Homemade case tumbler ideas

average_shooter · Jul 7, 2015

To the point of the question, has anyone here built their own rotary tumbler for using stainless steel pin media? If so, how did you do it?

In the past I have used a vibratory tumbler, but don't have one at the moment and I have been strongly considering using stainless steel media for tumbling lately. I understand I need a rotary tumbler to get the best results from SS pins. I am not very interested in paying a couple hundred dollars for a 15-pound capacity tumbler, and my current apartment lifestyle has me considering making my own small-batch tumbler.

For the amount I'm currently reloading, I'm thinking that being able to tumble 10-20 rifle cases (.270 Win) at a time should be fine. My initial thoughts are something along the lines of a quart-sized Nalgene bottle turned by a salvaged motor from a box fan or something.

Anybody have any ideas on how to pull it off reasonably cheaply and efficiently?

HankC · Jul 7, 2015

http://ingunowners.com/forums/ammunition-reloading/284542-diy-wet-media-tumbler-pic-heavy.html
Several postings at various forums in the past. Google is your friend.

tightgroup tiger · Jul 7, 2015

Here's the one I built more than 25yrs ago and is still going strong. It is still my main tumbler.

I built this out of scrap metal, 5/8 steel round stock, 5/8 heater hose on the round stock, and an old motor off a furnace blower.

The can is a bail-less paint can. The bearings came from McMaster-Carr and were $16.00 each, the most expensive part.

But like I said that was a least 25 years ago or more.

jmorris · Jul 7, 2015

I built one using nested 12.7 gallon buckets. Will tumble several thousand cases per batch.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=628974&highlight=Tumbler

I also built several really big ones for a business.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=758524&highlight=Tumbler

zdc1775 · Jul 7, 2015

Since you are living in an apartment I will assume space is an issue. If so I would seriously consider buy this tumbler from Harbor Freight. Link Would work fine unless you need a much higher capacity.

Sunray · Jul 7, 2015

Suspect a quart sized container would be too small. Even for so few cases. Tightgroup tiger's paint can would be better. Coffee can maybe. Kind of thin metal though.

Rule3 · Jul 7, 2015

For such a small amount of brass, why bother?

. Just wash them in a small bucket with some vinegar and salt or use Lemi Shine (citric acid). Soak for 10 minutes, shake it up, Rinse well and let dry. They will be clean not blinding but certainly clean enough.

1 quart of water, 1 cup white vinegar a tablespoon of salt and you are all set.

Strain into another container and keep the solution to reuse.

tightgroup tiger · Jul 7, 2015

Tightgroup tiger's paint can would be better. Coffee can maybe. Kind of thin metal though.

When I built this thing I found three of these paint cans, I thought they would wear out. I'm still using the first one after two decades.

The cans ride on the rim of the ends and the sides don't touch the shafts.

tcook90 · Jul 7, 2015

I'll second the suggestion of the Harbor Freight tumbler. I've been using one for about a year, and it works great. Search around, you can almost always find a coupon for at least 20% off.

Kaldor · Jul 8, 2015

zdc1775 said:
Since you are living in an apartment I will assume space is an issue. If so I would seriously consider buy this tumbler from Harbor Freight. Link Would work fine unless you need a much higher capacity.

I third this. Only thing Id do is maybe make a new drum for it if you need a little more capacity.

fouled bore · Jul 8, 2015

Rule3 said:
1 quart of water, 1 cup white vinegar a tablespoon of salt and you are all set.

Strain into another container and keep the solution to reuse.

Home recipe brass cleaner, does this work as good as the stuff you can buy?

Rule3 · Jul 9, 2015

fouled bore said:
Home recipe brass cleaner, does this work as good as the stuff you can buy?

Yes it works or use citric acid (lem Shine) It may not be blinding gotta wear shades clean but certainly clean enough. Depends on how obsessed one is about clean and shiny

Look at the MSDS of the commercial cleaners the major ingredient is citric acid. or phosphoric acid. Vinegar is acetic acid.

fouled bore · Jul 9, 2015

Great, thanks, that will save me some $ when it gets dumped.

Rule3 · Jul 9, 2015

Save the solution in another gallon jug you can reuse it many times.

mdi · Jul 9, 2015

If you get a HF rotary, you don't have to use the small drums. I found a 48 oz. Protein Supplement jar, with screw on lid holds about 100, 30-06 cases with dry media. I also made a drum outta 4" PVC pipe the length of the rollers (plain PVC with expanding plugs in one end and a glued on cap on the other). I'm on my second HF rotary tumbler in 28 years and it still has a valuable place on my bench (my first one lasted 17 years until I "improved" it).

gwpercle · Jul 10, 2015

You will spend more for parts than the cost of a Harbor Freight tumbler., check out their prices and discount coupons.
Gary

average_shooter · Jul 10, 2015

Thanks for the replies.

I am not looking to tumble hundreds or thousands of rounds at a time at the moment, I'm just not a high volume shooter lately. And space is very limited. I would like to try the SS media to see if I like it before investing in the price and size of a large setup. Maybe in the future I will scale up, but not for the next few years.

The harbor freight version seemed to have pretty mixed reviews from what I was seeing. Also, I was hoping to have fun trying to cobble something together for about $25 as just a neat little project anyway. Hence why I'm asking about ways other folks have done it.

Everyone online seems to be following the same pattern of using a drive rod and a idler rod to engage the entire length of the drum. I was wondering if just using something like a small motor with an rc car tire on it might have enough torque to turn a drum with 3-5 pounds in it.

Any engineers care to weigh in?

I am still considering the Harbor Freight tumbler.

Garrobo · Jul 10, 2015

We m ade one out of

a small beer keg some years ago.

Rule3 · Jul 10, 2015

For 10 to 20 cases just wash them.

As mentioned, the parts to build something will be more than just buying a small tumbler.

Buy this with some media and the sifter and you will be all set. About as cheap as you can go.

http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Quick-n-Ez-Case-Tumbler/dp/B001MYGLJC

GooseGestapo · Jul 12, 2015

Get the harbor freight vibratory tumbler. $2 less expensive than rotary, pick up some "lizard bedding" media at pet store " walnut hull". Add some NUFINISH car wax and you're set.

Cheapest way to go is with yard sale ice cream maker, some large /course corn cob media (Walmart pet bedding). Add some auto metal polish (Meguires).
Like the rotary tumblers, they're LOUD! Might not be good choice for small apartment.
Also, you could use Lee case trimmer/spinner and 0000- steel wool. Worked for me for a couple of decades before I started shooting handgun competition.

345 DeSoto · Jul 12, 2015

MDJ - Could you elaborate on your HF/48oz jug modifications...maybe some photos? The HF tumbler works great, but just not quite enough capacity....

mdi · Jul 12, 2015

Try googling "Home made ball mills", or "Home made rock tumblers", or "Home made brass tumblers". You'll get ideas that range from using a large coffee can to converting a treadmill to cement mixers...

No modifications were made to my HF rotary. I just used a large diameter plastic container/jug with a screw on lid. I had to run a strip of self amalgamating tape around the circumference to give the power roller more grip, the smooth plastic jug was slipping, not turning...

Homemade case tumbler ideas

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