Suggestions to sharpen trimmer .

[Harter66]

Its an old Herters collet clamp case trimmer , it was Dad's , associated memories blah , blah , etc . It is a one piece , 1/2" by 5" HSS 4 tooth cutter D&T to take reamers or pilots .

I have the skills to eyeball and inch drill from about 3/16 up , I used to be able to do 1/8" not so much anymore .

I'm thinking a diamond file by hand I can pull it off , good enough for another 3-5,000 formed cases any way .

This is a want to thing , not a have to . I have a Pro Trim , a spare cutter for it ,19 pilots and 4-5 reamers .

[Conditor22]

If you want it sharper than it was new --- take it to a saw sharpening shop that does router bits and they will make it sharper than it was new.

Otherwise, a diamond flat file can definitely sharpen it up

I use these https://www.amazon.com/EZE-LAP-PAK-C...d_bap_d_rp_1_t

[Pressman]

????? I am trying to envision what trimmer you have. All Herter's trimmers are an exact copy of the Forester with a replaceable cutter head.

One piece with collet clamp and 5 inches long? C-H uses a collet clamp and one piece but is under 3 inches long.

Pictures would really help. Please.

Ken

[Winger Ed.]

I use those little diamond coated jeweler's files. They do pretty well.

[TNsailorman]

I have one of the Herter's clone of the Forster and it does indeed have a solid shaft, not one with replaceable cutter heads. A small needle file, a little oil and a steady hand will sharpen the cutting edges. Just be careful to keep the angles the same, it is easy to stray off if your hands are a little unsteady. james

.

These are photos of my straight shaft Herter,s case trimmer. James

[country gent]

Depending on how dull it is a diamond file or lap should work to bring it back. A washer can be used to keep the edges in line. A small piece of brass square stock and diamond paste can be used for very fine edge

[Markopolo]

i am a rotary and worksharp guy, and have sharpened a bunch of small things with a low speed rotary tool and my worksharp tiny belts get into all sorts of tiny corners. I have a simple vice that holds the rotary tool for better precision sharpening.

[CastingFool]

I have a herters trimmer, and when it got dull, I went to a shop that sharpens I industrial tooling. The man sharpened on the spot at no charge. It was just like sharpening an end mill.

[country gent]

! or 2 light sharpening are do able on most cutter by only the primary relief at the cutter but then after that the primary relief is getting to wide and the secondary needs some removed also. This requires more more intense work.

The quickest and easiest way I can see with home tools d with one of the mini saws and fiber wheels. Set vise to 3-5* and a block to hold cutter shaft, with one blade straight up. touch cutter on wheel and lock vise make a pass or 2 on each tooth. A small spring to index on bottom tooth will give alignment easier than by eye. The pilot hole makes it easier to do as you dont have to cut to an exact center.

[country gent]

Thinking here and if you make the block big enough you can use the fine adjustment sleeve to set the depth of cut and adjust in as needed. Keep the cutter cool as you grind it.

[Harter66]

Pressman
It is the same tool seen in TNsailerman's post .

Country Gent
I hadn't thought about a shop specialized in tool grinding or sharpening . With several high end machine shops , like Brodix heads , in the area there's bound to be at least one . It's only an hour to Ft Smith AR there should be something there also .

My thought about the diamond file came to me at Walmart in the garden where there was one on the shelf .
There are a finite number of ways I can make it worse than it is , it doesn't really cut well from 22-30 cal but it's pretty good 35 cal and out , but Dad cut a bunch of 22-250 down from 308 and 25-06' from 270 .

[Three44s]

From a while back:

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...trimmer+cutter

Three44s

[Pressman]

Thanks Harter66, He has a really nice example. I have 6 of those trimmers and all have a separate head. Dimensionally they are the same as Forster so that always remains an option if restoring the original does not pan out.

[TNsailorman]

Nice video Three44s. That is the way to sharpen a trimmer head correctly. He makes it look easy and it is once you do it once or twice. james

[Three44s]

James,

You bet!

Three44s

[Harter66]

Thanks 3 44s

I probably wouldn't have cut the back side of the cutter , I'd have cut the grind face .

I think the Walmart diamond file is like $6 . I have a brand new Carborundum oil stone along with an Arkansas stone .

I think I can do this .

[Three44s]

You are welcome Harter66, let us know how it turns out filing the face of the cutters.

For the life of me I have not found the reference of what the tool is called is that precision grinds those are. I was certain that a member told me and that I mentioned that name to the first local machine shop owner and he has that grinder and is willing to give it a shot for me.

I layed that cutter aside and have not been able to find it, it’s the old Pacific I have not used for years so it’s not the end of the world as I know it however.

That said, and I agree that working the vertical edge is not completely kopesthetic, the get by removes only a small amount each time and a trip over the precision grinder resets face of the cutter flutes in between the shade tree method redressings ..... if that makes sense.

My Pacific trimmer cutter is one piece as the Wilson cutters are so the replacement cost is a bit more than say the Lyman is but that is a given (the Wilsons still very much in current production however, the Pacific not).

Best regards

Three44s

[trapper9260]

Thank you 44 that video will help alot. I just need to find the stone .

[Three44s]

Thank you 44 that video will help alot. I just need to find the stone .

Hey, you are most welcome!

Three44s