loadmastervideos.com

daboone · Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 471

I mentioned in another thread in the LM section having a lot of case prepping to do, 1700 once fired M1 Carbine cases.

I'd seen the idea on some site to chuck the Lee cutter/trimmer in a drill press. I thought it would be a real time saver allowing the drill press table to be the trimmer stop instead of screwing each case into the shell holder and lock stud. It work just fine for a brief while. Then I notice that the tip of the trimmer was actually grinding a small indent into the table, thus trimming the case length shorter than necessary. I caught it before I had screw up any cases or the trimmer.

I thought I'd post this in case anyone else thought about trying it.

I'm not giving up on the idea but I think I'll need a small peace of hard steel plate and be able to decrease the speed of my drill press below 600 RPM which is it's lower limit right now. [/list]

helg · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 231

I use to convert many hundreds of 9x19 shells to 9x18 with the Lee trimmer and hand drill that is clamped to my bench. The screwing/unscrewing operation takes most of the time indeed. Using the drill press looks like a wise idea.

Base of the trimmer holder is made of a hard steel. Probably, base of the press is softer - to prevent scratching parts that are being drilled - and this results in what you see. How about putting the hardened base of the trimmer into a vise on a press, either without a hug nut, or with a loosened one - to keep initial alignment?

How do you hold the shell? Is it something like pliers with soft gaskets to prevent scratching the shells, or the fingers hold it tight enough?

daboone · Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 471

helg · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 231

I will try the method. No drill press in my garage, but there is an old drill stand, where I can put a hand drill. With 6-mold for Makarov and Loadmaster, the caliber conversion becomes the most time consuming operation.

I am going to try shrinking tube and/or some electric tape for the pliers gasket. Unfortunately, last month I have converted few more hundred shells. With my brasscatcher, it will take a looong time to have a need for new converted brass.

daboone · Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 471

[quote="helg"I am going to try shrinking tube and/or some electric tape for the pliers gasket.[/quote]

That is another very fine idea. You guys are GREAT! I had to redo the hot glue several times.

Jumping Frog · Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 483 Location: Central Ohio

I am using an ordinary drill laid on its side on a table instead of a drill press.

Then I use the Lee Three Jaw Chuck (part # 90608)

Coupled with the Lee Case Spinner Stud (part # 90607).

The Case spinner stud is held in the drills jaws. The three jaw chuck screws onto the case spinner stud.

I use the Lee CUTTER only with BALL GRIP (part # 90275).

Coupled with the appropriate case length gauge for caliber.

Piece of cake!