[MtnCreek]

RCBS tumbler died last night and I need a quick replacement. The only thing available locally is another RCBS and honestly, that has been the absolute worst, shortest living piece of junk I have ever owned.

I’ve used the cheap Frankfords and I’m tempted to just buy two of them. Anyone have suggestions on a tumbler that has held up to heavy use?

Thanks!

[beatledog7]

I've been very happy with my Lyman.

[soloban]

Ive been using the bigger one from Harbor Freight and it's held up just fine.

[ColtPythonElite]

My original Lyman was nearly 30 years old and running like a Swiss watch when I broke it. I replaced it with another Lyman.

[MtnCreek]

Is this the one from Harbor Freight that you're using?

18 Lb. Vibratory Bowl with Liquid Drain Hose

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html

[bds]

I’ve used the cheap Frankfords and I’m tempted to just buy two of them. Anyone have suggestions on a tumbler that has held up to heavy use?
Heavy use? Not sure if Berry's MFG or any other tumbler maker will endorse this but I have polished 3 sets of dies/2 shell plates/shell holders for 10+ hours without issues with my Cabela's tumbler (Berry's 400) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=586563

Berry's 400 $49 (blue) (http://www.eabco.com/Berry%27s_Brass_Tumblers.html) - also sold by Cabela's $58 (green) (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Reloading/Tumblers-Scales|/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/104661180/Cabelas-Model-400-Vibratory-Case-Tumbler/731767.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN%3D1100197%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd731769&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd731769%3Bcat104661180), Sinclair $52 (red) (http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-cleaning/case-tumblers/berry-s-tumbler-prod36851.aspx) depending on the color you prefer.

I used old/new FA tumblers and Berry's tumbler has larger capacity bowl, more powerful motor/cooling fan with quieter tumbling and longer cord with in-line switch which is handy. I usually use 80% capacity listed and with fine grit walnut media and NuFinish polish, indoor range brass will come clean in 15-20 minutes to reload and lightly polished in 30-45 minutes.

4 quart 12" bowl with clear see-through lid and large knob instead of wing nut.

1000 - 9mm
600 - 45 ACP
450 - .223
250 - 30-06
650 .38 Spl

3 year warranty on motor, lifetime warranty on plastic.

[jaguarxk120]

If you want Really clean brass, then spend the extra money and get a Thumblers tumbler a stainless pins.
Just decap the brass and tumble with the pins, brass come's out like factory new inside and outside. No need to clean primer pockets as the pins do that for you.

[RustyFN]

Another vote for the Cabela's tumbler.

[mgmorden]

I used a Frankford for 6 years without issue, and I'm not convinced it was its fault when it DID end up dieing (I turned it on and forgot about it. Sometime in the next few *weeks* it died :)).

Currently using a Smart Reloader tumbler. Don't like it as much. There's no switch on the cable, and I had to screw some washers across the base to clamp it to the table (otherwise it moved around). Also it often starts out much lighter and has to "warm up" (ie, it shakes gently for a minute or two before it kicks in an really starts going the way it should). Ended up putting this one on a timer though so that I can just run it for 5 hours at a time. Its worked for about a year and a half or so now though.

If/when this one dies I'll probably get the Berry's/Grafs/Cabelas tumbler (same company seems to make all of those).

[quaid]

I used a dryer motor, v belt, 4 step pulley for speed control on the driving roller, and a slave roller from harbor freight. A paint can with some paddles in it to hold and agitate the media. I'm working on a 5lb whey protein container with paddles now to hold more. Hardest part is finding a way to build a tensioner for the belt. Second biggest aggravation is finding the right amount of hockey grip tape on the rollers and paint cans. I ran it with a tape roll connected to the roller to build up a bumper on the roller to keep the can from walking off. Version one is still working.

[cfullgraf]

I have an old Midway tumbler that has performed well but is currently retired as an emergency spare.

While still using the Midway, I bought a Frankfort Arsenal. Over several years and repairing the wires several time, it also has ben retired. It was way too noisy.

I replaced both with two Berry tumblers. They have been operating three or four years without issue. Each probably average two or three loads a week running all night with each load. The Berrys are quiet.

[MtnCreek]

Thanks for the suggestions! I ordered the Barry's from the link you provided, BDS.

Thanks!

[Captaingyro]

If anyone is using one of the many tumblers that have a plastic skirt as the base, be aware that one of the killers of these things is heat that can't escape from around the motor. If you drill a few 3/8" or 1/2" holes around the base, you get pretty good ventilation around the motor and increase the life of your tumbler quite a bit.

[hueyville]

Thumlers Tumblers. Absolute best. Have one that has been running for over 30 years and the two "new" ones are 25 years old. They have held up to years of cleaning 55 gallon drums of military surplus brass for repackaging into small lots plus all my personal loading needs. Been times where than other to unload and reload have run non stop for months at a time. Had a nut shake loose once is only repair. Because made for polishing rocks they are high duty cycle machines.

[Shmackey]

I wouldn't trade my Thumler's for a dozen vibe tumblers.

[jcwit]

Thumblers tumblers and Pin tumbling are at this time one of the best ways to go, and believe me one pays for it up front. Many folks out here do not wish to spend that kind of cash just for getting clean and shinny cases in the current economic environment for various reasons.

Hence the vib tumblers offer an option.

My advice, for what its worth, is to get the Cabela's tumbler #400, made right here in the USA by an American company except for the motor which is unavailable from an American manufacturer. Plus if purchased from Cabela's it carries their lifetime satisfaction guarantee. I fail to see a downside.

[brickeyee]

If anyone is using one of the many tumblers that have a plastic skirt as the base, be aware that one of the killers of these things is heat that can't escape from around the motor.

Most of the motors do not have any actual bearings to speak of either.

[Kp321]

+1 on the Lyman. I have been using a 3200 for twenty years. Upgraded to Autoflow at one time but now just dump the whole load into a Midway rotary basket. I use a cut up dryer sheet in each load to control the dust and run without the lid. The in line switch gave up a few years ago so I just plug it into a timer with on-off-time settings. Set it for 6 hours and go in the house for the night.

[jcwit]

Most of the motors do not have any actual bearings to speak of either.

The key word here is "most".

However the Berry tumbler sold under the names of Berry, Cabela's, Graff, and possiably other does in fact have ball bearing bearings.

[BYJO4]

I've been using my Lyman for almost 20 years now. I finally replaced the base several years ago as motor began to go out. I ordered a new base unit from Lyman for a nominal cost.

[Kachok]

Lyman makes a good tumbler for a fair price, I ran one of those for a while, but recently switched to ultrasonic and am NEVER going back. Faster, cleaner, and with no media getting stuck in your small caliber brass, in my book that is a thousand times better.

[rightside]

Been running my Lyman for over five years now, I keep thinking I need a bigger - faster - fancier named one, but the Lyman just keeps cleaning.

[HOWARD J]

My Lyman is about 35 years old---works good

[jonkit]

another vote for the the lyman, been using mine for years. I have left it on for days and it still is going after 7 years.

[ArchAngelCD]

I think the Berry's 400 is the best tumbler on the market today.

Berry's also makes the Cabela's Model 400, the Red Berry's tumbler @Sinclair, the Graf's GR400 tumbler and probably a few others I don't know about. I bought a Cabela's Model 400 about 2 years ago and it's been under heavy use ever since without a hiccup.

[soloban]

No - the $50 one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-metal-vibrator-tumbler-67617.html