The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Gunsmithing Using a lathe to trim cases?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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| One of Us |
Hello, does anyone have any cleaver, simple technique on using a lathe to trim cases? 505 Gibbs won't fit in the case trimmer. I could make parts for the trimmer but I thought I'd go straight to the lathe. A mandrel in the drill chuck in the tailstock (with a relief cut for tool access) would be easy enough but I'm wondering how to consistently hold the base in the 3 jaw for length. Or maybe someone has a better idea all around. | ||
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I think Little Crow Gunworks may make one that will work for you... If they don't have a stock trimmer, they will make you one, and for a lot less than the cost of a lathe... and their trimmers are a joy to work with. NRA Benefactor. Life is tough... It's even tougher when you're stupid... John Wayne | |||
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Chuck the cutter shaft and pilot from your trimmer in the three-jaw. Now, make a piece which encloses the head of the case and holds it in alignment. This piece will be held in the tailstock drill chuck. Use the tailstock to feed the case into the cutter the required amount while holding the case from turning with you fingers. You won't be able to cut very fast unless you have a heck of a grip. Of course, you could use a set screw in your holder but you risk damaging the brass. Another alternative is to make a collet holder. You may also hold the case with a pair of padded pliers. You can also make a shellholder like those which were sold by Lee for use with their case trimming system but by the time you do that, you could probably modify your trimmer. I wish I could doodle on the computer because I can think of a half dozen simple fixtures but lack the ability to paint a sufficiently detailed word-picture. Regards, Bill | |||
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To trim my 404 cases which wouldn't fit my trimmer I just made up an adjustable trim die to fit in my press and then file the cases to length. You obviously have a lathe so could simply make one from a 7/8" bolt or thread some stock and bore out. Very rarely need to trim these cases. | |||
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My trimmer cutter maxes out at .45 cal. So i'll need to use a lathe tool. I think one trimming will do for many reloads. I don't full length size. | |||
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I made a threaded shaft that fits a shell holder from a reloader, and used a carbide lathe cutter on the cross slide. I place the case head in the shell holder and screw it finger-tight, then start the motor and move the cross slide. It is reasonably consistent, and with a mandrel in the case mouth ( like a slightly undersize bullet ), you can turn the neck while it's there. TomP Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when wrong to be put right. Carl Schurz (1829 - 1906) | |||
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lee might be able to make one for you. | |||
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The rim held in a 5C collet would be better than a 3 jaw. You can buy soft machinable collets in 5C to machine to the rim. A 3 jaw doesn't run very true, or repeatable. If you don't have the 5C accessories for you lathe, you could hold the 5c collet in a square collet block and trim in the drill press. | |||
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I have used the Lee case specific trimmers on a lathe by machining soft jaws for a three jaw chuck to hold the case head and holding the cutter in the tailstock. Works slick. | |||
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I have the "Little Crow" WFT and it works. I'm sure that they could make you an insert for their Big Boy Cutter. If you ever use one of their trimmers, you will never go back to chucking on up and cranking a handle! Give them a call. The worst they can do is say "we can't do that". WFT2 Rusty We Band of Brothers! DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member "I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends." ----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836 "I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841 "for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” | |||
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I've used the Kwick Case Trimmer from www.possumhollowproducts.com in my lathe for .308 Winchester. It indexes off the shoulder so you don't need case holders. They don't list .505 Gibbs (Shocking, right?) but they say they'll make specials. If you're making your own the concept should work. | |||
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Here's my solution mandrel in drill chuck in tailstock to hold case mouth  Chuck case using small square to hold depth in chuck consistently  make cut  I've been able to hold less than .001" difference. | |||
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