Lyman Universal Case Trimmer Problem

shankbone

shankbone

New member
I did not order my Lyman Universal Case Trimmer, or I would have seen the countless negative reviews of the Lyman Universal Case Trimmer.

I bought the Lyman Universal because it was the only case trimmer available where I was shopping. When I took it home I managed to trim four .223 case before the shell holder seized...

and AFTER READING THE INSTRUCTIONS, I realized that I had used the dreaded "excessive force" when locking the chuck. I am at work and don't have the trimmer in front of me, so I can't answer my question:

Is it possible to disassemble the retaining cam set and head shaft assembly to remove the stuck case?

I phoned Lyman this morning and the less than helpful customer service representative informed me that I should just send in the trimmer and wait "a couple of weeks or so" for Lyman to return the trimmer. I really don't want to pay the stupid tax for not reading the directions first, so I'm hoping I can take the trimmer apart.
 
I have two of them mounted on the wall and each is set for different case lengths (.204 and .223) and I seldom have to adjust one until I move to processing my .308s...I've modified both to be used with cordless drill motors...

CaseTrimmers.jpg


My case holder is one that uses a concentric cam latch lever and I'm not sure how it could seize up...They can be taken apart for cleaning, etc...If you can, take some digital or polaroid pictures as you are disassembling it so you will be able to put it back together properly...You may be able to find some photo instruction for taking them apart on the 'net...

Sorry to hear you had less than adequate response from Lyman, as I've always gotten good info from them...
 
The chuck head base can be overtightened against the Retaining Cam Set and Check Head Cap by applying too much pressure to the Chuck Head Knob when securing a case in the Retaining Cam.

The good news is that there are three screws securing the Chuck Head Cap (pan head screw #6-32), but it is difficult to get a driver on the screw heads. I will try to remove the Hex Nut on the outside of the Head Shaft Assembly.

I was really disappointed with Lyman's customer service because I had called RCBS immediately before contacting Lyman. RCBS was extremely helpful and the customer service representative immediately offered to send me a replacement part.
 
Bam! I went home at lunch, disassembled the case trimmer and fixed the problem.

What did I learn?

1. Read the instructions.

2. Don't listen to Lyman's customer service. Had I followed their instructions I would be out of a case trimmer for "a couple of weeks or so." Sheesh!
 
Originally Posted By: shankboneI did not order my Lyman Universal Case Trimmer, or I would have seen the countless negative reviews of the Lyman Universal Case Trimmer.

I bought the Lyman Universal because it was the only case trimmer available where I was shopping. When I took it home I managed to trim four .223 case before the shell holder seized...

and AFTER READING THE INSTRUCTIONS, I realized that I had used the dreaded "excessive force" when locking the chuck. I am at work and don't have the trimmer in front of me, so I can't answer my question:

Is it possible to disassemble the retaining cam set and head shaft assembly to remove the stuck case?

I phoned Lyman this morning and the less than helpful customer service representative informed me that I should just send in the trimmer and wait "a couple of weeks or so" for Lyman to return the trimmer. I really don't want to pay the stupid tax for not reading the directions first, so I'm hoping I can take the trimmer apart.


What are the Negative reviews you are referring to?

Just curious to what may come up with it in the future.

I have been using one for many years with out even one problem. Better and faster than the old RCBS I had.
 
I had an old Lyman Universal many years ago which would not cut a case mouth square no matter what I did. I couldn't see anything bent or damaged, it just was not a well-crafted tool. I'd have gladly thrown it into the Rio Grande had I not been offered $20 trade-in value on it.

I like Lyman bullet casting equipment, but that's about it. I have an old Lyman #55 powder measure on the bench, but it's still there only for nostalgia's sake. No other orange stuff in my gun room!
 
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/795961/lyman-universal-case-trimmer-kit-with-9-pilots

The reviews at Cabelas were way more forgiving, but I don't trust Cabela's. Remember their credit card fiasco a few years back, where they had to repay a number of customers?

Anyways, check out the Midway reviews. Yes,there are some gleefully moronic reviews ("I haven't used it yet, but . . ."), but the negative reviews read like horror stories from a reloader's Halloween party.
 
Quote:but the negative reviews read like horror stories from a reloader's Halloween party.....Not to say that negative reviews are always invalid, but over the years, I've found that some of the reviews are written by those that either don't read instructions and have problems, or those that try to get the item to do something that it was not originally designed to accomplish...

I do read them on most items for which I'm interested, but I've also found that if you check the dates of the reviews, and weigh the content, most items tend to get better reviews as time goes on...Maybe the manufacturers are listening, or users are learning to read...

As I go down through the 54 reviews on the Midway link that you provided, I find quite a few five star ratings as well as the negative ones...While I didn't bother to keep track of the ratio, the content of some seem to bear out my observation above...
 
Right, I (usually) do the same, which is why I stated that I regretfully did not read reviews and ratings before making my purchase. Had I read the reviews,I would have purchased the trimmer with the best ratio of positive to negative reviews. Lyman's Universal Case Trimmer certainly doe not fall into the "most favorably reviewed" category.

Having spent my evening sizing 500 pieces of .223 brass with my Uniersal Trimmer, I have no complaints about the product. However, if I had the opportunity to meet the Lyman customer service representative I spoke with on the phone this morning, I'd give her a corn dog, just to watch her gag trying to figure out how to get the last bite. Wink. Seriously, Lyman's customer service hiring pool must be drive- thru rejects from Arby's.
 
only problem i have had with my lyman trimmer is the steel cutter. it was never very sharp. bought a carbide cutter and am very happy with it.
 
Originally Posted By: 6724only problem i have had with my lyman trimmer is the steel cutter. it was never very sharp. bought a carbide cutter and am very happy with it.


thats my only gripe as well other than that it works great.....were do you get the carbide cutter???
 
Just ran across this thread and I must say, I bought the Lyman 25yrs ago and have never felt the need to replace it. I have been using the same carbide cutter for about 15+ yrs and just replaced it recently after many thousands of cases. For me this has been a great trimmer.
 
I have had one for 20 years or so and it works well . It is one of the few pieces of Lyman equipment I have. Bought it cause it was what they had. The steel cutter heads seem not to last to long but the universal chuck works well. I probably wouldn't buy another one because I like the RCBS design better. Also about 70% of my equipment is RCBS and every time I call them for support it is excellent. I have grandad's old lyman 55 measure and when I called Lyman for a replacement tube they were no help and not interested .

I also use a number of the Lee hand trimmers with an electric screwdriver and this system works very well. Lyman seems to be copying this design today which I think is crap but it happens.
 
Last edited:
Save the Lyman for any other calibers you might reload and buy you a Little Crow Gunworks "Worlds Finest Trimmer" WFT for 223. Chuck in your drill set it up as the instructions say and don't look back.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top