The Accurate Reloading Forums
Buying a new Trimmer
13 August 2007, 04:02
gtrotzBuying a new Trimmer
What do you think would be the improvement in buying one of the new trimmers , rcbs etc,having an old Lyman power trimmer working ok.?
Thank you very much for the answers
13 August 2007, 05:06
R FlowersIy you are going to buy a new trimmer, why not just break down and buy the best?
I have four case trimmers sitting out in the garage that I NEVER use anymore because I bought the Wison/Sinclair Ultimate Case Trimmer from Sinclair International.
This is Sinclair's customized version of the well respected Wilson case trimmer. It has a micrometer on one end to set the case lengths.
If you need a case to be 1.51 inches long, you set that micrometer to 1.51 and go to cutting. Your cases will come out 1.51 inches long, every time !!
It is not cheap, it costs $145 dollars. BUT, good quality equipment is seldom cheap. It uses no pilots but uses shell holders made by Wilson.
It is one of the best pieces of reloading equipment that I have purchases in nearly 50 years of reloading.
Sinclair International: 1-800-717-8211 or
www.sinclairintl.com.
R Flowers
13 August 2007, 06:37
gtrotzR Flowers
Thank´s for your answer but I´m looking for a motorized trimmer not a manual one.
13 August 2007, 21:06
Chuck WhiteI have had an RCBS power TRIM-PRO for quite a while now and love it.
It is easily adjusted and it trims the same, no variance at all!
I know that I would be lost if something were to happen to this one. I won't be without it.
Don't know what else to say about it except that I love it!
Chuck - Retired USAF- Life Member, NRA & NAHC
13 August 2007, 23:14
ArminiusSave yourself some headaches, get the LEE stuff.
H
formerly, before software update, known as "aHunter", lost 1000 posts in a minute
14 August 2007, 01:08
muckThe best motorized trimmer is the Giraud. It is a bit pricey, $375.00 dollars. But if you have a large volume of cases, it is as sweet as they come. It trimms to length and champhers inside and out in one operation. All in lerss than a second or so.
If the Giraudis too expensive for you the next in line is the Gracey. It is $250.00 Does the same thing, takes a little longer. It is a bit fussy to change the cutter assembly for a different caliber. Unless you buy an after market cutter blade.
These are the only ones I would consider for high volume trimming.
You can check them out here.
http://www.creedmoorsports.com muck
p.s. a place to get the carbide aftermarket cutter for the Gracey. And other hints for better operation.
http://www.bjonessights.comScroll down the home page, click on the carbide cutter blade link.
+1 for the Giraud case trimmer. It chamfers inside and out during the trim operation.
Don
14 August 2007, 03:45
Winchester 69I prefer the set of trade-offs presented by the Possum Hollow trimmer from Sinclair. If you have a power driver (drill press, power screwdriver), it is economical with quck changeover. Doesn't chamfer, however.
14 August 2007, 04:16
CustomstoxI bought a Gracey and ordered it without the motor. I then bought a 3500 rpm motor and carbide cutters. It cuts much faster and the price ended up the same as the slower 1750 rpm Gracey. It chamfers inside and out also.
14 August 2007, 05:20
wrongtargetI use a custom Lee/Black & Decker power trimmer!!

14 August 2007, 05:48
Oldmodel70R Flowers, you have a private message...Grant.
14 August 2007, 07:24
dick broussard+1 for the Lee. They key word is kiss.
“I am an American; free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior,
except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.”
Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919)
14 August 2007, 09:18
Remington720After using RCBS, Forster, Lyman and Hornady trimmers I now use the Lee set up with a power drill almost exclusively. Unfortunately Lee doesn't make gages and shell holders for all cartridges.
14 August 2007, 18:45
SC_Gunnerquote:
Unfortunately Lee doesn't make gages and shell holders for all cartridges.
And even more unfortunate is that the ones they do make don't always work. I bought the Lee Zip Trim setup from Midway just last week. Of the six case length guage/shellholder sets that I bought, five work fine. But the .38 Special guage wont fit into the mouth of a .38 Special case. This is the third problem I've had with Lee equipment in 6 months. I think I'll take the hint this time and just quit buying there stuff. ~ Marc
14 August 2007, 19:07
GerryI like the Lee Trimmer widgets myself. Like others here have already mentioned if you use an elctric screwdriver they are pretty high tech, very fast and I've had no issues with them.
And YES, Lee will make custom length gauges for you but NOT Custom shellholders. They're not available for every cartridge but with some judicious juggling of shell holders and Custom Length Guages you can cover alot of territory.
At @ $3.00 each you can purchase pretty much about every one they make and still not be out too much.
Cheers,
Number 10
15 August 2007, 05:41
neil mitchellSC_Gunner,If you were trying to trim unfired brass you may have to size them first when using the Lee trimmer.
Neil
Disabled Vietnam Veteran
NRA
DAV
15 August 2007, 05:42
gtrotzThank you very much to all ,after reding your opinions I think I will buy the giraud trimer.
Sincerelly
Guillermo trotz
15 August 2007, 19:52
SC_GunnerIt appears as if I might owe the boys at Lee an apology this time. I had tried the guage on fired brass that I bought in a bulk lot. I had separated this brass, and the particular lot I had in hand was marked PRECISION. I don't have any experience with this brand. Has anyone here used it, or have any info on it. Anyhoo, just for gits and shiggles, I tried the guage on some Magtech brass and it worked fine. Also worked fine with RP, Win. and FC. Looks like I'll have crow on my dinner plate tonight. ~ Marc
16 August 2007, 00:35
Oldmodel70R Flowers....You have another private message. Grant.