merlynski
Member
Has anybody used a Thumler's Model B rotary tumbler? Its a bit pricier, but is all metal construction, including the drum. The Reviews on Midway are highly positive.
Thumler's Model B tumbler info/review request
- Thread starter merlynski
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- brass cleaning rotary thumler
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AJC1
Member
I got one from my dad, great product. When your not actively tumbling pop the belt to keep it from stretching and your good for a loooooong time.
bihj
Member
I have used mine for over 15 years and no problems. Some put a bracket from the rear of the motor to the base but I feel it is un-necessary as I have never had any problems without said bracket. Use aftermarket "O" rings for replacement belts.
KeithK
Contributing Member
I have used my model B for maybe 15 years, one oring/belt in all that time but now I have 6 spares LOL. I wet tumble with stainless steel pins and dawn and really like it. I also have dillons large vibrating tumbler when I want to use corn cob. You will not be disappointed with the model B, it is a workhorse and should last a lifetime.
Keith
Keith
Cemetery21
Member
Had one since the late 70s. One belt replacement with a notched sewing machine belt. I replaced the motor, not because it failed, but the wires coming out of the case got to where they were bare and I tore up the motor trying to get in there.
Great that all parts are still available. They now have normal and fast motors (or they did when I replaced with fast).
Original rubber liner is still good. I figured that would dry/crack, but it's good.
I'm on my fourth vibrating cleaner, so have spent more on those than the Thumlers.
Great that all parts are still available. They now have normal and fast motors (or they did when I replaced with fast).
Original rubber liner is still good. I figured that would dry/crack, but it's good.
I'm on my fourth vibrating cleaner, so have spent more on those than the Thumlers.
dredd
Member
I've been running one for over ten years.
No complaints.
No complaints.
FROGO207
Member
Got mine used about 12 years ago and it has been running nonstop since then. Mine has the slow motor but it works well. They reccomended the fast motor unless polishing rocks and such.
I have been using one since the 1980's. Purchased another barrel so I could tumble lube cases in a clean barrel. I put the cases in the barrel, add some case lube, let tumble for 20 minutes, and the exteriors are ready. The first barrel has been used often, it has tumbled tens of thousands of pistol and rifle rounds. Usually I load the thing up after returning from the range, and then unload in the morning. Belts wear out, I oil the plastic bushing on the rods, they last years. The motor is forever, and has oil lube holes.
Thumler's tumbler's can be used for wet tumbling, because it is a rock tumbler.
lightman
Member
I've used one for just about forever. It was built originally for rock polishing and can be run for days at a time. The only drawback that I have seen is that its rated for 15 pounds and as I approach that weight sometimes the drum quits turning. Not that big of a deal with dry media but you can get to 15 pounds pretty quickly when wet tumbling with stainless media.
Win1892
Member
I’ve used mine for 15 years or so. When not rolling brass with pins it’s making sea glass from broken up bottles.
nettlle
Contributing Member
Mine is 7 years old. They are worth the cost.
I’ve been using a model B hi-speed for 9 years. Just had to change the belt a few times. Finally went with an equivalent o-ring size and they last me about 5 years.
I’ve intentionally overloaded it to see how it performs- over 20 pounds of weight. Never skipped a beat. It was loaded to the top with brass, including pins, and filled with water.
No complaints...
I’ve intentionally overloaded it to see how it performs- over 20 pounds of weight. Never skipped a beat. It was loaded to the top with brass, including pins, and filled with water.
No complaints...
RainDodger
Member
2 things.... Thumler's DOES make a tumbler that's made for brass polishing. It is faster than the one for rock polishing. I know, because I bought one. It works very, very well. As for having the drum rotate in the correct position so that it does not continually contact one of the roller bumpers... I slapped together a simple platform to set the tumbler on. Its base is a vertical piece of 2X6 that I put in a vise. That allows me to slightly adjust the cant of the table the tumbler sits on. While the tumbler rotates, I just push/pull on the table and when the drum is centered, I tighten the vise in that position. (one of my benches has a woodworking vise on it that I don't use - that's a perfect place for me to leave the tumbler set up)
My fix for this problem was a spacer bushing on the roller axle made from a 9mm/38 case(?).
BTW, once I bought the Hi-Speed Model, I never used the standard one again.
OP
OP
merlynski
Member
Thank you all for your replies. After thinking over the number of rounds I reload and the size of the batches of brass I usually clean at one time (and my age) the cost of the Thumler plus the pins is too high. Midway currently has a National Metallic unit on sale, with 5 pounds of pins and media separation trays for $142.00
I went for that option.
I went for that option.
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