Lee Case Trimmer in RCBS…

Jerry45 · September 12, 2011, 02:18 PM

I had read (don’t remember where) about setting up a Lee case trimmer to work in a RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Center by “merely” drilling and tapping the cutting tool. So the other day I set out to do just that. Checked with a thread gauge and found I need a #8x32 (I believe it was) tap and # 29 bit. While center-punching the tool I found out that the whole tool is case hardened. Gave a shot at drilling it anyway and as I ASS-umed all I accomplished was dulling the bit.

The right up made it sound soooooo simple. I ASS-umed the guy used a carbide bit (?). So rather than buy a bit that cost more than the cutting tool I JB Welled a machine screw to the cutter. I think it’s going to work just fine. We’ll see as soon as I shoot up some ammo and do some trimming.

I found out that when the write-up was done Lee was not hardening the entire tool. If the JB Well doesn't holed up (I’m pretty sure it will) I'll do something like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-710xkyKNU

http://youtu.be/Z-710xkyKNU

oneoldsap · September 12, 2011, 05:02 PM

Why not simply anneal the piece you have to drill ? If heat treatment is a must you can put it back by reheating and quenching . After you tap of course !

Jerry45 · September 12, 2011, 06:40 PM

I’m not a metallurgist but I’m pretty there is a "little more" to it than that.

snuffy · September 12, 2011, 07:25 PM

Well, I thought ol' rube goldberg was dead! (To you kids out there, ol' rube overcomplicated EVERYTHING!) If there was an easy way to do something, he'd devise the most complicated way to do it.

All that to ask a question. WHY?

Chuck that spinner with the shell holder in a drill, hold the cutter against the case, it's faster and easier. While the case is still spinning, use the inside/outside chamfer tool, the flash hole deburr tool, and hold some steel wool against the case, it takes the lube off and brightens up the case. Then dive the mouth of the case into the steel wool pad to remove any burrs left by chamfering.

daboone · September 12, 2011, 08:11 PM

Brass pipe fittings and 6/32 drill,tap and screw will get the job done

Jerry45 · September 12, 2011, 09:09 PM

I was thinking about maybe trying copper but like the brass better.

oneoldsap · September 13, 2011, 11:39 AM

Actually Jerry , it is that simple ! heat it red , let it cool on it's own and drill and tap . Reheat and drop into a can of water or oil to reharden ! For your purpose , it'll work just fine .

Jerry45 · September 13, 2011, 01:59 PM

The JB Weld job looks like it’s going to work out just fine. I tried it out this morning. If it doesn’t hold up I'll give heating it a try. Hell, for the price of the cutter it’s worth a try. Only thing I’m having trouble with is finding and drilling dead center on round objects.

My problem is I hate doing with whatever works. I like neat, clean, professional looking work. Some day I want to buy a small lathe. It’s a beyatch not haveing one.

Jerry45 · September 13, 2011, 04:26 PM

Here's what it looks like.

wncchester · September 13, 2011, 08:48 PM

" I thought ol' rube goldberg was dead! (To you kids out there, ol' rube overcomplicated EVERYTHING!) "

Ol' Rube is lying low but it seems he's alive and well up in DC writing regulations for the Feds. Think he did the original copy of the 'One We Wus Waiting For' original copy of the gov. 'health care take over' bill.

Jerry45 · September 14, 2011, 09:15 PM

Just finished doing 70 30/06 and 50 .223 bras. Works great! Clean prime pocket, chamfer, trim to length and chamfer neck in and out. 1,2,3,4,5 easy as pie.

September 12, 2011, 02:18 PM	#1
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	Lee Case Trimmer in RCBS… I had read (don’t remember where) about setting up a Lee case trimmer to work in a RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Center by “merely” drilling and tapping the cutting tool. So the other day I set out to do just that. Checked with a thread gauge and found I need a #8x32 (I believe it was) tap and # 29 bit. While center-punching the tool I found out that the whole tool is case hardened. Gave a shot at drilling it anyway and as I ASS-umed all I accomplished was dulling the bit. The right up made it sound soooooo simple. I ASS-umed the guy used a carbide bit (?). So rather than buy a bit that cost more than the cutting tool I JB Welled a machine screw to the cutter. I think it’s going to work just fine. We’ll see as soon as I shoot up some ammo and do some trimming. I found out that when the write-up was done Lee was not hardening the entire tool. If the JB Well doesn't holed up (I’m pretty sure it will) I'll do something like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-710xkyKNU http://youtu.be/Z-710xkyKNU

September 12, 2011, 05:02 PM	#2
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	Anneal Why not simply anneal the piece you have to drill ? If heat treatment is a must you can put it back by reheating and quenching . After you tap of course !

September 12, 2011, 09:09 PM	#6
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	I was thinking about maybe trying copper but like the brass better. Last edited by Jerry45; September 12, 2011 at 09:52 PM.

September 12, 2011, 06:40 PM	#3
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	I’m not a metallurgist but I’m pretty there is a "little more" to it than that.

September 12, 2011, 07:25 PM	#4
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Well, I thought ol' rube goldberg was dead! (To you kids out there, ol' rube overcomplicated EVERYTHING!) If there was an easy way to do something, he'd devise the most complicated way to do it. All that to ask a question. WHY? Chuck that spinner with the shell holder in a drill, hold the cutter against the case, it's faster and easier. While the case is still spinning, use the inside/outside chamfer tool, the flash hole deburr tool, and hold some steel wool against the case, it takes the lube off and brightens up the case. Then dive the mouth of the case into the steel wool pad to remove any burrs left by chamfering.

September 12, 2011, 08:11 PM	#5
daboone Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Phoenix AZ, Kealakekua HI Posts: 100	Brass pipe fittings and 6/32 drill,tap and screw will get the job done

September 13, 2011, 11:39 AM	#7
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	Actually Jerry , it is that simple ! heat it red , let it cool on it's own and drill and tap . Reheat and drop into a can of water or oil to reharden ! For your purpose , it'll work just fine .

September 13, 2011, 01:59 PM	#8
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	The JB Weld job looks like it’s going to work out just fine. I tried it out this morning. If it doesn’t hold up I'll give heating it a try. Hell, for the price of the cutter it’s worth a try. Only thing I’m having trouble with is finding and drilling dead center on round objects. My problem is I hate doing with whatever works. I like neat, clean, professional looking work. Some day I want to buy a small lathe. It’s a beyatch not haveing one. Last edited by Jerry45; September 13, 2011 at 02:06 PM.

September 13, 2011, 04:26 PM	#9
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	Here's what it looks like.

September 13, 2011, 08:48 PM	#10
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	" I thought ol' rube goldberg was dead! (To you kids out there, ol' rube overcomplicated EVERYTHING!) " Ol' Rube is lying low but it seems he's alive and well up in DC writing regulations for the Feds. Think he did the original copy of the 'One We Wus Waiting For' original copy of the gov. 'health care take over' bill.

September 14, 2011, 09:15 PM	#11
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	Just finished doing 70 30/06 and 50 .223 bras. Works great! Clean prime pocket, chamfer, trim to length and chamfer neck in and out. 1,2,3,4,5 easy as pie.