Modify Lee Deluxe Quick Trim

[Dr.Squib]

The gear motor you used is 12 VDC. What did you use for a power supply?

[3DGearGuy]

It's a very low draw 12V. I haven't received my parts yet but my plan is to use a spare "wall wart".

[johncmng]

The gear motor you used is 12 VDC. What did you use for a power supply?

I use a 12 Volt lead acid battery

[kvanderploeg]

Thanks for the idea and the parts list. I was looking for a powered version of the Quick Trim and stumbled on this thread. Just placed an order for the parts. I'm hoping to fit this onto a Lee Breech Lock Challenger. Luckily I have a spare Quick Trim to sacrifice to the project. Ordered one from Midway and it was missing the instructions and chip catch. Called up Midway and they sent me another for free.

You said you had to mill off part of the Quick Trim?

[3DGearGuy]

I put one together a few days ago and here are my observations....

-The motor seems a little slow for my taste. I have plans to upgrade to a faster speed motor to trim quicker.

-I used a momentary switch wired to the positive wire of a 12V 3A power supply from I believe an old cable modem. The momentary switch means I have to hold it down while using it, but at the same time, makes it possible for me to hold the motor so no other mount is necessary.

-The handle of the Lee quick trimmer actually does come off. I discovered this by accident when I first tried it and the motor was wired backwards. By removing the handle and finding a way to adapt the threads of the cutter to the motor shaft, you eliminate the need for the arm and end up with a sleeker design that would centered whereas with the arm, it's possible to be off center and have the motor oscillate a tiny bit as it spins the cutter.

All that being said, I still want to thank the OP for pioneering the idea and sharing. I'm going to attempt a few things and will be back with pics when I get the other parts in!

Thanks again!

[johncmng]

I put one together a few days ago and here are my observations....

-The motor seems a little slow for my taste. I have plans to upgrade to a faster speed motor to trim quicker.

-I used a momentary switch wired to the positive wire of a 12V 3A power supply from I believe an old cable modem. The momentary switch means I have to hold it down while using it, but at the same time, makes it possible for me to hold the motor so no other mount is necessary.

-The handle of the Lee quick trimmer actually does come off. I discovered this by accident when I first tried it and the motor was wired backwards. By removing the handle and finding a way to adapt the threads of the cutter to the motor shaft, you eliminate the need for the arm and end up with a sleeker design that would centered whereas with the arm, it's possible to be off center and have the motor oscillate a tiny bit as it spins the cutter.

All that being said, I still want to thank the OP for pioneering the idea and sharing. I'm going to attempt a few things and will be back with pics when I get the other parts in!

Thanks again!

Oh cooool, I want to see some pictures. Glad I can help.

[kvanderploeg]

While the handle is removable, it takes the trim adjustment ring with it. Without it you can't adjust trim length. It would be nice to adapt directly to the cutter body...

[3DGearGuy]

While the handle is removable, it takes the trim adjustment ring with it. Without it you can't adjust trim length. It would be nice to adapt directly to the cutter body...

This is true, but in my case, I find that if I trim .003 under max length, I'll be completely fine. I'm more concerned about COAL than I am about the .006" adjustment I get with the trimmer on the case length.

[kvanderploeg]

Ok, just wanted to be sure you knew that. I'm curious to see what you come up with as well.

[3DGearGuy]

Finally got the parts in and put it all together. The motor I used was a cheapie 300 rpm gear motor ($10) and a 6mm-12mm shaft coupling ($6) - both from ebay.

The 12mm end was a tad too small for the threads on the lee trimmer (after removing the handle), but interestingly enough, the depth of the coupling was just about perfect. I ended up drilling the coupling out to accommodate the threads (you could also get the coupling in a 14mm but that's up to you).

Other notes - When I first put it together, I ended up with a trimmer that would trim a few thousandths over what I needed to be. I ended up sanding the little "spacer" on some 220 grit paper on a sheet of glass to end up with 2.4835 for 30-06 cases (trim to length for those is 2.484).

Oh, and the last thing to note. The coupling is "flexible". The spiral cut you see in the coupling allows it to flex slightly, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I would rather have it solid. If you have the ability to make your own, that might be the better solution.

[Whiterabbit]

what keeps your motor from spinning on the shaft?

[3DGearGuy]

I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean but I'm assuming you mean what holds the motor? My hand. The switch is momentary so it's only running when I'm holding it down.


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[johncmng]

Finally got the parts in and put it all together. The motor I used was a cheapie 300 rpm gear motor ($10) and a 6mm-12mm shaft coupling ($6) - both from ebay.

The 12mm end was a tad too small for the threads on the lee trimmer (after removing the handle), but interestingly enough, the depth of the coupling was just about perfect. I ended up drilling the coupling out to accommodate the threads (you could also get the coupling in a 14mm but that's up to you).

Other notes - When I first put it together, I ended up with a trimmer that would trim a few thousandths over what I needed to be. I ended up sanding the little "spacer" on some 220 grit paper on a sheet of glass to end up with 2.4835 for 30-06 cases (trim to length for those is 2.484).

Oh, and the last thing to note. The coupling is "flexible". The spiral cut you see in the coupling allows it to flex slightly, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I would rather have it solid. If you have the ability to make your own, that might be the better solution.

So cool to see it working! And it cheaper than my idea, great job!

[3DGearGuy]

Thanks but I couldn't have done it with a push in the right direction and you provided that. Thank you.


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