Foster case trimmer pilot

[PED1945]

Has anybody made a pilot for a Foster case trimmer? It looks like a fairly simple piece to turn on a lathe. Have ordered one but it will not be here for a couple weeks.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is a new caliber for me. Am prepping a batch of brass for son-in-law.

 

[Jeff H]

What is the thread on the stud of a Forster pilot? Could you turn a field-point from an arrow in the drill-press?

My apologies for my ignorance of pilots, but I tried three different brands of trimmers using pilots in the mid-eighties before I realized that L. E. Wilson was still making trimmers and bought myself one. I bailed on pilots a long time ago and don't even remember if they are threaded at all.

 

[PED1945]

Thanks Jeff. The Foster pilot is not threaded, just .187 straight for half an inch then .260 for a quarter inch with a bevel.

L. E. Wilson is actually my preferred case trimmer. None of my Wilson shell holders fit the 6.5 Creedmoor. I do have one on order.

 

[Jeff H]

Well, there has to be a way to improvise.

I have a field-point I "bubba'd" to work as a neck expander for a Linda Lovelace rifle in 7.62x39 once. The point is .312" now, but it was 8-21 threads with a .195" shoulder between the threads and the body of the field-point.

You could chuck the front end up in the drill-press and work it to your .187" shank, then turn it around and turn down the field-point to what you wish. Pain in the neck, but quicker than waiting for one to ship, maybe?

 

[PED1945]

Well, there has to be a way to improvise.

I have a field-point I "bubba'd" to work as a neck expander for a Linda Lovelace rifle in 7.62x39 once. The point is .312" now, but it was 8-21 threads with a .195" shoulder between the threads and the body of the field-point.

You could chuck the front end up in the drill-press and work it to your .187" shank, then turn it around and turn down the field-point to what you wish. Pain in the neck, but quicker than waiting for one to ship, maybe?

Made one on son's lathe. Is like shooting squirrels with an elephant rifle, but it works.

 

[Jeff H]

Makes my method look like killing squirrels with a Molatov Cocktail with roofing nails duct-taped to the outside of it!

Looks great!

 

[BBerguson]

Makes my method look like killing squirrels with a Molatov Cocktail with roofing nails duct-taped to the outside of it!

Looks great!

So that’s why you don’t like roofing, you’re using duct tape with roofing nails! Lol

 

[Jeff H]

So that’s why you don’t like roofing, you’re using duct tape with roofing nails! Lol

I still have most of a 25# box and cannot think of a better use for the lasted things!

 

[Ian]

Lare to the party but in a pinch, anneal a bigger one and file/polish to size in a drill motor and then reharden and draw, polish again. I made a few out of bolts before getting a lathe.

 

[PED1945]

The lathe I used is the one my son uses to make his line of custom fly reels. Located in our basement, it would be a challenge to move. My modest reloading bench occupies a small corner of a rod and reel fabrication shop.

 

[dale2242]

I still have most of a 25# box and cannot think of a better use for the lasted things!

Me too.
I can hardly give them away.
I'm not getting rid of them though.
I seem to find a use for them every once in a while.