Hey guy’s I decided to spend a little money to simplify my life. I recently purchased the Hornady lock N Load Case Prep center from a local store. At first glace it appeared to fill all of needs without to much overcomplication and space..
Here’s how Hornady puts it..
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Power Case Prep Center is the first tool on the market to combine all the necessary case prep tools and a power trimmer into one convenient unit, saving valuable real estate on any reloading bench, as well as precious time during the case prep process. The Lock-N-Load Power Case Prep Center includes a power trimmer, chamfer and deburring tools, primer pocket cleaner and five neck brushes.
This is how I put it..
Power case trimmer (yeah me!) Haaa
Basically it provides you with everything you’ll need to properly trim your brass with the exception the of (Shell Holder)!.. NOTE: I was told it uses only (Hornady) shell holders.. IDK but whatever..
The Second thing this tool does is provides you with is a complete (power) case Prep center / all in one brass prep station. That’s right no more turning anything by hand, and lets face it guys, at 45 yrs old my hands, fingers and writs are not what they used to be, Hahahaa.
Prep Center functions Includes:
Optional items that are available for purchase:
This is what I got for it..
The BAD / Things I didn’t like about it.
The IDK / Things I’m still out to lunch on.
The Good / Things I liked.
On to the pics..
Here’s how Hornady puts it..
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Power Case Prep Center is the first tool on the market to combine all the necessary case prep tools and a power trimmer into one convenient unit, saving valuable real estate on any reloading bench, as well as precious time during the case prep process. The Lock-N-Load Power Case Prep Center includes a power trimmer, chamfer and deburring tools, primer pocket cleaner and five neck brushes.
This is how I put it..
Power case trimmer (yeah me!) Haaa
- Drill press / Horizontal design ensures that no brass shavings get into the case’s
- Micro adjustable to 1/1000” or .001
- Trims casing from ¾” to 3 ¼” long
- (7) Pilots included in the following calibers (22, 6mm, .270, .30, .38 and .45) All other pilots will need to be purchased separately.
Basically it provides you with everything you’ll need to properly trim your brass with the exception the of (Shell Holder)!.. NOTE: I was told it uses only (Hornady) shell holders.. IDK but whatever..
The Second thing this tool does is provides you with is a complete (power) case Prep center / all in one brass prep station. That’s right no more turning anything by hand, and lets face it guys, at 45 yrs old my hands, fingers and writs are not what they used to be, Hahahaa.
Prep Center functions Includes:
- Chamfer / Deburing bits
- Primer pocket cleaner / brushes (Large and Small) included
- Neck brushes (5) included
Optional items that are available for purchase:
- Primer pocket uniformer
- Primer pocket reamer
- Flash hole deburing tool
This is what I got for it..
The BAD / Things I didn’t like about it.
- It came BROKE!. OMFG.. Hornady!!.. what the hell.. I was shocked! This new toy / tool just cost me $400+ and it’s was never put together right in the first place!.. (please) see pics for WTH?? Total embarrassment / NO QC and I will be calling them Monday Morning.. I was truly expecting something that is Dillon quality.. I’ll let you be the judge for yourself..
- There are NO.. Reference marks to accurately let you see how you are adjusting your cut on the case length.. I don't like this!.. Maybe I’m missing something here? It’s new, it’s late, I’m a little pissed it came broke and yes at this point I’ve been drinking little. But I just don't see it, it’s all trail and error until you get it set. IDK it hard to tell if I’m just *****ing / being picky at this point so I’ll stop here.
- The shell holder plate or the upper part does not match perfectly with the cutter.. Hahahaa.. IDK.. I again maybe I’m just being picky? Maybe I was expecting a little more quality out of it.. Again it off a small bit, and yes the pilots will guide the brass mouth on the cutters, but again shouldn’t it be press quality here?
- Well at this point.. I’m just not impressed / it’s not Dillon quality, it just above “Harbor Freight” quality..
The IDK / Things I’m still out to lunch on.
- I don't know how long this machine is going to last with Plastic gears? Again WTH Hornady… Are you’re designing things to brake?? I wish they would have used Metal gears.. See pics of what I’m talking about..
- I’m a big guy (6” 2’ – 210 lbs) with big hands and I’m having issues with space.. I need to figure out how to place all of the prep dies and still have room for my hands to fit.. Again I think it’s just late and the booze, but again IDK? I might end up losing the chip catcher tray to gain extra working room.. It’s TBD..
The Good / Things I liked.
- It’s all power and it’s really easy on the hands, well that is until you get your knuckles scraped up from touching one of the other moving bits.. Hahaa
- It’s easy to switch between calibers
- It’s relatively quite.. I was expecting it to be much, much louder, late night prepping sessions will / should not be a concern..
- Small footprint. It does not take up a lot of room
- I like the large T trimmer handle
On to the pics..