RCBS case tumbler motor is going belly up!

[icanthitabarn]

Find an old Lyman, I did and just can't believe how nice and quiet it is.

 

[GaryL]

FWIW lots of these cheap little motors use sintered bronze bushings. If they are not worn out a drop of oil might make it better. If they are worn (most likely the one on the offset weighted end) the armature is likely rubbing on something slowing it down, and the bushing needs to be replaced.

I have a 20yr old Midway tumbler that I've pulled the motor out of and re-oiled the bushings. A couple times I just added a bit of synthetic oil with it in place as best I could. Still going.

 

[rsrocket1]

I tried the Harbor Freight unit, but the lid screw kept breaking.
I need another unit but don’t have a clue on next step

I replaced the lid screw with a hand knob from the local hardware store

Finally, the lid on my 5# HF tumbler broke apart so I bought a 4# replacement tub. While I was at it, I replaced the shaft with an SAE threaded rod, bolted the base so the tub would not rotate and used double nuts jammed together to hold the tub down and hold a fender washer at the correct height so that when I cinch down on the lid, I don't stress it out and eventually break it. The whole system worked great until the bearings went out, but it still works fine if I give it assistance starting.

"this axe is my great-grandfather's axe. The head's been replaced three times and the handle twice but it's still my great-granfather's axe"

 

[Ireload2]

Those little motors are standard catalog items. Just find another motor and replace it.

 

[hdwhit]

JimKirk wrote:
...if not there are ways to "backwoods" engineer" one that would work ...

A guy I went to college with joined some "alphabet soup" federal agency and his job consists of doing "backwoods engineering" in various locations around the world. His job title is "Reaction Engineer".

 

[hdwhit]

When my home-brew rotary tumbler died (20+ years, it had a good run), I got a Frankford Arsenal vibratory tumbler as an interim replacement. Cost about $40 from Amazon and it has worked perfectly well ever since I took it out of the box.

 

[hdwhit]

NeuseRvrRat wrote:
if you're going to build something, build a rotary tumbler

Agreed.

But in this case, I have a small capacity Harbor Freight cement mixer waiting at my retirement property. It was cheaper than all the branded rotary tumblers and had a lot more capacity.

 

[Tilos]

I replaced the lid screw with a hand knob from the local hardware store
View attachment 774438
Finally, the lid on my 5# HF tumbler broke apart so I bought a 4# replacement tub. While I was at it, I replaced the shaft with an SAE threaded rod, bolted the base so the tub would not rotate and used double nuts jammed together to hold the tub down and hold a fender washer at the correct height so that when I cinch down on the lid, I don't stress it out and eventually break it. The whole system worked great until the bearings went out, but it still works fine if I give it assistance starting.

"this axe is my great-grandfather's axe. The head's been replaced three times and the handle twice but it's still my great-granfather's axe"

I use well nuts like this on my different brand tumblers, available at any hardware store.
They are hand tightened to compress the rubber, kind of like weak/vibration proof lock washer.
https://www.amazon.com/RUBBER-NUT-T...id=1515705409&sr=8-8&keywords=1/4x20+well+nut

 

[Tilos]

Edit: Removed info and started a new thread.
Here:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/vibe-tumbler-mod-for-better-operation.833365/

 

[NWPilgrim]

When my Midway tumbler motor died (after 15 yrs?) I researched options and decided best options for upgrading were:

1) Berry's vibratory tumbler. Has better motor or something can't remember but it was a better design and still not much more than others. Same size as most of the other common brands.
2) Dillon vibratory tumbler. I actually bought the large one and the motor used is a quantum leap better then the sub-$100 tumblers. Very heavy duty.
3) Rotary tumbler for wet stainless steel pins. This is what I eventually migrated to and love it.

 

[HOWARD J]

My RCBS tumbler lasted a couple years & broke down.
my Lyman bowl warped so I put a Hornady bowl on a Lyman base & that has run about 15 years & still going.
I have Lyman with medium bowl--it still runs well after 35 years. I purchased a RCBS on sale last year $30+ & keep it stored for backup.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I suggest buying a Berry's 400 tumbler either from them or one of the half dozen Jr so vendors who sell them under their own name and different color.

Find the cheapest at the time and buy it. I bought from Cabela's because it was the lowest at the time.
https://www.berrysmfg.com/item/model-400
https://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Model-Vibratory-Case-Tumbler-Kit/731769.uts?slotId=0
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5395
https://kempfgunshop.com/Blueberry_400_Vibratory_Tumbler-berrys_1-6524.html (cheapest by far now)
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload.../case-tumblers/berry-s-tumbler-prod36851.aspx

 

[Hondo 60]

This is what I have. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/158440/lyman-turbo-1200-pro-sifter-case-tumbler-110-volt

I usually shoot 12,000 rounds of various ammo a year.
So this tumbler has cleaned LOTS of dirty cases.
It's 9 years old & still works just like it did when it was new.
When it finally gives up the ghost, I'm gonna buy another just like it!

 

[Catpop]

Anybody tried the Lyman vibrating case cleaner. I tried the Harbor Freight unit, but the lid screw kept breaking.
I need another unit but don’t have a clue on next step

That’s the very same problem I had with HF unit! I pulled it down and replaced it twice . I finally gave up on lid and now run mine with a heavy plastic film for the lid- works great!
I wouldn’t waste my time on another HF. I will go rotating next