wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

[SPAK]

hey guys,

just a question for those that use the sinclair micrometer for the le wilson trimmer. After I zero'd my adjustment on the micrometer, I'm not getting consistent trim length depending on whether or not I'm going from a shorter setting to a longer setting or vice versa. For example, if the trimmer is set at 2.500" and I turn it down to 2.487" I'll get around 2.486-2.487" which is acceptable for me. However, the trimmer is starting around 2.486" and I lengthen it to 2.494" It will cut the trim length to 2.491 or 2.492".

Is this normal?? Is there a slack in the micrometer that needs to be taken up?? If I have to just start long and turn in to the length I want cut, it's not a problem, I just have to remember that. But for the money spent on a micrometer adjustment I would think that the settings would be more repeatable.

Am I doing something wrong??

Thanks guys.

 

[Swan]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

I'd call em

 

[SPAK]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

I did. They were pretty stumped too. As long as I go past the setting long and come back it's fairly consistent. I know I can always send it back for a replacment. Sinclair's is good about that, but I just wonder if I get another one if it'll do the same thing...

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

Put a case in the holder and roll it on a table top. Try to notice if the case holder may be out of alignment. If it was drilled off center it will wobble when it rolls.

 

[SPAK]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

Thanks victor,

This is actually my second case holder from Wilson. The first one I thought wasn't drilled center either. I had to trim and then once the cutter wasn't cutting any more material I rolled the case holder 180 degrees to finish cutting.

This second one that I got is the same way...I just figured I'm unlucky and I just deal with it...

But I never did roll it on a flat surface to see if it really did wobble. I'll give that a try...

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

Turning it a 180 is usually proof enough.

I have been known to buy 6 of the same caliber and spin them in a lathe with an indicator on the inside of the hole. Then send back all the others.

 

[SPAK]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

Dang...I was hoping you wouldn't say that...

I guess I'll call up wilson tomorrow

 

[johndoe]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

My problem with this trimmer is Sinclair is back ordered with
the new stainless version.

Please update this thread once you get this problem resolved.

 

[NRAShooter]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

Victor in TN is correct. Mine does the same thing. I also found that variations in brass type incrementally effect the amount of headspacing to cause some cases to insert deeper into the Wilson holder than others. I solved this by sorting my brass by type, sizing and checking with a Mo's micrometer precision headspace gauge.

As far as off center shell holders are concerned, its kinda the luck of the draw. You can contact wilson directly and see if they can resolve the problem if Sinclair is out of holders.

Good luck.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

Any micrometer should be opened wider than necessary, then closed down to the measurement. This takes the backlash out of it.

As for how far a case slides into the case holder, it makes no difference on trim length, since the stop contacts the case head, not the holder. The holder simply holds the case in line with the cutter and the stop.

Andy

 

[vman]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

Sucks major ass that those case holders get released like that.

it would be ace if they were 100% perfect, especially for chamfer attachment users

 

[lightman]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

I agree!I buy Wilson because of their rep,being the most accurate tools made.I expect the case holders to be bored straight.If you can't trust them,then who can you trust?Maybe someone from Wilson will read this. Pete

 

[fish30114]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

I'll second what Big Jake said about getting the backlash out of the Micrometer setting, but I have 20 or so Wilson case holders, and have never had one out of center. I wonder if soemthing else on your trimmer could be out?? I doubt it actually, and the amount of differentiation you are getting is still pretty insignificant IMO. I would try and set the micrometer as stated, and see how that does, as long is your brass is being cut square and consistent, I think that would be the main goal.

Good luck!

 

[SPAK]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

I'll try the suggestions on the mic settings and continue to adjust out first to take the back lash out. I just took a case with .001" of TIR put in the case holder and checked the runout on the case neck spinning it on the Wilson trimmer and I got .005" TIR on the dial indicator. Flipped the case around and found the same on the case body on the other side. Is this enough to warrant ordering other case holders to try out?

 

[madd0c]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

As someone previously said, if it is .005" off center it does not matter for trimming. The only thing that matters for the way the trimming works is if the case holder AND case are square to the cutter. Runout means nothing for how the Wilson works for trimming. Only being square AND holding the case square to the cutter.

Chamfering is a completely different matter, and the runout does matter in that aspect, and unfortunately, even though I like the ease of chamfering on the Wilson, I have gone back to chamfering on a RCBS trimmate because I can spin the case while chamfering.

As for backlash, are you certain the nylon set screw is completely out when you are adjusting? I have had that cause some backlash as well. But once you get it set, then it indexes off the case head and not the holder, so depth into the holder doesn;t matter.

Hope that helps,
madd0c

 

[SPAK]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

I actually was just thinking about that...as long as the case is square to the cutter the runout or off center hole in the case holder shouldn't matter. But, I still have the issue that I have to spin the case holder 180 in order to get a cut all the way around the case mouth. I used to chamfer on the wilson but I wasn't getting an even chamfer all the way around the case mouth, I've switched to a k&m vld chamfer now.

as far as the nylon set set screw, yes i am sure that i've backed it off before adjusting....

I called wilson today, they're actually sending a new rail to see if that might be the issue. I don't think it is. I've got several case holders from midway coming too. Hopefully one of these combos will do it.

I'll keep y'all posted..

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

It's normal. What you're talking about is called 'back lash', slack in the screw threads. High grade/high cost instruments reduce it somewhat by very tight fitting threads. You have already learned the correct way to deal with back lash is to approach the length you want by turning to the right, tightening the threads.

We have the same thing in (most) scope adjustments, dial calipers, machine tool adjustments (lathes, milling machines), etc, it's all taken care of the same way.

 

[SPAK]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

Thank for the replies guys,

I tested the micrometer head with several pieces of brass. As long as I do what was reccommended by opening the mic wide and then turning it down to the length I want it trimmed it's accurate at repeatable...

as far as my case holder being square to the cutter....well..that's a whole different story. I've got several case holders coming in the mail and I'll give them all a go and see what happens as far as the squareness of the case mouth.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

Lots of guys seem to think a precisely square cut case mouth is necessary to accuracy. I'm not one of them. I believe that the case/mouth is hard against the chamber wall before the bullet exits so any slight difference has no more impact than a tiny variation in the chamber's mouth, which is nothing. IMHO.

 

[SPAK]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

fuzzball,

would it have any impact on bullet seating as far as run out is concerned?? Would an uneven case mouth cause more runout than a squared case mouth??

 

[PEPSIPETE]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

I'M JUST STARTING MY RELOADING. I PLAN ON GETTING THE SAME TRIMMER. BUT I THINK I'LL WAIT.

 

[JimGnitecki]

Re: wilson trimmer with sinclair micrometer problem

I have this trimmer and have absolutely no problems with it. Very consistent.

Jim G