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Posted: 1/9/2013 8:08:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: RLR350][Edited]
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(ETA: A quick video is down several posts)
I've seen some post of people adding power to their lathe style trimmers. Here is a way to do it relatively inexpensively. (I have posted pictures of this in other threads, but thought I'd consolidate it). I use an RCBS Pro Trimmer and a variable speed rechargeable drill. The drill would sag if just hooked to the trimmer shaft, so I made a moving platform. The platform is separate from the trimmer base so I can use the trimmer without power if I want. My bench has "t" rails and all of m portable tools are on oak bases so they can be quickly and easily moved. Here is an overview picture. The drill is mounted on a movable table between dowels which hold it securely, but allow for removal of the drill. The table is mounted to drawers slides, which are mounted to a base. The base is secured to the "t" rails. The drill is in a position I can just grab the handle, depress the trigger with my thumb and move it into the brass. 
A few pictures of the top view of the dowel placement. The bin is for trimmed brass. It is removable. It sits on the drawer slides, held in by the oak pieces. One of the extra holes is placed so I can get to the forward/reverse switch. The other is under the drill vent. The dowel idea came from a you tube video. (I managed to get the ARFCOM requisite feet shot in one of the photos) 
This is the base with the drill table removed. The oak rails between the drawer slides and base raise the sliding platform enough so the drill is level with the trimmer shaft. 
Here is the trimmer base separated from the table. 
And this is a 8-32 machine screw through a hexagonal rod connector which makes a good system to attach the drill chuck. It's easily removable so the manual handle can be replaced. 
This didn't cost much and only took a little time to make. It is pretty quick and as consistently accurate as the RCBS Pro Trimmer can be. |
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I love home made tools. Believe me I have made my share and still do. But when does time and effort go beyond practical?
If you already have the manual trimmer then you already have all the accessories. Buying the power trimmer may be more time and cost effective. OP. Very nice craftsmanship. You would make a cabinet maker and tool maker proud. |
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The only problem I've had with a similarly set up system is I can't find a drill with a concentric chuck. Every drill I've tried has enough run out in the chuck that using a 3 way cutter is not possible because it trims unevenly. Does yours work ok?
Nicely done on your setup, mine is much more ghetto and not worthy of pics. |
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Originally Posted By Jailer:
The only problem I've had with a similarly set up system is I can't find a drill with a concentric chuck. Every drill I've tried has enough run out in the chuck that using a 3 way cutter is not possible because it trims unevenly. Does yours work ok? Nicely done on your setup, mine is much more ghetto and not worthy of pics. It does pretty good with the machine screw and hex nut as the connector. I'm careful to lock the chuck down as even as I can, but the table and trimmer shaft keep it concentric. If there is a problem it is with the brass sitting in the universal trimmer holder a little off, but this doesn't really have to do with the drill. To prevent this I tap the handle of the trimmer prior to trimming and sometimes during trimming. From what I read, the RCBS trimmer receives it's fair share of complaints for the uneven cuts - but it can be controlled to an acceptable degree. |
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Originally Posted By Motor1:
I love home made tools. Believe me I have made my share and still do. But when does time and effort go beyond practical? If you already have the manual trimmer then you already have all the accessories. Buying the power trimmer may be more time and cost effective. OP. Very nice craftsmanship. You would make a cabinet maker and tool maker proud. I know what you are saying. To me hobbies are not for the sake of saving time or money. Tinkering and building stuff are part of the overall group of hobbies that I enjoy spending time on, so I don't look at it in the same way as some people. You should see the hot foam cutter I built just to cut one rifle case :) Or, the annealer that kept me busy for a few months when I could have bought one or more for the same price. (Although I am using that and it works great). |
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Originally Posted By RLR350:
Originally Posted By Motor1:
I love home made tools. Believe me I have made my share and still do. But when does time and effort go beyond practical? If you already have the manual trimmer then you already have all the accessories. Buying the power trimmer may be more time and cost effective. OP. Very nice craftsmanship. You would make a cabinet maker and tool maker proud. I know what you are saying. To me hobbies are not for the sake of saving time or money. Tinkering and building stuff are part of the overall group of hobbies that I enjoy spending time on, so I don't look at it in the same way as some people. You should see the hot foam cutter I built just to cut one rifle case :) Or, the annealer that kept me busy for a few months when I could have bought one or more for the same price. (Although I am using that and it works great). I know what you mean and am happy you did not take my comments the wrong way. I have spent hours making a tool only to find that one already exists and was cheap to buy. 
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Originally Posted By RegionRat:
Cool! Love to hear how it runs for you. Maybe a video post? So the idea is you will trun the drill on and feed with your right hand and then pull that slide back away for another load cycle? Yip. It's pretty simple to operate. I made this a few months ago and have trimmed about 2000 .233 cases. They stay at about 1.752/1.753". Here is a quick video. 
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