Thumbler's Tumbler Model B

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jbradley

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Time will tell if I found a great deal, but I thought I would share.
After searching for the Medel B, I found dealomite.com. Ordered it late last night and they shipped it out today. The best part... $119 & $7.95 shipping.
Can't wait to get it & make sure that it's not missing something... like the motor.
Was talking to a guy the other day who had checked into being a reseller for them. His cost was going to be $139. He's actually thinking of buying some off the site to resell.... hmmm now I'm thinking.

John
 
I got my first Model B in 1975 for about $45.00 I got my second one in 2000 but it didn't have a barrel The base etc cost me $5.00 and I got a barrel in Phoenix for $20.00.

They will run forever and do a nice quiet job for you.

Greg
 
I have to agree with fremder, I too use this set up with stainless steel media and it is absolutely the best thing I have going.

If you go this route using stainless steel media then I recommend using an old T-shirt to separate the media from the water.
 
jfremder said:
I have been using one of these with stainless media for about a year with great results http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum-rotary-rock-tumbler-67632.html

Holds 6 lbs total. Very quiet.
Click to expand...
From what I have read, in the 15lb capacity Thumbler's people were using 5lbs each of water, SS media & brass.

Using one of these, you could only do 2 lbs of brass (1lb in each drum) at a time. Assuming .45ACP brass is 90 grains, you could only do 77 pieces in each.

How long does it take to complete a cycle?
 
Craigslist. 25 bucks. Guy's Dad passed and left him some stuff he couldn't use.

Thing was dirty, well worn, and a little squeaky. Five years ago. It's not dirtier, much more well worn, and well oiled at all the formerly squeaky parts. And still running like a tank. Use it with un-treated walnut. It does wear out the walnut faster than a vibratory but it's faster. And for what it's worth I usually fill the drum 2/3 with brass. Then pour in media and shake it until it settles to about the top of said brass, then put the lid on and go.
 
Not completely surprised they raised the price. Still not sure why it was so low. Was hoping that others could take advantage of the deal.
Really am hoping that this thing lasts a lifetime. Also thought about the Harbor Freight models, until this one came along.
 
capreppy said:
From what I have read, in the 15lb capacity Thumbler's people were using 5lbs each of water, SS media & brass.

Using one of these, you could only do 2 lbs of brass (1lb in each drum) at a time. Assuming .45ACP brass is 90 grains, you could only do 77 pieces in each.

How long does it take to complete a cycle?
Click to expand...
In ea. drum, a scant handful of stainless media, 3 full handfuls of brass, 1/2 T. of dish soap 1/4 t. of Lemon Shine. Fill to top w/ warm water. 2 hours = new looking brass. Two drums= 6 handfuls of .45 ACP, yes probably just ~150 cases.
 
Hmm. Seems that HF has the two drum rotary on sale for $34.99. Now that is a price I can live with. Might have to pick one up this afternoon :D


edit: apparently this is a sidewalk sale item and the price goes back up to normal tomorrow.
 
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I've used one for years. You can run them al night long without fear of burning their ball bearing motors up. You wont regret buying one.
 
I have the dual drum unit--about 25 years old---the rubber part of the LID will no longer fit into the drum---A Planters coctail peanut container fits perfectly

planters.th.jpg
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Thumler's makes two different versions of the Model B
A low speed version with a 1/50 hp motor used by lapidary hobbyist
and a high speed version with a more powerful 1/30 hp motor used by reloaders.
Either version will work but the low speed version takes longer.
Cabelas only sells the high speed model while places like dealomite.com sells the low speed model.
 
Spoke with Tru-Square this morning. They said that the majority of what is on the market is the lower speed model. About the only way you know the difference is in the rpm on the motor (1550rpm vs over 3000rpm) - I was looking for the hp like Otto referred to.
She mentioned that reloaders usually go through Cabellas, Buffalo Arms, Stainless Tumbling Media, etc.

So here is the question. Tru-Square said that the machine will be just fine with the lower rpm, it just may take a little longer but gave me 3 options:
1) leave it the way it is - total of $119 investment
2) send them the motor and they would exchange it for $10 - total of $129 investment
3) they could sell me a motor for $55 - total of $174 invesment & have backup motor

Please place your vote... What would you do?

By the way, she said I should have bought as many as I could at $119 and resell them. doh! :banghead:
 
I've been running one off and on since 1975 and many times hard for days on end. The motors last forever.

I would probably opt for the $10.00 upgrade but then I am into high speed low drag. :cool:

Greg
 
I got one a year ago
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,4506.html

Then I sent $81 to an individual in South Carolina to ship me two 5 pound bags of stainless media [ round rods .041" dia, .255" long].

I tumbled for 12 hours with an ounce of Ivory dish washing liquid and Lemishine, with water to the top.
This does get the inside of the necks reasonably clean with few man hours.
The outside has the same sparkle as new brass.

Every notice how new Win or RP brass has a burr on the necks that you may cut off with an inside and outside chamfer?

I can guess that Win and RP are tumbling the brass to get that sparkling finish.
Because the brass case mouths need to be chamfered inside and out AGAIN after 12 hours of tumbling.
 
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The Buffalo Arms link is the cheapest I've actually seen the High Speed Model B. They may get my business when I am ready for it.
Click to expand...

My nephew got a high speed model B from them about 3 weeks ago.

I usually turn on a load of a brass in my vibratory tumbler before bed and tumble them all night. He tried that on his first load using the model B with the stainless steel pins and found out that was too long. He put some nickel plated 38 special brass in it and the next morning they were nice clean and shiny yellow brass. :banghead: Oh well, now we know that an hour to an hour and a half is plenty.

Seedtick

:)
 
So here is the question. Tru-Square said that the machine will be just fine with the lower rpm, it just may take a little longer but gave me 3 options:
1) leave it the way it is - total of $119 investment
2) send them the motor and they would exchange it for $10 - total of $129 investment
3) they could sell me a motor for $55 - total of $174 invesment & have backup motor

Please place your vote... What would you do?
Click to expand...

I would exchange the motor for $10...I assume that includes shipping.
Keep in mind that the Model B has a 15 lb capacity. When loaded with water, steel media and brass casings the rated capacity can easily be exceeded. Having the more powerful motor insures longevity and it completes the job in less time.
Personally, I've used stainless media and don't care for it but that's for another thread.
 
You guys made me get up and go out the room in my barn and see just what kinda Thumbler's I have. Turns out it's a ultra-vibeb 18 with the 1/30 hp motor. One thing I did do to it was replace the cover wing nut with one of those oversized wing nuts like on an air cleaner. Now I'm guessing I got that thing back in 80-81?
 
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