trimming

[Rustywreck]

I'm going to need to start trimming brass. I've read about a few different trimmers, including doing a search of this forum.
I am looking at a RCBS 3-way trimmer. It does does the trimming chamfering and deburring all at once, and is only around $40.00. Does anyone have an opinion or experience with this machine?

Assuming this is too good to be true, and not the best choice for me I am open to suggestions for other trimmers, deburring, chamfering.

Thanks in advance.

[Gil Martin]

For many years, I have used Lee trimmers. They are cheap, effective and easy to use. I have not used the RCBS product you mentioned. All the best...
Gil

[muskrat30]

I just use the Lee trimmers also. They work fine for me & how often I need them.

[Skinny Shooter]

Hi Feathermax, I use the RCBS Trim Pro kit: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=114864&t=11082005
It has most of the pilot and shellholders you will need.

This is what I use for deburring and chamfering: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=364181&t=11082005

I use this on new brass for the primer pockets with a cordless screwdriver: http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=RECPUN&item=UN-8002&type=store

This is what cleans the primer pockets after each firing: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=328046&t=11082005
RCBS sells a green plastic handle that attaches to it also. That handle appears in the photo of the flash hole deburring tool down below.

I use this on new brass to clean up the touch hole: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=543494&t=11082005
Btw, the "self-centering pilot collar with an adjustable stop" is installed backwards in their photo.

I got your PM. Thanks and call anytime. :)

[Rapier]

I use the motorized RCBS Trim Pro and the Case prep station. The $40 item is the 3 way cutter head that attaches to the Trim Pro. So you must buy a trim pro then the cutter head. But, when put together it works like magic.
Ed

[Cossack]

Trim pro in an RCBS trimmer works great. I made a little bench for mine so I can lauy a cordless drill up against it. Remove the handlle. Attach the drill to a stub of a screw in the hole that holds the handle and walla, motorized trimmer.

[Larryjk]

Originally posted by Feathermax
I'm going to need to start trimming brass. I've read about a few different trimmers, including doing a search of this forum.
I am looking at a RCBS 3-way trimmer. It does does the trimming chamfering and deburring all at once, and is only around $40.00. Does anyone have an opinion or experience with this machine?

Assuming this is too good to be true, and not the best choice for me I am open to suggestions for other trimmers, deburring, chamfering.

Thanks in advance. :( I used a trimmer like RCBS that held the case in a shell-holder. The thickness of rims varies between brands of cases. Therefore the trim length is different. I now use a trimmer that holds the cases in a collet. No matter what brand, they all come out the same. Redding now makes a trimmer that holds the case in a collet that also is used to turn the case against the cutter. perfectly square case mouths. Kinda pricey.

[Catfish]

I think that the secret to getting consistant lenth with a trimer is to have it mortrized. I just use an electric screw drive on my trimer. It is not only alot faster and easier, the cases have a more consistant lenth.

[Rev]

Originally posted by Catfish
I think that the secret to getting consistant lenth with a trimer is to have it mortrized. I just use an electric screw drive on my trimer. It is not only alot faster and easier, the cases have a more consistant lenth.

I do the same as Catfish. I just hook up a regular old drill motor to my RCBS trimmer. But I still get somewhat (.005"?) different lengths due to the amount needed to tighten the collet on an individual case head. More necessary tightening produces a longer trim length. I do try to keep that cross bar on the collet in the same position each time if I can. Not sure that .005" makes a lot of difference on trim length, but I do kinda wish they would all be the same.

BTW, I have the neck turning/boring bar combo that fits this trimmer too and it also works well motorized. I motorize my flash hole deburrer and uniformer too. I guess I'm just lazy, LOL.

Rev

[Larryjk]

Rev, If the tightness of the collet affects your trim length, you have some type of an equipment problem. The collet on the case head should give you the same grip no matter how hard you tighten the collet. Make sure yur collet does not have a buildup of any kind in the base of the collet where that size casehead is bottoming out. Check it out. The problem you are explaining should not exist if you are going to get repeatable lengths.

[Rev]

Originally posted by Larryjk
Rev, If the tightness of the collet affects your trim length, you have some type of an equipment problem. The collet on the case head should give you the same grip no matter how hard you tighten the collet. Make sure yur collet does not have a buildup of any kind in the base of the collet where that size casehead is bottoming out. Check it out. The problem you are explaining should not exist if you are going to get repeatable lengths.

The way my trimmer works is to pull the collet into a cone to tighten the collet around the case head thereby securing it so that the cutter can trim the case. If one case differs in head size even by the slightest amount, then the collet is pulled more or maybe less into that cone thereby producing a different case position and therefore affecting trim length. I hope I'm explaining this correctly but I don't see how I can change that phenomena without going to a different method (don't want to buy a new trimmer) of securing the case in the trimmer for that cutter to act on. Hope what I am saying makes sense.

Rev

[Larryjk]

Rev, Sort your brass by headstamp and there should not be a significant difference in diameters within the same headstamp. If there is, I recommend the direct route and throw it away and start with new brass from the same lot.:(

[Rev]

Originally posted by Larryjk
Rev, Sort your brass by headstamp and there should not be a significant difference in diameters within the same headstamp. If there is, I recommend the direct route and throw it away and start with new brass from the same lot.:(

Can't throw the brass away. They are all sorted by head stamp (all of them not by lot though). It happens with a half a dozen different calibers. I do appreciate your input.. I think I'll just have to live with the .005" variation. I could go to something like the Lee trimmer that uses a shell holder that tightens the case head stamp against the shell holder to immobilize the case. Still not sure that the .005" variation makes any difference. I never have to trim my most accurate rifle's cases anyway (they haven't grown any so far), as they're Ackley's and the brass for these is all from the same lot. Of course I do check the length each time I load. Thanks again for the input/advice.

Rev

[dakotah]

If you are talking .005" --- then I agree with you Rev. Don't see how that could make much difference. But then I don't shoot bench rest and I am not a fanatic like some of those guys I have met. I confess that although I used to be very careful regarding I fired brass I will sometimes mix brass that I have fired two times after trimming with brass that I have fired once or even three times. So the variation on my hunting loads is there. To complicate things, I don't use a precision instrument to inside or outside de-burr my brass thereby introducing further variations. And most of my rifles do not have custom chambers, though some do.

For an experiment: Take a case you have trimmed measure the case length and fire it in full power load and remeasure the case length.

[Catfish]

Rev,
You have to be doing some thing wrong if your getting .005 varation in lenth. Are you tring to trim them with a primer in the case? Knock out primers before trimming. My cases come out with in .0005 in. when running them through in a hurry.

[skeet]

I have one of the motorized RCBS trimmers and it does just fine. Also have a 3 way cutter for it and it really is neat. For my 223 brass i have a Gracey and it does trim them all the same...at least the ones shot in my rifle. Both do down to about what Catfish said. Bout .0005...according to the dig. :D BTW those digital devices are soo much better for me. Same with the motorized thingies. Just lazy.

[dakotah]

Skeet, you are right. I mis-read - I thought I saw .0005 also.

[Larryjk]

I am not sure what the problem is that you would accept 0.005 tolerance in your case length after trimming. I have been using a Forster trimmer for years and would never accept that much variation. That is a personal preference, not a commercial. Now I would purchase the Redding 2400 model because it has to produce a square mouth and the accuracy should be +- 0.001.
Then neck size so your cases don't grow on each firing.