I know it's the greatest thing since sliced bread and this question is for people that have used this process for awhile. Would you spend $200 bucks again to buy into the tumbler/media or would you just stick with lizard bedding and a vibe tumbler?
SS tumbling?
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I didnt spend $200 getting into wet tumbling. I spent $75.00.
And yes, I would do it again.
BurnedOutGeek
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Seconded!
Thirdeded.
I probably spent more like $129, but its well worth more than that to me. Really, whats not to like? My brass is cleaner, I have less time invested in the whole process, no dry tumbling media kicking up dust to breath in, and I can do way more brass at a time.
Full disclosure, I dont use the SS pins that came with my tumbler, nor do I decap before tumbling. I just dont care about clean primer pockets.
BigWaylon
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$75-$129 for tumbler and media?
What exactly did you opt for?
How much brass and media at once?
I have a really small tumbler here for suppressor baffles, but no way I'm using it for any quantity of brass.
What exactly did you opt for?
How much brass and media at once?
I have a really small tumbler here for suppressor baffles, but no way I'm using it for any quantity of brass.
I use a Harbor Freight dual drum bought with a 25% coupon. I do my 40 brass in two batches (4 drums) and get a month or more of cleaned brass. I shoot any where from 150-200 rds a weekend.
I do 150 or so pieces of 223 at a time. Two batches (4 drums) last me 3 matches of 175 rds each.
I dont waste time depriming and run the tumbler for 1.5 hrs. Use a cheap dehydrator to dry with.
Pins or no pins, same results
I do 150 or so pieces of 223 at a time. Two batches (4 drums) last me 3 matches of 175 rds each.
I dont waste time depriming and run the tumbler for 1.5 hrs. Use a cheap dehydrator to dry with.
Pins or no pins, same results
BigWaylon
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The small dual drum, like coffee can sized? Two 3lb drums?
I have the single version of that one.
The Thumlers AR-12 is a nice middle of the road tumbler to look at if you don't get the Frankford Arsenal. Rotary tumblers have been around ages for tumbling rocks. Thumlers has been a trusted name for a long LONG time so I went that route. 2-3lbs of stainless media is really all you need in there leaving plenty of room for brass.
The only reason I'd have a dry media tumbler is to tumble loaded rounds. Everything else is better off done wet and that's including tumbling my jacketed bullets that I make.
The only reason I'd have a dry media tumbler is to tumble loaded rounds. Everything else is better off done wet and that's including tumbling my jacketed bullets that I make.
BurnedOutGeek
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Yeap. Used monthly for over 3 years now.
I'll get a count tonight of how many pieces per drum and post the info.
I grab a 1lb bag of ebay for $15.00 shipped
I have the Frankford Arsenal tumbler, it comes with 5lbs of SS pins, is advertised to hold 1000 pieces of .223 brass. Had to catch it on sale to get it for $129, but I see those sales fairly often. I dont use the pins or decap before tumbling. If I had to guess it probably holds 1200+ 9mm brass at one time, probably more.
My entire method is as follows:
1. Decide its time to tumble some brass and Im actually motivated to do it.
2. Fill the FART about 3/4 or so full of dirty brass, cover it with as hot a water as my sink can muster, put a healthy squirt of Armor All wash n wax in along with about a tablespoon full of citric acid, lid it up, put it on the base and set the timer for 1hr, then go and do whatever. So far about 5 minutes of time invested.
3. Usually stop it at about the 45min mark, take off the lid and put on the handy sifting lid thats also included, pour off the dirty water, fill with clean water, swish around, dump and repeat that a couple times to make sure the brass is rinsed well. Takes about 5 minutes of time to do this step as well.
4. Take the wet brass up to my reloading room and dump it out on a large beach towel for a quick pat down, then spread it out under the ceiling fan to dry overnight. Again about a 5 minute process.
So about 15 minutes of actual work, if I take my time and go slow. I usually dont mess with it unless I do at least 3 batches which will keep me in brass for a pretty good while. Definitely will never put another dirty case in a vibratory cleaner again.
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If anybody spots it at that price, let us know. It's $148 on Amazon Prime right now, but hey...$20 is $20, or ~1lb of powder.
I won't need it for a couple months, so I can wait it out if needed.
If anybody spots it at that price, let us know. It's $148 on Amazon Prime right now, but hey...$20 is $20, or ~1lb of powder.
I won't need it for a couple months, so I can wait it out if needed.
Got mine on sale from Cabelas, keep an eye on them.
I like to scrounge at flea markets and thrift stores. Somewhere, many years ago, I bought a small, old Thumbler rock tumbler for next to nothing. I used it for tumbling rocks, and it worked ok.
I've only been reloading for about a year now, and bought the small Harbor Freight vibratory tumbler on sale and with a 20% coupon, for aroung $30.00. I used it once with crushed walnut shell media on 100 rounds of 9mm. Since I was so new ant reloading, and didn't know ant better, I didn't add any polish or anything else to the media, and so it just didn't seem to get the brass shiny. I ran it for just about 8 hours. I was expecting the shiny brass that everyone else was getting.
I picked up an old Lortone rock tumbler in the garage of a house we were cleaning out, and got it for NOTHING. It definitely needed some "love," but I was able to get it going. It is a "two-barrel" tumbler, but I got only one barrel. I put 100 rounds of 9mm in it, water, and a shot of Dawn dish detergent. After around an hour and a half, the brass looked MUCH better than after 8 hours in the vibratory tumbler. After that, I ordered 3 lbs. SS pins, and bought a container of powdered Lemishine. The next round of brass was what I was looking for!
Then, while looking for something else, I discovered my old Thumbler, which hadn't seen the light of day in many years. It still worked ok, but I decided that it needed a little more powerful motor, and I just happened to have access to several old desk fans that had various problems. I cannibalized a motor from one, and had to cut down the shaft to make it fit inside the housing, but I was able to make the modification:
Now, that's my main tumbler. It turns out real pretty brass after just a little over an hour...
I always deprime before tumbling, and after taking them out, I put them on a large towel to dry what I can, then shoot a blast of compressed air up each primer pocket. This sends any moisture inside the casing out the mouth in a small puff of mist. Then I let them dry overnight, and they're ready to load.
Like I said, I like to scrounge and tinker. Wet tumbling doesn't have to be expensive, especially if you're good with mechanics, and like to tinker. Before I revamped this little Thumbler, I bought the Harbor Freight double barrel tumbler on sale and with another 20% coupon. It still sits in the box, brand new, and is my backup if this little old Tumbler ever decides to finally die on me...
I've only been reloading for about a year now, and bought the small Harbor Freight vibratory tumbler on sale and with a 20% coupon, for aroung $30.00. I used it once with crushed walnut shell media on 100 rounds of 9mm. Since I was so new ant reloading, and didn't know ant better, I didn't add any polish or anything else to the media, and so it just didn't seem to get the brass shiny. I ran it for just about 8 hours. I was expecting the shiny brass that everyone else was getting.
I picked up an old Lortone rock tumbler in the garage of a house we were cleaning out, and got it for NOTHING. It definitely needed some "love," but I was able to get it going. It is a "two-barrel" tumbler, but I got only one barrel. I put 100 rounds of 9mm in it, water, and a shot of Dawn dish detergent. After around an hour and a half, the brass looked MUCH better than after 8 hours in the vibratory tumbler. After that, I ordered 3 lbs. SS pins, and bought a container of powdered Lemishine. The next round of brass was what I was looking for!
Then, while looking for something else, I discovered my old Thumbler, which hadn't seen the light of day in many years. It still worked ok, but I decided that it needed a little more powerful motor, and I just happened to have access to several old desk fans that had various problems. I cannibalized a motor from one, and had to cut down the shaft to make it fit inside the housing, but I was able to make the modification:
Now, that's my main tumbler. It turns out real pretty brass after just a little over an hour...
I always deprime before tumbling, and after taking them out, I put them on a large towel to dry what I can, then shoot a blast of compressed air up each primer pocket. This sends any moisture inside the casing out the mouth in a small puff of mist. Then I let them dry overnight, and they're ready to load.
Like I said, I like to scrounge and tinker. Wet tumbling doesn't have to be expensive, especially if you're good with mechanics, and like to tinker. Before I revamped this little Thumbler, I bought the Harbor Freight double barrel tumbler on sale and with another 20% coupon. It still sits in the box, brand new, and is my backup if this little old Tumbler ever decides to finally die on me...
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Ikarus1
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I have the dual drum HFT tumbler which is a copy of the Lortone 33b design, very tried and true. Got it cheap with it on sale plus a coupon. Spent about $20 building my own 4x9" pvc drum with an Oatey quick plug. It holds enough brass for my needs since I basically clean what I shoot that day. 250-300rds of pistol or 200rds rifle with 2lbs of pins.
My reloads shame factory ammo in every way not the least of which is appearance. Easier to find my brass in green grass and dirt also
My reloads shame factory ammo in every way not the least of which is appearance. Easier to find my brass in green grass and dirt also
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I have the dual drum HG tumbler which is a copy of the Lortone 33b design, very tried and true. Got it cheap with it on sale plus a coupon. Spent about $20 building my own 4x9" pvc drum with an Oatey quick plug. It holds enough brass for my needs since I basically clean what I shoot that day. 250-300rds of pistol or 200rds rifle with 2lbs of pins.
My reloads shame factory ammo in every way not the least of which is appearance. Easier to find my brass in green grass and dirt also
Can you post a few pictures of the pvc drum you made? I bought some pvc hardware to make one, including a flat end cap, and a removable plug that looks like a giant Thermos stopper. I think it's called a "pressure test" plug. Is that what you used? I never did get around to making it because I revamped the little Thumbler, and it's been working great. Did you add any kind of internal baffles? I was going to take another piece of small diameter pvc and cut it in half lengthwise on the band saw, then cement the pieces to the inside of the drum to actually tumble the brass as the drum rotated. Do you use SS pins, and do you de-prime before you tumble? Your loaded rounds look as good as "store-bought."
Yes please do share.I have the dual drum HFT tumbler which is a copy of the Lortone 33b design, very tried and true. Got it cheap with it on sale plus a coupon. Spent about $20 building my own 4x9" pvc drum with an Oatey quick plug. It holds enough brass for my needs since I basically clean what I shoot that day. 250-300rds of pistol or 200rds rifle with 2lbs of pins.
My reloads shame factory ammo in every way not the least of which is appearance. Easier to find my brass in green grass and dirt also
Ikarus1
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Heres a few pics. I did split a piece of 1.5 inch PVC and glue it inside the chamber for agitation. I coated outside with plastidip for some grip.
I plan on adding another 180deg opposite for some real agitation.
I use a 4" shower drain as a strainer to get out most of the pins then a magnet to separate the rest from the brass.
I plan on adding another 180deg opposite for some real agitation.
I use a 4" shower drain as a strainer to get out most of the pins then a magnet to separate the rest from the brass.
I paid closer to $170 I think for the Frankford tumbler when it first came out. I have seen it occasionally for $129, though. Yes, I would do it again, no question.
I recommend using the Armorall Wash-n-Wax instead of Dawn. Just a pinch of lemishine in each load, also. The Wash-n-wax (there are other brands, too) leaves a very thin film of wax, which helps prevent later tarnish, and also runs through the dies a little easier, especially the expander (powder funnel on the Dillon).
I do use the pins, and decap all my brass before hand. Without the primers, it is a little quicker to drain the water and dry. The pins do clean the primer pockets and insides.
I use a Lee Classic Turret with the Lee universal decapper. That press sends all the primers and residue down through the ram and does not gum up the press as much as others. All my semi-auto pistol rounds are loaded on my Dillon, and with the primers already removed and pockets cleaned, I don't get ANY primer residue on the press and it cuts way down on press maintenance as a result (cleaning a lubing). I have also taken the depriming pin out of all my resizing dies on the Dillon, which means I can easily use pre-primed brass if I want (which I sometimes do).
For brass that will need lubing, I typically wet tumble the brass for about 15 minutes, without pins, before I lube, resize and decap. After that, I wet tumble with the pins for 2 hours, then finish the brass prep (trimming, etc.)
Is all this necessary? Absolutely not. I just like doing it. Nothing wrong with dry tumbling.
I recommend using the Armorall Wash-n-Wax instead of Dawn. Just a pinch of lemishine in each load, also. The Wash-n-wax (there are other brands, too) leaves a very thin film of wax, which helps prevent later tarnish, and also runs through the dies a little easier, especially the expander (powder funnel on the Dillon).
I do use the pins, and decap all my brass before hand. Without the primers, it is a little quicker to drain the water and dry. The pins do clean the primer pockets and insides.
I use a Lee Classic Turret with the Lee universal decapper. That press sends all the primers and residue down through the ram and does not gum up the press as much as others. All my semi-auto pistol rounds are loaded on my Dillon, and with the primers already removed and pockets cleaned, I don't get ANY primer residue on the press and it cuts way down on press maintenance as a result (cleaning a lubing). I have also taken the depriming pin out of all my resizing dies on the Dillon, which means I can easily use pre-primed brass if I want (which I sometimes do).
For brass that will need lubing, I typically wet tumble the brass for about 15 minutes, without pins, before I lube, resize and decap. After that, I wet tumble with the pins for 2 hours, then finish the brass prep (trimming, etc.)
Is all this necessary? Absolutely not. I just like doing it. Nothing wrong with dry tumbling.
If anybody spots it at that price, let us know. It's $148 on Amazon Prime right now, but hey...$20 is $20, or ~1lb of powder.
I won't need it for a couple months, so I can wait it out if needed.
https://www.slickguns.com/product/f...r-kit-13758-after-code-shop15-and-free-return
Disclaimer: Ive never ordered anything from Jet.com, have no idea how well it works, please check around before spending your hard earned money.
Here is a link for the FART that puts the price around $125 if you use the code triple15 at checkout, waive free return shipping, and I believe it has free shipping also.
BigWaylon
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Thanks. Ordered. $125.79 shipped. I opted to pay the extra ~$1.50 in order to not waive free return shipping...just in case.
Good deal, Im sure you will enjoy the tumbler. Ive never ordered anything on Jet.com but they look to have some pretty good deals on stuff. Let us know how your experience goes with them.
BigWaylon
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Will do. They have a pretty good reputation, but I've never ordered from them either.
Meant to add to the first reply, but the estimated arrival date was Fri 3/17-Thu 3/23. So, not 2-day I'd get from Amazon, but the money saved pays for the HF dehydrator I'm picking up tomorrow.
I have ordered several products from jet. No issues here. Looks like a great deal, good find.
BigWaylon
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Heres a few pics. I did split a piece of 1.5 inch PVC and glue it inside the chamber for agitation. I coated outside with plastidip for some grip.
I plan on adding another 180deg opposite for some real agitation.
I use a 4" shower drain as a strainer to get out most of the pins then a magnet to separate the rest from the brass.
Thanks for the pics. That is the same plug I have. What did you use to cap off the "closed" end? I was trying to find a plug that work from the INSIDE of the pvc, so it would not add any more diameter on the end. Yours appears to be the same diameter the entire length. This is precisely what I had in mind building. But, after I put a new motor in the Thumbler, I've been using it exclusively.
Ikarus1
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I used a cheap PVC glue in plug. It is also slighyly opaque and I can see the water level when its runnimg
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Yes, I did, along with a cylinder made from 6" PVC pipe. I can do around 2k pieces of 9mm brass in an hour.
I made two cylinders...one with interior baffles parallel to the pipe centerline, then one with the baffles in a spiral configuration. The spiral 'stirs' the brass more thoroughly and is much quieter.
Wonder why I never got your tag message for this thread?
Did you do a build tutorial on your replacement tube or am I thinking of someone else? Would you mind doing one, or posting a parts list?
BigWaylon
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Showing scheduled for delivery on Fri...so should end up as free 2-day shipping.
Ikarus1
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Nah i think theres a few out there but I will list what i used:
A 9 inch long piece of 4" sched 40 or 80 pvc pipe
1 Oatey 4" test plug. Replaced the wingnut with a regular hex nut
1 4" pipe plug to seal one end
Pvc primer and cement
1 1/2" pvc ripped lengthwise to make agitator
Auto primer and grey plastidip
This along with brass, pins and water weighs nearly 9lbs full so I "roll-start" full loads and took the top off the motor area. I have never replaced a belt to date which is evidently a miracle....lots of people use the Lortone belts or a Scunci brand hair tie
BigWaylon
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Arrived today. Two thumbs up for Jet. Within two hours of it being a 48-hour duration from ordering to opening the box.
Cool! Now go tumble some brass. Post pics.
BigWaylon
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Unfortunately all the brass I've bought and been given has already been cleaned pretty well. Supposed to get a bucket of range brass next weekend, so I'll be sure to have a before and after.