Harbor freight wet tumble.

[Axis II]

Anyone use a Harbor Freight rock tumbler to wet tumble? I'm getting sick of cleaning 500 primer pockets by hand and having to dump corn cob out of each case and then poke out flash holes of media.

I'm thinking the HF rock tumbler and water and steel pins would be a better deal and a lot cleaner.

 

[otisrush]

I use it. It works great. It's easy to overload.

I have no regrets going to wet tumbling.

 

[Axis II]

I use it. It works great. It's easy to overload.

I have no regrets going to wet tumbling.

what do you think longevity is?

 

[otisrush]

I've only had it a few months. I've seen reports (Here on this board? I don't recall.) of people having it a long time......multiple years.

The manual tells you to oil the bearings and I put too much on. The oil migrated down the metal roller bars and got under the rubber tubing that covers those bars. As a result the bars would spin but not turn the canisters.

I took it back to HF and asked what I might do. I made it clear it was my fault. I was in their 90 day return policy so they exchanged it. Pretty hard to argue with service like that!

I might spring for the Frankford Arsenal tumbler if I had to do it again. It is more meaty. But I'm happy enough with the current setup I will only change when forced. I have no compelling reason to change now.

 

[Axis II]

trying to do this as cheap as possible.

 

[JeffG]

Yes it works, and I've used it. I went back to dry with corncob and polish. Just a personal preference.

 

[otisrush]

I waited for the tumbler to go on sale and I think I paid $45. 2 lb refresher set of media for $17 or $20. I also opted for the $25 HF food dehydrator for drying. That's certainly not necessary but it's convenient.

 

[salpal48]

There have been Many complaints about HF tumblers. In most cases They are Correct.. Mine is No exception. I found That They do not put them Together well. Meaning slapped together and Packed.. I took mine Completely apart and Found a variety of problems. Loose motor screws, Fan Blade not lined up with drive shaft., Clips Not put on correctly for rollers .
The biggest Complaints was the cheap belt. Changed It and Installed a New O-ring.. After a good tuneup worked Better.

 

[JeffG]

This is what we are discussing, right?

 

[JO JO]

I would save a bit and get the frankford rotary tumbler they have good sales on them and they come with the pins! By the time you buy a harbor freight then buy pins just save a bit more and do it right the first time the single drum HF is only 3lb capable so if you get the 2 drum HF and 2lb you won't be that far off from the frankford set up cost in my opinion, I started with the HF and sold it the 3lb capacity per drum drive me nuts

 

[9mmepiphany]

Part of the decision should be how many cases you plan to tumble at a time. I have a friend who uses the HF double tumbler and is very happy with it, but he's only doing about 80 .45ACP caes at a time

 

[JO JO]

I have seen them on sale as low as $130 tumbler with 5lb pins

 

[otisrush]

This is what we are discussing, right?

Basically yes. Although I think most who tumble brass buy the double-canister version. It looks almost exactly the same - just longer with two canisters instead of one.

 

[Hondo 60]

Yup I got one & it just works!!!
$60 plus steel pins, plus a bit of dishwashing liquid & finally some lemishine.
(I've been warned, a little soap & lemishine goes a LONG way - and more is NOT better)

http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum-rotary-rock-tumbler-67632.html

The following is stolen from someone here I "think"

I can't speak for your case capacity, but here's what I have used with GREAT success in my full size tumbler.
It will work with any tumbler.
Take a 1 gallon jug and add 1 Table Spoon of Soap and a max of 1/4 teaspoon of Lemi Shine.
Fill your containers with media, shells & juice.
Regardless of container size, you will have a correct mixture of cleaner.
As stated above, more is NOT better, especially when it comes to the Lemi Shine.

I use this equation & have found it works well.

 

[Axis II]

Yes it works, and I've used it. I went back to dry with corncob and polish. Just a personal preference.

any reason why?

 

[mdi]

My first HF rotary tumbler lasted my 15 years, until I "improved" it. My current HF tumbler, a 2 drum unit has been working quite well for 7 years, with stock drums and my Custom drums. For me, wet tumbling is not worth the extra effort and mess.

Yesterday I experimented with some wet tumbling using a mix of 1/4" resin media and SS hardware (#4, #6 SS wood screws 1/4" long, some small SS cotter pins and other small SS hardware, 1/32 dia x 1/4"-1/2"). Yes the interiors and primer pockets got shiny, and I had to strain the media/brass mix, rinse twice, towel dry to avoid water spots, and dry in my toaster oven). But when I place the cases side by side with some I dry tumbled, I could barely see any difference. I have never had a "dirty" primer pocket cause any problems, so I have no need for shiny primer pockets and wet tumbling is, for me, not worth the extra hassle and mess...

 

[Axis II]

wouldn't it be better to have a clean primer pocket than sit there with the hand tool and scrape the gunk out? one less step i guess.

 

[9mmepiphany]

one less step i guess.

You'd save the step if you didn't do it either. Actually you'd save two because you also wouldn't deprime before cleaning...unless you have to swag your primer pockets.

I know several people who don't deprime, their plinking brass, before wet tumbling and don't add add the pins either...exterior of the cases come out very clean

 

[Bayou52]

"I know several people who don't deprime, their plinking brass, before wet tumbling and don't add add the pins either...exterior of the cases come out very clean"

It all depends on what the objectives of the individual wet tumbler are. Those objectives range, on the one end, from clean but dull, to the other end which is the highest possible shine, ie, the "jewelry" look. And every grade in between.

For myself, I fall into the "brass like jewelry" look. For me, clean but dull is unacceptable. It's not that more is needed for functioning in the firearm, as the firearm cares not. But this level may be perfect for other tumblers.

Wet tumbling objectives are as personal as your SSN...

Bayou

 

[9mmepiphany]

You're right.

However, I'd like to say that my cases aren't dull. they look just like cases that were tumbled with the pins. The only difference is that they aren't polished inside...and of course the primer pockets aren't shinny as they weren't deprimed beforehand

 

[Bayou52]

^^^^It sounds as though you are getting the results that you desire, and that's what it's about...

Bayou

 

[tonyjr]

The big thing is getting the right SS pins .
I deprime before and clean primer pockets and flash hole . I do all 3 depending on case size [ from 25 acp to 308 ] The sonic seems to clean the crease [ between the case and base ] better - but drying is a pain .
Walnut seems to work better on 25 ACP , 32 ACP - a toss up on 9 mm / 380 / 38 . Corn cob works on 44 , 50 AE and the 308 but you have to shake the cases . Smaller cases 243 and 270 - I have not found a good way yet . The 30 carbine seems good with what ever .
The sonic is the only thing / one that seems to clean the crease in case . If it wet damp / wet I don't want the burnt powder sucking up moisture

 

[JeffG]

any reason why?

I can let unprimed case tumble overnight, no need to watch or worry. Next day they are done, mirror finish and dry, ready to size, and load.

 

[Axis II]

main reason im interested in wet is cleaning the inside of cases and primer pockets. if there is no reason to clean the inside of the case and have cleaner primer pockets ill save my money.

 

[salpal48]

The HF tumbler is Ok for wet tumbling but the weight restriction. and space are a problem. The drums are small. Max 3 LB each. . There is No agitation with those small Drums. using Pins , Brass and water would be best used in a 6lb or Larger.
The Draw with HF tumbler is That there Cheap. and Loaders are Cheap People and Buy cheap products. I have a HF tumble but have many other . I prefer Lortone and Others. . You get better results. . Enclosed a photo of my machines. . There are several different manufacturers. Some professional, some commercial.