Modify Lee Deluxe Quick Trim

[johncmng]

Just wondering if anyone has "motorized" the Lee Deluxe Quick Trimmer. I like the idea and the convenience that it trims and chamfers the case. I was thinking about cutting the handle off and putting a low RPM motor on top of it to do the cranking. I might buy it and try to do it. It's only $20. But if someone else did it already, then I'll just copy it. Thanks.

[johncmng]

Forgot the link

http://leeprecision.com/deluxe-quick-trim-case-trimmer.html

[Whiterabbit]

No, but I motorized the standard trimmer an did 400 7x57 in 15 minutes. Unfortunately the std trimmers do not chamfer or deburr. So it was actually 5 minutes to trim, then 5 minutes to deburr, and 5 minutes chamfer. (maybe 4.5 minutes to account for tool changes)

It's all in the setup.

[3006mv]

THIS: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476...-and-lock-stud

[Whiterabbit]

put that in a lathe and the brass FLIES. hundreds takes minutes. Figure out a chamfer/deburr at the same time and you've got something seriously quick going on. no way to go faster, only way todo better is to go more automatic via expensive alternatives. (trim die)

[Whiterabbit]

Just wondering if anyone has "motorized" the Lee Deluxe Quick Trimmer. I like the idea and the convenience that it trims and chamfers the case. I was thinking about cutting the handle off and putting a low RPM motor on top of it to do the cranking. I might buy it and try to do it. It's only $20. But if someone else did it already, then I'll just copy it. Thanks.

So, someone copied this post then replied typing "I'm sure you're capable of trimming faster than a second per case "

I guess they thought better of it and deleted the post? I want to address it.

As I stated above, I trimmed, deburred, and chamfered 400 cases in 15 minutes in three separate operations, which comes out to just over 2 seconds per case for all three ops. While 1 second per is really lofty, somewhat similar times (if you consider over double a similar time) ARE possible! Just remember that not all cases are gonna grow much or at all. So for every case that spends 5 seconds in contact with the trim blades, there are 10 cases that barely contact and are done in a fraction of a second.

It is truly all in the setup.

[3006mv]

Oh sorry was thinking of the lee zip trim, I don't think lee set yours up for a pto.
You may want to call them and give input

[johncmng]

I do have the lee trimmer connected to a drill press. I connect the cutter to the drill press and hold on to the locking part. It make trimming a lot easier by hand. But trimming a few hundred cases still makes my girly hands hurt. If I can push down on the handle on my Lee press it will make things faster, smooth and less painful. With that said I went ahead a purchased the Lee Deluxe Case Trimmer and a small but torquey DC motor (60RPM), Anyone have a suggestion on how to mate the motor and trimmer together?
Thanks

[Whiterabbit]

I'd make a clamp that clamps to the die. Mount a riser to the clamp, and mount the motor to the riser. You can get motor couplers from places like mcmaster so that when you get your alignment 99% but not 100% perfect, it wont gall out on you.

I'd probably do something similar for the trimmer. take the handle off, machine a plug of aluminum. drill one size to fit the trimmer and use a setscrew, turn down the other end to fit inside the motor coupler.

[johncmng]

I got my Lee Deluxe case trimmer and it looks like I cannot just simply drill and tap a screw to it to clamp on a motor.

[Whiterabbit]

Is the adjusting ring and crank one piece?

[johncmng]

Is the adjusting ring and crank one piece?

They are separate. What I might do is attach a arm onto the crank and center the motor and cutter.

[Whiterabbit]

Seems simpler than what I was thinking.

[johncmng]

What do you guys think? Will this work? Does anybody have a better idea before I start milling?

[Whiterabbit]

why wouldnt it work? you just need extra clearance for the motor mount to clear the crank arm.