Anything wrong with Frankford Arsenal tumblers?

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Citadel99

Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2003
Messages
935
Location
Texas
Just got a Dillon 550 and am going to start piecing together the rest of my components. In the Midway catalog these tumblers are WAY lower in price. Are they any lower in quality?
 
I can't speak from personal experience with them, but I have used several other FA items and they are as good as any other manufacturers goods. FA was/is the mfg of what used to be Midway's own house brand of goods, they just stopped changing the name. There was a problem with the motor burning up on the vibratory cleaner a couple of years ago, but FA fixed the problem and Midway stood behind their product 100%.
 
My Cabelas Tumbler appears to be the same as the Frankford. Berrys Mfg. looks identical also. Looks like someone is making quite a few private label tumblers.

BTW mine works great. I paid 54 dollars for the tumbler with media, polish, and sifter bowl.
 
Bought mine when it still had the Midway label. Great tumbler for the price. I am very happy with mine.
 
I bought the Midway "special" about two years ago and the only problem I've ever had with it is the motor connections vibrate apart every six months or so. 15 minutes and a new crimp-on and I'm good to go. Annoying but bearable.
 
Just why are these vibrating things so dang expensive!

I have figured out pretty much everything else I want to buy. Now, I am trying to wait and get a cheap used tumbler... 'cause I am too lazy to use a chemical cleaning method for the brass.
 
I just picked up the FA version a few months back. I've used it a few times-no complaints. Think it was around 60 with all of the extras.

Like someone else said, FA is the same as Midway-Midway is converting all their stuff. If you can find one with the Midway name, it'll probably be cheaper.
 
Another thing: sportsmansguide sells the tumbler itself, no extras, for about 45.
 
Whoknowswho,

Natchez has the lyman turbo tumbler with media & sifter for $44.49.
 
I have the "Midway" brand tumbler since 2 years. No problem whatsoever. I additionally bought the clear lid and the "fast release nuts". Not necessary, but eases things up.
 
Thanks for the info. I'll drop off the planet for about 6 months for basic and OCS but I'll be getting started reloading soon thereafter and will have a number of questions for you.

Mark
 
The best tumbler ever made

The best tumbler ever made has a lifetime motor and has a solid rubber barrel that is designed to tumble rocks wet in abrasive media. It comes in small double barrel size for kids rocks but what you need is the single barrel 12 pound capacity rock tumbler called the lortone QT12NR which is available at rock or lapidary shops and even some toy stores. The bigger 12 pound model may need to be ordered. You can tumble your brass in tide soap, vinegar, Walnut or corn cobs or rice or corn if your heart desires. They sell for about $140 some dollars and will last a lifetime with out rust or corrosion and is the quietest machine you can have in your home or garage. The Thumbler was the worst quality I have ever seen in my selling thousands of tumblers of several brands. I have one Lortone, a three barrel one and a cement mixer for my brass and the only additives I use are paint thinner in the walnut and kerosene in the corn cobs. You are welcome to e-mail me to ask me why. I have only loaded about 3 million rounds and shot a few hundred thousand. Nuff Said
 
have been using both a midway and a lyman for a couple of years now.
nothing but good results with both.

just my $.02

clown
 
My experience is the same as clown's. I've used my Midway tumbler for about 3 years now and am quite satisfied. I know that the stuff that used to be branded with Midway is now called Frankford Arsenal
 
I have to take exception to the statement that the Thumblers tumbler is of poor quality. I bought a Thumblers model B close to 20 years ago and aside from changing the motor as a precaution after 15 years, the only thing I have ever changed are the rubber drive belts. And the model B IMO is the quietest tumbler I ever used. I can let it run all night and it disturbs no one. Cant say that about my midway vibrator case cleaner. If my model B ever giver up the ghost I will deifinitely buy another.


PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION
AND WE'LL ALL STAY FREE.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top