Gracey Power Cartridge Case Trimmer–experience?

[Nukes]

Match Prep, Home of the Gracey Power Carrtidge Case Trimmer

Any opinions from experienced users?

 

[ksthomas]

Nukes,

Very good little unit, does a great job very quickly. Very finicky to set up if you change cutters or calibers, and cases generally still need to be chamfered and/or deburred after trimming. There's some aftermarket cutters that address this, but I think the Giraud is a better set-up all the way around. The Giraud is also a good bit more expensive, if that's a consideration.

Doyle Gracey was an old "China Marine" and drove Amtracs in several of the major Pacific theater landings during WWII. Served on the USMC rifle team for years and used to be a regular fixture on Commercial Row at Camp Perry. Great guy, and really miss seeing him up at Perry these past several years.

 

[Nukes]

Thank you, Kevin. The main attraction to such a unit was handling cases fewer times. If the cases still need inside/outside chamfering, no time is saved and, considering difficult caliber changes too, the attraction wanes. I'll look for the Giraud...

That was easy, found it already:
http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm

You helped me find the right tool, my friend. Thank you.

 

[ksthomas]

That's the one! As far as trimmers go, especially for very large lots of brass, they just don't get any better.

Enjoy!

 

[aloreman]

I bought the gracey cutter with no motor. then bought a faster motor and a bob jones blade after a friend put a cleaning brush into the factory blades. Gracey blades do take a minute or 2 to set up but trim chamfer and debur every bit as good and as fast as a giraud

 

[BirdEyes]

The Gracey trimmer was a revolutionary product and still works well with a replacement blade from some place like Giraud or Bob Jones. The Giraud unit followed and, like Kevin says, is arguably the better unit. The Gracey motor doesn't rotate as fast as the Giraud unit and is a 'wet' unit requiring the bearings be kept oiled. With that said, the Gracey unit may last longer than any sealed bearing unit but probably not to where you'd notice or care. Like Kevin said, Doyle is a great guy but then so is Doug. I personally prefer the Giraud even though it is the more expensive unit. It is easier to change out as well.

 

[427Cobra]

"New trimmers, delivered after August of 2003 use a Fasco brand motor of the exact same size and ratings. The difference is that these newer motors have fully sealed ball bearing supports for the motor shaft and need no oil of the life of the motor."

There really is no preventative maintenance required on Giraud Trimmers, keep the shell holder free of shavings and maybe vacuum the area around the blade every so often, best reloading tool ever made.

 

[Graham]

I have two Gracey trimmers, and I prefer them. It is a pain to change the cutters, though, so I bought shaft replacements for when I need to change calibers.

 

[FLIGHT762]

I've use a Gracey trimmer for many years, it did work well, but I was disappointed in the underpowered motor and the tedium it took to change calibers. I upgraded to the Giraud cutter in the Gracey, which did help, however, I purchased the Giraud trimmer and I must say it is much easier to use than the Gracey. More money? Yes, but well worth it.

 

[lightman]

The Giraud is a favorite among Hide Members, and for a good reason. I did 6500 223's one afternoon, and averaged between 14 and 15 per minute. The machine never got turned off, and the motor never even got very warm. I did have sore fingers for a few days, and I was tired.! I hate to think about doing that many with a Lee trimmer, or one of the rotary trimmers.

The Gracey was about the best thing going, for a long time. The Giraud is considered to be an improvement over it. Lightman