new to reloading, need advice on tumblers

[THe Dove]

$70 ???? if you paid that much, you got ripped off.
It should run you about $55

I guess it's a good thing I said "around $70" and not "about $55"........

The Dove

 

[markshere2]

I ran thru ( burned out) a couple of vibratory tumblers in a couple of years.
the company replaced it once, then refunded my money. ( I got tired of paying shipping back).

I considered the mechanical aspect of a machine that is designed to try and shake itself to death, then went with a roller tumbler for noise and longevity.

I bought a 2 drum unit from Harbor freight. It lasted about 3 years, with several belt replacements. I wound up just going with a HD rubber band and replacing it once a week or so.

I use walnut lizard litter, and I spice it up with bon ami cleanser when it quits cleaning.
The lizard litter is small enough it doesn't get stuck in the primer holes.

A used dryer sheet in with the mix picks up some of the dust and dirt for zero cost.

Next I am gonna buy a thumbler tumbler.

 

[sjd78]

I have had a Cabelas tumbler for a couple years now. It's been used very heavily and still works like a champ!

 

[Searcher4851]

I have no qualms about my 30+ year old Thumler's Model B with them new fangled SS pins. The thing is built like a tank, and will probably outlast me.

 

[maxyedor]

Harbor Freight tumbler, pet store walnut and some nu-finish, use it until the tumbler wears out, then go get another one.

 

[jackdaddycustoms]

i use the hornady m2 with walnut media from a pet store and a little mothers polish in there. i also throw in some dryer sheets to cut down on dust. they work!

 

[fatcpa]

I have 2 Lyman 1200's that I run a lot, usually both at the same time with different caliber brass. I order 40 lbs of crushed corncob blast media from drillspot (drillspot.com) and it lasts almost a year, changing media often. Last I ordered cost $27 for 40 lbs. Dump a tablespoon or two of a good liquid car polish in the bowl and the brass shines up like new. I shoot a lot of 45 colt loaded with Trail Boss and it gets the brass pretty sooty sometimes. They clean up really well in 3-4 hours. As far as Lyman motors burning out, I haven't had that experience. Being old and forgetful, I've gone off for three or four days more that once and left my oldest 1200 running. It's still alive and shakes hard enought to walk all over my workbench when it's running. It and my tractor style lawn sprinkler tend to have minds of their own and go roaming quite a bit!

 

[45lcshooter]

Lyman 1200 for about 50.00 a few months ago. I let it run all night lo g in the reloading dungeon(Basement). Yes Lyman is loud. So if you don't have room for it to run during the day, it it in a closet and run it at night while your sleeping.

 

[joecil]

I have a Franklin Arsenal and buy my media (Walnut) from Harbor Freight even cheaper than the pet stores in 25 lb bags. Mine is a good 10 years old and still works fine.

 

[4895]

Here is the best deal ever.

http://www.eabco.com/store/reloadin...r-kit-2-tumbler-corncob-polish-rotary-sifter/

 

[blitztech]

I finally got one. Went with the cabelas tumbler. Basically same as previous poster and I paid the same + taxes to the tune of $84ish

 

[carbuncle]

This is all the same stuff I have, except Cabelas branded. Great buy, good kit and well worth the money IMO.

Posted from my car phone.

 

[UnderTheGun]

Buy once, cry once (wish I would have)

http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/stm-complete-package-2.html

This is what I went with after using a vibratory for a while. This set up will clean almost anything off of brass. Drying is not much of a hassle, I run them in a separator and then give them a good shake in a towel and then let them sit and dry overnight. Also, I generally only tumble for 2 hours versus the recommended 4.

As others have mentioned I've also used the vinegar solution which works well.

I clean them once in the stainless media and then will shoot many loads before treating them again. While I don't need super shiny brass it does make it easier (IMO) to see defects.