steel alignment ball, the case will snap into position
with the cams engaged in the extractor groove. Be certain the case is straight and that both cams are engaging
evenly.
Slide the cutter shaft in so the pilot enters the neck of
the case and cutter face is touching the case mouth.
Then, rotate the check lever to “lock” position.
Do not use excessive force when locking the chuck.
Slight thumb pressure on the lever is sufficient to hold
the case firmly. Leave the pilot and cutter in this position as you proceed to adjust the trimmer.
Adjusting the Cut
Two knurled adjustment rings, located on the cutter
shaft (see Figure 15). provide for both fine and
coarse adjustments. Before making any adjustments,
hold the large ring with your finger and turn the small ring counterclockwise, four full turns.
This will leave about 3/32" space between the rings and allow room for fine adjustment.
Make certain the cutter face is still positioned against the case mouth and slide the adjustment
rings in tight against the side of the base casting. Tighten the lock screws in the small ring.
Later models have a series of indicators each representing .001 inch of travel on the shaft.
Used as reference marks, they enable the user to return to an approximate setting for various
cases without time consuming trial and error testing.
Adjust the cut a little at a time, checking your case length with the vernier caliper after
each cut. When the correct “Trim-To Length” has been reached, tighten the lock screw in the
large ring.
Processing Your Cases
Once the trimmer is in adjustment, your entire lot of cases may be processed to bring them
all to the correct length. As you turn the crank handle, keep an inward pressure on the cutter
so that it is always bearing against the case mouth, but do not force it. Variations in finished
case length would likely be caused by inconsistent pressure applied against the cutter head
during the trimming process. If the case mouth sticks against the cutter head after trimming
either too much pressure is being used or the pilot is not installed firmly against the cutter
head. After trimming, small burrs will be present on the case mouth. These can be easily
removed from both inside and outside the case mouth with your Lyman Deburring Tool.
Keep a Master Case
When a reloader is working with several different calibers, it is wise to retain a master case
of the correct length for each cartridge.
This reduces adjustment time since the master case can be snapped into the chuck and the
cutter quickly brought into adjustment against its mouth.
Both fine and
coarse length
adjustments are
provided.
Half turn of chuck
lever locks case
firmly in place.
LOCK
Figure 14
Figure 15
Universal Case Trimmer (continued)