best tumbler

[Alan Robertson]

Give us links providing proof of the above statements.

I use a vib. tumbler with corn cob, have for years, in the past 10 years I have had my blood tested as often as 4 times a year to the present of twice a year. I've yet to have high numbers regarding heavy metals.

Hello jcwitt.
Glad to hear that you haven't had any lead issues using your tumbling methods, or from any other "shooting" sources.

Lots of people use/have used vibratory methods without issue.
I would have probably had a vibrating tumbler if my Thumler's 'B' hadn't been available at a give- away price.

Perhaps I should have said [Some] long term shooters... that was poorly worded.
Do I have any links? How about in this forum? Here's a thread that discusses lead hazards in general. You'll see plenty of references to lead from tumbling media: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=307170
Regards,
Alan

 

[HK SD9 Tactical]

+1 on the SS wet media. I also have a dry media RCBS vibratory. It maily sits on the shelf right now. SS is more work but I like the way the brass comes out and don't mind the extra steps involved. I also think that it helps minimizes my exposure.

Lead has a cummulative effect and the body does not filter out the element Pb. I know of several long term re-loaders that have increased lead deposits in their systems (my uncle being one of them) and they all say the same thing - "I never thought it would have happened to me, but I am sure it is because of reloading". Why take chances when you do not have to. It is inevitable that you will be exposed to some type of lead somewhere during the range/cleaning/re-loading process. Minimize it as much as possible. I recently met an older gentleman at the range I visit and he told me that his doctor wants him to stop all his firearm activities including re-loading due to the increased lead in his system that is causing a multitude of problems for him. He is very disappointed and has reluctantly agreed with his doctor. It was an eye opening conversation with him and I can't even relate to you the loss he feels of his life long hobby.

Media tumblers/vibratory tumblers do what they are supposed to do and if you are carefull you probably will never have any problems what-so-ever.

Just my .02 cents.

 

[jcwit]

Perhaps I should have said [Some] long term shooters... that was poorly worded.
Do I have any links? How about in this forum? Here's a thread that discusses lead hazards in general. You'll see plenty of references to lead from tumbling media: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=307170

I'm not going to go back and reread all of that link, if you peruse it carefully you will see where I've posted on it a few times.

To the best of my memory there is not one case that it is PROVEN BEYOND A DOUBT that shooting, reloading, casting, tumbling/polishing brass is the known cause of the high levels of lead. Its very easy to ask a person where they come into known contact with lead and conclude at once, Hey, there's the answer. Whos to say what the actual culprite is?

Put proof out there not supposition.

BTW where are you dumping all that contaminated liquid solution.

 

[Alan Robertson]

Hello jcwit,
There were at least 2 posts in that thread confirming this issue. Here's one from an individual:http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7037097&postcount=188

That's an excellent question about proper disposal of the liquid...
I'd originally thought about dropping it off at the city's hazmat facility, but that's a big hassle, so came up with a very simple solution.
All waste water (including rinse water,) gets poured into a 5 gal. bucket in my garage. I made a hardware cloth top for it so no critter would fall in (might do some good against mice) and leave it uncovered so that the water can evaporate. That way, all the gunk stays concentrated in one place. It never has dried out completely or gotten more than about 1/2 full.
One of these days, the bucket might get filled with gunk and need proper hazmat disposal, but for now, it's good to go.
BTW, I marked the bucket with good info so that if any thing happens to me, those who would get rid of my stuff would be aware of the issue... it is highly concentrated and it wouldn't do to just dump in the sewer or back yard.

 

[jcwit]

Thats it!
Lead in primers, my Dr. Dr. Bones said the same thing after I got a high rating. It's not the casting, smelting, or reloading. It's the lead in primers. Go to a good indoor range with fans. And wash your hands. Also I get soap from Dillon Precision to remove heavy metals.

So this Dr. claims to know positively, absolutely beyond a shadow of a doubt the posters heavy metal counts are caused by tumbling brass in a vibratory tumbler and the dust it creates.

I would get a second opinion.

 

[HK SD9 Tactical]

....

BTW where are you dumping all that contaminated liquid solution.

Like the previous poster, I dump the contaminated water into a 5 gallon bucket and let 99% of the water evaporate. What is left is a small amount of waste that may be contaminated with lead. I usually transfer this waste to a smaller container being very careful while handling it. The waste can then gets sealed. Once the can is close to full (I also put my spent primers in this can) I bring it to the local dump that has a collection site for hazardous materials about every 6 weeks.

I also dispose of my used vibratory media through the collection site as well.

 

[jcwit]

Why throw the spent primers away? They are brass and worth money and easily recycled.

Actually I wish the SS wet tumbling method was widely known years ago, it how I would have went at the time but now I'm 68 and not about to acquire a whole new setup.

As far as disposing of said water, I seriously think I would dig a shallow hole and just dump it in. After all lead is no more than an element readily found in nature and a infinitesimal amound found in the tumbling waste is of no concern, no more so than the bullets in the berm is a concern. Of course this is just my opinion.

 

[Jimfern]

I have been happy with the Lyman Pro 1200 too. No experience with any others so far.

 

[Searcher4851]

For what it's worth, I've had a Thumlers Model B for somewhere around 31 years now, and it still works fine. Heck, I've even polished rocks with the kids in it many years ago. It just keeps going and going. Never replaced a single part on it. I think it was a fine investment.