Crimp remover life expectancy?

[Dahak]

I use a Lyman pocket reamer mounted in a cordless drill for removing the crimps in my range pickup 223 brass. How many cases should I expect that tool to handle before needing replacement?

I suspect the practical answer is more than I am likely to shoot in my lifetime, but now that I started wondering, I have to try to find out.

Thanks!

[Nevada Ed]

With metal triming brass.............

if you remove the minimum amount and use light pressure and don't over heat the unit
it should last a very long time, if not from Harbor freight.

Maybe someone here has had a unit fail on them and can answer your question?

[Tu_S]

Given that it's made out of a much harder metal than the brass it's working against, will be a very long time. Kind of like when will your butter knife wear out if you only use it to cut butter

[ArchAngelCD]

It is unlikely brass will dull a Steel tool. I have not heard of anyone needing g to replace their pocket reamer but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

I personally use a swagger so I can't even tell you how many I have done because I don't use one, sorry. (Dillon Super Swage 600)

[Ivan the Butcher]

For primer crimps, I use a press mounted RCBS swagger. I did 20,000 in 1984 alone, I quit counting after that.

For primer pocket uniforming, I use a Sinclare International solid carbide uniforming tool in each size. I expect them to last beyond the heat death of the universe!

A friend mounted a RCBS pocket swagger to the loading bench. He uses his hip to power the swage. I'm sure it will outlast his hip!

Ivan

[Forrest r]

I bought a lyman pocket reamer back in 1986. It's still doing what it's supposed to do. I have no idea how many cases I've done with them (large & small). The reamers still work, several 30-06, 308w & 223 bbl's not so much.

I bought a lyman case trimmer at the same time. I did have to replace the cutting head on it.

[OldSarge21]

I’ve used the Lyman reamer for years but arthritic hands are causing me to go to a rcbs swager instead. Holding those little casings and twisting the reamer wasn’t fun anymore. Fwiw, the reamer still works as well now as when it was new.

[STORMINORMAN]

Originally Posted by Nevada Ed

With metal triming brass.............

if you remove the minimum amount and use light pressure and don't over heat the unit
it should last a very long time, if not from Harbor freight.

Maybe someone here has had a unit fail on them and can answer your question?

Like Ed, I was minded to consider the original question as referring to the life of the drill...? I'd guess a steel reamer bit could possibly wear out, but it would probably be many, many thousands of cases.

As for the drill: you get what you pay for. I use a variable speed and variable torque cordless drill (20 volts) with that same exact Lyman reamer bit. I also use a rubber glove in the left hand to hold the case.

I would expect it to last many years if that was the only thing I ever used it for...

Cheers!

P.S. The RCBS swagger works very well: just can't use it while watching the boob tube...

[mikld]

While brass can gall and abrade steel, it's highly unlikely you won't get years of service out of your tool. I have been using plain 60 degree x 1/2" countersinks to remove primer crimps for over 20+ years and thousands of cases and the tools are still sharp enough to do the job...

[DWalt]

I have used a pair of Lyman hand primer pocket reamers for many years, probably >40, and they still work like new. I also have an RCBS primer pocket swage set, but I don’t like swaging. Hand reamers are quicker and do a better job.

[growr]

While mine is not a Lyman, I am using a Hornady that I chuck up in my drill press for this job.

I have processed 3 5 gallon buckets full of .223 brass and the cutter is still doing a great job. Wonder how many casings are in a 5 gallon bucket anyway? Anyone know?

Randy

[STORMINORMAN]

Originally Posted by growr

While mine is not a Lyman, I am using a Hornady that I chuck up in my drill press for this job.

I have processed 3 5 gallon buckets full of .223 brass and the cutter is still doing a great job. Wonder how many casings are in a 5 gallon bucket anyway? Anyone know?

Randy

One could fill up a quart container and just multiply that count by 20 to get a rough estimate...?

[rockquarry]

I've never used a reaming tool, much preferring a primer pocket swaging tool, but I doubt you could wear out a reaming tool that was properly used and not abused.

[zeke]

Brass can and will eventually dull a steel cutting tool, which is why some companies make carbide ones. A crimp reamer should last through at least a couple thousand of cases, depending on how hard it is used. You should be able to tell when it starts taking more effort. For some a couple thousand cases is a lifetime supply.

Am another that prefers the levered swagers like a dillion or newer/similiar rcbs. Mostly for ease of doing a volume of cases.

[LostintheOzone]

I use a Ryobi steel countersink bit in my drill. Haven't worn it out yet. Twelve bucks. Probably 4-5K cases reamed. I have a lever swag but prefer the countersink.

[WR Moore]

Having used reamers and a variety of swaging tools, the Dillon swager is worth the money. You may run across the odd piece of brass that still needs the sharp edge of the primer pocket broken.

[Dahak]

The summary so far - the crimp remover will likely last longer than my patience. If I start doing real volume, I'll switch to some type of swager set up.

Thanks for helping answer my random wondering!

[Engineer1911]

I guess I'm just hard on tools. Started reloading in 1974. I'm on my 3rd drill for trimming cases, I threw the Lyman pocket reamer in the trash about 1990, gave away the RCBS swager about 1995, and went to countersink that lasted about 2 years.

Now I use the Lee primer pocket swager die and it is fantastic -- far better than any Lee press I've seen. Still have a solid carbide countersink for neck ID. There about 4 well used neck chamfer tools in the parts box that are dull.

[cmj8591]

I have an RCBS swager. A while back, somehow I bent the small primer stem. Then I bent it some more trying to get the bend out. Then I bent it trying to get the bends I put in it out. I lost my temper and pitched it across my workshop. I think it's under the washing machine now. I then went on line and tried to find a replacement with no luck so I e mailed RCBS asking where I could purchase a new part. They responded asking for my address. A couple of days later and I received both a new small one and a new large one, no charge. I purchased the swager sometime in the late 70's so I don't think they owed me anything. It has worked well for me over the years. About the only negative thing I can think of is that it is a bit slow but I don't really use it too much so that isn't a real issue. I also have a K&N primer pocket uniformer and flash hole deburrer that I use when I assemble accuracy loads. They are quality precision tools and work great.