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Cars & Coffee Killer
 
legion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
Power Case Trimmer

It's time. I need a power case trimmer.

I started out with the Lee case trimmer, which works fine, but I tend to get blisters on my fingers doing as few as 100 cases at a time.

Then I bought the Lee Zip Trim, which works fine most of the time, but I end up ruining about 2-3% of the cases I put through it as they slip out of the shell holder and cam while cutting (causing one side of the case to get cut down more than the other side). I've also had to take apart and fix the Zip trim twice to fix it when it broke, and I doubt the plastic housing will put up with 1000 more cases.

Then I bought the Hornady Cam Lock. It's a decent quality unit, but I have trouble setting it correcting. I always seem to cut cases a little too long or short with it--even though I always use a reference case to set it, and it's settings seem to drift over time as I use it. It's okay for short runs (like no more than 50 cases at a time), but any more than that and it's a pain. I also don't like how each case is secured in place. It takes a lot of time to secure or remove a case. If I'm doing a run of 500 cases, it can take me a 5-6 hours (with multiple re-adjustments and dozens of tossed cases due to the settings "drifting").

Ideally, I'd like something that it only took a second or so to place and secure a case, and I'd like to be able to trim about 500 cases in an hour. (Not sure if that pace is realistic.)

I already own an RCBS Trim Mate prep center, so I have sped up the chamfering and deburring process.

Can anyone recommend a power case trimmer that is quick and easy to use, and does not "drift" with use?

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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle...
5 liters of VVT fury now
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Old 02-13-2011, 07:03 PM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
 
legion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
Still need one, and still haven't found one I like.

It seems all of the good ones don't do both pistol and rifle calibers. From my research, this seems to be the consensus:

Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Prep Center: seems the motor bearing burn out, it's hard to get a square cut, and it's pricey.

RCBS Trim Pro Power Case Trimmer: Has an inconsistent power switch, and also hard to get a square cut.

Lyman Power Trimmer: piece of junk. Motor gets very hot and dies quickly.

Giraud Power Trimmer: Very expensive. Well-built, but only does rifle calibers.

Gracey Power Cartridge Case Trimmer: Reasonable price, rifle calibers only.

Dillon Power Case Trimmer: Would have to invest a small fortune in trim dies.
__________________
Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle...
5 liters of VVT fury now
-Chris

"There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security."
Old 11-20-2011, 06:47 PM
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MT930's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Southwest Montana
Posts: 2,738
RCBS Trim Pro Power Case Trimmer

Works Good for me, even bench rest type quality.

They make better but they are pricey.

Case Prep Center works as well.

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Old 11-20-2011, 06:56 PM
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