I need a new case trimmer, suggestions?

Brother_Love

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
I have a old Lyman case trimmer that I am about to throw in the trash. No matter how much you tighten see screws every case a different length.

I am about to purchase another one and I open to suggestions. I considered the Lee because there is no adjustment necessary.

What say you?
Thanks, Malcolm
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Wilson. Quick and simple, very square cuts on case mouth.
 
3

300BLK

Well-Known Member
If you're thinking the Lee rig that you chuck the shell holder in a drill and use a cartridge specific pilot on the cutter, they aren't all that great. The shell holders wear and won't retain a case, and the end of the pilot wears and you get progressively shorter cases.
 
Rick

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Wilson is a great unit, I have a couple of Forrester's that work well. I too many years ago chucked the Lyman in the trash.
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
IMG_1516.JPG I have been using this Frankfort Arsenal power trimmer for almost a year now. I upgraded the cutter to a carbide piece offered by RCBS. It's only drawback is it only does bottle neck cases. I have a Forster as well.
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
the lee ones are okay until they ain't half way through a batch then all your cases come out shorter and shorter and shorter.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
KeithB said:
Do what Ian did and buy a bench top lathe...
Click to expand...
A Wilson trimmer sorta is. It is purely manual but it is like a small lathe. Holds cases by the body in a pseudo chamber so they get cut square to the body.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Cheaper to buy a mechanical pencil.

Best trimmer? The broken one Rick owns.
 
T

Tony

Active Member
My 1st choice is the Wilson/Sinclair. Sinclair International has accessorized the Wilson trimmer with a stand, case holder clamping device, micrometer adjustment, etc. It's a bit expensive but worth it. 2nd choice is Forster, a darned good unit but slower than the Wilson/Sinclair and not as easily repeatable.
 
F

freebullet

Guest
I use the wft on a variable speed drill for bottleneck cases.

Still need to get a powered method for 357 & 454.
 
Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Happy with my RCBS trimmer. Upgraded with the power trim unit. Hard to beat RCBS warranty and Customer Service.
 
Hawk

Hawk

Well-Known Member
I have two Forsters and have been completely happy.

I have torques head attachments that let me use cordless power screw drivers and drills with them instead of the hand cranks.

They are manual, but very accurate.
 
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358156 hp

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
I've been using an old Lyman Powered case trimmer for ages without issue. I did replace the steel cutter with their carbide replacement shortly after I bought it. I had erratic case lengths with the steel cutter, some cases seemed to simply roll the edges a bit then stop cutting entirely. I also have an old Lyman conversion kit for my drill press to make it a case trimmer as well, but haven't even taken it out of the box. Maybe someday...
 
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