Thoughts on these 2 tumblers

[Bayou1535]

I was at Bass Pro today and was looking at tumblers and came home and did some online looking also between the Lyman Pro Magnum 2500 with and with and without the autoflo and the one by Grafs (Berry's). The Grafs sais it's a 4 quart that will hold 1,000 9mm but that has to be all cases and no media since the bowl appears to be like the smaller tumblers at Bass Pro. The Lyman 2500 sais 1,000 38's but looks larger than the grafs. Any clue on these two.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5395
can get for 42.99

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/10459
can get for 62.99

 

[LiveLife]

I have the Cabela's 400 green vibratory tumbler (same as Berry's 400) and the bowl size is 10.5" wide and 3.5" deep. It will hold 1000 9mm cases and media.

Here are other caliber capacities:

.38 Spl - 650
45acp - 600
.223 - 450
30-06 - 250

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Graf tumbler looks just like the Berry's 400 and Cabela's 400 tumbler. It's probably also made by Berry's and if it is it's an outstanding tumbler. It's powerful and it's quieter than most. The Cabela's Model 400 tumbler is slightly less money and I can personally recommend it... BUT, I'm betting the Graf's is the same exact model only in purple instead of green or blue.

 

[Walkalong]

I like them both, although my little one is a Berrys, and my Lyman is not the auto flow version.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=105213&d=1252759004

 

[jcwit]

Yup the Graff's sure looks like a Berry's tumbler. Mine is now 5/6 years old and has tumbled untold number of cases with no problems whats soever. I'd highly recommend it.

 

[glockky]

I have heard people say nothing but good things about the berrys tumblers

 

[RustyFN]

I have the Cabelas version. It's a great tumbler. It's quite and light weight.

 

[animator]

I have the Lyman with the autoflow.



The only thing I wish was different was a on/off switch and a clear lid. Other than that, it's been great.

 

[ranger335v]

I'm pretty sure Berry makes Cabela's tumbler. Berry/Cabelas are usually less costly than the 'big' names. Both Berry and Lyman motors have ball bearing motors and .25" motor shafts for long life. Some more expensive tumblers only have bronze sleeve bearings and .125" shafts.

It's easy to get and easy to install 'in-line' power switch from Lowes, H'Depot for about $4. I don't much care about clear lids, I usually don't put the lid on mine anyway.

I have found Lyman's "Auto-Flow" less effective than it appears. I use a simple (and cheap) office waste paper basket of expanded wire mesh as a 'sifter' to seperate media from cases - my 1/4" mesh wire basket cost me a buck from the local Dollar Store.

When we fill any tumbler tub 2/3 full of media and add a half tub of cases the level will typically rise to maybe 3/4 full.

 

[Bayou1535]

Thanks for the responses, I belive and it looks like the graf's tumbler is a berry's. It looks identical to Cabelas green tumbler, without discount they cost about the same. Just making sure before I order, I will be posting a order list soon to make sure that I'm not missing any necessities.

 

[1SOW]

The Cabellas works fine, has a clear lid and a shut-off switch in the cord.
PS: warranted for life.

 

[StrutStopper]

I just picked up the cabelas tumbler yesterday and used it for the first time tonight. If it keeps doing as well as it did today, I'll be happy. Last week I bought a smart reloader nano tumbler. It quit after 2 hours or so. No response from the company, but the vendor did send me a prepaid label to return it for a full refund.

 

[1KPerDay]

The lyman 2500 is great... holds a lot of brass, and is pretty quiet IMO with enough media in it. I don't have the auto-flo version; I've heard a couple of people say they don't like that or it gave them trouble or whatever. I sift mine manually.

 

[ranger335v]

"...I bought a smart reloader nano tumbler. It quit after 2 hours or so."

If it just STOPPED, it's probably a power wire broken off at the motor; easy fix.

 

[Tom488]

I don't have the auto-flo version; I've heard a couple of people say they don't like that or it gave them trouble or whatever.

I have the Auto-flo version, and I find it pretty much useless. It takes 5 minutes or so for it to empty, I have to babysit it while it's emptying so that I don't overflow the pan I'm emptying into, and the cases are still full of meda, necessitating a spin through the media separator anyway... so what's the point?

 

[Bayou1535]

I agree with the auto flo, was just curious if the lyman is worth 20 bucks more. I would think yes but due to size but I wonder if the bigger size is needed. I'm sure if I got the bigger size I would like it more but the graf's (berry) does 1,000 9mm and I would guess 400-500 223.

 

[animator]

I have the Auto-flo version, and I find it pretty much useless. It takes 5 minutes or so for it to empty, I have to babysit it while it's emptying so that I don't overflow the pan I'm emptying into, and the cases are still full of meda, necessitating a spin through the media separator anyway... so what's the point?

The quick solution is to find a larger pan.

 

[1KPerDay]

That doesn't solve the "cases are still full of media" issue.

 

[1KPerDay]

I agree with the auto flo, was just curious if the lyman is worth 20 bucks more. I would think yes but due to size but I wonder if the bigger size is needed.

If you find yourself shooting/reloading any volume at all, the larger size is welcome, IMO. I personally could do with a tumbler twice the size of the 2500, even. And I don't shoot all that much. I do like clean brass, though.

 

[kimbernut]

2500 / Clear lid

I can't compare the two but I can tell you my Lyman 2200 has been in use 13 years and has had no problems.

For a clear lid have a glass co. cut you a 1/4" plexiglass lid or cut your own with a sabersaw/ bandsaw and center drill your bolt hole. Has worked great.

 

[rondog]

I bought this Frankford Arsenal kit from Midway when I first got started. The tumbler was junk and died an early death, but that media separator works GREAT! I think you can buy it separately.

 

[kutter]

I have the Cabela's and have nothing but good things to say about it does everything it is supposed to do. Having said that, I am now looking at SS media and a rolling tumbler. The cases are so SHINY and completely clean and I never have to buy media again and did I mention, THEY ARE SO SHINY!! It's silly I know, they do not shoot any better, but man they look good.

 

[StrutStopper]

I know it has to be an issue with a connection opening up when the motor heats up and I could have fixed it, but there is a 2 year full warranty on the tumbler and I didn't even get a response from the manufacturer when I contacted them. Also, fixing it would have voided the warranty assuming I would ever be able to get an RMA number to fix a harder problem. I like the Cabelas unit I picked up a lot better anyway.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree with the auto flo, was just curious if the lyman is worth 20 bucks more. I would think yes but due to size but I wonder if the bigger size is needed. I'm sure if I got the bigger size I would like it more but the graf's (berry) does 1,000 9mm and I would guess 400-500 223.

The Berry's, Cabela's and probably the Graf's tumbler will hold 1000/9mm, 600/45 Auto, 450/.223 and 250/30-06 cases. I have done 400 pieces of .223 in my Cabela's and there was more room if I needed it so they are giving accurate numbers on the sites.

I know for a fact the Cabela's is made for them by Berry's and the Graf's looks identical. I'm sure any of the 3 will serve you well.

 

[rondog]

I have the Cabela's and have nothing but good things to say about it does everything it is supposed to do. Having said that, I am now looking at SS media and a rolling tumbler. The cases are so SHINY and completely clean and I never have to buy media again and did I mention, THEY ARE SO SHINY!! It's silly I know, they do not shoot any better, but man they look good.

I hear ya there, I'd love to make the switch to SS myself! I likes my brass shiny. But the cost of the Thumlers Model B is holding me back, plus the fact I've never seen one and can't find 'em locally. I'd like to know how big they are.