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Posted: 3/23/2009 7:05:52 PM EDT
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Who uses one?
Faster than Lee cutter w/ Drill? What do you think? |
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Who uses one? I do, it is easy to use, accurate and consistent. I have pilots for all of the calibers I reload and I can switch from one caliber to the next and have it set up to the "trim to length" for the next caliber in a minute or two. Once you get a feel for tightening the collet on the untrimmed case it will hold +/- .0005". The trick I have found is to let the cutter head seat the rim into the collet while spinning the case with the crank handle, then tighten the collet and the case will stop spinning and the cutter will then trim the case. Faster than Lee cutter w/ Drill? Dunno, from the tutorials I have read on using the Lee cutter I would say probably not. I can tell you that I can trim 100 223 cases to 1.752" in about 20~25 minutes, and that is taking time to measure one every now and again. I imagine the Lee cutter is quicker? What do you think? The Forster is the only trimmer I have and have ever used so I can't make a comparison. I like mine, I got it off of EBay for $15 with one #1 collet and no pilots. It will use any manufacturer's pilots that have the 3/16" shank. It fits my purpose, as I load in batches of no more than 100 to 200 rounds at a time though. If you are looking at loading in batches of 1000 at a time there are probably better options? Here is a pic I took of my train wreck of a bench while trimming some 223 yesterday. I have the trimmer mounted to a strip of aluminum that I clamp to the edge of the bench. I put a trash can in the floor under the trimmer to catch the brass shavings. When I am done trimming I unclamp it and store it in the rubbermaid container until the next time it is needed. 
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| Do yourself a favor and buy the power adaptor. It allows you to attach an electric drill to it instead of cranking the handle. A bump of the brigger on the drill beats cranking. I bought mine from midway for around $10. BTW, my Forster trimmer is 30+ years old and still going strong. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Faster than Lee cutter w/ Drill? Dunno, from the tutorials I have read on using the Lee cutter I would say probably not. I can tell you that I can trim 100 223 cases to 1.752" in about 20~25 minutes, and that is taking time to measure one every now and again. I imagine the Lee cutter is quicker? No...It takes me quite a bit longer to trim 100 .223 cases with Lee cutter. Thanks for the good info. |
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I have used a Forster Trimmer for over 15 years and it is an excellent piece of equipment. How good is it? i just replaced the collet housing a year ago for all of $12. Manufactures don't stock parts for Legacy equipment unless it is Popular. Stay away from trimmers that use shell holders-stick with a collet type trimmer.
The only unit I have used or know of that is Better than a Forster is a Redding 2400($135.00). The Redding is better because tightening the collet requires only fingertip pressure and is less hard on the hands after trimming hundreds of cases. I Ialso like the Reddings ability to be mobile and attach to multiple work surfaces-Bench, Black and Decker Work Mate Portable Bench Etc. With the Forster you really have to screw the trimmer to a two by four and use bolts and wings nuts to attach it to benchtop or put the two by four in a vice as I have for years. Redding also requires no separate collets(Forster has 4) and comes with 6 of the most popular trimmer pilots. The 2400 also has a micrometer and makes adjustments easier especially when changing from on caliber to another. The 2400 is also highly consistent even more so than the Forster. |
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