tumblers

[byedan1]

can a tumble like from harbor freight for stuff like rocks work with brass also where can i get a decrimper from

 

[CJ]

I was just at Harbor Freight checking out some other items, and did stop by the tumblers for just that reason. They're really too small to hold much brass, and are only slightly cheaper than some decent tumblers I've seen on the market.

As for decrimping, someone else will have to answer.

 

[444]

A couple random notes on tumblers:
You can't have too big of a tumbler (within reason). If you have a big tumbler, you can always just tumble one case if you want to. But, if you have a small tumbler and need to tumble a lot of brass, you will have to do it a little at a time.
Not all tumblers are created equal, although I haven't made any kind of a study of this. I used the same tumbler for years. I bought it from Midway. I came across a deal where a guy was selling basically a complete reloading set-up really cheap because he lost his job. I wanted the press, so I bought it. A tumbler was also part of the deal; it came from Dillon Precision. The Dillon tumber seems to have a much more aggressive action. It looks like it turns the media/brass over much faster. On my old tumbler the media seems to just shake. The new tumbler looks like the media is flowing almost like liquid. The result is that it takes less time to get really clean and shiny brass from the new tumbler. And the new tumbler holds more brass than the old one.
I personally don't like tumbling brass. My loading equipment including the tumbler is located in my house. The tumbler is loud and gets on my nerves. So, if the more brass can be tumbled faster, then I don't have to run the tumbler as long to achieve the same results. This many not apply to your situation but it is something to think about.
If I had it to do over again, I would buy the biggest tumbler available.

Decrimping. I am assuming you mean primer pocket crimps ?
I don't get a lot of crimped primers, but run across one now and then. I use a case deburring tool like you use to deburr a rifle case after trimming. If you have a large volume of crimped primer pocket cases, Dillon makes a tool for that purpose that I have often seen recommended. I wouldn't use it enough to justify it's price.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

I have three. The biggest is a cement mixer that has never had any cement in it. Next is a three 15 pound barrel tumbler machine from a company that is no longer in business and the best ever tumbler in my opionion for the average pistol compititor is the quiet Lortone solid rubber 12 pounds of rocks tumbler with a quiet motor found at rock or lapidary and toy stores in smaller models. The last I saw they were $135 for the QT12NR model and a child could have one itumbling pretty rocks in a bedroom or a closet with out any noise or vibration complaints. I finish tumble my loaded ammo with the gentle action of the Lortone that does not break down any powder particles and I would not consider having a vibratory brass cleaner.

Paul Jones

 

[Dave R]

In my disposable-income-challeneged condition I have tumbled in a rock tumbler. Works fine. Then I actually got some disposable income and bought a $5 ice cream maker at the thrift store. Works fine. (Take the "blade" out, and run it on its side.)

 

[tbeb]

I use a used rock tumbler that I bought at a garage sale for $10. Capacity is just a little over 100 .38 special cases. It has served me well for about 15 years now.

 

[HSMITH]

I bought the Frankford Arsenal vibratory tumbler from Midway. About $40, and has cleaned easily 100K+ cases so far. If I could do it again I would buy the "kit" with the media seperator and such included for $60 instead of just the tumbler, but that hindsight does me little good.

I would highly recommend you buy the Frankford Arsenal vibratory case cleaning KIT from Midway.

 

[BluesBear]

I love my old Thumler's Tumbler Model B.



15lb capacity and it's quiet. The one I have now is 15 years old and still going strong.

 

[g56]

I don't have any personal experience with a roller tumbler like the Thumler's, I have talked to some people, and read in the magazines that vibratory case cleaners are much faster at cleaning and polishing than the rollers. My Lyman Turbo is still going strong after 20 years.

 

[chm27]

I happened to find a 12 volt vibrating chair motor on e bay for 10 bucks, and what I did was screw it to the bottom of a 1/2 gallon plastic bowl. I use a 110-12v power convetor to run it. I had the idea of making it portable so I could put it in the trunk of the car and tumble while I drove, but that hasn't happened yet
At any rate, it works pretty good, and will do about 100 9mm cases at a time. In about an hour, they are clean. Not real shiny, but clean and smooth.
chm

 

[Ala Dan]

I had a tumbler like Blues Bear's; but when I got a
wild hair up my nose and sold all my original setup,
then I decided to replace my items with the all new
equipment, I settled on an R.C.B.S. Vibratory model.
And believe me, it doesn't do near as good a job as
the old one.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Kamicosmos]

disposable-income-challeneged condition

I am so stealing that!

Anyways, I have a Lyman Pro1200. It's enough for me, and it's nice having shiny brass to load. Plus makes brass inspection mo betta.

I think one of the companies (perhaps lyman) actually sells a rock tumbling kit for their tumblers! Comes with a smaller bowl, and all the stuff for making rocks purdy.

 

[JPM70535]

Vibratory tumblers are difinitely faster case polishers as opposed to rotating tumblers like the thumblers. The best feature of the Thumblers is it's quiet operation. I generally tumble overnight, in my attached garage and it can't be heard from the bedroom. can'y say the same for my Midway vibrator.