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Joined: Apr 2001
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Observations on the Lee Quick Trim System

NOTE: There are some big pix on the page. They should load quickly however.

If you would like an easy way to quickly trim up 25 or 50 cases, the Quick Trim system is good for that. It's inexpensive and it works. That said, I thought I would pass along a few suggestions. I wasn't a fan initially because I had problems with case length consistency. I found after using it for a while that the cases were different lengths. That is not what you want from a trimmer.

Setting the amount of brass to be removed is easy using the adjusting ring, and putting everything onto the press takes less than a minute. I put the company video at the bottom, if you are unfamiliar with this tool.

I would not trim hundreds or thousands of cases in one sitting using the crank, but attached to a power tool, it will work fine, if you keep the tool clean.

This is the big thing with the Quick Trim!! I'll repeat:Keep it clean!

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Pic from Lee Precision

Once I figured it out, my opinion of it improved. The learning curve would have been shorter had the instructions been better. Specifically, it doesn't make much mention of the need to keep the tool clean, or where to look to keep the brass shavings from adversely affecting the tool's performance.

It's a trimmer, so naturally shavings and tiny bits of brass build up in and around the cutting blade, die body and parts of the press. That said, the instructions only tell you should

"...make a habit of swiping your fingers across the top of the shell holder to remove any brass shavings."

and

"Extended trimming sessions can cause brass shavings to bind the chamfer blades. If this happens, simply cycle the blades by pushing them against a block of wood..."


Bits of brass fall through the die and onto the black plastic tray and shell holder. If you look at the top drawing, you can see the inside of the die body, and where the case and cutter blades sit.

Here's the black plastic tray. You can see the shavings that came off one case. If you look closely, you can also see brass on the shell holder. You want to get that off too, so a brush would be better than wiping your finger across the shell holder.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Brass also accumulates around the cutter blade and black chamfer blades. It needs to be cleaned off with a rag or a brush. My suggestion would be to clean the blade and cutter body every 20 to 25 trims. This picture show the build up after four or five cases. The chamfer blades will not work properly if shavings are jammed into the slots where the blades sit. They will not sit properly onto the case mouth and will fail to chamfer the brass.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

There are two other places to check.

The first is the top of the die, where you insert the trimmer.There is a ledge where the shavings collect, which can prevent the trimmer blade from removing the correct amount of brass from the case mouth, if there is too much build up. It also can jam inside the chamfer blade slot.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

The second spot is the top of the trimmer body. You can see that they can accumulate around the knurled spacer in the picture above. Again, the cutter body may not fully seat inside the die, so keep it clean!

Once I cleaned the inside of the die and kept the area around the knurled space clean, trim length became consistent.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

This picture below shows two piles of shavings.On the left, shavings removed from the die body where the cutter body and blades sit. On the right, the black plastic tray.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]



Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
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[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
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Lee has always been cheap stuff. I'd almost say carp.

But here and there their "stuff" has a purpose.

I mostly try to avoid them like the plague because I use what I buy quite a bit. Their stuff rarely holds up to quite a bit of use. But its so dang cheap its easy enough to replace when it wears or breaks.

Seems looking at the trimmer, had they only put a GOOD cutter on, instead of that cheap junky thing, it would work much better.

That said the way to trim is Giraud. IMHO. LOL


We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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AND the need for trimming is so HIGHLY over rated...


We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Originally Posted by rost495
...Seems looking at the trimmer, had they only put a GOOD cutter on, instead of that cheap junky thing, it would work much better. That said the way to trim is Giraud. IMHO. LOL


Just so everyone knows, I have labelled this picture. Some people think that the chamfer blades (the black metal pieces here) are for trimming. The four steel cutting blades are up top.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]


Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
www.303british.com

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
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interesting. At a glance I have no clue how those could chamfer if the cutter is up top like it looks. But still its not well made or machined and probably not top grade steel is my guess.

I suppose after loading for high-power for years and finding most LEE stuff just falls apart after a while I have a different view on their stuff mostly.

The powder measure for 19 though for big sticks of powder is fairly decent. Though plastic junk, it sure has a way of working pretty good.

Don't care for the lock rings on the dies, for me it leaves a lot to be desired as is, but then again I usually pull the oring so it will lock up like it should but needs a nice set screw in the side like normal.

The hand primers... I can't count in memory how many parts they sent me over the years.... though they worked until they would bend or break. Which was fairly often.


We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Hard to beat their collet dies. Been using them for 30 years and still going strong.


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They truly are one of the best dies out there. Redding's bushing dies are almost as good, but pricey. smile


Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
www.303british.com

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
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I was trimming more brass today and thought that I would show you the power version of the Lee QT. It is driven by an inexpensive SKIL rechargeable 4V cordless screwdriver. I have never done more than 100 cases with it, but the charge did not drop off. It uses a small lithium ion battery. It turns at 220 rpm. This is a fixed speed, not variable.

The power version is much nicer to use than the crank, but either gets the job done quickly. Like any tool, it is important to clean the preservative off before using it.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]


Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
www.303british.com

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
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My initial impression was that it sucked donkey balls...but I might have to give it another try with some throw-away brass. But I will probably just stick with my old Forster original and not stress the crap job the Lee produced. I'm not shooting competition anyway.

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Your post was the only one I have ever read that was negative. Why do you consider it "a crap job"?

What don't you like about it? Was there something that did not work according to their instructions? Are you just slamming the Quick Trim because it's a Lee product?

More on the Lee Quick Trim


Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
www.303british.com

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
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[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
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Originally Posted by rost495
Lee has always been cheap stuff. I'd almost say carp.,,,


Could always smoke them.


Not a real member - just an ordinary guy who appreciates being able to hang around and say something once in awhile.

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laugh


Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
www.303british.com

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
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Thanks Steve. Good stuff.


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its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
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