Oh yea, you will also need to get the case holders for your caliber. They are a more consistent way of holding cases in the trimmer.(IMO) which is worth about 2 cents

That's the first time I've seen the "Sinclair/Wilson Trimmer. I have been using the original Wilson for some years now, and like it a lot. Non-motorized...but that's not a big deal..I've got time..!!
Cheers,
Don

I vote for the Lee trimming system. Started out with a Lyman which is similar to most of the others mentioned. What a PITA, blisters, sore hands, hard to get it set right and wouldn't stay there.

Now I've got a Lee Zip Trim and the the Lee system and I'll never go back!

Give consideration to the RCBS Trim Pro Power Case Trimmer Kit.

IMO Wilson, and Forester make good trimmers....if you believe that case lengths need to be held to +/- .001 or .002 ( I don't) then the wilson is better.

I've had several over the years, but prefer my current Wilson to any I've ever had.

quote:

Originally posted by woods:
I vote for the Lee trimming system. Started out with a Lyman which is similar to most of the others mentioned. What a PITA, blisters, sore hands, hard to get it set right and wouldn't stay there.

Now I've got a Lee Zip Trim and the the Lee system and I'll never go back!

Woods,

That Lee Zip Trim is sure a cute little rascal. The additional 3 blade chuck works very well, too.

Define your use first.

For long range target cases, or only doing thirty or forty, I use my Wilson/Sinclair micrometer set up. That gives me quite the psychological boost.

For larger quantities of plain jane hunting ammunition I use my RCBS motorized unit. Replace your blades every few years.

For mass quantities of .223, .308 or 30-06 I use my Gracey trimmers with carbide blade upgrades. i need to upgrade the motors - the faster they spin, the easier it is on your wrist.

If I didn't already have the Graceys, I would definitely get the Giraud. Incredible.

LD

Hey mike

Glad to see someone else likes 'em. They are plastic and only last for about a thousand rounds, but they are so handy that I have 2. When one breaks (the interior coil spring will break where it is anchored) I just pull the new one out and order another one for the spare.

When I've got the case in the 3 jaw chuck I trim, outside neck turn, chamfer, clean with Flitz or steel wool and steel wool the inside of the neck. Finished product, all the same, in no time.

If I ever hear they are going to stop making them, I'm gonna buy at least a couple of dozen and learn how to repair them too! Lot easier than holding that drill, IMO.

10at6: I am way, way, way beyond just happy with my Wilson Case Trimmer!
Nothing on the market compares to it.
Perfect cuts, to perfect length (as opposed to what the gentleman from Western Nebraska is trying to say!), no chatter, no hassles, certain repeatability from case to case etc, etc, etc.
Save yourself all the troubles and tribulations I and countless others have endured with "the others trimmers"!
Buy the Wilson and forget about any other make or model.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

get a wilson and never look back.

quote:

Originally posted by woods:
Hey mike

Glad to see someone else likes 'em. They are plastic and only last for about a thousand rounds, but they are so handy that I have 2. When one breaks (the interior coil spring will break where it is anchored) I just pull the new one out and order another one for the spare.

When I've got the case in the 3 jaw chuck I trim, outside neck turn, chamfer, clean with Flitz or steel wool and steel wool the inside of the neck. Finished product, all the same, in no time.

If I ever hear they are going to stop making them, I'm gonna buy at least a couple of dozen and learn how to repair them too! Lot easier than holding that drill, IMO.

Woods,

I cannot understand how you could get a faster, simpler and more efficient trimmer system than the Lee System. Add to that the cost is about 1/4-1/8th the cost of the other systems.... You just cannot go wrong.

I have taken mine apart just to see what makes it "tick" and found it to be quite simple. If the coil spring breaks at the anchor point, it should be easy enough to bend another anchor loop onto the end and keep using it.

I too have used it to trim necks, as well as deburr flash holes with the Lyman trimmer.

A small C-clamp holds mine to the bench. The plastic frame is remarkably well designed and holds it tight to the bench, while it is still very quick and easy to take it down and put it away. It's a great solution for limited space.

quote:

Originally posted by mike_elmer:

I have taken mine apart just to see what makes it "tick" and found it to be quite simple. If the coil spring breaks at the anchor point, it should be easy enough to bend another anchor loop onto the end and keep using it.

Hey mike

Bending a new anchor point is the easy part. Winding the coil spring back up to the right tension and holding it while you insert the spindle back in is not bad either. It's those little plastic anti-reverse free floating chingaleras that are almost impossible to get stationed around and inserted evenly around the gears (holding it perfectly level cause they will fall out of place) while inserting the wound up coil and getting the rope in the right place that's a PITA. I did manage it once and almost had enough tension to recoil the rope so it works half-a##ed, but life is too short and there are so much more pleasant things to do.

I have a vise mounted in the center of my bench and screw the Zip Trim on a piece of 2x4 and clamp it in the vise.

Do you clean the case while trimming also? I use a dab of Flitz and one of those flexible styrofoam pads that come in the top of bullet boxes to spread it. Then a couple of spins with a rag and you have a shiny case with a protective coat on it. Steel wool is a little messy. I also wrap some 000 steel wool around a 22 caliber brush and thoroughly clean the inside of the necks and take any residual burrs and scratches off.

quote:

Do you clean the case while trimming also? I use a dab of Flitz and one of those flexible styrofoam pads that come in the top of bullet boxes to spread it. Then a couple of spins with a rag and you have a shiny case with a protective coat on it. Steel wool is a little messy. I also wrap some 000 steel wool around a 22 caliber brush and thoroughly clean the inside of the necks and take any residual burrs and scratches off.

No, I just dump them in the case tumbler and go shopping for a few hours. Which reminds me.... it's about time to start pricing a new tumbler....

It can be a little tricky to put the unit back together, that I will admit. I'm not really sure that I put it back together the "correct way", but it works well enough to put a smile on my face!!! After a few attempts, I did find the proper procedure for dealing with the three "chingaleras", so I believe the next time will be easier!! Still, I am willing to bet the Zip Trim will outlast my memory!!!

I sold my RCBS setup when I bought a Wilson several years ago.

Great trimmer.

Only problem has been with straight walled case holders.

Some are too loose for sized or unfired cases.

Other than that, no problems.

Covey16

I have long and short Forsters. I also have a Wilson that rarely gets used. If I need more a Hardinge lathe works well.

I have this one and I'm very happy with it:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=715371
The spring loaded shell holder is very convenient, just press down the handle, switch shells, and release.
I started out using the Lee system but got tired of sore fingers from holding the cutter. I used to chuck the shell holder in a drill to speed things up until I bought the Lee Zip Trim but I never could get that thing to work right. The jaws on the chuck would stick and the cases would almost always wobble. I trimmed about 50 cases with it and gave up so I returned it and bought the RCBS. Best trimmer I've used so far.

Rowdy, the Lee chuck I bought did have a great deal of heavy oil or grease on it from the factory. I sprayed it down with BC Gunscrubber, and gave it a light dose of White Lithium Grease, and it opperated smooth as silk.

One thing I might add about Lee Products, they rely upon the user to be somewhat creative with technique, while other brands seem to use more complex designs to eliminate the user techniques.... does that make sense?

quote:

Originally posted by rowdyredneck:
I bought the Lee Zip Trim but I never could get that thing to work right. The jaws on the chuck would stick and the cases would almost always wobble. I trimmed about 50 cases with it and gave up so I returned it and bought the RCBS. Best trimmer I've used so far.

The trick on eliminating the wobble is to not press the case in when tightening the 3 jaw chuck. Just hold the case lightly against the spindle and the jaws will naturally center the case and it will do away with that wobbling every time.

Have used an old Wilson for several decades, then went to a Lyman with the cam lock case holder and power switch. About a year ago, I tried the Sinclair and WOW !!

By far the best I've seen or used. Not the cheapest, but certainly the easiest to get the right length on, time after time.

I just bought a Lyman that you can be used with a drilling rig so presto no blisters!

I have been using a Forster case trimmer since 1990. I bought it on mail order since it was not available in Sweden at that time. I have probably been processing about a thousand cases per year. Trimming length, outer and inner neck in variety of small and medium calibers (222 Rem - 375 H&H Mag). It has served me very well and it shows no signs of wear. It does not have the lowest price on its label, but I am sure that in the end and after all these years I could not have choosen a better and cheaper brand.

I use the Lee zip trimmer, I can trim, chamfer and clean the case all in the same place. It's great low tech and efficient, just like me. Well, I'm pretty low tech

John

Lyman Universal trimmer. I would recommend getting the power trimmer, so you don't have to get a drill adapter like I did. Very handy, solid tool and they make pilots for all the calibers.

quote:

Originally posted by woods:


Hey mike

Bending a new anchor point is the easy part. Winding the coil spring back up to the right tension and holding it while you insert the spindle back in is not bad either. It's those little plastic anti-reverse free floating chingaleras that are almost impossible to get stationed around and inserted evenly around the gears (holding it perfectly level cause they will fall out of place) while inserting the wound up coil and getting the rope in the right place that's a PITA. I did manage it once and almost had enough tension to recoil the rope so it works half-a##ed, but life is too short and there are so much more pleasant things to do.

That takes me back to chronic fixing the recoil starter of my Mcullough Mac6 go cart engine on a mini bike when I was 14 in 1965

It is amazing what a guy will put up with when he is poor or stupid. Today, I would throw that starter in the trash.