Wilson Case Trimmer

Reloading fundamentals. We look at case trimming with the classic Wilson case trimmer.

[@Welder6131]

Best trimmer i have used, hands down! The accuracy and repeatability is imo unmatched by any other trimmer. The idea of the shell holders seems like a p.i.t.a, but once you start using them, you will appriciate the design...no gulling inside the case neck from pilots on traditional trimmers was a huge benefit in my case. Thanks for sharing Rex!

[@RexRoach]

My pleasure. You hit the nail on the head when you praised the shell holder concept.

[@marvincderuyscher9676]

This case trimmer works extremely well! I have a couple different brands, but the LE Wilson trimmer is by far the best as far as quality of cut. I've noticed the cases are all exact or within 0.001"maximum of each other after cutting. My other trimmer cuts cases to within 0.008".

[@konavader]

Your my new hero, I will be making my own case trimming tool. I appreciate the schooling. Have a great day.

[@RexRoach]

And you are a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks so much for viewing and commenting.

[@gabrielfarm3732]

The absolutely best reloading videos on KZbin. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Sweden....

[@RexRoach]

+Gabriel Färm You are so kind. My wife and I love several Swedish TV shows. Off the top of my head there's "Wallander" and I think it was called "The Bridge." I love to relax in the afternoon with "cab view" train ride videos and one of the best I've ever seen was the other day. It was shot in Sweden between Halmstad and Goteborg. The weather and countryside were gorgeous and the train was as smooth as glass. The video maker was also the engineer and he put up several comments and bits of history as the show progressed.

[@MolsonMuscle]

Well done, sir.

[@whatzthis64]

I enjoy watching. Thank you. I've seen others but now the steel wool and drill. That's a new one. Great video. Atb Brian.

[@RexRoach]

Thanks, and by the way, I like your dog.

[@whatzthis64]

+Rex Roach ,thank you, she was my baby. We had the joy of her companionship for 10 years her name was bailey. She past away last march 2016. We miss her really bad. We do however have a 5 year old male boxer named Emmett that my wife rescued when he was a little pup. thank you for the comment she was very special to us. Atb to you my friend. Brian.

[@RexRoach]

I fully understand. Our youngest child is a 13 year old Yorkie named Dooley.

[@rdwhite65]

Best Trimmer I've ever owned ;-) Used mine a lot over the years, Still cuttin' Great ! Oh yeah, I like the steel wool ideal ;-)

[@RexRoach]

+Darren White Quality tools, especially reloading tools, really do last a lifetime and more.

[@2541968joey]

Hey Rex after all the great Forester co-ax videos & what I learned from you to get me going on pistol reloading guess I'm going to get started on some .223s. This trimmer looks like the best to use. Great insight on why to buy quality equipment, thanks

[@RexRoach]

While I love this trimmer and use it regularly, when you get into .223 you're often talking about hundreds and hundreds of cases to process. You'll surely want to add the motor drive attachment and run it with a drill. You might also look at some of the better powered trimmers that run on a drill press.

[@2541968joey]

Thank you for that insight. Will be reviewing some other trimmers based upon your suggestion. As much fun as reloading is, sometimes a shortcut or more efficient process is worthy of review. Thanks

[@robinengland5799]

What trimmer would you recommend for trimming 223 on a drill press, I have a nice floor mounted press right beside my reloading bench!

[@jonathanl2748]

I am just getting into reloading, but will be buying this high quality tool from L.E. Wilson (fine tools make me happy!). I already have their case gages and am much more comfortable with this hand tool vs. the electric or drill chucked trimmers. The steel wool treatment is a neat addition. Obviously, you're going for accuracy. You're doing a great job with this video. Keep it up. Jonathan

[@RexRoach]

When I was a little boy, my dad was an executive and we had few tools at the house. I would often go to the two old maid sisters who lived next door to borrow their X-Celo screwdriver. It had a beautiful yellow plastic handle that you could partially see through. The blade was smooth, square and sharp. Our screwdriver had a broken wooden handle, a rusted black shaft with specks of paint, glue and cement, and a rounded over blade that wouldn't fit any screws smaller than a 1" diameter. As a result, I've probably over-compensated as an adult and generally indulged myself when it comes to tools, especially hand tools. After 71 years on this planet, I don't regret a single fine tool purchase. I've wasted money on some junk along the way, but never on quality products. Thank you for your comments and support, Jonathan.

[@jonathanl2748]

You're welcome. This 51 year old will learn reloading and pass it onto my 14 year old son. I don't have a local guru to teach me, so I appreciate your channel. Hopefully, one day I will be the 71 year old that can pass on some knowledge. Life is good.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

That is a really good idea with your wire wool, I think one of the main problems after case trimming is the small burrs left after the process, I use my lathe to trim cases, so there are no burrs, but not everyone has access to a lathe, so these small portable trimmers are an excellent choice, you do not need to length trim pistol cases of course.

[@RexRoach]

+Englishman French Totally agree. Thanks for commenting.

[@RollerCam]

Started off with an RCBS trimmer... saw the issues with it's design and then went to the Redding model. Better, but it also has some design issues. Now, I've arrived at the top of the line... the beautiful Wilson trimmer with a micrometer length and "shark fin" clamp. It almost makes trimming cases enjoyable. If only I could have STARTED with the Wilson model!

[@RexRoach]

Admiral Chester Nimitz said, "Hindsight is notably cleverer than foresight." While that's true, you wouldn't know how really good the Wilson is if you had not experienced the others. I like your honest assessment when you said, "It **almost** makes trimming cases enjoyable." Thanks for your comments.

[@joediantonio1073]

Your Soooooo right. I previous had the Sinclair model & it was a nightmare trying to get an accurate cut until I purchased the Wilson model & will never look back.

[@tjmooremusic]

I really appreciate well made tools even if they are time consuming compared to more modern ones. What is the model # or name on that trimmer. Having trouble finding it. Maybe no longer produced?

[@RexRoach]

I was using the standard L.E. Wilson case trimmer which I bought probably 30 years ago. They still make it, although it has been upgraded to stainless steel and a few minor niceties. You can buy them directly from L.E. Wilson lewilson.com/case-prep-tools/case-trimmers/ You can also buy special package versions from Sinclair which L.E. Wilson makes exclusively (I think) for them. www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/case-trimming/index.htm

[@MrTdacosta]

Rex, what grade steel wool do you use in the drill head? Great video, BTW.

[@RexRoach]

Thank you, Skip. I think mostly 0000 is what I keep on hand.

[@savoirfairesurvivance8009]

Do you check the over all length of the cases. You are holding the case from the shoulder inside the collet. You never get a difference from the shoulder to the base? Changing the OAL of the case??? But, then again I guess that was taken care of when you full length sized them.. (thinking out loud) :))))

[@RexRoach]

+Savoir Faire Survivance I did a poor job of explaining how the Wilson works. The case holder does NOT work with the shoulder of the case. It is taper-bored straight through and holds the case by friction. The case holder has NO EFFECT on the length of the case. The finished length of the case is determined SOLELY by the threaded stop on the left end of the machine. You are absolutely correct about problems in OAL when using cutters that reference from the shoulder. I have a powered cutter that works that way and I get large variances of +/- 0.005. The Wilson is almost always under 0.001 total. You would think that full length sizing would make the shoulder referenced trimmers consistent, but in my case, not so.

[@happyhome41]

Speaking of "full kit" - I wonder if LE Wilson compensated you for the "flag" clamp ? I note that has been incorporated in their design now. And even though you have withdraw from yuu toobe's tyranny, I hope you are still enjoying the shooting sports, along with your electric bicycle.

[@clinteastwood9115]

Ever try the Lee Quick case trim? I have one and its half the work u did. No disrespect Rex ! 😁

[@RexRoach]

None taken, Don. You're absolutely right about the Lee. I don't have one, but my brother--in-law has used all the Lee products for 40 years and I have to admit, their case trimmer is great. Now I'm not familiar with their whole lineup, but this is the one that looks like a regular reloading die and has a handle at the top to spin the cutter. What impresses me the most is its ability to trim AND deburr at the same time. Having said that, I think most companies that make trimmers are now offering cutters that combine the trim and deburr functions. Say anything you want to about Lee, but don't ever knock their clever designs and inventiveness. `

[@clinteastwood9115]

@@RexRoach i will say that Wilson case trimmer you have looks like a very precise tool! But don't stop with the videos u been doing this alot longer than me! And yes the Lee case trimmer has a handle that goes into a die and they also have a drill attachment as well if ur lazy ! 😁

[@rerailmark]

Anybody ever tell you that you sound like Keith Warren?