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Vibrators are not Tumblers

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Robby from Long Island

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Dec 31, 2002
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I've been reading a lot of posts recently about the safety of tumbling live rounds, and noticed something strange.

People are referring to their vibrators as "Tumblers", which they ar e not, they are vibrators. Even the manufacturers of some vibrators are now calling them tumblers. To the best of my knowledge, there are only two tumblers on the market. One is "Thumlers Tumbler" and the other "RCBS Sidewinder".

The action of an actual tumbler is more violent internally than is the action of a vibrator.

I can't help but wonder how many people are referring to their vibrator as a tumbler when discussing the safety of tumbling live ammo. I've been using a Thumler tumbler for about 25 years and more recently bought a vibrator.

While I might consider cleaning loaded ammo in a vibrator, I never would in a tumbler. This of course is JMHO.
 
You have a good point. That has always bothered me too. Unfortunately most people call a vibrator and tumbler online. Tumbling live ammo is something that I would consider dangerous also.
 
The action of an actual tumbler is more violent internally than is the action of a vibrator.
Click to expand...

Oh? Then explain why a vibratory tumbler cleans/shines so much faster than your "tumbler".!? Another thing, since you have both, take a long look at what the brass being cleaned in a vibratory tumbler is doing. looks like it's tumbling to me! I guess the correct term is circulating?

I usually try to use the above terms when referring to my tumbler, "vibratory tumbler".
 
Hey Robby,

I have been fighting the battle of discriminating between the use of vibratory cleaning of cases and tumbling cases for cleaning for many years, but it is a lost cause I am afraid. No matter, I still always refer to the fact that I use a vibratory cleaner rather than a tumbler. While I have never tumbled finished rounds, I frequently put live rounds in the vibratory cleaner for hours on end with no deleterious results.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile
 
Hey Snuffy,

You are full of bologna. "Vibratory tumbler?" Here you do all this great work showing folks that cleaning loaded rounds is safe and debunking the exploding round myth, and what do you do then? You coin a new term that is as dumb as the myth we are trying to shed some informed light upon.

Oh well, anyone who has done such a good job as you have been doing in recent days can get a pass on his "vibratory tumbler" term. Seriously Snuffy, thanks for all the good information.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile
 
I am guilty of calling my vibratory case cleaner a tumbler too. But it does tumble cases around very well. Used a homemade tumbler but quickly went to a store bought vibratory one.
 
Someone needs to inform the manufactures just what their making, Its obvious they have no idea.

Is this going to turn out like the Clip versus Magazine debacle?

Have we nothing better to do?


Opps I've got a coma and a capital I in the word its.
 
Check the various websites. Seems most manufacturers call them tumblers. Maybe because the rounds move from the bottom is a "tumbling" motion (at least my three work that way), albeit slowly.

Personally, I don't care.
 
Robby from Long Island said:
While I might consider cleaning loaded ammo in a vibrator, I never would in a tumbler. This of course is JMHO.
Click to expand...

Thirty minutes in either is going to make no difference. Tumble the brass beforehand, load, tumble for 30 minutes, carry on smartly. This thread is silly.
 
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Hey folks,

I think this all is Snuffy's fault. He started this misnomer more than 40 years ago. He was probably already old back then.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile
 
I'm failing to see how this thread is reloading -or even firearm- related....
Justin
Click to expand...

I hear ya, Justin.

I think the term is 'stirring the pot'? perhaps even borderline 'troll'.

I think this thread is alot to do about nothing.

LGB
 
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David Wile said:
Hey folks,

I think this all is Snuffy's fault. He started this misnomer more than 40 years ago. He was probably already old back then.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile
Click to expand...

If you wanna ask him out, just do it. No need for schoolyard foreplay. :D
 
I think I lost 20 points on my IQ just reading this read. Time to go pretty up some brass.
 
but it is a lost cause
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Yep. Like Band Aids. They are adhesive strips, but we call all of them band aids. Kleenex, same thing. Tumbler, same thing. Tumbling and swirling around in a vibrating bowl. :D
 
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If it vibrates off the loading bench and tumbles to the floor can I call it a tumbler then?
 
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Well, if we're getting that specific on correct terminology...

It isn't "media".

It's "medium".

The word refers to the material in its singular form.
It does not refer to all the granules together as a collective plural.

Singular: Crushed walnut is my favorite medium.
Plural: Walnut and corncob are the most common media.


These examples are correct. But I don't expect everyone to understand or agree, since the misuse is so common.
 
He was probably already old back then.
Click to expand...

People say I'm old as dirt. I say, I know dirt by it's first name!.

Looks like cabin fever has set in pretty heavy this year. Well at least I got some fresh air today, found out a few things besides.

I really don't care what they're called, all I know is they clean/shine my brass better than anything else I've tried. So noe I have to start calling them vibratory CLEANERS?:neener:
 
It isn't "media".

It's "medium".
Click to expand...

So if you have more than one medium .... you have mediums?

JK

(Medium) A substance through which a force or other influence is transmitted.

(mediums) A person claiming to be able to communicate between the dead and the living.
 
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