September 22nd, 2022Product review by F-Class John
Precision reloading requires careful preparation of the case. You will need to trim the cases, clean necks, debur/chamfer the case mouths, and spruce-up primer pockets. Each step of case preparation can require many tools. Each tool comes with additional cost and more storage space. Lyman designed the Case Prep Xpress to make case preparation faster, easier, and more convenient. The Case Prep Xpress was introduced a few years ago and combines five prep stages into one sturdy, versatile unit. Watch this video to see the machine in action:[embedded content]The Case Prep Xpress features five (5) independently-turning spindles all with the common 8/32 thread. This allows you to attach multiple tools that come with the unit, as well as many other screw-on tools. We tested a variety 12 tools, and they covered the majority of our case prep tasks. Lyman also offers reamers, cleaners, pocket uniformers and cleaners as well as deburr, chamfer, and chamfer tool. The primer pocket cleaning tool was effective, but it is not as efficient as the primer pocket uniforming instrument, which can remove even the most stubborn residues. You can add your own accessories to interchangeable heads. For use in our necks, we like to use a borebrush with bronze wool wrapped around. Once we had it installed, it worked perfectly. We couldn’t think any 8/32-threaded accessory which wouldn’t work on this machine. The accessories are also oriented straight up, which is a great design feature. This allows you to align your accessories perfectly onto the tools, which is crucial when performing cutting operations such a primer pocket uniforming. This feature is great because you will need more than five accessories. You can store 11 tools on the machine (five on the top and six on the sides). This allows you to store your tools right on the machine without having to search through storage bins. The Case Prep Xpress has a removable top bin that can hold brass shavings. There are also two circular trays to either side of this bin. The provided brush is stored in the tray at the front. This makes it easy to clean up brass shavings and other debris during case prep.
Lyman’s Case Prep Xpress offers the best value for money. It can perform multiple tasks well, while being stable and simple to use. Yes, there are multi-spindle prep centres that offer variable or slow RPM spindles. Lyman’s spindles have a fixed RPM. (See, e.g. The RCBS Brass Boss. These other systems, however, don’t offer the same convenience as the Case Prep Xpress’s on-board storage and are therefore more expensive. The Lyman Case Xpress retails for $150-$170 at “street price”. Amazon currently has it for $146.99 Lyman Case PrepXpress is a great value. It offers great versatility and saves space.
Similar Posts:Tags: Cartridge Brass Prep, Case Prep Machine, F-Class John, Lyman Case Prep Express, Reloading
