$26 wet or dry brass tumbler?

[Kuyong_Chuin]

While looking for the most economical way to tumble my brass, I ran across an post on another forum where a guy used a jug and a ice cream maker electric motor to make a tumbler. It got me thinking, you can buy the whole ice cream maker at walmart for less than $26 so why couldn't you just use the whole maker for your tumbler? It could be used to wet or dry tumble, it has it's own agitator, and could be easily set up at an angle if need be. Do you guys and gals think this is feasible?

 

[Robert101]

There is a ton of information on wet and dry media tumbling. I've been using dry walnut in my Lyman tumbler for many years and don't plan on changing to the steel pin wet method. I just don't see a need to.

 

[MtnCreek]

it has it's own agitator

That would be a problem.

 

[il.bill]

My inexpensive brass cleaning operation utilizes a Dual-Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler costing less than $50 from Harbor Freight. The motor and components are made to run for hours at a time. They can be used wet or dry - I run the brass through with corn cobs or crushed pecan shells.

Capacity is not very large, but I like cleaning small and large pistol cases in separate drums at the same time. It works great for me. YMMV.

I thought about rigging up a garage sale ice cream maker, but possible damage to the brass cases from the paddle/agitator kept me away from that route.

 

[ddgarcia05]

I've seen a electric egg beater rigged with two broom sticks and a large heavy duty rubber band which simulates a rolling tumbler just faster.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

My inexpensive brass cleaning operation utilizes a Dual-Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler costing less than $50 from Harbor Freight. The motor and components are made to run for hours at a time. They can be used wet or dry - I run the brass through with corn cobs or crushed pecan shells.

Capacity is not very large, but I like cleaning small and large pistol cases in separate drums at the same time. It works great for me. YMMV.

I thought about rigging up a garage sale ice cream maker, but possible damage to the brass cases from the paddle/agitator kept me away from that route.

I just purchased the same dual drum tumbler from Harbor Freight. They just had a sale online and i found a 20% off coupon in addition so i got it for $41. You cant beat that for cheap.

 

[Otto]

I just purchased the same dual drum tumbler from Harbor Freight....You cant beat that for cheap.

Just be sure to hang on to your receipt, I have a feeling you'll need it.

 

[Kuyong_Chuin]

That would be a problem.

If the new ones are made like the one we have in the basement the agitators have rubber blades like thing on it so I don't seen how it could damage the cases.

 

[bluetopper]

I need a rotary tumbler to clean a 2lb coffee can full of brass at a time. Hard to find.

 

[hartcreek]

Actually no blue topper the dual drum rotary tumblet that they are talking about is made by Thumbler...yes I used to use one and It comes with two drum or one larger drum.

 

[loose noose]

hartcreek, I've got the dual Thumbler tumbler, and have had it for over 20 years, and it works really well. I haven't even had to replace the rubber belt yet.

 

[il.bill]

The Thumbler Tumbler (Model B) looks infinitely more heavy duty than the Harbor Freight one I bought for under $50 .

I have no illusions about the quality of the imported model I have, but it has worked reliably once or twice a week for more than a year, so to me it was definitely worth the money I spent on it.

 

[Elkins45]

My first tumbler (dry) was made from a metal cracker box and driven by an cream freezer motor.