Who makes the quietest tumbler?

[MarineTech]

Well, I've finally taken the plunge, and I'm getting into reloading. Didn't think I'd be able to since I live in an apartment with a room-mate, but I managed to clear enough space in my bedroom to put in a small bench/worktable. A carpenter friend is building the bench for me, and I should be ready to go in a couple weeks.

I've already started ordering various things. I know a fair amount about reloading equipment since my father has reloaded for years, but my big question is, who makes the quietest tumbler? Dad's got a huge Dillon that he's had for years, and it's great for his basement workroom, but it'd be shaking the pictures off the walls here in the bedroom. Also, heading over to the parents house to clean brass is not an option as I'm now 4 hours away (might save BIG batches of brass for visits though.) Since I do have another person in the apartment, I need something quiet that's not going to put a strain on the friendship. I'm going to be reloading small batches of ammo for hunting and eventually match shooting on an RCBS Rockchucker, so a small tumbler will more than fit the bill, and is desirable to save space on the bench.

So, what would you all recommend.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I have a Thumbler's 18 vibratory tumbler that's fairly quiet. It would be "ok" if no one was at home. Noise is about like a window a/c unit.
My other, a discontinued MidwayUSA 2095, that uses 8lbs of media and will tumble about 2,000 9mm cases almost requires hearing protection to be in the room with it when its running. Will polish very dirty cases clean in 1-2 hours with new/fresh media though.

 

[Jeeper]

The less brass you put in the quieter always. I have a large dillon and if I use only about half the capacity it is very quiet.

 

[larryw]

If you stick any tumbler on a wood bench or floor, the surface will act as a drum head and make a terrible racket. Also, your downstairs neighbors will probably raise objections. One trick is to put it on a couple inches of high density foam padding, making sure the padding doesn't deform into the motor/fan underneath the unit. And as Jeeper said, don't fill it to capacity so the brass isn't beating off each other (sounds like a jr. high school marching band).

Another option is a rolling tumbler instead of a vibratory. A friend has one and I'm surprised how quiet it is (uses liquid instead of dry media). Does a great job, but you do need to let the brass dry.

 

[larry408]

After I start my vibratory tumbler I put a 5 gal bucke over it upside down. It cuts the noise down a lot.

 

[Steve Smith]

Another vote for Thumbler's vibratory tumblers. VERY quiet becuase of the rubber drum!

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

The Most Quiet Tumbler Ever

In my reloading tool business I sold many hundreds of the quietest tumbler ever made and it is the Lortone Tumbler available not in gun shops or at gun shows but at your local lapidary , rock shop or large toy store as it is a solid rubber ROCK tumbler that is sold to children to make pretty the rocks they find while camping and adults use them to polish rock jewelry. I use mine for cleaning reloading tool parts like new besides cleaning my brass and live ammo. To clean rocks it is water proof and the majority of them are found in the smaller sizes in childrens bedrooms. I preferred the 12 pound of rock size the Model QT12NR. The smaller sizes are in the toy stores.

So make a search on the internet for Lortone and Lapidary supplies and you will get the best and quietest one ever made. Mine has been operating since 1974 and they are the last I checked in my size which will be best for you about $135+ shipping last year and it will suffice you for the next 25-30 years.

A vibratory tumbler can set up a subliminal vibration through out the home that can be irritating even without being heard.

Paul Jones Retired and Loving it
My business was selling the BEST equipment available.

 

[martin]

Another option is not to use a tumbler. You may want to look for IOSSO Case Cleaner. It is a liquid kit and cleans quite well. I have tried it. Expensive, but, works.

I use the big Dillon at reduced case capacity and full of media and it is pretty quiet. For fewer cases I use a Midway 1292.

Paul, thanks for the heads up on the Lortone. I will search for those puppies.

Regards,
Martin

 

[martin]

I found the Lortones and went to look at them today

Nice construction and are actually made to be used wet. The inside is completely rubber coated. This was at a lapidary supply house and one of the owners spent about 10 minutes with me discussing the tumbler. To get any capacity you will need to get the model QT-12 or FD12 from them. Also, he had a model running and it was quiet as a mouse.

Another interesting tidbit of information was what they use to polish gold and other fine jewelry - ultra fine steel shot and tumbling soap. The gentlemen told me heavily tarnished precious metals can come out looking like new in 5 minutes or less!!!!! As long as the soap lacks ammonia that sounds pretty darned good!! If its good enough to polish gold why not brass? I don't think jewelers would use something that would damage valuable jewelry or remove precious metal, do you guys?

These suckers will cost you some bucks. www.lortone.com

Here is the media I was told about:
http://www.jbfc.com/grits&.htm

 

[Dave R]

Another trick I have heard of, but never tried...

Get yerself a used Ice Cream maker from the Thrift store. Fill the ice cream section with media and brass. Turn it sideways. Wrap it in a towel or blanket. Quiet and cheap, from what I hear.

Another cheap, quiet option--

Use pretty much any container with a tight-fitting lid that won't come off. Fill with brass and media. Put it inside an old sleeping bag. Put that in the dryer on "Fluff" (no heat required).

If you have a dryer in your apt., its probably worth a try. Make sure that lid won't come off, though.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

I switched to the Thumler rotating tumblers. I am skeptical of the abuse a vibratory tumbler takes and don't care for the noise. Thumler uses the rubber drum and is made to work with liquid polisher as well as dry. I use 1/8 in corn cob from the local PetSmart.

 

[Matt1911]

I made a box for my dillion out of 2 inch foam insulation and duct tape,UGLY but silent.