WFT Trimmer Users... May I have you for a Minute?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - WFT Trimmer Users... May I have you for a Minute?

Posted: 11/23/2013 2:34:22 PM EDT

finished trimming over a K of brass today with my WFT.

Typically, I use Hornady One shot lube but ran out and had to use another type during sizing.

After sizing I went straight to swagging then trimming,

After trimming, I tumbled all the brass in corn media ( 2 batches ) to remove the slimy lube.

Any who... I realized that after tumbling the cases they require NO debur or chamfer!

and if they do... I cannot see it or feel it with my fingernail.

I typically never tumble after trimming and this time I did because of the lubrication. Has anyone else come across this ?

And should I still Chamfer and Deburr ?

Posted: 11/23/2013 4:51:26 PM EDT

[#1]

I've used the WFT for a while now too but I still chamfer and deburr as a matter of habit. It makes loading flat based bullets just a little easier.

Posted: 11/23/2013 5:35:55 PM EDT

[#2]

When my tool was new I didn't have to, as long as I was loading boat tail, but had to at least chamfer it if not. After about 5000 to 6000 Rounds the bit wore and required the chamfer and deburr. Just got a new bit in, I'm hopping to be able to skip a step again. Don't get me wrong the bit was still usaable, just want to skip a step id I can, and the bits are cheap.

I read some where that trimming with lube is not good for the bit. I not sure how true that is, But I plan to remove the lube first this time around to see if the bit last longer.

Posted: 11/23/2013 5:38:00 PM EDT

[#3]

I trimmed a couple hundred 223 cases today with my WFT. I never have to deburr but always chamfer the cases a little bit.

Posted: 11/23/2013 5:49:42 PM EDT

[#4]

I had sized a pile of brass last winter and didn't tumble it immediately after sizing. Fast forward to this summer when I got my WFT - trim, chamfer, debur, then into the wet tumbler that I set up this spring. I noticed that wet tumbling with pins seemed to "soften" the mouth of the case a bit, instead of being close to sharp. I like it, but don't know that it will warrant two runs through the wet tumbler on future batches.

Posted: 11/23/2013 5:50:44 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
When my tool was new I didn't have to, as long as I was loading boat tail, but had to at least chamfer it if not. After about 5000 to 6000 Rounds the bit wore and required the chamfer and deburr. Just got a new bit in, I'm hopping to be able to skip a step again. Don't get me wrong the bit was still usaable, just want to skip a step id I can, and the bits are cheap.

I read some where that trimming with lube is not good for the bit. I not sure how true that is, But I plan to remove the lube first this time around to see if the bit last longer.

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Would you give us a link to the bit for the .223 WFT. thanks.

Posted: 11/23/2013 5:59:36 PM EDT

[#6]

Does anyone know why these trimmers do not come with a three way cutter - trim, chamfer and deburr.

Posted: 11/23/2013 6:42:16 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Does anyone know why these trimmers do not come with a three way cutter - trim, chamfer and deburr.

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Cost. There are other tools that will do that for you, but they also come with a hefty price tag. The WFT seems to hit the sweet spot for speed and simplicity for the price.

Posted: 11/23/2013 7:06:31 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

When my tool was new I didn't have to, as long as I was loading boat tail, but had to at least chamfer it if not. After about 5000 to 6000 Rounds the bit wore and required the chamfer and deburr. Just got a new bit in, I'm hopping to be able to skip a step again. Don't get me wrong the bit was still usaable, just want to skip a step id I can, and the bits are cheap.
I read some where that trimming with lube is not good for the bit. I not sure how true that is, But I plan to remove the lube first this time around to see if the bit last longer.

View Quote

Trimming with lube is hard on the trimmer's cutter. High speed steel (HS6) is subject to wear with the lube and brass as brass by itself is abrasive. Lube just enables it to wear instead of cut. I'm surprised you made 5000 pieces as I wore one out in 2000. Switched to full carbide (not HS6 steel), wash my formed/sized brass in hot water and dawn... no problems since. Last cutter I replaced had equiv of 40K+ pieces on it before it wore out.

Posted: 11/23/2013 7:07:59 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

Does anyone know why these trimmers do not come with a three way cutter - trim, chamfer and deburr.

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Cost... and it's not needed. Take a look at Federal Gold Metal Match ammo. No inner or outer chamfer. A square case mouth releases the bullet uniformly.

Posted: 11/23/2013 8:19:33 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Cost. There are other tools that will do that for you, but they also come with a hefty price tag. The WFT seems to hit the sweet spot for speed and simplicity for the price.

View Quote

IMO, it is a poor trade. The incremental cost for a 3 way cutter would pay for itself immediately in time saved by NOT having to handle the brass three times - trim, chamfer and debur.

Posted: 11/23/2013 8:23:25 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Cost... and it's not needed. Take a look at Federal Gold Metal Match ammo. No inner or outer chamfer. A square case mouth releases the bullet uniformly.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Does anyone know why these trimmers do not come with a three way cutter - trim, chamfer and deburr.

Cost... and it's not needed. Take a look at Federal Gold Metal Match ammo. No inner or outer chamfer. A square case mouth releases the bullet uniformly.

As the cutter dulls, you will get an ever-increasingly large burr. At some point you will need to deal with it.

Perhaps this is an opportunity for someone to make a 3 way cutter accessory for the WFT. This is the type of thing little specialty shops love (like UniqueTech).

I'm pushing this issue because the Giraud trimmer has a 3 way cutter but the machine's cost is very, very high. WFT would live up to its name if it could do all 3 cuts at a reasonable price.

Posted: 11/23/2013 9:02:19 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I trimmed a couple hundred 223 cases today with my WFT. I never have to deburr but always chamfer the cases a little bit.

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This was badically my experience while I used the WFT. I was prepared to deburr every case, but on examination very very few needed it.

I don't belong to the sect that believes square, unflared cases allow all bullets to seat easily.

Posted: 11/24/2013 2:16:34 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

IMO, it is a poor trade. The incremental cost for a 3 way cutter would pay for itself immediately in time saved by NOT having to handle the brass three times - trim, chamfer and debur.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Cost. There are other tools that will do that for you, but they also come with a hefty price tag. The WFT seems to hit the sweet spot for speed and simplicity for the price.

IMO, it is a poor trade. The incremental cost for a 3 way cutter would pay for itself immediately in time saved by NOT having to handle the brass three times - trim, chamfer and debur.

You're talking about an order of magnitude in increase of cost of the cutter, not to mention having to redesign the whole unit. The main attraction is that it is relatively cheap and easy to replace cutters. Still a lot faster than a trim pro, even with the 3 way cutter.

Posted: 11/24/2013 6:09:52 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Would you give us a link to the bit for the .223 WFT. thanks.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

When my tool was new I didn't have to, as long as I was loading boat tail, but had to at least chamfer it if not. After about 5000 to 6000 Rounds the bit wore and required the chamfer and deburr. Just got a new bit in, I'm hopping to be able to skip a step again. Don't get me wrong the bit was still usaable, just want to skip a step id I can, and the bits are cheap.

I read some where that trimming with lube is not good for the bit. I not sure how true that is, But I plan to remove the lube first this time around to see if the bit last longer.

Would you give us a link to the bit for the .223 WFT. thanks.

I bought mine from Dale at Little Crow Gunworks web site. But after, it donged on me that it's just a stander 3/8 end-mil bit. the model he sent me was HTC 120-4375. But you can fine other bits on websites like www.mcmaster.com or even ebay for less. I think Little sells them for $25for the carbide, but you can fine them for around $15 for carbide and $7 for stander steal.

Posted: 11/24/2013 7:03:34 AM EDT

[#15]

I ordered mine from Midway. I think it was around $10.00....

I don't need to replace mine yet, but I was getting some ammo boxes that were on sale, so I had them throw that in too.

Posted: 12/12/2013 5:55:31 PM EDT

[#16]

I can confirm 1st hand that using the WFT with lube still on the cases does infact wear the cutter faster. I got through about 800 before i noticed a difference, but after 900 it degraded quickly and by the time i finished 1200, the cutter is pretty much done.

Quik

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - WFT Trimmer Users... May I have you for a Minute?

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