Lid on tumbler or not?

[TamThompson]

A newbie question: I have a new Frankford Arsenal tumber and I'm tumbling my first bunch of brass. The instructions don't say whether or not you're supposed to put the lid on while you're tumbling brass. Since they say you can keep adding brass, I'm guessing that means you can do it with the lid off...or is that recommended?

Thanks!

 

[Neal Bloom]

To avoid possible inhalation of airborne lead particles you should keep the lid on when the tumbler is on.

 

[kimbernut]

Tam

I don't think it really matters. On my Lyman 2200 with the lid on the noise level is about half of what it is with the lid off. If I'm going to be working in the same room while the brass is tumbling I will keep the lid on for that reason. When using pecan shell media I do notice more pecan shell dust within 3' of the tumbler if the lid is left off.


Edit: With the pecan shell dust comment the point of air-borne lead is driven home in my mind anyway. Something I sure hadn't thought of.Thanks.

 

[Papakeith]

I would keep it on simply to keep the media in the tumbler, and not all over the floor.
I guess not inhaling lead particles would be a plus too

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey Tam

I keep the lid on my RCBS vibratory tumbler at
all times! Main reason? all my tumbling is
done inside the house (not in my shop), so
it helps in keeping my pet pooch from toting
the darn lid off~

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Black Snowman]

If you have cats the lid also prevents them for mistaking the media for kitty litter

 

[TamThompson]

LOL at the mental image of one of our cats with his butt being vibrated around in the tumbler!

Thanks, guys! I've got it in the garage, in my gym area, and I sure don't want to inhale lead or dust.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey Tam

What kind'a media are you going to use? Currently,
I'm using finely ground corn cob media, with about
1/2 of a Listerine bottle top of Turtle Wax. It makes
cases come out really nice and shiney.

WARNING: Don't use any wax (car polish) that contains amonia; as this is very harmful to cases!

Update: I just read on another post below this one,
where one member, my friend minotaur is thinking
of using white rice in this tumbler! I haven't tried it,
but if it gives the desired result's; then so be it?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Surely]

polish

Anyone besides me use Flitz metal polish in their media? If you do, do you add more every time you polish or just initially? Im using crushed walnut in a tumbling, not vibrating, machine. I usually set my timer to run for 2-3 hours, not sure if thats too long but it gets them pretty shiny.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I use pet shop walnut media and Turtle Wax for the polish. I add brass until it looks about full and then put the lid on.

 

[stans]

My Lyman 1200 works better with the lid on.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I have a Lyman's 1200 and the lid has slits in it.

The only thing it's good for is keeping brass in the tumbler.

If I don't over-load it that's not an issue anyway.

I just leave the danged thing off and run it outside because it will kick dust up in a closed area.

 

[tc300mag1]

You can do ti with out it one but the dust is very bad .. I always cover mine up

 

[C1PNR]

Cleaning the Cleaner

Something else to consider is putting your vibratory cleaner outside on a nice, calm day. Leave the lid off and set up a fan to blow the dust off the NEW (unused) media into the grass, etc.

After a couple of hours the media will have a LOT less dust in it and will be much more efficient cleaning your brass. The dust seems to absorb whatever cleaning and/or polishing agent you add and slow the cleaning process.