Wilson trimmer question...

[RedHawk357Mag]

What happens when the trimmer/cutter needs replacement?

My trimmer has been an awesome trimmer but lately the cases seem unsqare, while trimming it seems to take longer to reach desired length, and a few times I have tried trimming a cartridge and think I have reached the stop but when I measured the case the darn thing is still. 003" short of desired length. Only thing I can think is the cutter must be dull. Thanks. These are pistol cases.

 

[Alk8944]

Simple, buy a replacement cutter or send it back to Wilson for sharpening. L. E. WILSON Inc. $30 for a new cutter or $48 for a TiN coated one.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Check Midway......
Forster original case trimmer shaft.......... $17.79

if your model.

 

[RedHawk357Mag]

Thanks folks went for the TiN, like 35 and some change. Interesting that it might be sharpened by LE Wilson. Will check on that as well. Have a great day

 

[SMSgt]

Never trimmed a pistol case. Still use my Herters trimming lathe for rifle cases.

 

[RedHawk357Mag]

I try to limit trimming as it annoys me. I tend to separate brass in. 003" groups. From time to time I merge groups bumping a smaller longer group into a larger shorter length group. Cuts down on trimming and less fluctuations in crimp effects.

 

[PokieOkie]

Wilson Trimmer

Thanks folks went for the TiN, like 35 and some change. Interesting that it might be sharpened by LE Wilson. Will check on that as well. Have a great day

Hey RH, Did you send the old cutter in for resharpening?

 

[RedHawk357Mag]

No not yet. The new one arrived today so I will probably contact LE WILSON to find out if they do in fact sharpen them.

 

[dla]

My Wilson is from 1962 and cutting true - you must do a lot of cases to dull one.

 

[DWalt]

I don't even remember when I got my Wilson, but over 20 years ago. Still trimming fine with the original cutter. I make up my own pilots on my lathe out of steel or brass rod. I have yet to trim a handgun case, never found one which was over maximum length.

 

[RedHawk357Mag]

Dla, not sure if I would say it's a whole lot 357, 44 Magnum, a smidgen of 308. Hardly what I would call a significant amount. Using the Q type holders for handgun. I contacted LE Wilson to check my 44 Magnum case holder as I thought maybe it was the issue for the unsqare cuts. Then they wanted me to send some cases for them to look at. At that point I told them to just send me a new case holder for the 44 Magnum. Paid full price for a new holder and they kept the old one. Positively not RCBS but the Wilson trimmer is three times the quality of the RCBS trimmer. They alluded to the case heads might not be square. Starline brass and it was new unfired when I trued the lengths. When I started having drama with the 357s I mentioned in my second post I just figured I got that "Monday morning quality" cutter and it would just be easier to replace the cutter with the latest and greatest TiN cutter. The whole jig is rock solid so I am at a loss of what the issue is. Weird. I am Committed to the Wilson even after the 44 case holder shiniaginns. But I would like to get my cases back to square and all the same length. I appreciate uniform looking rounds as it doesn't trigger all the side effects of the ocd. DWalt, I don't get that lucky. Brand new Starline varied in length. Range pick ups are absolutely all over the place. I bought some REM-UMC off GB from an old camp Perry pistol shooter. His stuff was nice and uniform. We shall see.

 

[PokieOkie]

No not yet. The new one arrived today so I will probably contact LE WILSON to find out if they do in fact sharpen them.

I read that Harbor Freight possibly has a stone for 3 bucks to do that. I don't remember where I saw that post.

 

[RedHawk357Mag]

It's a carbide cutter. If I am not mistaken if you could form dust by grinding /sharpening a carbide tool it's not to good for human respiratory functions. That carbide is some stout stuff.

 

[PokieOkie]

It's a carbide cutter. If I am not mistaken if you could form dust by grinding /sharpening a carbide tool it's not to good for human respiratory functions. That carbide is some stout stuff.

Yes, you are so right. I was thinking like a mfg employee that utilizes safety equip, not someone out of the machine shop environment. I need to think before I speak. LOL

 

[Iowa Fox]

Its been about 15 years since I sent mine in for a re-sharpen. It was dirt cheap. Very nice folks to work with.

 

[jibjab]

Make sure your case holder is concentric, mine was not so I returned it to the place of purchase they had five .308 win. in stock only one was acceptable.

 

[RedHawk357Mag]

Jibjab, not sure how to accomplish that. I sent the worse offending case holder back to LE WILSON. That was the 44 Magnum. I bought a full price replacement from them when they asked for three of my casings to check. I won a butt load auction of 357 and 38 brass so I haven't even shot the 44 to unload any brass to test the new case holder. Then I noticed the 357 squaring wasn't working well and decided that it must be the cutter. The new and improved TiN cutter is doing a fine job. Square cuts and no drama. Glad I like the company as it's been taxing getting it back on track.