Behind the Machine: How Henderson Precision Turned a Garage Project into a Reloading Powerhouse
- Mac
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Can you believe the Henderson Trimmer has been around for over a decade now?
In that time, it’s become something of a staple in the reloading world. I’m sure you’ve seen the videos. Read the posts. Heard the praise. But recently, with the release of a new trimmer that shares more than a little visual and functional similarity, I found myself circling back to the original. As a longtime user, I’ve got nothing but respect for what this tool has done. It took a process that used to feel tedious and inconsistent—trimming, chamfering, deburring—and made it fast, fluid, and stupidly repeatable. The Henderson Trimmer simplified a part of reloading that most of us used to just deal with. It made it better.
So yeah—now felt like the right time to go back to the beginning. To revisit how this thing came to life, who’s behind it, and why Henderson Precision still holds its ground in a space where “good enough” is often the bar.
The Origin Story: From Competition to Collaboration
It didn’t start in a boardroom. No whiteboards. No startup cash. Just two competitors who met on the firing line, became friends, and decided to fix a problem they were both tired of working around. Jason, a heavy mechanic by trade, was the one with the hands and the mind for solving problems. In 2013, he built the first Gen 1 case trimmer in his garage—just for himself. It wasn’t meant to be sold. But when Todd Henderson saw it, used it, and realized how different it was, everything clicked. Todd, with a background in the restaurant business and a deep love for shooting, knew they were onto something.
What started as a one-off solution quickly snowballed into something much bigger. The original idea? Build and sell a few trimmers—just enough to cover match fees and keep the ammo shelf stocked. Nothing crazy. Just a side hustle between friends who loved to shoot and saw an opportunity to make one annoying part of reloading a little better.
But the response was immediate. Shooters started talking. Word spread fast. That first garage-built unit led to orders, then more orders, and within weeks, Jason and Todd found themselves working nights in a blur—hand-building eighty trimmers in just six weeks. No shop. No staff. Just raw hustle, quality parts, and two guys burning the midnight oil to keep up with demand. It was what you’d call an instant success. Not because they planned it that way—but because the product delivered, and people recognized it.
More than ten years later, Henderson Precision is still growing—but deliberately. They’ve scaled up without selling out. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just sharp tools, smart engineering, and a company culture built on one core principle: if it’s not right, it doesn’t leave the shop!
The Team:
The partnership between Todd and Jason remains as strong as ever—rooted in friendship, trust, and a shared commitment to innovation without compromise. Their shop is no longer in California, which was a bit of a bummer for me since it used to be just 40 minutes away—I was really looking forward to visiting in person.
Todd runs the business. He’s the one answering calls, replying to emails, and making sure every customer gets real, personal support. Jason is the mind behind the design. Every cutter head, every tweak, every improvement comes from his hands, shaped by real shooter feedback and an uncompromising drive for perfection. Together, they’ve built more than just a product—they’ve built a reputation. Every piece that leaves their shop is a reflection of their standards. It’s not just tested—it’s scrutinized. If it doesn’t meet their expectations, it doesn’t ship. Plain and simple. For Todd and Jason, “good enough” has never been good enough.
Built on Feedback, Backed by Experience
One of the most underrated parts of Henderson Precision’s success? They listen. Really listen. Feedback isn’t a suggestion box tucked in the corner—it’s a core part of their design process. Todd jokes that the handle alone has been through eight or nine versions. Not because it failed. Not because customers complained. But because it could be better. That mindset—relentless refinement over resting on what’s “good enough”—is baked into everything they do.
It’s not just the handle. Every component has been touched, tuned, and revisited. Whether it’s the way the cutter engages brass, the comfort of the manual wheel, or how collets lock in with repeatable precision, the team is constantly evolving based on what they see, what they hear, and what they feel in competition and on the bench. Because here’s the thing: this isn’t a company run by marketers. It’s run by shooters. The same people designing and assembling your trimmer are the ones running stages, chasing dope at a thousand yards, and burning through brass on a weekend. They know what good gear feels like—because they’ve needed it, relied on it, and suffered without it.
When Todd says “Ferrari, not Ford,” it’s not about flash. It’s about function. It means taking the time to build something elite, something smooth, something you’ll pass around your reloading bench like a secret weapon. And if it doesn’t meet that standard? They don’t want it on your bench—or theirs.
Product Spotlight: What Makes the Henderson Trimmer Special?
Let’s talk specs. Because if you’re reading this, chances are you care about what makes this tool different.
The Gen 3 Trimmer is their flagship—and for good reason. It trims, chamfers, and deburrs in one motion. It’s built to last, and it delivers consistency that’s hard to beat.
What you get:
Taper-Lock Cutter Head – Rock-solid alignment. Zero wiggle. Built for repeatable precision.
Brown & Sharpe-style Collets – Covers everything from .17 to .338. No funky adapters.
Repeatability – Within ±0.002" on consistent brass. That’s toolroom accuracy.
Trim Method – Started with shoulder indexing, now trims off OAL. More universal, more reliable.
Construction – CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel. Durable. Serviceable. Built for real-world use.
Powered or Manual – Add the 1700 RPM DC motor for a smooth, high-torque setup—or stay manual and still get pro-level results.
There are newer trimmers out there, sure. But there aren’t many that match this level of refinement, especially after a decade of continuous iteration.
What’s Coming Next?
If you thought the Gen 3 was where the road ends—think again. Henderson Precision isn’t done. Not even close.
There’s ongoing talk about a Micrometer Stop, something that would allow ultra-fine, tool-free depth adjustments with repeatable precision. It’s not in production yet, but the idea is out there—and it fits right in with Henderson’s commitment to refinement. But the real momentum? It’s heading straight into the ELR world.
Enter the ELR Carriage—a system concept built for the big guns. Think 900-grain .375 CheyTac, .338 Two-ChyTac, and cartridges designed for serious distance. Nothing official yet, but the conversations are getting louder. And knowing how this team works, where there’s smoke, there’s usually some seriously well-machined fire on the way. “This is high-energy, race car stuff,” Todd says. “Not everybody needs it—but the ones who do? They really do.” There’s also buzz around expanding the collet lineup, pushing modularity even further, and working directly with ELR match organizers. Henderson Precision might be known for trimming brass, but the future? It’s looking long. Real long.
Final Thoughts
The Henderson Trimmer didn’t just arrive. It evolved. From a garage project between two shooters to one of the most respected tools in precision reloading, it earned its place the hard way—through design, performance, and a company that still gives a damn. So whether you're trimming bulk .223 for a local 3-Gun or prepping .375 CheyTac for an ELR match, Henderson Precision has something for you—and if they don’t yet, they’re probably already building it.
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