Forster "Original" Case Trimmer
If you are a reloader of center fire cases you need a Case
Trimmer. No question cases do grow in length and to prevent
them from becoming too long and causing difficulty in the
clean release of bullets and subsequent jumps in pressure
cases must be trimmed to length from time to time.
Most of the major reloading equipment manufacturers make a
tool or one type or another for this chore. Early on in my
reloading career I purchased a Forster "Original" Case
Trimmer and have been using it ever since with no problems
and no repair work being needed. After 30+ years the cutter
is beginning to be in need of replacement or sharpening. The
only change I've made to it and the way I trim cases since
the early days is I have added a Power Adapter that allows me
to use the power of a cordless screwdriver to power it rather
than me cranking it by hand.
This is a precise little miniturized lathe really and it does
a jam up job of case trimming. Changing between cases is
quick and easy. I have the little yellow box of accessories
with a multitude of pilots and collets and am set up to trim
about anything I've ever had need to trim. It has adjustment
screw holes to move both ends of it out for longer or shorter
cases and using it I have trimmed from the .22 Hornet on the
short end to the .300 Wheatherby Magnum on the long end. I
have always found it to be very precise, easly and quick to
use and can highly recommend it to you if you are looking for
a case trimmer for general duty case trimming. Do get the
Power adapter and save yourself some elbow grease.
In use you select the correct collet from the chart supplied
and insert it in the collet holder on the left side of the
trimmer. Select the correct pilot and insert it in the cutter
shaft and tighten using the set screw intended for the
purpose. Place a case in the collet and insert the pilot in
the case mouth. Adjust to correct trim to length by using a
correctly trimmed case or by trial and error cutting until
you have a correctly trimmed case. Then use the set screws to
set the trimmer to cut to the correct length. It really takes
longer to read than than to do it. Quick and easy. From there
it is a matter of inserting case and trimming using either
the supplied hand crank (not me) or the power adapter and a
cordless screwdriver. HINT: When using a cordless screwdriver
and the power adapter it helps if you secure the two together
using a short piece of tape like masking tape, duct tape or
Scotch tape. I've used all three types and not keep a roll of
masking tape at hand for this.
You will quickly get a precisely cut case trimmed to correct
length and ready to deburr inside and outside for loading.
This is the only brand of case trimmer I've ever used and
after over 30 years of continuous and excellent service I can
highly recommend it to you for case trimming. This one gets
the Graybeard Seal of Approval and a big thumbs up for
excellence.
Advertising copy from the Forster Web Site
"The "Original" Forster Case Trimmer is the right choice for
most calibers with bullet diameters from .171" to .459". (See
caliber search.) It's actually a fine miniature lathe with a
superior shell holder design based on a Brown & Sharpe type
collet. Collets #1 through #4 fit our "Original" Case Trimmer
and hold the rims of most rifle and pistol calibers within
that range. Our "Original" Case Trimmer allows you to go as
far as you need to go with your reloading because it allows
you to expand your system by adding any of the accurizing
accessories."
Visit Forster Precision Products by clicking on the name or contact them
at:
Forster Precision Products
310 East Lanark Avenue
Lanark, IL 61046
815-493-6360
Fax 815-493-2371