Author Topic: Motor-izing a case-trimmer (Read 996 times)

scoob · « **on:** April 09, 2011, 05:00:17 PM »

Since I just can't bring myself to part with the fun-tickets they want for the Dillon RT-1200, I finally modded my Lyman case trimmer to fit a cordless drill to it. This isn't the first time this has been done, but it's the first time I've done it, so I thought I'd share. It sure cut down on some of the pain of reloading .223!

I didn't get photos along the way... just the end result. I popped the crank off of the trimmer shaft with a screwdriver after grinding the mushroom off. I first tried the drill on the nub that was left, but it would only work for 10-20 rounds before the drill slipped off.

I had enough projects stacking up that justified a lathe, so I ended up buying 7x12 mini lathe.

Back to the trimmer: I turned the end of the (5/8"?) shaft down enough to chuck it into my 1/2" cordless drill, and now it works like a champ!

A video of it in action:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_aKkM3YlNA" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_aKkM3YlNA</a>

carharttfarmer · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2011, 05:36:02 PM »

not bad my hornady trimmer is threaded on the end so just a lock nut and a socket for the drill was all i had to do
sure does speed it up

mjmcmahon · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2011, 04:32:55 PM »

I'd like to do the same on my RCBS, but am having difficulty figuring out how best to address it that's going to be a long-term solution.

fj40mojo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2011, 12:22:42 AM »

I made a small part for mine that extends the shaft and steps it down to 3/8" with plenty of area for the chuck to grip. Turned a piece of mild steel bar stock to 1/2" then stepped down 3/4 of the over all length to 3/8", drilled a clearance hole through and counterbored for 10-32 SHCS. I can put the hand crank back on if I ever decide too, haven't felt the need yet.

mjmcmahon · « **Reply #4 on:** May 24, 2011, 09:59:43 AM »

Thanks fj40mojo - I've got a co-worker who's going to help me setup a DC motor for my trimmer...I'll see how the whole thing works out.

luvmy45 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 24, 2011, 04:05:18 PM »

You guys are going to way too much effort... just go by the Lyman power adapter...

http://www.cabelas.com/tools-accessories-lyman-universal-case-trimmer-power-adapter.shtml?type=product&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleBaseUSA&WT.z_mc_id1=731756&rid=40&mr:trackingCode=8E57E7CC-958E-DF11-A0C8-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA

$20 or so at Cabela's and put your drill on it.

mjmcmahon · « **Reply #6 on:** May 24, 2011, 04:07:02 PM »

Wouldn't that be a part specific to the Lyman trimmers, though?

J Mack · « **Reply #7 on:** May 24, 2011, 06:41:13 PM »

Quote from: luvmy45 on May 24, 2011, 04:05:18 PM

You guys are going to way too much effort... just go by the Lyman power adapter...

No self respecting man would buy something for $20.00 when he can build it for $45.00

No-One · « **Reply #8 on:** May 24, 2011, 06:58:29 PM »

I just pulled the handle off of my RCBS and use my 1/2 inch chuck cordless drill to run it .

zenaca · « **Reply #9 on:** May 24, 2011, 08:33:49 PM »

I bought the motorized RCBS one about 15 years ago and have used the crap out of it! Sure makes case trimming go so much faster.

Bud

luvmy45 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 24, 2011, 09:25:20 PM »

Quote from: J Mack on May 24, 2011, 06:41:13 PM

No self respecting man would buy something for $20.00 when he can build it for $45.00

Oh how true...

fastfire · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2011, 10:27:33 PM »

Quote from: No-One on May 24, 2011, 06:58:29 PM

I just pulled the handle off of my RCBS and use my 1/2 inch chuck cordless drill to run it .

I did the same

jbsmwd · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2011, 05:12:34 PM »

Quote from: No-One on May 24, 2011, 06:58:29 PM

I just pulled the handle off of my RCBS and use my 1/2 inch chuck cordless drill to run it .

yeah i did that to ran for a bit then it locked up and I could not turn the trimmer by any means.

2big2fail · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2011, 11:09:23 PM »

Quote from: No-One on May 24, 2011, 06:58:29 PM

I just pulled the handle off of my RCBS and use my 1/2 inch chuck cordless drill to run it .

"ditto" Takes about .003 seconds to install. The low speed setting is perfect too.

2big2fail · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2011, 11:13:11 PM »

Quote from: jbsmwd on June 14, 2011, 05:12:34 PM

yeah i did that to ran for a bit then it locked up and I could not turn the trimmer by any means.

Did you saaaay............. oil the piss out of it first?

Nomad · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2011, 10:15:47 AM »

With a RCBS trimmer put on a RCBS three way cutter, then attached a power
drill on a machine screw with 1 inch shoulder on it, can use a cordless drill or
a power drill on it.
Placed the cutter on a board longer than the cutter so it can be C-clamped anywhere.

fastfire · « **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2011, 06:40:22 PM »

Quote from: 2big2fail on June 14, 2011, 11:13:11 PM

Did you saaaay............. oil the piss out of it first?

I use 30 weight motor oil on the trimmer and the ram on the single stage press

emathey · « **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2011, 09:44:23 PM »

I just ended up buying a Giraud, pricey but it makes trimming cases almost no effort. I only have the stuff to trim .223 with it, but people are welcome to use it, maybe I'll drag it along to the next BBQ at Sawtac.

jbsmwd · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2011, 05:19:29 AM »

Quote from: 2big2fail on June 14, 2011, 11:13:11 PM

Did you saaaay............. oil the piss out of it first?

what is this oil stuff?

yes I did

2big2fail · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2011, 09:38:01 AM »

Quote from: jbsmwd on June 21, 2011, 05:19:29 AM

what is this oil stuff?

yes I did

As far as it locking up, have you found out why yet? Something else that might cause it to lock up would be a bent shaft. The cordless drills these days turn with a lot of torque and if it got bound up for even for a split second, the shaft may have got "tweaked".