Wet tumbling with ss pins

I get my pins off ebay.

Amazon…5lbs for $40…just cause the wife has a running list put together so I just add on to her order.

OP -

Please make sure that wherever you buy your pins, that they are a 0.047" diameter and not a 0.041" diameter. The smaller pins can, and often do, get stuck side-by-side in flash holes whereas the larger pins will not get stuck side-by-side in flash holes.

I learned the hard way...

Bayou52

hk940 said:

best deal on a tumbler and /or ss pins?

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Mines been doing its job for several years now. Price doesn't seem too bad,,,

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1012721373?pid=713881

Update 8/19: Price has been lowered to $120

I run a Harbor Freight tumbler with Amazon bought pins. Works well for limited quantities.

hk940 said:

I just ordered one from Midway a Tumblers tumbler $219.00 but tax and shipping added $32.00!

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The make the best tumblers, Made in USA and excellent customer service

IlikeSA said:

I run a Harbor Freight tumbler with Amazon bought pins. Works well for limited quantities.

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Yep, same here. $40 for a tumbler and the cost of pins.

Rule3 said:

The make the best tumblers, Made in USA and excellent customer service

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What makes the Thumlers Tumbler so robust is that it is designed as a rock tumbler. As such, the motor and mechanism was designed to run continuously for weeks on end.

My Thumlers Model B High Speed is 10 years old this month. Other than changing belts a couple of times, there have been no issues.

On the issue of belts, I have found that same size O-rings are much more resilient and last far longer than factory belts and at a fraction of the cost.

Bayou52

hk940 said:

a Tumblers tumbler

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Maybe this one? https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/101298344?pid=426185

I can only fantasize about how much quieter that tumbler could be than mine.

My tumblers drivetrain whines enough to be annoying. The drivetrain on the Thumlers is in a whole 'nuther league.

Rule3 said:

The make the best tumblers, Made in USA and excellent customer service

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I've never tried any of the plastic ones, but I sure like my THumblers B......but I got rid of the wing nuts and replaced them with big "T" Knobs from Lowes hardware section. Much easier to use.

GW Staar said:

I've never tried any of the plastic ones, but I sure like my THumblers B......but I got rid of the wing nuts and replaced them with big "T" Knobs from Lowes hardware section. Much easier to use.
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Good idea. I have the UV10 vibratory I bought at a pawn shop, a benchrest reloader got out of the game, got it for maybe $20
I will have to "upgrade" mine

I have two of the larger Frankford wet tumblers.
I fill them up with brass and they come out nice.

I bought my Frankfort Arsenal from Optics Planet years back, a good sale and some kind of promotional code made it cheaper than anyone else at the time. I bought more pins on an impulse from a LGS. I think I am set...

GW Staar said:

I've never tried any of the plastic ones, but I sure like my THumblers B......but I got rid of the wing nuts and replaced them with big "T" Knobs from Lowes hardware section. Much easier to use.
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You owe me $3.00 Went to Lowes this AM had to get some clamps. They didn't have the right thread for mine so I got a round one instead of a T shape
Looks much nicer and now color coordinated!

Rule3 said:

View attachment 1097292


You owe me $3.00 Went to Lowes this AM had to get some clamps. They didn't have the right thread for mine so I got a round one instead of a T shape
Looks much nicer and now color coordinated!

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I use a Well-Nut to replace the wingnut.
It has a rubber part that compresses when you hand tighten it and will never loosen up from vibration.
Wingnuts are often overtightened and bow/crack the cover because of loosening during operation.
Available at HD/Lowes or your local hardware store, in both inch and metric thread sizes.

jmo,
.

Amazon has the Frankford Arsenal platinum series 7 liter with a 5# bag of steel pins for $132.60. I bought this awhile back and it does a great job. I have never had issues with these pins getting stuck in primer holes.

Rule3 said:

View attachment 1097292


You owe me $3.00 Went to Lowes this AM had to get some clamps. They didn't have the right thread for mine so I got a round one instead of a T shape
Looks much nicer and now color coordinated!

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Well that just depends what you have I guess. I was talking about the million wing nuts (okay 6) necessary to keep the Thumblers Tumbler from leaking and a royal PIB. I think the thread was 1/4" 20. One wingnut.....was that worth the bother and expense? I have two vibrators.....both have their original wingnuts. Six wingnuts can drive you crazy.

GW Staar said:

Well that just depends what you have I guess. I was talking about the million wing nuts (okay 6) necessary to keep the Thumblers Tumbler from leaking and a royal PIB. I think the thread was 1/4" 20. One wingnut.....was that worth the bother and expense? I have two vibrators.....both have their original wingnuts. Six wingnuts can drive you crazy.

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No, not really worth it but looks cool!

I don't know who has the best deal but I used a Thumlers Model B for years and years. I replaced the rollers and bushings a few times. I eventually sold it for more than I paid for it and bought a Big Dog that I use a 15# Rebel drum on. I also have 2 of the big Dillon Case Cleaners that I occasionally use. If not for the Dillons I would have a Thumlers Ultra Vibe. Not cheap, but top of the line! I run the Dillons in 12 hour shifts.