Making a trimmer

Watchman · August 13, 2002, 11:12 PM

I've been thinking of making a case trimmer out of a used electric motor. After looking at the Dillion case trimmer, I think I can make one without too much of a problem.

Has anyone ever tried this ?

Any comments or questions ? Let me hear of your expierinces or tips. Anything at all is appreciated.

labgrade · August 14, 2002, 12:27 AM

Some of the trimmers make specific mention that they're not designed to be made "fun" - another word for easier to use = electric motor driven.

'Course maybe I'm tyhinking of progressive presses - 550 destructions makes mention. I'm probablly off-base.

Frankly, I don't see how that'd be a worry long as you do the "manual" part of setting the trim length correctly & do a few checks here 'n there to make sure you're not making .30 carbine cases out of .30-06.

One problem I could envision would be the Tool Time/Home Improvement trimmer .... seems like you'd want to keep the revs down some is all.

Piece o' plywood to fixture the whole shebang on (Or just bolt to the bench), dump the handle/hand crank, fixture motor to the trimmer shaft & off ya go ....

Been meaning to get around to this for 40 years ....

Steve Smith · August 14, 2002, 03:03 AM

Here's one:

There are other designs on the market as well.

JoeHatley · August 14, 2002, 09:44 AM

I've had good luck using a Lee hand trimmer ($5), chucked into a variable speed drill. Works like a charm and is very fast.

Good Luck...

Joe

Sisco · August 14, 2002, 11:55 AM

What Joe said.

Bogie · August 14, 2002, 12:09 PM

The _best_ trimmer on the market, accuracy-wise, is the Wilson. It is possible to get an adapter for it to power it with a power screwdriver/drill.

It's also remarkably fast to chuck a case into the holder, trim, then knock the case out.

Dave P · August 15, 2002, 08:23 AM

The Lee trimmer works well like Joe says, you just need to ensure you don't trim too much; you need a depth stop. Sinclair (EJS) has a Quick-Trim tool that you can chuck in your drill press, and indexes from the shoulder of the round. Not all calibers available, tho. ABout $20

Contender · August 18, 2002, 12:49 AM

What Joe said.

Chuck the cutter head in a drill press and hold the case in your left hand and use the table as the stop (or a scrap piece of steel plate on the table). DON'T PRESS HARD and run it SLOW.

Regards

August 13, 2002, 11:12 PM	#1
Watchman Junior member Join Date: August 9, 2000 Location: ARKANSAS Posts: 484	Making a trimmer I've been thinking of making a case trimmer out of a used electric motor. After looking at the Dillion case trimmer, I think I can make one without too much of a problem. Has anyone ever tried this ? Any comments or questions ? Let me hear of your expierinces or tips. Anything at all is appreciated.

August 14, 2002, 03:03 AM	#3
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Here's one: There are other designs on the market as well. __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

August 14, 2002, 09:44 AM	#4
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	I've had good luck using a Lee hand trimmer ($5), chucked into a variable speed drill. Works like a charm and is very fast. Good Luck... Joe __________________ Go NRA

August 14, 2002, 11:55 AM	#5
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,559	What Joe said. __________________ "I don't mind it when stupid people say stupid things. Stupid people should be encouraged to say stupid things, that way we always know who the stupid people are." ~ Ted Nugent http://www.awbansunset.com/awcountdown_sm.gif

August 14, 2002, 12:09 PM	#6
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,828	The _best_ trimmer on the market, accuracy-wise, is the Wilson. It is possible to get an adapter for it to power it with a power screwdriver/drill. It's also remarkably fast to chuck a case into the holder, trim, then knock the case out. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

August 14, 2002, 12:27 AM	#2
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Some of the trimmers make specific mention that they're not designed to be made "fun" - another word for easier to use = electric motor driven. 'Course maybe I'm tyhinking of progressive presses - 550 destructions makes mention. I'm probablly off-base. Frankly, I don't see how that'd be a worry long as you do the "manual" part of setting the trim length correctly & do a few checks here 'n there to make sure you're not making .30 carbine cases out of .30-06. One problem I could envision would be the Tool Time/Home Improvement trimmer .... seems like you'd want to keep the revs down some is all. Piece o' plywood to fixture the whole shebang on (Or just bolt to the bench), dump the handle/hand crank, fixture motor to the trimmer shaft & off ya go .... Been meaning to get around to this for 40 years ....

August 15, 2002, 08:23 AM	#7
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 1999 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,041	The Lee trimmer works well like Joe says, you just need to ensure you don't trim too much; you need a depth stop. Sinclair (EJS) has a Quick-Trim tool that you can chuck in your drill press, and indexes from the shoulder of the round. Not all calibers available, tho. ABout $20

August 18, 2002, 12:49 AM	#8
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	What Joe said. Chuck the cutter head in a drill press and hold the case in your left hand and use the table as the stop (or a scrap piece of steel plate on the table). DON'T PRESS HARD and run it SLOW. Regards __________________ If a man is standing in the middle of the forest speaking and there is no woman around to hear him...is he still wrong? George Carlin