[hardcorehunter5]

well guys I am looking for a new tumbler and want something that is very quiet. I will use it mostly for rifle cartridges. I do not to spend and ton on a rock/gem tumbler. I was think more along the lines of a vibration style. So what do you guy use and what in the quiets. Noise level being the prioriety.

[Jeeper]

I have a midway one that is real loud and a dillon that is quiet. It really depends on how much you put in it on how quiet it is.

[Dave P]

I have a small rock tumbler, which is just a rubber cylinder thats rolls on its side. Small, but very quiet.

[Mal H]

hch5 - It's going to be hard to find a quiet vibratory cleaner. They are inherently noisy or, if they are quiet, they don't clean very well (or they're turned off. :) )

You can do what I did several years ago. I placed the tumbler on a flat piece of stone (slate, concrete, etc.) on a 2 or 3 inch thickness of flat foam rubber and then covered the setup with an upside-down cardboard box. That cut down the dB level a whole lot. The heavy stone is necessary or the motion is transferred to the base as well as the tub and the cleaning action is lessened.

Now I simply have the tumbler run at night on a timer. It starts at around 2:30 AM and runs for a few hours; it doesn't disturb anyone that way. But that isn't possible in an apartment or the like.

[larryw]

Mal's absolutely right. Even with rubber feet, the vibratory tumblers resonate something fierce when placed on a wood floor, table, etc.

I run my Dillon tumbler on the garage's concrete slab and its very quiet (often forgot to turn it off before I got the timer). I used to run it on the reloading table that's bolted to a wall in the garage. That was very noisy throughout the house and drove my wife nuts: when mama's unhappy, nobody's happy.

Whichever brand you choose, make sure the isolate it from the structure, or those in the building (house/apartment) will be unhappy.

[ocabj]

I don't know what's quiet or loud when it comes to tumblers and vibratory cleaners since I have only owned one, but my Lyman 1200 is not that loud. I run it in the garage though, so noise isn't an issue for me.

[braindead0]

My cheapo 'Frankfort Arsenal' isn't too bad, as long as I don't load it to heavy. The trick I found is the surface it sits on. If I place it squarely on the concrete basement floor, it's not very noisy...mostly just a hum and the movement of media..

[PaulS]

hardcorehunter5,
The tumbler is always quieter than the vibrators. If noise is an issue then the tumblers are best for you. I have both and rarely use the vibrator - they are slower and noisier.

PaulS

[cheygriz]

Get a Thumler's model "B" rotary tumbler. It's fairly quiet, and you have the option of using corncob/walnut media, or washing with warm water and liquid Tide.

I like the warm water and Tide much better than the solid media. It's also much quicker.

[tomr8368]

I recently got a Frankfort Arsnel tumbler from "Cheaper Then Dirt in Ft. Worth. Really like it. About $35. It cleaned about 200 45's in 30 min. Its noise level is ok but on the high side on a flat concrete surface. I like the idea of putting a box over it, and will try that. I run it when she's gone. The dog doesn't like it either. You can order one at www.cheaperthandirt.com I've looked at the others but my budget made the decision for me. Also, I use my wife's strainer to separate the media from the shells and it works out fine. I'm not a high volume reloader, just have a Lee single stage press (anniversary kit) and make 'em one at a time.
Tom

[braindead0]

Check your local shops first, I paid $37.99 at a local place which is cheaper than 'cheaperthandirt' when you considering shipping I believe. In fact, place had them on sale for $32.99 last weekend..

Watch 'CheaperThanDirt' very carefully, I've seen prices there that are 250% higher than other on-line retailers.

[MoNsTeR]

Is there anywhere you can order a Thumler online?

[cheygriz]

I believe that Misway and/or Wideners carry thumlers tikblers


www.midwayusa.com

http://www.thumlerstumbler.com/

[Stevie-Ray]

I have a mid-sized RCBS vibratory. Not very loud, but as was stated, it depends what it is sitting on. Also I believe the Dillon is quieter.

[JPM70535]

The Thumblers tumbler model B is Probably as quiet as you are likely to find. I have used one for over 20 years and the only thing I ever did was change the drive belt, ( Big O Ring ) and about 4 years ago I upgraded to a Bigger electric motor. I can run it all night and it cant be heard outside of the garage where I have my bench.

The address I have for them is as follows:

Tru Square Metal Products
640 First St. S.W. 98001
Box 585,
Auburn Wa. 98071
Px. 206-833-2310
Toll Free: 1 800 225-1017

[labgrade]

I've an old(er) Lyman Turbo 600 - a decent enough vibro-unit.

Thing made a racket while sitting on a hard table top.

I "silenced it," using 3X old shot bags filled with sand & dampened the racket by stuffing them at 120 degrees against its base. Doesn't make it over-heat, yada = works - very quiet in comparison.

Too, if the lid wasn't properly seated, it rattled to beat the band - turn it on & if extra noisy, make sure the lid was seated properly - quick 1/4 turn & reseat the top lock-nut.

Has made a huge difference.

[bsam4me]

I have both a vibratory and the thumbler tumbler.... I find that the vibratory works faster ( and considerably noisier) than the rotary tumbler. Both work fine... I find myself using the vibratory more often (noise is not an issue) mosty because of the speed and that sometimes the rubber O-ring on the lid for the tumbler is a challenge to R/R. I also, feel like I can clean more brass at at a time with the vibratory.

just my .02

[cheygriz]

Bsam4me,

In addition to the Thumlers, I also habe an older Lyman turbo 1200. I use it for small batches.

While it's true that the vibratory works faster with walnut/coencob media, the warm watr and Tide method only Takes 20-30 minutes.

Paul "Fitz" Jones! If you're reading this thread, weigh in with your considerable experience, my friend!

[longspurr]

I have the Lyman vibratory cleaner. After much expermentation the quietest and simplest thing I found is to put the tumbler in a plastic box. I have it in a 20 quart? rubbermaid plastic box from Walmart on a carpeted floor. If the radio or TV is on I don't hear it. A $3 solution.

PS: others are right, don't load the thing with a lot of brass- make smaller loads.

[tomr8368]

So, it doesn't overheat in the plastic box? Sounds like a great solution...Off to Wallyworld. Will try it.
Tom

PS, If the tv or radio is on I don't hear it? The tv??

[bsam4me]

have not ever tried the tide formula in the thumbler.... I think mine is the model 12.... tub is decent sized.... what ratios have worked best for you? have you ever tired something like brasso or flitz in water?

[Scout.308]

About putting a tumbler directly on carpet:
check to be sure that you're not blocking cooling vents!

LarryW, it's probably not a problem for you. As for me, mine vents on the bottom, so your post sent up a red flag.

My tumbler is LOUD, so I, put it under a big cardboard box (more cooling air) and out in the garage, making it quite acceptable.

[cheygriz]

bsam4me,


I just put in enough warm (NOT hot) water to cover the cases, and then about 2 inches extra. Add a couple of tablespoons of liquid Tide, by the 'eyeball" method.

I try to keep the weight of the contents, brass and water, to about 15 pounds.

I tumble for 20-30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly and dry.

Never tried Brasso or Flitz. the warm water and Tide have always worked well.

[larryw]

Scout.308, I don't understand, what about my post set up a red flag?

thanks,
Larry

[Scout.308]

LarryW,

My tumbler sucks its cooling air up from below. It came with specific directions to not put it on a carpet, as the reduced air flow and subsequently increased motor temperatures could reduce motor life, or (conceivably) become a fire hazard.

Fire is a red-flag item in my home! :)

Check your machine for the location of cooling vents (if any). That's all. Just looking out for my brothers-in-arms.

[coonan357]

my lyman turbo is on the bench but to keep the noise down I cut a piece of truck mudflap to fit under it it knocks the vibration down by half and doesn't effect the airflow around the motor

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

In the biggest nearby city check for rock or lapidary shops or toy stores for the SOLID RUBBER Lortone QT12NR 12 pound capacity tumbler. Mine has been operating for 30 years and is the quietest tumbler ever bar none.

It is not carried in gun or shooting supply stores at inflated prices.