I just trimmed grendel brass down to ARC and this thing rocks! I was using a different y drill operated trimmer before and my thumbs would be numb if I did a large amount. It also felt like it took twice as long. With this I just pull the trigger on my impact driver, raise the ram, hold case for a second or two, lower ram, spin case, hold for another couple seconds and poof! Perfectly trimmed brass every time and with no effort on my part. I mean it chamfers and deburrs at the same time. For the price there’s no reason to do it any other way.
Great review. I wondered if the cutter would end up grabbing onto a bur, and then just spinning the case, but it doesn't sound like you ran into that issue.
That's actually really interesting; I think the reason it doesn't happen is the case has contact on all sides plus the neck/shoulder. That, combined with the fact that the thickness of the neck being trimmed is fairly minor probably prevents it from being an issue.
I never had good luck with mine. I ended up ditching it after using it for a little while. Do you still use yours or have you migrated to your newer frankford arsenal trim station?
I'll use the Lee for casings of which I have very few to process just because it's so ridiculously fast to set up. If I'm going to do any serious volume though, I go straight for the Frankford.
@@TATVCanada But if I understand the purpose of the Frankford correctly, it's for bottle neck cartridges only. For straight wall cartridges you'll nee either the quick trim or one of those 'universal' case trimmers for $80.00 plus
I'm getting decent results now on 10mm holding the drill up a little. If I just let it rest over to the side where the grip weighs it down, I get short and uneven results. It also looks like in the video the bit can get chucked deeper. I need to stick a pinky nail into the mouth and twist for the last clinger, but it's getting my once fired mix a little uniformity!
I've never checked twenty in a row before; I did run 5 through a Vernier caliper and they were uniform to about .001". The key to getting this tool to perform well for me has been to make one cut, rotate the case, then make a second cut.
That's pretty good in my book. I have always been a little skeptical about these. I think I may pick one up for 223 and give it a try. Thanks for the review.
It's not quite as accurate or fast as the Frankford Arsenal (review coming soon) but it's also like a tenth of the price. The Lee served me well for a long time, the only reason I upgraded was I started buying 223 brass in bulk quantities of 10,000-15,000 and I just couldn't justify the time it took with the Lee any more.
I’m considering the forster power case trimmer I don’t believe that it chamfers & deburrs. If you had a choice between the 2 the lee or the Forster which would you pick
Mine worked great for awhile. Then it ate the end of my brass. Bought a new one and happened again. Thing that my power screw driver was to slow and blades bent.
Only issue I have had using these, is that occasionally the cutter will catch on the brass and “rip” it causing the case mouth to be ruined. Doesn’t happen often, but that is a con. It could be user error though as I may not had the cutter spinning enough before touching the case
I don't think it's user-error as I usually don't start the cutter until the case is entirely in the die and flush with it. What caliber have you been experiencing this with?
TATV Canada mainly 223, but had a couple in 30-30 also do it. Like I said it’s occasional. I’m wondering if the brass may of had a small split or crack in the mouth.
Have found it does not trim cases consistently . Even adjusted to limit it goes way over or under desired length. Creating constant measurement. Not why I bought it.
Thanks for showing me how it works and allowing an informed purchase for my intermediate reloading volume!
My pleasure; I'm glad to hear you found it useful.
I just trimmed grendel brass down to ARC and this thing rocks! I was using a different y drill operated trimmer before and my thumbs would be numb if I did a large amount. It also felt like it took twice as long. With this I just pull the trigger on my impact driver, raise the ram, hold case for a second or two, lower ram, spin case, hold for another couple seconds and poof! Perfectly trimmed brass every time and with no effort on my part. I mean it chamfers and deburrs at the same time. For the price there’s no reason to do it any other way.
Great review. I wondered if the cutter would end up grabbing onto a bur, and then just spinning the case, but it doesn't sound like you ran into that issue.
That's actually really interesting; I think the reason it doesn't happen is the case has contact on all sides plus the neck/shoulder. That, combined with the fact that the thickness of the neck being trimmed is fairly minor probably prevents it from being an issue.
I never had good luck with mine. I ended up ditching it after using it for a little while. Do you still use yours or have you migrated to your newer frankford arsenal trim station?
I'll use the Lee for casings of which I have very few to process just because it's so ridiculously fast to set up. If I'm going to do any serious volume though, I go straight for the Frankford.
@@TATVCanada But if I understand the purpose of the Frankford correctly, it's for bottle neck cartridges only. For straight wall cartridges you'll nee either the quick trim or one of those 'universal' case trimmers for $80.00 plus
@briancowan4318 thanks, since so far I have about 50 M1 carbine to do!😮
Great concise spot on review - thankyou!
Thanks.
I'm getting decent results now on 10mm holding the drill up a little. If I just let it rest over to the side where the grip weighs it down, I get short and uneven results. It also looks like in the video the bit can get chucked deeper. I need to stick a pinky nail into the mouth and twist for the last clinger, but it's getting my once fired mix a little uniformity!
So how consistent is it? Say you have it all set up to the length you want and trim 20 cases, are they all the same or a few thousands off?
I've never checked twenty in a row before; I did run 5 through a Vernier caliper and they were uniform to about .001". The key to getting this tool to perform well for me has been to make one cut, rotate the case, then make a second cut.
That's pretty good in my book. I have always been a little skeptical about these. I think I may pick one up for 223 and give it a try. Thanks for the review.
It's not quite as accurate or fast as the Frankford Arsenal (review coming soon) but it's also like a tenth of the price. The Lee served me well for a long time, the only reason I upgraded was I started buying 223 brass in bulk quantities of 10,000-15,000 and I just couldn't justify the time it took with the Lee any more.
Ive found you can move the drill in a little circle, it has a little play in it and will cut the case even..
I’m considering the forster power case trimmer I don’t believe that it chamfers & deburrs. If you had a choice between the 2 the lee or the Forster which would you pick
Never used the Forster, so can't really say.
my bet is the weight of the drill causing more pressure on one side was the reason you needed to rotate your brass
That could well be the case.
Very nice review :-) i wish i could live elsewhere and do reloading ect.
Regards from uk
Thanks for your comment; sorry to hear about your troubles with regards to reloading, that's a bummer!
Mine worked great for awhile. Then it ate the end of my brass. Bought a new one and happened again. Thing that my power screw driver was to slow and blades bent.
Finally, have a standing drill press! So onward we go!
Great video... great video shooting and sound quality.
Thank you, sir.
I wonder if there's a way to attach a power source to the trimmer and leave in on
Corded drill.
Only issue I have had using these, is that occasionally the cutter will catch on the brass and “rip” it causing the case mouth to be ruined. Doesn’t happen often, but that is a con. It could be user error though as I may not had the cutter spinning enough before touching the case
I don't think it's user-error as I usually don't start the cutter until the case is entirely in the die and flush with it. What caliber have you been experiencing this with?
TATV Canada mainly 223, but had a couple in 30-30 also do it. Like I said it’s occasional. I’m wondering if the brass may of had a small split or crack in the mouth.
That looks the way to go
Very well done. I quality professional grade resolution.
Thank you, much appreciated.
What is the depth die adjustment ?
It's the little black plastic collar; take a look at 0:10 for a better look.
I hate to bust the party try rcbs 3 way cutter with drill , rcbs trimmer is also adjustable for different length , fast accurate
Disagree
Its more expensive, and not as fast. Accurate? Probably more. Forster also have similar product.
Have found it does not trim cases consistently . Even adjusted to limit it goes way over or under desired length. Creating constant measurement. Not why I bought it.
You might want to talk to Lee; I haven't had that problem really.
Most of the shavings end up inside the the case....
It's at least 3 times faster on my drill press using the hand die
This trim ruins brass