Power Case Trimmers

slickpuppy · June 30, 2001, 07:43 PM

I just ran some brand new Starline brass through the sizing die of my press and almost all of it is now exceeding the maximum OAL.

I really have no desire to hand trim 1000 pieces of pistol brass with the Forster and I don't want to use it as it is since it is oversize. AND I sure as hell am not throwing it out.

I know C&H is making their power trimmer and it lists 45 pistol in their list of pilots.

Is anyone out there using this piece of equipment to size their pistol caliber brass in various calibers?

Contender · July 1, 2001, 09:44 AM

Don't know what you are willing to spend but, you may try the Lee Trimmer pilots. Simply buy the base and cutter head once. ($5) and then get the case length guage,shellholder for your particular cartridge. ($5)

I chuck the base in a cordless drill on slow, insert the case and trim along at a pretty good clip holding the cutter head in the other hand.

Very small investment to at least try before spending some big bucks on a power trimmer.

I have a foster trimmer myself and find I'm using the Lee trimmer more and more because there are no adjustments to make.

Regards

skyder · July 1, 2001, 12:23 PM

Have you considered the Forster drill adapter? I use one with a power drill and it does a quick job shortening Luger by 1 mm to make Makarov brass. I can do a couple hundred or more in a session. Probably your least costly option to get what you are after.

JoeHatley · July 1, 2001, 02:07 PM

Ditto what Contender said!!

I've been using using the inexpensive Lee hand trimmer set up, in a variable speed drill for years. Works like a charm and cost almost nothing.

Good Luck...

Joe

slickpuppy · July 1, 2001, 04:47 PM

Thanks for the feedback.

I will pass on Lee anything because my experience with their products leaves a lot to be desired.

Skyder, I considered the drill option for my Forster. What kind of throughput per hour do you get?

As for the C&H I wasn't really concerned with price. I just want something that works FAST!

Bogie · July 2, 2001, 11:07 AM

The Lee trimmer gizmos work very well.

If you've got a BUNCH of brass to trim, I'd recommend the Lyman drill press setup. It has a trimmer you chuck into the drill, and a holder that you bolt to the press...

MADISON · July 3, 2001, 10:32 AM

Some years ago, I was fooling with a Contender in .357 Harret. I picked up a LYMAN POWER TRIMMER. The thing, according to the 2000 pricelist, for $189.95. It can be had for around $130 + or -. You might consider the carbide cutter.

Bogie · July 3, 2001, 02:20 PM

And if you're dead-set against Lee, and don't care that SOME of their products do a really terrific job, not even factoring in the bargain basement cost, and you want some truly good accuracy with a fair amount of speed, try the Wilson case trimmer. With the adapter that I ordered from Sinclair's, I can hook a power screwdriver to mine. Perfect square cuts every time... I trim my benchrest brass by hand tho...

June 30, 2001, 07:43 PM	#1
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Power Case Trimmers I just ran some brand new Starline brass through the sizing die of my press and almost all of it is now exceeding the maximum OAL. I really have no desire to hand trim 1000 pieces of pistol brass with the Forster and I don't want to use it as it is since it is oversize. AND I sure as hell am not throwing it out. I know C&H is making their power trimmer and it lists 45 pistol in their list of pilots. Is anyone out there using this piece of equipment to size their pistol caliber brass in various calibers?

July 1, 2001, 02:07 PM	#4
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	Ditto what Contender said!! I've been using using the inexpensive Lee hand trimmer set up, in a variable speed drill for years. Works like a charm and cost almost nothing. Good Luck... Joe __________________ Go NRA

July 2, 2001, 11:07 AM	#6
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	The Lee trimmer gizmos work very well. If you've got a BUNCH of brass to trim, I'd recommend the Lyman drill press setup. It has a trimmer you chuck into the drill, and a holder that you bolt to the press... __________________ 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!

July 3, 2001, 10:32 AM	#7
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	Power Case Trimmers Some years ago, I was fooling with a Contender in .357 Harret. I picked up a LYMAN POWER TRIMMER. The thing, according to the 2000 pricelist, for $189.95. It can be had for around $130 + or -. You might consider the carbide cutter.

July 3, 2001, 02:20 PM	#8
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	And if you're dead-set against Lee, and don't care that SOME of their products do a really terrific job, not even factoring in the bargain basement cost, and you want some truly good accuracy with a fair amount of speed, try the Wilson case trimmer. With the adapter that I ordered from Sinclair's, I can hook a power screwdriver to mine. Perfect square cuts every time... I trim my benchrest brass by hand tho... __________________ 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!

July 1, 2001, 09:44 AM	#2
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	Don't know what you are willing to spend but, you may try the Lee Trimmer pilots. Simply buy the base and cutter head once. ($5) and then get the case length guage,shellholder for your particular cartridge. ($5) I chuck the base in a cordless drill on slow, insert the case and trim along at a pretty good clip holding the cutter head in the other hand. Very small investment to at least try before spending some big bucks on a power trimmer. I have a foster trimmer myself and find I'm using the Lee trimmer more and more because there are no adjustments to make. Regards

July 1, 2001, 12:23 PM	#3
skyder Member Join Date: September 11, 2000 Posts: 67	Have you considered the Forster drill adapter? I use one with a power drill and it does a quick job shortening Luger by 1 mm to make Makarov brass. I can do a couple hundred or more in a session. Probably your least costly option to get what you are after.

July 1, 2001, 04:47 PM	#5
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Thanks for the feedback. I will pass on Lee anything because my experience with their products leaves a lot to be desired. Skyder, I considered the drill option for my Forster. What kind of throughput per hour do you get? As for the C&H I wasn't really concerned with price. I just want something that works FAST!