Concrete mixer tumbler

[KY DAN]

I dry tumble and will only discuss dry tumbling in this thread.

I modified a basic economy grade concrete mixer from Northern Tool in Belleville Illinois. Notice I have added a lid as well as a strainer screen to be able to spin the barrel and separate the media. I had the holes in barrel tig welded solid and I removed the baffles.

My picture taking ability is fair at best so please do not judge the appearance of final brass as in person it is bright and reflective.

Issues I encountered were as follows, the drive belt slipped of the driver stud and pulley first time tumbling. The second issue I experienced was a very hot motor cover, upon removal it was found bo exhaust port had been put into cover to release hot air from fan. The motor when hot 119 degrees with cover in place, with cover removed it was 63-78 degrees A BIG DIFFERENCE.

The media I made as followed

Rough polish
25 pounds harbor freight 24 grit fine media
2 pints paint thinner
8 Oz Nu finish car wax

Finial finish
25 pounds 14/20 corn Cobb media
2 pints paint thinner
8 Oz Nu finish car wax

Run time was 1 hour for each process

First batch was 3000 pieces while the second batch was 5000 pieces of 45 acp brass. The same finish was had on either quantity.

I am pleased with this as it saves me considerable time using a vibratory tumbler.

Tips play with angel of drum to get maximum agitation of the brass.

 

[Show Me]

American ingenuity . High volume. Motor cover because people spray water while mixing grout and patch material

 

[Otto]

Doesn’t welding on the mixer void it’s warranty?

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Years ago I saw a video with Jerry Miculek doing something similar. He mentioned having to clean brass by tens of thousands if pieces, and using more than one concrete mixer for the job.

I like the way you modified the tool to fit your purpose.

 

[KY DAN]

Doesn’t welding on the mixer void it’s warranty?

Yes it does, it only cost $90 at Christmas 2023 sale and in my mind if I tumble for a few years then it was worth it.

 

[EricBu]

I dry tumble and will only discuss dry tumbling in this thread.

I modified a basic economy grade concrete mixer from Northern Tool in Belleville Illinois. Notice I have added a lid as well as a strainer screen to be able to spin the barrel and separate the media. I had the holes in barrel tig welded solid and I removed the baffles.

My picture taking ability is fair at best so please do not judge the appearance of final brass as in person it is bright and reflective.

Issues I encountered were as follows, the drive belt slipped of the driver stud and pulley first time tumbling. The second issue I experienced was a very hot motor cover, upon removal it was found bo exhaust port had been put into cover to release hot air from fan. The motor when hot 119 degrees with cover in place, with cover removed it was 63-78 degrees A BIG DIFFERENCE.

The media I made as followed

Rough polish
25 pounds harbor freight 24 grit fine media
2 pints paint thinner
8 Oz Nu finish car wax

Finial finish
25 pounds 14/20 corn Cobb media
2 pints paint thinner
8 Oz Nu finish car wax

Run time was 1 hour for each process

First batch was 3000 pieces while the second batch was 5000 pieces of 45 acp brass. The same finish was had on either quantity.

I am pleased with this as it saves me considerable time using a vibratory tumbler.

Tips play with angel of drum to get maximum agitation of the brass.

View attachment 1191490View attachment 1191491View attachment 1191492View attachment 1191493
View attachment 1191504

Nice job. I was using a Lowe's concrete mixer for a while, the one with the plastic drum. I could never get over the smashed brass, tried attaching carpet, rubber, all kinds of stuff inside. It was ok for things like 9mm or 5.56, but it was wrecking too much brass in some calibers and I ended up using it for mixing concrete, and went back to the big Dillon tumblers. Did you find a solution for this, or is your build not doing it? Inquiring minds want to know, because I would still love to be able to tumble big runs of brass like that.

I should add, you've violated 2 of the 3 laws of Harbor Freight purchasing:

1. If it turns at more than 10 RPM, don't buy it at HF
2. If it plugs in, don't buy it at HF
3. If it supports the weight of a vehicle over your body, don't buy it at HF


Just kidding, I have a shop full of HF stuff...while there is some humorous truth to the above, most of it works most of the time.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Nice contraption when facing a large number of cases. Ingenious mods too. The results look really good to me.

But how do you keep the water from spilling out?

 

[Mostly Lead]

I dry tumble and will only discuss dry tumbling in this thread.

I modified a basic economy grade concrete mixer from Northern Tool in Belleville Illinois. Notice I have added a lid as well as a strainer screen to be able to spin the barrel and separate the media. I had the holes in barrel tig welded solid and I removed the baffles.

My picture taking ability is fair at best so please do not judge the appearance of final brass as in person it is bright and reflective.

Love the "action" shot dumping the media!

How would you rate the noise while running when compared to other tumbling methods?

 

[jmorris]

One of my buddies ran 16 or so cement mixers, all in their own room as they were incredibly loud.

Another had a bank of them on one side for dry (post load tumbling).



And down the other side a row of wet tumblers I built for them.

MOAT

www.youtube.com

I built a media separator to roll down the isle for the mixers to dump into, this is it without the bottom shelf for the tub.



You might note the panty hose over the openings of the ones in operation and dryer vents to suck the dust outside. They were also all in their own room.

 

[Conelrad]

I knew of a reloader in Phoenix that used Glacial Acetic acid and water to tumble the brass.

Worked great, not a lot of cleanup to be done.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Nice contraption when facing a large number of cases. Ingenious mods too. The results look really good to me.

But how do you keep the water from spilling out?

Turn the drum upright….

 

[jmorris]

Doesn’t welding on the mixer void it’s warranty?

Not something reloaders worry about. Many manuals inform the reader warranties are void with reloaded ammunition.

We specifically disclaim responsibility for any damage or injury whatsoever occurring in connection with, or as a result of, the use in any Ruger® firearms of faulty, or non-standard, or 'remanufactured' or hand-loaded (reloaded) ammunition, or of cartridges other than those for which the firearm was originally ...

So, we do that all the time.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I dry tumble and will only discuss dry tumbling in this thread.

I modified a basic economy grade concrete mixer from Northern Tool in Belleville Illinois. Notice I have added a lid as well as a strainer screen to be able to spin the barrel and separate the media. I had the holes in barrel tig welded solid and I removed the baffles.

My picture taking ability is fair at best so please do not judge the appearance of final brass as in person it is bright and reflective.

Issues I encountered were as follows, the drive belt slipped of the driver stud and pulley first time tumbling. The second issue I experienced was a very hot motor cover, upon removal it was found bo exhaust port had been put into cover to release hot air from fan. The motor when hot 119 degrees with cover in place, with cover removed it was 63-78 degrees A BIG DIFFERENCE.

The media I made as followed

Rough polish
25 pounds harbor freight 24 grit fine media
2 pints paint thinner
8 Oz Nu finish car wax

Finial finish
25 pounds 14/20 corn Cobb media
2 pints paint thinner
8 Oz Nu finish car wax

Run time was 1 hour for each process

First batch was 3000 pieces while the second batch was 5000 pieces of 45 acp brass. The same finish was had on either quantity.

I am pleased with this as it saves me considerable time using a vibratory tumbler.

Tips play with angel of drum to get maximum agitation of the brass.

View attachment 1191490View attachment 1191491View attachment 1191492View attachment 1191493
View attachment 1191504

Impressive!

 

[Show Me]

Nice contraption when facing a large number of cases. Ingenious mods too. The results look really good to me.

But how do you keep the water from spilling out?

It reads dry tumbling

 

[Soonerpesek]

It reads dry tumbling

Gotta learn to “read between the lines”…….
@CQB45ACP is an AVID wet tumbler…
We do make grown-up sarcasm here…..

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Gotta learn to “read between the lines”…….
@CQB45ACP is an AVID wet tumbler…
We do make grown-up sarcasm here…..

I’m still trying to wrap my head around 10,000+ pieces of .45Auto brass needing tumbling.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I’m still trying to wrap my head around 10,000+ pieces of .45Auto brass needing tumbling.

Go big or go home….!!!!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Go big or go home….!!!!

I think I’ll go home. Get some sleep.

 

[Show Me]

Gotta learn to “read between the lines”…….
@CQB45ACP is an AVID wet tumbler…
We do make grown-up sarcasm here…..

Oh ya, like the scout sign.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Oh ya, like the scout sign.

See........now you're gettin' it.....................................................being butt-hurt is sooooo 2020..................!!

 

[KY DAN]

Nice job. I was using a Lowe's concrete mixer for a while, the one with the plastic drum. I could never get over the smashed brass, tried attaching carpet, rubber, all kinds of stuff inside. It was ok for things like 9mm or 5.56, but it was wrecking too much brass in some calibers and I ended up using it for mixing concrete, and went back to the big Dillon tumblers. Did you find a solution for this, or is your build not doing it? Inquiring minds want to know, because I would still love to be able to tumble big runs of brass like that.

I should add, you've violated 2 of the 3 laws of Harbor Freight purchasing:

1. If it turns at more than 10 RPM, don't buy it at HF
2. If it plugs in, don't buy it at HF
3. If it supports the weight of a vehicle over your body, don't buy it at HF


Just kidding, I have a shop full of HF stuff...while there is some humorous truth to the above, most of it works most of the time.

I have not experienced any damaged brass....... yet.

My brass was full length sized and de primed and I see no issues

 

[KY DAN]

Love the "action" shot dumping the media!

How would you rate the noise while running when compared to other tumbling methods?

The noise level is average in operation with the drum empty, there is a constant clicking of the drive gear and drum rotating and touching.

With drum loaded with 5000 cases there is a ROAR. I could not take a phone call in the same section of the shop with it on. I am also 31 and have around 55% of my hearing left according to the last plant I worked for as a tool maker so don't use my opinion as gospel.

 

[KY DAN]

I’m still trying to wrap my head around 10,000+ pieces of .45Auto brass needing tumbling.

It's a cool problem to have lol, I really like 1911 45s and springfield xdm 45s.

Don't even ask about 9mm brass, I don't pick it up anymore and people just give it to me to get rid of it.

 

[Otto]

Now you’re ready to take it to the next level…..

 

[cfullgraf]

If you have the volume of cases to clean, why not.

Sounds like you have a plan. Enjoy.