Case cleaner for a beginner

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

HOOfan_1

Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
4,700
Location
Virginia
I've always just rubbed my cases down with alcohol, but would really like to start cleaning them properly.

What sort of tumbler/vibrator and media would everyone suggest for a beginner? Hopefully nothing too expensive, would like to keep it under $100 for the tumbler/vibrator itself, but that is not a set in stone limit

Franford Arsenal vibrator and media seperator on sale on Midway today...is this any good or should I aim higher?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/41...th-quick-n-ez-rotary-media-separator-110-volt
 
Franford Arsenal vibrator and media seperator on sale on Midway today...is this any good or should I aim higher?
Click to expand...

HOOfan_1,

I bought one of those tumblers many years ago. I still works fine, and I have tumbled close to 150,000 cases in it over the years.

Don
 
I am very satisfied with my Lyman Turbo Pro 1200. Got it on sale at Midway for 'about' $45. I suspect that there are more 'brand labels' than there are different manufacturers in China -lol?

I use a 50/50 mix of corn cob and Petsmart Lizard Litter walnut with a tablespoon of liquid car polish. To each new tumbling load I add a few cut up used dryer sheets to collect dust and then throw them out after each session. The media lasts a very long time.
 
If you have access to a slow-turning motor, like an electric window motor from a junk car, then you can build a rather nice horizontal tumbler for next to nothing. The whole design is scaled on your choice of a plastic bucket with a re-sealable top. This container could be a 5 gal dry wall bucket, or a 2 quart Folgers coffee can. Add paddles to the inside like a clothes dryer, corn cob media, and you're there....

tumbler.jpg
 
If you want to save more $, the tumbler itself is available for $30 on Monday at Midway.

You can get crushed walnut at a pet store cheaper or if you know of a feed store, you can get 50# for $15-$20. Be sure to throw in a couple of cut up used dryer sheets and you'll eventually eliminate the dust. Paper towels also work, just not as well.
 
Franford Arsenal vibrator and media seperator on sale on Midway today...is this any good or should I aim higher?
Click to expand...
They’re good for the price. I’ve had two; the first one lasted* about ten years. I added the little (*) because I had to re-wire it several times over the years. The last time I re-wired it, I had to remove a capacitor to get it back to running. It got to the point that I would only tumble outside on the driveway, just in case it burst into flames (which I was expecting it to do). I finally broke down and bought another one. I was a little pissed because they changed the bowls, so my old bowls would not work w/ the new one. My current Frankford has worked w/o a hitch. If media comes w/ the tumbler, great, but when you need to order some, check out The Drill Spot. Someone here pointed me in their direction a while back. If memory serves, I think I paid about $22 delivered for a huge sack of cob media. I think it was 25 lbs, but it filled a 50lb sack (the size of a jute sack).
 
The cheapest way to go is using a Citric Acid solution with a little dish soap added. Liquid cleaner cleans the inside as well as the outside and primer pockets. Shiny brass does not make the round shoot better or more accurate. I use citric every 5-10 reloads to clean things up. Citric acid can be had for about $2/lb. You only need 1 tbs/qt of water. It works best when hot, >150F. 1 gal is capable of cleaning 2000 9mm rounds. For a real shinny finish through the dried cleaned brass into a tumbler with 20/40 mesh corncob media and NuFinish car polish for 1 hr. You will end up with a mirror finish.

I have the Cabella's tumbler and have been happy with it. It's not near as large as some but does the job.
 
In my old age I've settled for a Lyman "wobbler" (they don' vibrate) and corn cob media http://www.drillspot.com/products/499763/econoline_526020g-40_40_lbs_blast_media. Since I retired I've become a bit more "thrifty". I used a Rock Tumbler, similar to a Thumler's, for many years successfully, but replacing it today (lost in a move) would be a bit over my "play" budget, so I went with the Lyman 1200. If you want to build one of your own check youtube "home made rock tumblers" or "home made brass tumblers" or "home made ball mills" for ideas...
 
Last edited:
I too have a 9 or 10 year old Frankford. It's been a good tumbler. I've only recently had to repair the power wiring.

I've also used the holder for my case trimmer in a power drill and spun the case against some scotchbrite. That cleans up really well.
 
Eons ago when I had more time than money I made a tumbler like rfwobbly shows. It's powered by an old copier drive motor, and the drum is a 3# coffee can (Yes, coffee used to come in 3# cans.) Media is a 50/50 mix of walnut and corn cob litter with a splash of polisher and a cut-up dryer sheet. Just lately I added a 12 hour wind up timer, 2-4 hours and the brass is good to go.
 
I also have that same setup and so far I am very happy with it....however I am also very new to reloading.
 
2nd that on the kit that you provided a link too, same one I bought and am very happy with it, just changed the media yesterday after about 4000 case. I think it does a great job of cleaning and polishing. Time will tell how long it lasts but I thought it was a great deal for everything. The only thing that I want to change is the rotary basket. I like the style that the lid closes when separating the media.
 
HOOfan_1 said:
Franford Arsenal vibrator and media seperator on sale on Midway today...is this any good or should I aim higher?
Click to expand...

I bought the Frankfort Arsenal tumbler about 6 years ago and retired it two years ago. It was very loud and I had to repair the wiring twice.

Generally, a pain in the ass to disassemble to get where one can repair a broken wire.

I replaced it with a Berry Mfg. Very quiet and trouble free so far. I also have a 15-20 year old Midway brand tumbler (the Frankfort Arsenal tumbler replaced this unit) that has been trouble free and is also quiet.

Also, I fell Midway's old media separator is better made and designed than their current one. But neither one had a lid. The Berry Mfg media separator has a lid and allows you to spin the brass without getting media all over the room.

Cabela's tumbler is made by Berry. Just a different color. If a Cabela's is near you, you can't argue with their guarantee.
 
+1 for what Blue68f100 said. Just wash them with lemishine and a good amount of laundry detergent. Put in a plastic bucket or jug, swish and soak. rinse well and let dry -DON'T put in clothes dryer. Towel, sun lite or toaster oven at low temp. No mess, no fuss- Load em and shoot em. Save your money for bullets.
 
Well you guys have about convinced me to go for the Berry's cleaning kit. I love their bullets and plan to buy some soon, I will just buy their cleaning kit at the same time.
 
Qusetion...
For handguns,
Do you de-prim, clean and load or do you clean the case and then de-prim and load?

I remover the primer then clean the case in a Cabela's tumbler. After clean I start the loading process.
I have seen other who just clean the case with the primer left in the case… once cleaned they start loading without taking the time to de-prime first.

What is the right way.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
Wet thumbling vs regular thumbler?
2
Replies
28
Views
3K
RustyFN
R
B
  • Locked
Tumblers
2 3
Replies
53
Views
2K
Win1892
Win1892
E
  • Locked
Looking at Ultra Sonic cleaner...comments??
Replies
11
Views
1K
Savage Shooter
S
LiveLife
FA is offering vibratory tumbler for $37 til New Year, PST/3 AM EST (9 hours left to go)
Replies
8
Views
299
JDeere
J
N
  • Locked
Please tell me about vibrating tumbler media ...
Replies
8
Views
701
Metal Tiger
M
Back
Top