[alanwk]

Is the auto-flow tumbler worth the difference in price? Or is it just a gimmick? Seems like it would be more convenient but what do you think? Will all the media be removed from the casings this way? Thanks.

[Walkalong]

I have never used an auto flow, but have had great luck with Lyman tumblers. My 1200 finally died after 20 or so years of light use. I now have a Berrys and a bigger Lyman. The Pro Magnum is very quite and does a great job. I use a sieve of sorts (http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=105230&d=1252783485) to remove the media from the brass.

[ranger335v]

I think it looks and sounds better than it is. They've been selling the Auto-Flo and conventional models for a long time. If the Auto-flo worked as well as it would seem it would have put the plan type out of business long ago.

A plastic 5 gal. paint bucket and lid has kept my media clean and dry for years. I pull the lid, set an expanded metal mesh office waste basket in it, dump the tumbler contents in the basket, give it a few turns and the brass is free of media. When I need to tumbler again the bucket serves as a good "table" for the tumbler. Bucket was free, waste basket was a buck at a Dollar General store.

[Russt]

I've been using a Lyman 1200 for about 10 years. The lid is slotted. I just turn it upside down while running and empty the media into a plastic tub, the cases stay in the tumbler. It only took me 2 years to stumble upon this.....I'm kinda slow sometimes.

[Wilburt]

I have a Lyman 2500 Auto-Flo. It died a little after two years and the warranty was expired. As Walkalong stated some have had good success with them, not me though.

Another note about the auto-flo, it doesn't really work. Or doesn't work well. It does separate some of the media. Because the cases are bottom heavy, a lot of media still gets left in the cases. I tried stirring while running but still didn't get it all out. I read somewhere that you have to tilt it just right and etc....

I just bought an RCBS media separator and was done with it. Much easier.

[Seedtick]

Is the auto-flow tumbler worth the difference in price?

To me - yes, without a doubt! For straight wall pistol cases I just stir them around some with my hand after the media has run out of the bowl and they are completely media free.

Bottle-neck brass may still have a little in some of them after stirring but I just make sure I turn them upside down and the remainder dumps out.

I just wish I could remember to dump them out into the tumbler and not onto the floor. :banghead:

It's not absolutely necessary to have the auto-flow but I sure enjoy mine.

ST