Need a new tumbler

R

Roland Thunder

New member
the tumbler I have been using for the last 5 years finally bit the dust. It was a Lyman Turbo 1200 Case Tumbler with Auto-Flo. Trying to decide whether to get another one of those or a
  • Another Lyman Turbo 1200 - $103.99
  • Hornady M-1 Case Tumbler H - $55.99
  • RCBS Vibratory Case Tumbler - $84.99
  • Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler - $49.99
  • Thumler's Tumbler Ultra-Vibe - $$$$$
  • Something else (please name)

I'm not sure if I am ready to take the plunge to a rotary tumbler that uses steel pins, etc.
 
Having two tumblers myself, I can tell you that I would never buy another vibratory tumbler. Mine is a Lyman and it is noisy and slow. What takes a half hour in my Thumbler's Tumbler takes almost two hours in the Lyman. It is loud enough that I can't stay in the same room with it (or in my case in the shop with it).
 
ShootistPRS said:
Having two tumblers myself, I can tell you that I would never buy another vibratory tumbler. Mine is a Lyman and it is noisy and slow. What takes a half hour in my Thumbler's Tumbler takes almost two hours in the Lyman. It is loud enough that I can't stay in the same room with it (or in my case in the shop with it).
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I had thought about getting a Thumbler Tumbler before but it seems kind of messy and a lot of hassle to me to have to drain off the water and then spread the brass out on a towel or something to dry brass before I can use it.

I use the Lyman vibratory in the garage, so, the noise isn't so much an issue.
 
I too favor a rotary tumbler, but used dry, no water, pins, etc. I started with a HF single drum tumbler and it worked quite for mebbe 12 years well until I "improved" it. Then I got a Lyman 1200, and the wobbler just produced so-so results. I got another HF tumbler, dual drum, and made a custom drum that holds about 80-90, 308 cases plus media. After experimenting with various media for several years I've settled on corn cob blast media http://www.drillspot.com/products/499763/econoline_526020g-40_40_lbs_blast_media and for tough cleaning I'll add some of this to the cob media, to about 25%, https://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-rust-cutting-resin-abrasive-tumbler-media-60542.html
 
ShootisPRS may be speaking of the Thumbler vibratories, in which case they have both industrial and hobby versions. Let's see if we can get him to provide a model number.
 
Back in the 90s, I bought an Ultra Vibe 45. It ain't loud as long as you tighten the lid adequately. Matter of fact, it is rather quite for a vibratory tumbler.

I have cleaned as many as six hundred 30-06 cases at one time. Just a month ago I dumped 1500 9mm cases in it and all came out looking very good.

I do my initial cleaning with crushed walnut shells, then prep all the brass (resize, trim, etc) then I clean again with corn cob just before loading. Sometimes I clean with corn cob after loading.

The 45 ain't what most would call inexpensive, but if you have large numbers of brass to clean, this one will do it. They also make a couple of smaller units.

The Ultra Vibe 45 takes approximately 20 lbs of media.

Here is a link to Brownell's for reference.

http://www.brownells.com/reloading/.../ultra-vibe-45-sku100010868-54712-111121.aspx
 
http://www.thumlerstumbler.com/vibratory.html (10 Model)

This is the one I currently have.

It works better than the old Lyman did, its quiet.

It takes about 8 hours to polish the brass and does a good job but not perfect of cleaning inside the necks.

I add a bit of additive to the media but not fantastic about it.

They have other types.

I will get one of the steel pin unit financing and successful bench top clan up permitting for the cycle that I do the annealing on.
 
RC20 said:
…for the cycle that I do the annealing on.
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That's a good thought. If you anneal after the cleaning, like military brass, the oxide layer should tend to eliminate the complaint from some that pin tumbling makes the neck too squeaky clean, resulting in harder seating and irregular bullet pull force.
 
"...the tumbler I have been using for the last 5 years finally bit the dust. It was a Lyman Turbo 1200 Case Tumbler with Auto-Flo..."

Surprised your Lyman lasted such a short time!

I have a Lyman 600 (with add on 1200 bowl) that I bought 35 years ago...

My second tumbler is a Lyman 1200 (with an add on Auto-Flo bowl) maybe 25 years ago...

BOTH are STILL working flawlessly!

T.
 
No, Haven't checked with Lyman yet. I wonder what kind of warranty Lyman has.
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That's why I buy from Brownells. Life time guaranty on everything they sell. It breaks, you call, they send a return label and you get a new replacement
 
I too favor a rotary tumbler, but used dry, no water, pins, etc.
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same here, I bought a FA rotary drum kit but found the pins and water to be way more hassle than what they are worth. Now I decap either at the range or that evening then soak the pins in small tupperware bowl with water and detergent for a day or so before tumbling. Drain the excess water off by rolling them in an old towel then toss the still damp cases into the walnut shell media and tumble.

I have tried dry rotary tumbling, vibratory dry, rotary wet with pins and just simple washing and this is my favorite method so far. Low hassle and good results
 
2nd that...I've never seen a vibrator that was even close to being as quiet as a rotary. Maybe they exist but not with any I've been around. My rotary drum is so quiet I reload next to it and have no distraction. On the other hand my past Dillion vibrator was so loud I couldn't stay in the same room. The only reason I'd go with a vibrator is for cleaning big items like rusted tools that can't fit in a normal size rotary. I use the rotary dry with corn cob and walnut. Sometimes I use liquid but not often enough to say it works better.
 
You can use vibratory cleaning media in a rotary tumbler. It just takes longer.

If you want to go to the stainless pin method, you need to decap your brass first or else give up the clean primer pockets and be prepared to wait a number of days for the pockets to dry out before using it. You also want a tumbler with enough capacity for the job. 5 lbs of pins and a gallon of water is already over 13 lbs. You add tablespoon of citric acid powder and a short squirt of detergent and you are good to go. You need a separator to quickly separate the brass from the pins. Pins are not austenitic stainless, so you can attract them with a magnet if you need to. Dry the brass.
 
Roland Thunder
I have been reloading for 30+ years. Changed to a wet tumbler with Stainless pins. Cleans the cases inside & out, brass looks brand new . Gave my dry unit with a bag each of corn & walnuts to a friend. Started with a small tumbler from Harbor Freight & later the red Thumblers B tumbler. No more build up or media stuck inside the case. I remove the primer first with a universal recapped, the pockets also are spotless. I don't have to clean, reload & shoot in a few days. I clean & let dry, takes two days. I shoot every Sunday.
 
I just bought the Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler. It came with the pins, a sample of their brass cleaning liquid, and the tumbler itself.

I did a trial run using the pins, distilled water I had in the garage, and about 100 pieces of .308 plus 60 pieces of 6mmBR. I ran it for 2 hours.

The brass looked new. Inside and out, including the primer pockets. I had decapped them prior to putting them in the tumbler. I was very pleased with the outcome.

I will still use my vibratory tumblers for pre-sizing tumbling, getting lube off and so forth. But any final tumbling will be done with the wet tumbler.
I also bought their magnet which makes moving the pins around very easy. It was only $15 or so.
 
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