Tumbler: brass going around in circles and not cascading - what to do?
- Thread starter IMtheNRA
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Magnum Shooter
Member
I find the finer grind media (like RCBS) works better in my Frankford tumbler than the larger grind Lyman.
I had the same problem with my tumbler. I eventually noticed the entire bowl was slowly spinning. After tightening a nut, it went back to normal.
I always fill the tumbler to the top, with corncob, even on a small load. That seems to clean faster. But that doesn't sound like your problem.
I always fill the tumbler to the top, with corncob, even on a small load. That seems to clean faster. But that doesn't sound like your problem.
dickttx
Member
As gloob said, make sure the nut holding the bowl on is tight. Having this nut tight also eleminates most of the noise.
Hondo 60
Member
Well, I'd say right there's your problem.
I know lotsa people have 'em & they work, but there's a reason they're cheap.
I've had a Lyman 1200 Turbo for over 4 years.
And I've never had a problem with it.
knock on wood (knocks on own head) - sheesh
1KPerDay
Member
I just went from a Lyman Pro Turbo!@#!@#! 2500 EXTREEEEM! tumbler (loved it but it broke after a year... I could put a RIDICULOUS amount of brass in there and it cascaded wonderfully) to a cheap Frankford arsenal. I now wish I'd just paid the extra 30 bucks and got another Lyman.
The frankford is pathetic. It will only cascade with a light load of brass, and the ratio of media to brass has to be great. Like a couple handfuls of brass will overwhelm it.
I hate it with a burning white hatred.
The frankford is pathetic. It will only cascade with a light load of brass, and the ratio of media to brass has to be great. Like a couple handfuls of brass will overwhelm it.
I hate it with a burning white hatred.
Are you adding mineral spirits and/or polish to the media or running it dry. I run Berry's Tumblers and the only time I have ever had trouble with circulation was when I added too much mineral spirits and polish to the media. Brass amount (too much or too little) has never been an issue.
Problem solved!!! Tonight, I borrowed a friend's Lyman 1200 tumbler to run a side by side comparison. The difference is incredible!!!!
I put the clear lid from Frankford on the Lyman to observe material flow. The Lyman is FAST! Several times faster than my Frankford ever was. Great cascading, and it will cut my cleaning time by about 75%!
The Lyman is only a fraction as loud as the Frankford. It is amazingly quiet and it makes a steady hum instead of the annoying rattle of the Frankford.
The bowl on the Lyman is somewhat smaller, probably about 80-85% of the Frankford's volume.
This machine is incredible! I'm ordering one as soon as I finish this post
Edited to add: I ended up ordering the giant Lyman Pro Magnum. Can't wait to load it up with a thousand 9mm cases.
I put the clear lid from Frankford on the Lyman to observe material flow. The Lyman is FAST! Several times faster than my Frankford ever was. Great cascading, and it will cut my cleaning time by about 75%!
The Lyman is only a fraction as loud as the Frankford. It is amazingly quiet and it makes a steady hum instead of the annoying rattle of the Frankford.
The bowl on the Lyman is somewhat smaller, probably about 80-85% of the Frankford's volume.
This machine is incredible! I'm ordering one as soon as I finish this post
Edited to add: I ended up ordering the giant Lyman Pro Magnum. Can't wait to load it up with a thousand 9mm cases.
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I have this same tumbler and actually had the same issue tonight when loading it up with 300 cases of 40 S&W. The media and brass were moving in a circular motion until adding more media, which started the cascading effect. The funnel idea sounds interesting, I'll have to try that
lostviking
Member
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- Jan 8, 2014
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I have the same issue now with my Lyman 2500 Pro Magnum Tumbler
Please find all details here:
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=187957
Please find all details here:
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=187957
RealGun
Member
Mine sits on a concrete floor, so none of the vibration is lost.
Corn cob is lighter and cascades more freely.
When carrying a good load of brass, it takes a few minutes for the contents to "boil".
I have a new Frankford and one of the previous design. The newer one is quieter and has a better tumble. One has used, treated corncob, and the other has virgin or near virgin plain corncob. One removes oxidation and imparts polish and the other shines 'em up. All my brass is liquid cleaned before handling. What I am doing with the sonic wash produces clean brass but not the appearance I want.
Since starting a sonic wash I stopped using the heavier walnut, which doesn't "boil" as easily as the lighter corn cob.
If I was doing higher volumes, I would get a larger capacity, heavy duty machine and pay some attention to warranty or optional service plan.
Corn cob is lighter and cascades more freely.
When carrying a good load of brass, it takes a few minutes for the contents to "boil".
I have a new Frankford and one of the previous design. The newer one is quieter and has a better tumble. One has used, treated corncob, and the other has virgin or near virgin plain corncob. One removes oxidation and imparts polish and the other shines 'em up. All my brass is liquid cleaned before handling. What I am doing with the sonic wash produces clean brass but not the appearance I want.
Since starting a sonic wash I stopped using the heavier walnut, which doesn't "boil" as easily as the lighter corn cob.
If I was doing higher volumes, I would get a larger capacity, heavy duty machine and pay some attention to warranty or optional service plan.
I use a Berry's 400, the one thing i have noticed is that Temperature and Humidity play a big role in your media's ability to tumble. I tumble in my shop that only has a window AC. I have noticed with high humidity and very cold temperature the media appears to be thicker and not as loose to tumble freely. The weight of the brass mixed with the thick media will cause it to only spin until it can start the cascade process. Just my two cents worth.
jcwit
member
Frankfort tumbler? Toss the Chinese junk away and buy a Berry tumbler made right here in the U.S.A., it even sells at the same price point.
Your problems will be over.
Your problems will be over.
tyeo098
Member
Mine used to do that.
Then i realized the bolts that went though the motor to the plastic pedestal the bowl sat on top of were loose.
2 seconds with the right size wrench tightened up the bolts. Cascading motion was back!
If your tumbler is SUPER loud (mine was) this is your problem. It was so quiet afterwards I could listen to music with it running.
Then i realized the bolts that went though the motor to the plastic pedestal the bowl sat on top of were loose.
2 seconds with the right size wrench tightened up the bolts. Cascading motion was back!
If your tumbler is SUPER loud (mine was) this is your problem. It was so quiet afterwards I could listen to music with it running.
Rushthezeppelin
Member
My FA tumbler cascades beautifully and as fast as any videos I've seen online. I always keep the media about 4/5ths full in the bowl and never have put more than about 350 cases in at a time (sometimes 223 mixed with 9mm). I might try the funnel mod eventually but it's working so well right now I don't know if I need to. I think others might be on to something when they mentioned temp/humidity affecting your tumbler. Do you have yours in a garage? I keep mine inside so it never sees hardly any temp variance and low humidity thanks to the A/C.
Since I started wet tumbling I don't think I'll ever go back to vibratory tumblers.
The initial investment was high, but the media lasts as long as you don't lose it. The results are very very good.
I bought a Thumlers Tumbler, but you can build your own as these folks did on the attached link:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/344986_How_i_built_my_own_rotary_tumbler.html
The initial investment was high, but the media lasts as long as you don't lose it. The results are very very good.
I bought a Thumlers Tumbler, but you can build your own as these folks did on the attached link:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/344986_How_i_built_my_own_rotary_tumbler.html
Ifishsum
Member
FWIW, my FA tumbler started doing the same thing after the first few uses because several the motor mounting screws and the counterweight had vibrated loose. I took it apart and locktited everything that I could, that was 5+ years ago and it hasn't given me any trouble since. I know you ordered a new one already but might as well try and fix it for a backup....
tcoz
Member
I also use the FA tumbler. I just put a few drops of brass cleaner in, let it tumble or a minute or so to spread it around, add my .45 cases and let them tumble alone for a minute so they fill with media to prevent my 9mm cases from getting stuck in them, then add a whole bunch of 9mm cases and let em go for 4 hours or so. I've never had a problem. It sounds like a mechanical issue with the tumbler.
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