Modify Lee Deluxe Quick Trim

[BenHa]

You also need to find a way to mount the motor.

[Whiterabbit]

the more I think about it, the more I think you don't need the pin (second point of contact) connecting the two arms.

You could just clamp the arm on the shaft of the motor and drill the end to fit the LEE crankshaft. You can even slot it so the drill crank and lee crank are not attached. Basically, the motor would jsut turn the crank just like you would.

That would eliminate the need for tight tolerance to get the motor shaft exactly inline with the cutter die. You are free to concentrate on the rigidity of the motor mount and the motor shaft crank arm joint.

[Whiterabbit]

That brings to mind yet another idea. You can mount a belt or gear to the lee crank, then a smaller gear to the motor. That helps you gear down the motor, increase torque, and further decouple the motor from the cutter.

Though I think the first idea is better if your motor has enough torque.

[johncmng]

You also need to find a way to mount the motor.

I do have a motor mount. What I plan to do is to mount the motor inside a square plastic house with a switch on top. I would press down on the switch, thus pushing down on the motor, and let the weight on my hand to load the cutter.

[johncmng]

the more I think about it, the more I think you don't need the pin (second point of contact) connecting the two arms.

You could just clamp the arm on the shaft of the motor and drill the end to fit the LEE crankshaft. You can even slot it so the drill crank and lee crank are not attached. Basically, the motor would jsut turn the crank just like you would.

That would eliminate the need for tight tolerance to get the motor shaft exactly inline with the cutter die. You are free to concentrate on the rigidity of the motor mount and the motor shaft crank arm joint.

Thanks, good Idea! It just gave me another idea. I could mill off the first screw(the one on the right) all the way down, mount it lower and increase the rigidity. And then mount a second screw somewhere in the middle so the arm doesn't rotate.

[Whiterabbit]

wait, what? I misinterpreted the lee design. I thought the spring pre-loaded the cutter and you just ran the ram up, so the spring always provided to proper tension? You have to PUSH on this deluxe cutter?

[johncmng]

wait, what? I misinterpreted the lee design. I thought the spring pre-loaded the cutter and you just ran the ram up, so the spring always provided to proper tension? You have to PUSH on this deluxe cutter?

Yes, you have to push down on it to do the cutting. The spring inside the lee shaft is used for the chamfering the side of the case mouth. I tried it and it didn't take that much effort to cut. I was planning to use a spring to apply pressure for the cutting.

[Whiterabbit]

I was planning to use a spring to apply pressure for the cutting.

I do have a motor mount. What I plan to do is to mount the motor inside a square plastic house with a switch on top. I would press .... down on the motor, and let the weight on my hand to load the cutter.

Hey, good luck

[johncmng]

OK, I milled off the handle. Now to center everything up and bolt everything up.

[johncmng]

OK, got everything aligned and bolted up. I'm waiting for the Lee die holder to come in and make it work.

[johncmng]

Almost finished. Now I have to attached a rod of some sort to keep the entire thing from rotating. So far my contraption is working well when I'm holding it and the motor is running.

[Whiterabbit]

looks good. I hope your consistency is equal to using a zip trim or rcbs lathe type when it's all set up. would be killer.

[johncmng]

Got everything hooked up and it's trimming better than I had hope. The brass is all uniformed in length. I decided to not go with the spring because I can feel the brass cutting and provides a better feedback. I just put my hand on top of the motor, the weight of my hand is sufficient enough to apply enough force for the cutting. I wish Lee would notice this and improve on the packaging. But hey, it only cost me about $50 in material. But it is definitely easier to process the brass this way instead of a drill press.

[3DGearGuy]

Thanks John for sharing your ingenuity and helping me find what I need to make my own. I placed my order for the materials and can't wait for them to come in!

[johncmng]

Here is the shopping list where I got all my stuff.
This is what to get.
Motor $35
Motor Mount $7
Control Arm $11
Hub $5
Bracket $1.50
Screw and stuff $3

Total $62.50ish

http://www.servocity.com/html/60_rpm_precision_gear_motor.html

http://www.servocity.com/html/aluminum_clamping_motor_mount.html

http://www.servocity.com/html/servo_power_gearbox_arms.html

http://www.servocity.com/html/0_770__set_screw_hubs.html

http://www.servocity.com/html/flat_dual_channel_bracket__585.html