Tumblers

Torn and Frayed

Torn and Frayed

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looking for a recommendation for tumbling low quantity rifle brass. I'd like to get the FART but maybe it's more suitable for high volume cleaning?

I've seen Thumler's tumblers highly regarded on reloading boards. I'm I on the right track that for sub 100, probably really sub 50 case cleaning I'd want to go with a dry tumbler?
 
Take it for what it's worth, but my cheesy harbor freight wet tumbler probably has done 5 -7 thousand casings (9, 45, 223) and is still going strong. It might just be the only thing I've ever bought from them that I didn't end up swearing at later.
 
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I have the FART and really like being able to do large batches, but if you want to do small batches I’d go for the HF dual tub tumbler. There are tons of videos of DIY hacks for it too, if you like to tinker.
 
contender said:
I have used Thumbler's Tumblers & they are quite good. But for low volume, a simple vibrating one is much cheaper.
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Got an old one from decades ago Model "B" I think.... not sure. still works

but built one .. 6" Drain PVC , 6" cap, 6x4 reducer, 4" rubber cap, 4- 5/8" pillar bearings, 5/8" rod, some heater hose
pulleys and a scrap motor 1825 RPM, some use a tread mill to put the container on.

-Snoopz
 
Snoopz said:
Got an old one from decades ago Model "B" I think.... not sure. still works

but built one .. 6" Drain PVC , 6" cap, 6x4 reducer, 4" rubber cap, 4- 5/8" pillar bearings, 5/8" rod, some heater hose
pulleys and a scrap motor 1825 RPM, some use a tread mill to put the container on.

-Snoopz
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Pics of the home built one?
 
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Wish I could but....it's not here now....but here's a thread from another forum with drawings, details and others who have modified the design, the Person was BIGDAWG who posted it, he was selling them after that, don't know if he still does.
here's the thread ..it's 31 pages long.. the first post gives the run down it works great..and if you know a plumber it's even better (free pipe)

How i built my own rotary tumbler - Page 1 - AR15.COM

Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear.
www.ar15.com www.ar15.com
 
I have an old single-barrel Thumler's Model-T from many years ago. The motor seemed to bog down rather easily, so I took a motor out of an old table-top fan, and adopted it to replace the original. I had to drill a bunch of ventilating holes. But now it is way more powerful and does a great job.
Thumbler-01.jpg


Then someone gave me an old Thumler's AR-2 that looked like it had been through the war- and lost...
20211019_173359a.jpg

So I tore it all apart, cleaned everything up, put a new belt on it, and it is my main tumbler now:
20211020_210725a.jpg


It does a real good job of making brass look pretty:
Thumbler-06.jpg


I also have the Harbor Freight dual barrel tumbler, still brand new in the box. It is a backup to the backup...
 
I've been using a Lyman Turbo 1200 for the past 20 years at very high volumes. I don't think there is a wear out to the thing. It is noisy but does a great job if you are not in a hurry. I usually do about 75 to 100 casing a batch using fine walnut for a media. Start and leave running overnight, air blow off and clean. Good to go
 
I like using the wet tumbler with steel pins because it does such a nice job of cleaning the primer pockets and the inside of the case. I do small batches and just let them dry on a towel for a couple days. Works well for me.
 
Dilligas said:
Before and after one hour, no pins.

View attachment 539106

View attachment 539107
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the only way to tumble your brass. shovel it in and go. This option really works well for cleaning 50 BMG brass.
Take some spray on rubber or spray on flexseal..if you have "metal Paddles" works wonders..

make a "screen" 2x4 frame with wire mesh stretched across it, dark tarp spread em out let the sun dry it

-Snoopz
 
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I put mine in a flannel pillow case to dry it. Just shake it up a bunch to get the water out of the cases then air dry on a dark towel on a sunny day. 20 minutes gets it done.
 
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