Media separator, RCBS VS Berry's

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Rule3

Rule3

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They are the same only different colors and prices. Midsouth shooters supply has the same one in red under their name also. May want to check out the Dillon seperators too. A few more dollars but worth the extra $$$$.
 
These are my thought's from another thread on the Cabela's separator which looks an awful lot like those two:

It's just a very bad design & poorly made.

The plastic hinges at the rear come apart all the time.

It isn't balanced on the bottom part so you have to hold it with one hand and dump the tumbler with the other. If you have the FA tumbler (or similar) like mine, the bowl doesn't come off so you have to lift the whole assembly to dump into the separator. So you're holding the separator cage with one hand so it doesn't spill all over the place while trying to lift & dump the tumbler into it with the other hand.

The catch basin isn't deep enough. I don't run my tumbler to 100% full. In fact I have a decent sized funnel inverted over the threaded rod which reduces the amount of media. But even dumping only that much (less than 2/3 of tumbler full), the closure snaps on the basket scoop media up in each rotation and dump it back into the separator basket. As you get media out, it puts it back in!

For something as simple as a separator, you've really got to wonder how someone doesn't get it right before taking it to market. And then doesn't change it to make it better - they have to know how bad it is compared to others. If I could do it again, I'd pay $10 for a better one. But since I have and it does get the job done I won't replace it - but i will gripe about it!
 
rockn30809 said:
They are the same only different colors and prices. Midsouth shooters supply has the same one in red under their name also. May want to check out the Dillon seperators too. A few more dollars but worth the extra $$$$.
Click to expand...
I looked at the Dillon on line but it does not seem to have a top?? I am sure it well built but if no top then the dust still flies. ???
 
I got the Dillon one and the tray underneath allows the media to slip away after the first turn or two and stops spilling media around. I like it a lot. Put the pin in the shaft into the hole in the tray and open it up . It will stay put. Fill the basket and SLOWLY turn the basket 2 full turns and then I rock it back and forth half way about 4 times. Then slowly rotate it so the brass makes the most noise. Do this 5 turns and I get the most media out of the flash holes and all the media out of the ling casings like 30-06 and such. I will do it outdoors whenever it is possible so the dust will blow away also.
 
I have the RCBS mainly because I didn't know about Berry's, or about it being a Berry's clone or about the other more inexpensive Berry's clones 4 years ago when it was purchased.

That said, I like it a lot...wouldn't be without one. Does the job in 3 seconds of turning, dumping the media back into the tumbler is a breeze, and I would not like one without a dust cover. The cabelas current offering of a Berry clone is on sale at the moment....that'd be my pick in a heartbeat.

BTW, you do have to use some intelligence and perhaps a bit a patience with the plastic hinges. They will last a long time as long as you are not my "bull-in-a-china-closet," totally impatient son. He does not get to use it...nor does he want to, being too impatient for reloading anyway.:rolleyes:
 
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As much as I like RCBS products, the Cabellas on sale looks like a no lose situation. Might have to get one.
 
Through ammo boxes, Berry has really expanded its plastic molding capability and is now branching out. Go to their web page sometime. You'll be surprised at all the new offerings they have.
 
I have the Berry separator and find it works fine. I like it so well, I have two.

I unhook the hinges and turn the top around. It sets fine on the base and is easy to remove after separating the media. I hold the top down while spinning the basket. It is easier to get the top out of the way when dumping the base back into the tumbler. Just lift the top off and set it aside.

I also, cut off one of the handles, just the round part, to reduce the width of the separator a bit.
 
hey, times are tough. gotta save where I can or find a new hobby. besides, I thought I was plugging for the nicer sifter.
 
Unfortunately I am willing to bet that EVERYONE has a product in their home that is made in China whether they willingly bought it or not.:banghead: I will NOT willingly buy the Chinese made products but sometimes there is not a choice. For those of you that shop for lowest price I feel that 80% of the stuff in WM says made in China.:fire: At least the firearms industry in general is not following the lead of WM so far.:) I am one to spend the extra to buy American when possible and am happy I can.

Back to topic I now use the Thumlers Tumbler with SS pin from Pellets LLC and they are both made in USA.:)

FYI I took a box of cartridge brass and primers back to the recyclers last week with a load of other things. The scrap reloading components were kept separate and the worker told me that it had to be as this can not by law be sent overseas like all the other scrap is now.
 
I purchased mine from Graf's , and I would bet that thier's, just like all of the other rip-off copies of the RCBS are made of plastic that is a bit less durable than the name brand product.
I haven't had the universal problem/gripe of most of the others willing to post about these things : - the hinges and latches break off of the various pieces - because I became aware of that potential for problems before I decided to buy the lower-priced knock-off, and I am extra careful when handleing so as not to break these flimsy hinges & latches.
I did have the corner of one of my clam-shell halves chip off with just barely perceptable contact with the basement concrete floor.
That sort of pissed me off. Of all the places to break,I would not have suspected there.
Otherwise, these are fabulous devices. I honestly don't know whether I will willingly pay the almost twice as much for the Green one if I'm ever forced to replace mine, but you can count on, IF I needed to replace it, I will not hesitate one instant.
If I get the opportunity to inspect the Green one in a brick & mortar -or- someone's reloading area somewhere. and it proves to be better manufactured ( thicker/ better hinges & latches) I probably would "buy-up" as they say, but I haven't learned anything that would convince me that the brand-name unit is worth the difference in cost, yet.
 
unknwn said:
I purchased mine from Graf's , and I would bet that thier's, just like all of the other rip-off copies of the RCBS are made of plastic that is a bit less durable than the name brand product.
I haven't had the universal problem/gripe of most of the others willing to post about these things : - the hinges and latches break off of the various pieces - because I became aware of that potential for problems before I decided to buy the lower-priced knock-off, and I am extra careful when handleing so as not to break these flimsy hinges & latches.
I did have the corner of one of my clam-shell halves chip off with just barely perceptable contact with the basement concrete floor.
That sort of pissed me off. Of all the places to break,I would not have suspected there.
Otherwise, these are fabulous devices. I honestly don't know whether I will willingly pay the almost twice as much for the Green one if I'm ever forced to replace mine, but you can count on, IF I needed to replace it, I will not hesitate one instant.
If I get the opportunity to inspect the Green one in a brick & mortar -or- someone's reloading area somewhere. and it proves to be better manufactured ( thicker/ better hinges & latches) I probably would "buy-up" as they say, but I haven't learned anything that would convince me that the brand-name unit is worth the difference in cost, yet.
Click to expand...

Which one from Grafs, they sell several. Dillon, RCBS and theirs which looks just like Berry's? There is $10 diff between RCBS and Grafs or Berry's

We can buy everything made in China but not their guns. What this Country needs is a good 10 cent pistol.:rolleyes::uhoh:

Frogo: you never stated what separator you used?
 
Rule3 - I just took delivery of the Cables's media separator, and it works just fine. There really isn't any reason I can see that you would ever have to separate the outer clamshell (green pieces), so the hinge is just fine as far as I'm concerned. Yes, the round separator that turns may not sit exactly flat, but no big deal. I've not had any spillage at all when emptying my FA tumbler full of corn cob and shells into the catch basket. Once I've separated the media from the brass, it's a simple matter of removing it from the black basket. By the way, the box says made in the USA.
 
I also used a simple bucket and Frankford style pan outside until last week. I've got to reduce my exposure to dust, so a mask, the Cabela's, and all outside separation is what I'm moving towards permanently.
 
Think of all those "poor" people who don't live in a warm climate and can not go outside to clean brass!:D
 
If you get the "clamshell" type, cut holes in the bottom (or cut out the entire bottom) so that the media falls into the 5 gallon bucket it is made to fit on. I keep my tumbler in the bucket between uses.

I didn't like dumping the media out of the clamshell. It's easier to pour from the 5 gallon bucket into either the tumbler or the media storage containers if I want to switch to a different media.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7822227&postcount=33
 
Good idea. I saw a U tube video where they cut the whole bottom out. Yours looks better (stronger). Did you just use a hole saw on a drill?
 
Just a update FYI

I bought and received the Cabelas. It come in a box from Berrys, so they are one and the same. (Made in the USA)

They had it on sale and .01 cent shipping if you bought some clothing, so I got a nice shirt (on sale also).

So for the price it works for me:D
 
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