I'am shopping for a case trimmer but before I buy one I'd like to know more about how it works as his one is very different looking than others I'am looking at.

Wilson trimmer:

1) Does this trimmer measure ctg case length from the actual base to mouth, so cases with different rim thickness are still cut to the same length?

2) Is the ctg case holder screwed to the base?

3) How hard do you have to hit the ctg case mouth to "pop" the case free of holder taper grip will the case mouth be bent and need re-sizing?

4) Could the trimmer cut be pre set by ajusting the cutter and main screw to caliper mmeasurements?

5) With no pilots used how can the cutter not throw the ctg off to the side. Like if you hold the ctg case hold with your hand do you feel the cutter trying to throw the case off the v block base.

6) Stainless steel or do you have to wipe oil on it to keep rusty finger prints at bay?
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The Hornaday looks good but... it may not work with my Lee shell holders. Or so I've read then I searched trimmer posts.

The RCBS looks good but... it may not cut ctgs with different rim thickness the same size, and the long leaver just might be a storage problem.

The Forster looks good but... how many turns of the T bar are nessary to lock a ctg case. I might get tedious fast.

I do not need a motorized unit ,I would be working on small batches (40 ctg at a time) of
belted mag cases.

quote:

1) Does this trimmer measure ctg case length from the actual base to mouth, so cases with different rim thickness are still cut to the same length? yes it does

2) Is the ctg case holder screwed to the base?\
no it's not

3) How hard do you have to hit the ctg case mouth to "pop" the case free of holder taper grip will the case mouth be bent and need re-sizing? I tap gently on a board (wood) the case pops out with no damage of any kind

4) Could the trimmer cut be pre set by ajusting the cutter and main screw to caliper mmeasurements? Yes....but a trial cut is still the best.

5) With no pilots used how can the cutter not throw the ctg off to the side. Like if you hold the ctg case hold with your hand do you feel the cutter trying to throw the case off the v block base. just trust here....it works well...the cutter stays centered

6) Stainless steel or do you have to wipe oil on it to keep rusty finger prints at bay?

it's not stainless....spray a shot of WD-40 on it once a year or so.

The Wilson is a very good case trimmer for folks that shoot less than 500 rounds a year.....for higher volumes I use a drill press and a forester jig.....but it's not as precise as the Wilson.

Greenjoy:

1) The trimmer does not measure anything. The trimmer trims to a pre-set length that you determine and set up for. It does a more precise and more consistently accurate job of this than ANY other trimmer made (ever made!).

2) The shell holders are held in the rail system by hand pressure from the top and by end pressure from the cutting head and cartridge stop ends of the tool.

3) I tap the case end on my loading table top with little more force than is caused by gravity as it "drops" and inch or so. No problems of any kind have I noticed with this procedure of removing the case from the shell holder.

4) I have never tried it this way but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I can set up the cutter to trim to the exact length I want in about 2 minutes. Then once set and properly tightened at this length no variation in length will occur in your trimmed brass.

5) I have only moderately strong hands and they are somewhat troubled with arthritis. I have no problems of the nature you describe and inquire about, myself.

6) I do wipe mine down and the shell holders as well when I think of it.

7) DON'T even consider any other case trimmers. I've tried them all and again I reiterate don't even consider any other case trimmers!

Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

greenjoy,
I have the Wilson trimmer,also.Sinclare makes a base for the Wilson that utilizes a screw down holder that holds the case holder very securely.
Jim

Greenjoy

You might want to look at the little two piece trimmers that work off the shoulder of the fired cartridge case rather than the base. They are not the best for the first trimmimg but after that you can run your cases through it every time they are fired and it takes only a second or two per case. I make my own for each cartridge I shoot but Sinclair sells them as well as several custom gunsmiths who will make you one when they barrel your rifle by using the chambering reamer for a perfect fit. They are no bigger than a loaded cartridge.

Ray

Get one of those synthetic cutting boards.The one I use is about 4" X 6". It's made from a tough type of plastic. Sits next to my Sinclair trimmer and is ideal for removing cases from the shellholder.I used to tap on my work bench, but cases will score the timber in the end. I also purchased one of their bases and the plastic puck that came with it for tapping cases is identical to that of the cutting board.
I wish I had of thought of the board before I purchased the sinclair one.
rob

Count me firmly in the group of Wilson trimmer
fans. I have the Sinclair base, and case holder
clamp. As for tapping the case out, I mounted
the Sinclair base, and Wilson Trimmer, to a nice
piece of red oak, and tap the cases in and out
of the holder, with no damage to the cases, or
to the oak. I have a Pilot style trimmer, that
sits in my wife's rummage sale pile. There
is no comparison to the quality of the cuts,
of the Wilson, to the piloted style trimmers.
And I have gotten a process flow going, when
case trimming, that rivals the speed with which
I use to get with the piloted style trimmers.
It takes me about 7 to 8 seconds to take a
case from the loading block, put it in the
case holder, trim it, remove it from the case
holder, and return it to the loading block.
So in less than 15 minutes I have 100 cases
trimmed. They still need to be chamfered,
but the trimming is done relatively quickly.

Squeeze