Ice Cream Maker Tumbler

[boo586]

I know that some of you use these as a tumbler for cleanng brass, so tell me how and how well they work. Money is tight in my house and I have a lot more brass to clean now that I am shooting more oftern with my brother-in-law.

I have seen that you are suppose to take out the paddle, but what agitates the brass? When you put the ice cream maker on its side does the bowl inside the wood case turn? How long does it take to clean the cases?

Is the ice cream maker basically a poor man's Thumler Tumbler?

Thanks,

Boo586

 

[4v50 Gary]

If you have an electric motor, you can make your own. Save the Ice cream maker for ice cream.

 

[Steve F]

4v50 Gary,any chance you have a diagram of how to make your own?I'm in the same boat as boo 586:banghead:

Thanks,Steve

 

[uglymofo]

When money was tight, I made a tumbler with a spare motor I had. I scrounged up a gallon paint can, two wheels (one large, one small), two short lengths of aluminum pole, and a belt (like for two idler wheels). I rigged it so the paint can rested on its' side between two "axles" secured beside the motor on a wood platform. I attached one of the wheels to the motor. The motor's turning transferred through the belt to the second wheel, which was attached to one of the axles. This axle had a rubber hose over it (for traction), which turned the gallon can that rested on it. Noisier than hell, but it did the job.

For all the work setting that up, I think a gallon of white vinegar ($1.97) works just as well. Soaking brass for 60 seconds will clean it as well as anything I've ever found, though the cases don't shine (like brushed metal when finished). Rinse them in water, then dry the cases in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes, and you're done. I still use this method once in a while for really muddy, corroded cases. The vinegar is 3years old, and has cleaned more than 7000 cases.

 

[gwalchmai]

The problem with converting ice cream makers etc. to brass cleaners is the lead issue. At some point it may work its way back through the junk cycle and someone may use it as an ice cream maker again. That would be bad.

You can get a tumbler from Midway for about $50.

 

[mr_dove]

I'm on a budget too so I'm just washing my brass. Its working well for now. I'm still experimenting with mixtures but so far I've tried.

vinegar + laundry detergent + water

simple green + water

both have worked equally well. I think the first one may have been a little cleaner.

 

[gwalchmai]

Simple Green works well. I wrote them and asked if it would hurt the brass and they said it wouldn't, but not to leave it in for more than ten minutes or so. I left a couple in overnight and they got badly tarnished.

Here is a link to a good thread about cleaning without a tumbler.