Has anyone tried the tumbler sold by Harbor Freight?

[Matt Dillon]

Folks, I would like to purchase another tumbler so that I can have one for ground up corn cobs, and one for ground up walnut shells (I use the corn cobs before depriming, and the walnut shells after depriming).
I have been looking at the tumbler which Harbor Freight has recently started selling, and was wondering if anyone had tried it, or if they had any experience with that particular tumbler? I can get it on sale for ~ $31.00, which seems like a fair price.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93252

Thanks in advance, Richard

 

[Smokey Joe]

Hmmm...

Harbor Freight sells a range of stuff--Some of it is quite good; some is a bit on the junky side I fear.

I'd inspect the HF tumbler carefully--If it seems well put together, and they let you run the one they have out to examine and it runs smoothly, at $31 it might be OK. For $59 or less you can get a "real" tumbler made specifically for cartridge brass, that comes from a known company and has a reputation to protect, and a good guarantee, so aside from the sale price I'd pass on the HF tumbler.

I bought their knockoff of the Black & Decker Workmate, on sale for $10 or so. A "real" Workmate sells for about $60 IIRC. The Chinese knockoff is nowhere near as sturdy, but I bought it to use as a gun holder when cleaning firearms, and for that it is adequate. Padded the jaws with pieces of plastic foam water-pipe insulation. (I wouldn't trust it with anything that had to be clamped really hard, or that weighed a considerable amount. For that sort of application I'd spring for the real Workmate!)

 

[Delmar]

i would tend to agree with the above. Some of Harbor Freight's items are a bargain, and some of its a big paper weight.
FWIW, I got tired of buying similar tumblers every 3 years or so (I tumble a lot of brass!) and bought a Lyman tumbler. Best investment I have ever made in a tumbler. Its quieter than the cheaper models, the tumbling action is far superior, and the thing is huge. Paid $65 at Sportsman's Warehouse.

 

[redneck2]

sometimes Midway has their Frankfort Arsenal vibratory on sale. I got one and it works fine. Seemed pretty cheap (money wise) at the time.

 

[caz223]

Are you referring to the rock tumbler?
If so, I got one for $22 (I think.), and it's very low in capacity.
It's fine if you're going to do 30 rounds of something.
Another thing is since the housing is made of rubber, it's actually silent.
You can start it when you go to bed, and when you wake up your brass will be SHINY.
You can't fill it full or it doesn't work, over 2/3 full it pretty much does nothing.
If they vave a vibratory tumbler, it will see some sales, mostly competing against frankfurt arsenal/midwayUSA.

 

[Clark]

From Berry's Bullets this week I got the rotary sifter kit for $81.49 delivered with:

Tumbler
sifter
corn cob media
8 oz polish

http://www.berrysmfg.com/81.php


I am very happy with the set up.
It can clean 1,000 rounds every half hour, which is allot faster than I can de prime them.

 

[rob_helms]

The Feb. Midway flyer has The Frankfort Arsenal Tumbler #317-981 on sale for $34.99. They don't list volume, The ad says it can handle 600 9MM or 350 .223 cases.

 

[RugerSAFan]

RCBS Overseas?

Somewhat related.

Has RCBS started sourcing over seas. I vaguely recall their old Vibratory tumbler selling for $90 plus; recent price is mid $50's. That is a significant price reduction...

Personally prefer US made products.