FORSTER Original Case Trimmer: Trimming and Neck Turning
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Case trimming is a super-important part of the reloading process for bottleneck rifle cartridges. And for those concerned with maximum accuracy, neck turning is also an important capability and consideration. So what if you could buy one tool that would both trim cases AND turn case necks… Enter the Forster Original Case Trimmer, the subject of this video!
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Forster Original Case Trimmer is The Best - Have used for 20+ Years without Failure...
I love mine. I'm the second generation using it, the trimmer is 45+ years old and still going strong.
Now that's longevity! :)
Yup, just used mine yesterday to bring some 300 Blackout made from 223 brass, to spec.. 338-06 to 17 Remington. Circa 1980?
I bought my Forster case trimmer when I first started reloading for my "new" 22-250 back in 1966. It's been a great tool and works flawlessly. Just checked the original box it came in and saw the price...$10.50 Love the '60's! (gasoline was .$0.25 cents a gallon too back then in the Muscle Car era).
Forster trimmers great tool I have my Dad's they where not much cheaper in the 60's when you take in consideration that $10.50 in 1966 had the buying power of $99.07 in 2023
I have both a Forster and a Wilson Case trimmers. The Wilson is often considered as the creme de la creme of precision case trimmers and it is a fine tool.
But i find myself using the Forster more often these days. I have found the Forster to be just as accurate, quicker to use and i'm less likely to damage soft annealed necks.
You do have to be vigilant with the Forster to get the consistent results. Eg, making sure the case is fully seated in the collet. I also found mounting the trimmer on a block of 4x2 and securely clamping it into a vice makes a huge difference. At first i had it screwed onto a flat block of wood thinking that a portable trimmer would be ideal, it wasn't.
I have a Forster Original trimmer that was owned by my wife's uncle for a long time before I got it. He used it just for case trimming. I used for same then found out about all the accessories available for it. I have the outside neck turner and the hollow pointer. Both work great and it trims cases better than every other "mini lathe" type trimmer I have used.
Thanks for sharing.
I had one for years and recently picked up some old ones in auctions so I can leave them set for one caliber. I love the Forster Power Trimmer in my drill press with the Three Way Cutter, perfect for processing large numbers of .223 cases.
Had one for neck trimming for about 40 years.Works great and is consistent.
Awesome!
I've had this tool for several decades. It has worked great, but is a bit slow. On the outside neck turning, I set it to just take off the high side of the neck instead of going for a cut all the way around. That way I don't get the neck too thin. They also make reamers for removing metal from the inside of the neck, which is useful for wildcatting where you neck a case down a couple of calibers. It is still better to make the final cuts with the outside neck turner because it brings the neck to a uniform thickness all around.
I inside neck ream my .303 British cases before outside neck turning. Replaced a Lyman trimmer with the Forster 10 years ago and never looked back.
I've started reloading 223 on my Lee Loadmaster and am enjoying your videos. I've reloaded 9mm on it for many years, but 223 is the 1st rifle cartridge I've done, so I will need a case trimmer. This looks like a decent one and I will start with a no frills setup. Thx
I find it refreshing to see manufacturers addressing not only case trimming but the finer point of case neck thickness trimming. A couple years ago I started loading 300 Blk Out and used converted cases from 5.56. Opps, quickly found the issue that different manufacturers case walls were not the same and a case would not fit into the chamber as the neck metal thickness was too thick. CASE STUCK…! I watched numerous videos and looked on line and was shocked that almost no one was talking about this issue. After research I finally found and bought a Hornady Neck Trimmer. Realizing the neck effects accuracy as well as fitting into the chamber. I began posting about this issue and behold, evidently someone was listening as you see this great video of the new features from FOSTER. Great Work to bring this forward by this channel and its brilliant creator. Bravo….
I have a Forster trimmer from 1982! It look exactly the same except for the graphics. Worked then and still now.
i have one for each calibre i reload for. absolutely love their products!
I really like the way the shell casing is supported in the chuck! I think it’s better than the quick release lever type! I just got one off e-bay with the same type chuck ! RCBS ! I’m new and learning! Keep me in your prayers !
I have use the Original Case Trimmer since about 1963 and often to back to it when I want precision.
Bought my Forester 1976-77 when i started reloading with a Rock Chucker Jr. Started out loading .22 Hornet for a Contender then. Got all the accessories in a yellow blow moulded case except that 3 in one trimmer/chamfer tool you used and a power attachment. Must have came later. i was a machinist then and liked the precision this little lathe brought to my reloading bench. i still like it tho i doubt i will ever get a power attachment for it. Never have been in a hurry when reloading
I now use 2 of these each set up for specific calibers....love it! Also have a Frankford arsenal platinum power trimmer that I don't use any more as its so noisy and it uses a shoulder datum line to trim off of, which can cause trim length differences and affect accuracy, where as with the forester it is ACCUAL case length.
I was given one of those trimmers from someone’s “junk” and I used it and like it. I never knew there was a neck turning kit for it though! I’ll have to look into that
Years ago i started trimming using Lee trimmers, it was ok but kinda a pain to use. Next purchased a Lyman universal, it's ok but the cutter shaft is kinda sloppy and even with a power shaft and carbide cutter it still had a touch of chatter on the trim. But then I got a deal on a Forster, new in box at pawn shop and haven't looked back. Its the smoothest, tightest shaft trimmer I've seen. I cleaned the goopy oil/greese off of shaft and bearing block, treated both with a spray silicone spray lube, drying each treatment as I sprayed
6 layers, then after a couple days of good dry time added very lite wax free turbine oil and its been free of rust and trouble for years. It cuts straighter than any other on the market that I know of. There is also a larger base for the bearings for larger magnum cases. If I could afford another one to stage them from trimming to neck uniforming thats the way I would go or visa versa, uniform then trim as thats the way to do it.
Untill someone can prove there is a better cutter, with tighter tolerance its the one. And even then I probly won't change.
The only improvement possible would be an auto feed on the neck uniformer instead of having to use two hands so close.
Gavin- I have always only turned my collet lock around 1/4 turn, sufficient to remove and replace the case. Makes a real time difference. Everything from .17 Remington to.45/70, both overall length and neck turning on bottleneck cases, set up after a couple of times becomes quick. Going to get the optional extension for power feeding to save my arthritic wrist and fingers, otherwise some of the best money I have spent on reloading
I love my Forster. I got the short base so I could turn 9x19luger into 9x18MAK. I've done thousands, and its still sharp.
I've had that forever. Works great.
The other Forester tool that is very very worth your while is a drill press case trimming tool....
So you mount the base on the flat plate of your drill press. The case will stand straight up in the collet mount. The cutter will mount on the toolhead/chuck/whatever of the drill press.... Getting it set up perfect is kind of fussy, but once you get it, it's fantastic. I wanted to trim a few thousand 308's at one point. That drill press setup made it buzz right along.
I have this case trimmer and the one for a drill press. I bought it new in the late 80s. It is a cool tool. I have the 3 in one trimmer it is great to be able to trim to length and chamfer and de-burr all in one step.
Forster makes 3 bases ,Original 5 3/8 in. long ,Classic 6 1/2 in. long and 50 BMG 7 in. Long
good to know. i was thinking that looked kind of crowded with all the options installed.
if you remove the spindle head and the collet holder there is a second set of threads there to move each piece over for longer cases
Just got one of these secondhand for $50. Slowly getting my reload bench in good shape.
12:15 or you can use a feeler gage to set the cutter depth to give a pre-determined case neck thickness. I've had mine for about five years now, between that, and the expander mandrel I had to switch to a tenths indicator to get some wiggle from the needle from runout.
The power adapter is the best attachment Forster makes; I have them on both of my trimmers. One other cool thing is Forster will custom make a neck reamer in any size you want.
i have one of the original trimmers for every caliber i reload. a couple calibers i even have two trimmers. in those calibers I'm converting one caliber into another such as 300AAC. one trimmer takes me to 0.020 longer than trim to length, then the case goes through the forming die. finally the second trimmer with a neck turning head, set to cut neck wall to 0.010 thick and catch the length cut to final trim to length. the fine adjustment screw deteriorates quickly i discovered, thus cutting cases WAY to short. so when i first set up the trimmer i use the fine adjustment to get the case length i want. then i remove the fine adjust screw and set screw loosen the stop colar seat the cutting teeth on the mouth of the finished case then set the stop colar on the bearing face.
I have trimmed so many cases by hand my old wrists started hurting just watching that... power trimmers all the way for me now.
I've been using the same trimmer for 40+ years.
I think I own six or seven of the Forster case trimmers. Every time I see one on ebay for less than $35 I buy another and set it up for a specific caliber or purpose. Bought my first one about forty years ago - great trimmer - easy to use, versatile, accurate!
I have a Forster trimmer and I am looking at advancing to outside neck trimming. What you have shown me looks right for me. A Hornady in NZ costs around $270. So i have written to Mid South to see if they will deal with me down under here.
I have been using one since 72’ when I also bought a Bonanza Co-Ax press and Benchrest dies for my 222rem. Over the years I’ve added several calibers so needed Pilots for 17, 204, 6mm & 7mm. I will note though for 17 cal you need to buy a shaft too. I’m probably going to be picking up the longer base model and use with the neck turning attachment. I picked that attachment up early 90’s but didn’t really use until a few years ago. I don’t have the three in one tool. My accessory case is pretty full but I could see it would save time and be easier on you. Like I said I’ll pick up the longer base and set up for neck turning. I guess coming up on 48 years is pretty good service. Same can be said for the CoAx press which Forster bought out. If it works don’t fix it lol
I have an older one. It has served me well for 4 decades! My latest trick is to make Specials from 44 Magnums. No adapter, just removed the handle and attached a drill. Made a few hundred in no time.. I is cheap that way. lol
I have the same trimmer with a heap of attachments. The inside neck reamer it great for cases that tend to get a donut, like the .243 Win.
Tip for when neck turning on this - for best results you want 1) a tight fit against the pilot and 2) to ensure that any neck thickness variation is pushed to the outside where you are cutting. The solution to both is a cheap Lee collet neck sizing die where you can remove the mandrel and polish it to exactly the same size as the pilot.
Looked as if the cutter shaft housing on your trimmer was slightly loose.
The tip on the use of the Lee Collet sizing die is outstanding.....Thank you!
For maximum versatility down the road, buy the longer Classic base version if you intend to add the 3way head or neck turning tool. I've had the Original for 40 yrs now. Always liked how expandable and versatile this unit is. It is a tool that any beginner should get if they want a decent, expandable platform trimmer. And if you want a 3way cutter head in a calibre they don't list, Henderson Precision will supply them now.
Great trimmer. Happy to see they came out with a 3 way cutter. That little thing is kind of a pain in the ass to use though. Great if you're a benchrest guy who doesn't go through a lot of brass. edit: Love the neck thickness trimmer! That looks a lot easier than my sinclair tool. You need a degree to use that thing.
I use a Frankford Arsenal Platinum Power Case Trimmer for trimming duty and converted my Forester to outside neck turning. In 2022 6.5 Cm brass is very expansive when you can find it so I convert 308 brass (I have barrels of it from my NM days) to 6.5 Cm and use the Forester to turn the necks. Hot tip, a "G" size letter drill is perfect for the inside of the resized cases and I have 2 pilots for turning the outside. One standard for unsized brass and I turned down another and polished it a few thousandths for doing resized brass or my converted pieces. My 308/6.5 converted brass works great putting 120gr PPU OTM bullets into 5 shot .5" groups with my Savage 12FV at 100 yards and I did see a very noticeable reduction in group sizes turning the necks on both factory and converted cases.
I've had one of those forever!
The fact that only the crank handle has changed since the 70’s should tell you how perfect it is!! The three way cutter isn’t that old but there is no reason not to trust them to deliver the perfect tool.
I've used one for many many years, in the 70's I believe, this may sound strange but my technique is to use both hands at once in placing the case and tightening the collet. I don't loosen the collet but enough to fit the case, in one move I place the case while holding position and tension with my right hand, using the heel of my hand to apply pressure to the cutter shaft, at the same time I position the case in the collet with my fingers of the left hand while tightening the collet with the heel of my left hand. Once you find your rhythm it goes pretty quickly, you're doing two things at one time with each hand, efficiency of movement, no wasted action.
You should make a video of your technique cause this was hard to understand.
@@metaflux2 It is hard to understand, but I think he is saying he has, in effect, turned his two hands into four by using his fingers *and* the heels of both hands. His left hand heel tightens the collet handle and his right hand heel holds the shaft in place.
Fantastic instruction!!! Thank you. 🐕
It's amazing what you can get with proper bullet position. Fire-formed and neck-turned cases...the bullet ogive is only 0.002" off lands, instead of 0.152"! That's how a .300 Win Mag. can be made to put 3 rounds into 1/2" @ 200 yards!
Great bench design! Gotta do it.
I did one similar but I spaced the tracks to fit Inline Fabrication's tall mounts. Works great, never have to drill any holes in my bench.
I have one it's nice for doing small batches, I use it for my .22 br
I just remove the crank arm and chuck right onto the spindle with my cordless drill. No adapter needed, so I was shocked to find they offer one. I do think I might try the 3 in one, or at least a new cutter head. Mine can leave a nasty burr around the outside edge of the case mouth if I'm taking more than a few thou
Been using both 'long" and "short" frame 30+ yrs
Is there a different 3-in-1 for long action cartridges? My father has been using one of these for many years and I learned to reload using it. I like to insert case on pilot and push it with the case on to the collet and rotate a little while tightening the collet. Looked like you were tightening the collet a lot after installing the 3-in-1. More so than when straight trimming.
Good video and information.
Curious what your opinion is on outside neck turning versus inside neck reaming. I purchased the Forester Trimmer to use for neck turning, I sent it back after a week and bought the 21st Century neck turning lathe. I would like to see a step by step tutorial on the use of the 21st Century neck turning lathe process.
Does the 3 in 1 use its own pilot or the regular trimming pilot works with it?
Can the outside neck cutter be used to take extractor burrs off pistol brass?
I may have to do this T-track thing on my bench.
If you do, space the tracks to fit Inline Fabrication's mounts to begin with, so you don't have to go through the same stupid metal gymnastics as Gavin did.
I have one just like that, but it’s all rusted. Should I set it in bucket of oil and save it or?
Need to review the Giraud Trimmer and 21st century neck lathe. Both so much easier and faster.
The Sinclair neck turning tool with a cordless power drill very accurate and twice as fast
Forster makes an attachment for a cordless drill or driver that replaces the turning handle.
I got the Forster cutter on general reputation, and gave up after awhile. It's just too sensitive to the pressure on the crank, and I could never get consistency out of it.
Huge fan of forster products, Having looked at a few you reviewed. No idea on what the price difference is between them, This looks fiddly compared to the LE Wilson one.
Very much like a Lyman Universal case trimmer. The problem with them is the same. They don't stay in alignment. The adjustment goes out of true when the set screw works loose.
I watching your knuckles fly by those standing cases... Yipe! 😬😜
Next, the Henderson Precision tri-trim gen 2 😉 uses the Forster collets and tri-trim trimmers
Jonathan thornton yes I am thinking about getting this for speed.
Nick I have one and love it 🙂
How can I get extra set screws once they fall on the floor you never find them I need about three of them
Have one... I need to replace the cutter. Got it add a garage sale.
So, do I need all three attachments? Two? One? Are you duplicating work to illustrate usage or is this the process?
Sorry to ask what may be a really dumb question but I'm brand new to this and your explanation, which may be aimed
strictly at experienced reloaders, assumes a lot.
As the case gets longer, it gets thinner. This has been said on numerous reloading videos. I can see trimming the length back to tolerance, but thinning the neck reduces the strength for the tension or press fit you need on the bullet. So, when I do not see a caliper actually measuring what I am supposed to achieve as precision, then please define the value of a “little bit”. I want a number. Thanks...🤠
Could you not use a feeler guage between the cutter and pilot to achieve a specific wall thickness?
Yes. Another commentor mentions doing this.
How does this relate to the Boananźa tool that looks the same ?..
I was impressed at 3:16 by your ability to check case length with your fingers, but I was absolutely astounded at 4:01 when you determined case length just by looking! Wow!
I bought mine used for little cash.. honestly didn't know about that other set screw to make fine adjustments. Where can I order the 3-1 adapter?
Thanks Gavin.
There's links in the article to Midsouth product pages!
I like the Lyman trimmer 👍
At around 7:20ish you can watch the body of tool wobble.
I thought I saw that too.
Idk if you can beat the Wilson trimmer for perfect trimming. I wish they made a 3 way trimmer/chamfer tool head.
Thanks.,.
Gavin or anyone else, I'm having trouble trying to locate H4350 powder that can be shipped to me, so what is the next best thing to H4350 for my 6.5Creedmoor 140gr Berger vld target? I tried out the Win staball 6.5 but its just not giving me the ballistics as H4350 did, not even close
I am hearing good things about Reloader 16.
I got this entire set-up in the trade I made to get started reloading. I find this trimmer to be ridiculously difficult to set up and use. I’m sure this is a really good trimmer, and I mean top shelf stuff, but that don’t mean it can’t be easier to use. I’m a machinist so I get how this goes but if I were a layman, I wouldn’t want this thing.
That micro adjustment screw is way too fiddly. I want those two big flat surfaces registering completion, not a small surface offset from the centerline that can induce chatter or can't into the head. Set the head to just touch, grab a pack of feeler gauges and slip in the blade the thickness you want to remove. Push the collar in and lock it down. No fuss or fiddle and you are registering around the complete circumference instead of a single offset point.
Valid point. I like your solution a lot, will give it a try.
Yeah, I stopped using the micro adjustment screw for the same reason. Backing it all the way off and setting the big collar is way more reliable.
Will the 3 & 1 fit on the Hornady trimmer?
Which Hornady trimmer?
It looks like there is a lot movement of the bearing when you're cranking, wouldn't that translate into inconsistencies?
You'd think so but it doesn't, not in my years of turning necks. Also a little lube helps with smoothing out the cutting.
I have that and it is quite slow to operate
No measurements??
It's not really a hand lathe as it is a hand mill. It would prolly be a little more square if the work turned. But you already know that.
Wish I could find a case trimmer
What is the better way to turn neck with this tool, outside neck turn or inside ? I want to buy one but I still ask myself for turning outside or inside the neck. It's for .300 wm. Have you an idea about what is better, outside or inside for this caliber or is it the same ? thank you.
Use the optional reamer head to uniform insides. Turn outsides for consistent neck wall thickness. Best way to turn necks isn't what Gavin shows. Turn necks top to bottom but such that only about 2/3 to 3/4 of the circumference is cut. That way you're cutting the thicker portion of the neck to the same thickness as the minimum.
Bedding the action in the cheap factory plastic stock, polishing the trigger and handloads produced .75 inch three shot groups in my first higher quality deer rifle - a push feed Model 70 in .270. Outside neck turning factory brass took it down to 3 shots consistently in the fours: Under .5 inch. Excellent for a factory rifle.
@@larrymitchell3502 thank you for your answer.
Question , I have a forster case trimmer . Case lengths all verey. Can you help . Next step L E Wilson . Show people's mistakes??
Can you neck turn without the cam? I don’t think my kit came with one
It's a separate accessory kit- see the links in the article
Good review and good trimmer. I prefer SINCLAIR/L.E. WILSON STAINLESS ULTIMATE TRIMMER
Man! This seems like it would take forever to do a batch of 100 and it doesnt seem like it would be precise. Does case overall length really matter for PRS-type shooting?
Yes, this is not for 1,000s of cases :)
I have not had good luck using this tool for trimming. Very pressure dependent. May as well use something powered. I have seen case length to be a relatively unimportant variable in my reloading compared to other case measurements.
Forster makes a power adapter that replaces the handle. I have them on both of my trimmers and they work great with a cordless driver.
I would like to get one of those. How much does it cost
See the article (link in video description)
I feel like I would prefer to just have three.
Thank you. Would have been a bit more informative if you would include the neck thickness? Min thickness?
Can I use this to make hollow points??
Yes, they have a separate attachment.
It doesn't look like there is enough room to use the 3-way trimmer or the neck trimmer on long action cases like 30-06 or 7mm rem mag.
I've used mine to neck turn .30-06 length cases.
I have one and it's slow and a pain in the ass.
Neat little thing, was interested until I saw the price… can get a Frankford electric case trim station for $20 less
You don't measure and see how even is trimming around the case?
That handle never would have left the packaging if I were you. I would have attached a power drill first thing
World's Finest Trimmer 2 for the win! I'll never go back to a hand crank/lathe style trimmer again.
Yes, if all you do is trim case length. Forster is way more capable/versatile, but is slower. The WFT is faster, but @ $75 each per cartridge can get *really* expensive for loaders of multiple guns.
@@2whl4re caliber changes on the WFT2 are $25. They are absolutely worth every penny. Also more consistent than lathe type trimmers.
@@jameslovesjammie Not familiar with the 2, have to take a look. That's more reasonable than buying one for every caliber, for sure.
Got an old one, made it take a drill. Even a file will work. To much over thinking in this reloading thing.
You're happy with a possible .4000" L. variation? Seriously??