I finally wore out my CV500

[FROGO207]

After cleaning about half a bazilion casings my Dillon CV500 tumbler wore out. I called them and they said I had to buy an upgrade kit for the motor as the original was not available any more. I am thinking of replacing it with it's big brother rather than repairing it. Anyone have the big one and other than capacity is it ant better?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My CV500 took a crap last month. I didn't think to call them because I didn't know they would cover an item like that. I thought something like a tumbler was like breaks on a car, an item that wears out...

 

[Maj Dad]

When my CV500 croaked last year I called & they sold me a replacement motor for ~$40, but I don't think they were going to keep them in stock. They will upgrade your 500 to 750 configuration for ~$100; they install the new motor in your existing tumbler and you must return it to them for the install. I will probably just buy the new big one when (not if) this one craps out...

 

[arizona98tj]

My CV500 took a crap last month. I didn't think to call them because I didn't know they would cover an item like that. I thought something like a tumbler was like breaks on a car, an item that wears out...

IIRC, 1 year on electrical items. That is why Dillon told the OP they would sell him the new motor....not give it to him.

 

[rfwobbly]

I had a similar experience to Maj Dad. Dillon replaced my CV500 motor for under $40 last year about this time, but did say they were running short on these less expensive, older motors.

I also have a CV2000 which I rarely use. It's simply too big and rarely gets my cases as clean as the 500. There seems to be a "magic load density" I can't find for the larger tumbler, or maybe it's that bigger unit can never shake as violently. Whatever is going on, you might consider that before going bigger.

 

[FROGO207]

Thank you all for the input. I am looking for a substitute motor from Grainger and think it will work if i cut a small piece of the output shaft off. It costs about $17 plus shipping.

 

[Berry's MFG]

Careful trying to use a replacement motor, make sure it has a thermal switch that will shut the motor off if it overheats. Not all of the C-frame motors have that switch, Midway found that out after they burned down a house.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I replaced my Dillon CV500 with a Cabela's Tumbler. It's quiet, it works very well and the price was right.

 

[LiveLife]

I replaced my Dillon CV500 with a Cabela's Tumbler. It's quiet, it works very well and the price was right.

+1 on the Cabela's tumbler. It sure looks similar to Berry's 400 tumbler.

I sold my new MidwayUSA's FA tumbler with my portable reloading bench and press. While I was happy with FA's performance, Cabela's tumbler has greater capacity (1000 9mm, 800 40S&W, 650 38 Spl, 600 45ACP), stronger/quieter motor and longer power cord with inline power switch. Very happy with the tumbler and would highly recommend it.

 

[Berry's MFG]

Cabela's Tumbler

Other than the green dye, it is a Berry's Tumbler. Cabela's has done a great deal by pricing that tumbler so low. Motor has a three year warranty and all the plastic has a lifetime warranty. When you buy one you will see where you mail the warranty to us directly. That motor and cord is the only thing we buy from China, we have tried to get a US company to make it for us, but it is more than double the price. The vibratory case cleaner market is very competitive and that would price us right out of the market.

 

[FROGO207]

The summer things have slowed down for me and I am going to rebuild my Dillon tumbler now as I am too cheap to toss it. I purchased a FA tumbler to use until I figure out if I can fix the Dillon reasonably cheap. I can't find a whole motor of the same type. Took the old motor apart last night. The bearings (7R4A) were OK but there was a sleeve of a rubber type material around the bearing (shock proofing?) that was all pounded apart allowing the motor shaft to rub the casing. I cleaned up the sleeve and coated the inside and outside with RTV silicone and reassembled it. Will wait a day for RTV to cure and see if this fix works. I will keep you posted.

 

[billybob44]

Well FROG, my CV-2000 finally decided this last year to give it up. After a couple of weeks of sitting idle, turned it on with a load of 9's in it and all it would do was HUMMMMMMM----!!
Well I did the next right thing, the next day--took it off of the bowl assembly, drilled a lube hole on the top side, lubed the top+bottom bushings, spun it a few times+turned it on
That was about 2 months ago, and have been using it ever since
I'm not sure that I can wear that Dillon out??????HA HA...Bill..

 

[WNTFW]

Frog,
Before I would get the big Dillon I would fix the small one and get a second small one. I have the CV750 and the Cabela's by Berry. I also have a small Lyman. I think the Dillon is better in terms of reliabilty buy also cost more. Having 2 small is a much more flexible situation than having 1 big one. When one breaks you are only half out of production. Sometimes I run one with walnut to clean before sizing and the other with walnut or corn cob to clean lube off.
I always feel the need to try and fix things before running out & buying another.

 

[rfwobbly]

I have the CV500 and the CV2000. I never run the 2000, it's simply too big. But then I'm mainly doing smaller brass: 9, 38 and 223. I was able to get my 500 re-motored while they still had the cheap motors.

After paying Dillon it dawned I could have Googled the motor maker and bought a new motor for about $15. You can do the same.

 

[FROGO207]

I googled the motor maker and it is not available as far as I can tell. I can get bearings if I want but the rubber vibration sleeves between the bearing outer race and the case ends are what wore out. The motor is UPPCO mdl 85T And I find nothing even remotely like it. The alternative is get OEM upgrade from Dillon If I send it back. Yes I got a temporary tumbler and still will try to fix mine. I did already oil the bearings every so often in the past but they seem OK at this point.

 

[BigBob3006]

I've had the large one for a whole lot of years. I've over worked it like you wouldn't believe. In fact I've had to send it back to Dillon three times. Back when I was real competitive in pistol matches I got into the habit of filling it up at night and letting run all night. sure got those cases clean. Once I stop competing I'd still run overnight. Just not as full and as often. If I were buying one now, I'd get the small model. So if your cleaner was ever got small, get the big one, if not stay with the small one.