Lee Zip Trim...other options

TylerOutdoorsman · January 5, 2014, 08:38 PM

What's the general opinion of the Lee Zip Trim system? I will mostly be using it for .223 but I'm sure it will eventually be used for other calibers. Is their another brand, type, system, etc. that is more effective with similar bang for your buck? Has anyone tried the Lee Deluxe Quick Trim?

leefan · January 5, 2014, 09:03 PM

Have been using the Zip Trim for about a year with the included chuck on pistol and rifle cases with no issues. Kind of awkward to mount to the Lee reloading stand because of its small size. I used a small c-clamp which is prone to slipping. As to adequate time and torque, it works great.

HJ857 · January 5, 2014, 10:22 PM

You're better off chucking the case holder in a cordless drill rather than the Zip. The Zip does not save you any time at all vs. a drill and my experience is that the Zip isn't very durable either.

The new Quick Trim is interesting and it really does trim, chamfer and deburr in one step. The real downside to it is that the shavings collect inside the trim die and fall in to the casing you're cutting and it's a pain. On the other hand, it produces the best, smoothest chamfer and deburr I've ever used, and I use it only for that purpose now. I would not buy one for the chamfer/deburr process, but since I've already got it I may as well use it...

If someone comes up with a power adapter for the Quick Trim it would be a very compelling trim system. In my experience, the older, basic trim system with a cordless drill is still the better option.

TylerOutdoorsman · January 5, 2014, 11:25 PM

HJ857 can you recommend a specific product for use in a drill?

Prof Young · January 5, 2014, 11:57 PM

I have a zip trim that once I got it to the bench realized it was cumbersome and slow. I just use the hand held case trimmer when I need to trim.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young

Gabe1519 · January 6, 2014, 12:58 AM

I have the quick trim I've used already on about 140 rounds, not the deluxe kind. The shavings do collect in the die and you do have to unscrew and clean them out. The shavings get in the case too so with each case you trim you have to tap on the table to get the shavings out and then use a case brush to get the rest out. After trimming several cases the turn knob gets hard to turn and you have to lube the metal to metal contact points between the trimmer and the die. I use a drop of case lube and it works fine for a while, gets real dirty though. The plastic adjustable ring doesn't work well for me so I remove that and go by feel and measure after several turns.

It's not the ideal setup but for the money it's not too bad. What I'm not too happy about is the turning action gets rough if you have no lube on it. I could probably use a better lube than case lube but for now it works. Later I'll probably get one of those rcbs trimmers for $100.

Trimming cases is a bit laborious and it's probably better to get a dedicated station for that step in the long run if you have the money.

daboone · January 6, 2014, 09:14 AM

It's a lot more than the Zip Trim or a cordless screwdriver but it does get a lot of case prep done all in one compact place.

HJ857 · January 6, 2014, 08:00 PM

Quote:

can you recommend a specific product for use in a drill?

There are a number of options for trimmers that can be used in a drill such as the Possum Hollow (often out of stock), and the Worlds Finest Trimmer and the Lee system. Any of those will require you to chamfer and deburr after trimming so that's a wash.

But since the topic is specific to the Lee trimmers, we'll stick to that. Plus it's incredibly simple and cheap and very hard to beat.

For the older Lee system you need the cutter and lock stud. The lock stud is what you'll chuck in a cordless drill.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476...-and-lock-stud

You also need the case length gauge and shell holder that is correct for your caliber. Such as this if .223 is the right caliber.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476...-and-lock-stud

If memory serves me right, the shellholder is the part that screws on to the Zip Trim. If you don't use the Zip Trim then the shellholder screws on to the lock stud.

I like the ball cutter a lot more than the standard cutter. It does exactly the same thing but is way more comfortable.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136...with-ball-grip

Regardless of whether you use the Zip or a drill, you have to put a piece of brass into the shellholder and lock it down by turning it.

At this point you're ready to trim so depending on which way you decided to set up, you insert the cutter with the case length gauge in to the casing and then starting pulling the Zip Trim's cord (a lot more than you'd think), or just depress the trigger on your cordless drill. Repeat to chamfer and deburr.

Regarding chamfer and deburr. Get one of these too. They do wear out but they're cheap.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/389...vc=sugv1136199

Hope that answers the question!

HJ857 · January 6, 2014, 08:05 PM

Quote:

It's a lot more than the Zip Trim or a cordless screwdriver but it does get a lot of case prep done all in one compact place.

Daboone, that is not bad at all! I have the case prep center too but never thought of using it as the trimmer. Thanks for posting that.

Did you fabricate the adapter out of parts or is it something that can be purchased?

FrankenMauser · January 6, 2014, 11:41 PM

Quote:

What's the general opinion of the Lee Zip Trim system?

If you're happy with a fixed length, and don't care to deviate from that, then the Lee tools will get the job done.

But, if you want other length options, or the ability to use a 3-way cutter, then the Lee 'system' is completely worthless.

Crankylove · January 7, 2014, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Kind of awkward to mount to the Lee reloading stand because of its small size.

I've been using for for a couple years for .22 Hornet brass, and had the same issue. I have up on mounting it to anything and instead use a cordless drill and a pair if small vice grips.

I stick the cutting side in the drill chuck and clamp the shell holder side in the vice grips. I find it much easier, and quicker, to use than than having it mounted.

daboone · January 7, 2014, 09:13 AM

Quote:

HJ857
Did you fabricate the adapter out of parts or is it something that can be purchased?

Nothing complicated for this adapter. It's just brass pipe fittings (Cap nut and 2in coupling pipe) from a local ACE hardware. The "fabricate" was just drilling hole in the cap nut for the 8/32 threaded rod and securing it with nuts both inside and out side the cap. The cutter for the case length gauge and the brass pipe are almost friction fit but have a set screw to secure the cutter/case length gauge to the pipe.

I cut an old screwdriver socket and epoxied it in a Lee wood ball to hold the the Lock stud/shell holder.

As an aside note, I use the Case Prep center a lot. A drop of oil on the edge of the rotating threaded inserts sure quiets that puppy down.

January 5, 2014, 08:38 PM	#1
TylerOutdoorsman Member Join Date: October 21, 2012 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 49	Lee Zip Trim...other options What's the general opinion of the Lee Zip Trim system? I will mostly be using it for .223 but I'm sure it will eventually be used for other calibers. Is their another brand, type, system, etc. that is more effective with similar bang for your buck? Has anyone tried the Lee Deluxe Quick Trim?

January 5, 2014, 11:57 PM	#5
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,514	My zip still in box. I have a zip trim that once I got it to the bench realized it was cumbersome and slow. I just use the hand held case trimmer when I need to trim. Live well, be safe Prof Young

January 6, 2014, 12:58 AM	#6
Gabe1519 Member Join Date: December 10, 2013 Location: Houston/College Station Posts: 38	I have the quick trim I've used already on about 140 rounds, not the deluxe kind. The shavings do collect in the die and you do have to unscrew and clean them out. The shavings get in the case too so with each case you trim you have to tap on the table to get the shavings out and then use a case brush to get the rest out. After trimming several cases the turn knob gets hard to turn and you have to lube the metal to metal contact points between the trimmer and the die. I use a drop of case lube and it works fine for a while, gets real dirty though. The plastic adjustable ring doesn't work well for me so I remove that and go by feel and measure after several turns. It's not the ideal setup but for the money it's not too bad. What I'm not too happy about is the turning action gets rough if you have no lube on it. I could probably use a better lube than case lube but for now it works. Later I'll probably get one of those rcbs trimmers for $100. Trimming cases is a bit laborious and it's probably better to get a dedicated station for that step in the long run if you have the money. Last edited by Gabe1519; January 6, 2014 at 01:04 AM.

January 5, 2014, 09:03 PM	#2
leefan Member Join Date: January 5, 2014 Posts: 16	Have been using the Zip Trim for about a year with the included chuck on pistol and rifle cases with no issues. Kind of awkward to mount to the Lee reloading stand because of its small size. I used a small c-clamp which is prone to slipping. As to adequate time and torque, it works great.

January 5, 2014, 10:22 PM	#3
HJ857 Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 448	You're better off chucking the case holder in a cordless drill rather than the Zip. The Zip does not save you any time at all vs. a drill and my experience is that the Zip isn't very durable either. The new Quick Trim is interesting and it really does trim, chamfer and deburr in one step. The real downside to it is that the shavings collect inside the trim die and fall in to the casing you're cutting and it's a pain. On the other hand, it produces the best, smoothest chamfer and deburr I've ever used, and I use it only for that purpose now. I would not buy one for the chamfer/deburr process, but since I've already got it I may as well use it... If someone comes up with a power adapter for the Quick Trim it would be a very compelling trim system. In my experience, the older, basic trim system with a cordless drill is still the better option.

January 5, 2014, 11:25 PM	#4
TylerOutdoorsman Member Join Date: October 21, 2012 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 49	HJ857 can you recommend a specific product for use in a drill?

January 6, 2014, 09:14 AM	#7
daboone Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Phoenix AZ, Kealakekua HI Posts: 100	It's a lot more than the Zip Trim or a cordless screwdriver but it does get a lot of case prep done all in one compact place.