Old Turbo Case Cleaner Broke Looking For Replacement Ultrasonic?

[BigBolt]

Was able to gleen some range pick-up of 45/70, 30/30 and 1/2 of a 5 gallon bucket of 40 S&W. Well during the case tumbling process my turbo tumbler of 15 years STB. The motor got real hot then let the smoke out of it. So now I am looking for a replacement case cleaner.

Thinking on going to an ultrasonic case cleaner. A bud has one and it really does a nice job cleaning the cases whistle clean.

The replacement turbo tumbler is under a 100 bucks and an ultraconic runs from 150 to over 300 bucks.

I looked at a few u-tube vids on the ultrasonic case cleaner.

Thoughts from the collective what say you?

 

[rwj]

Smoke… 100% the cause of all electrical issues! Why not include rotary tumblers in your case cleaning evaluation?

 

[BigBolt]

Smoke… 100% the cause of all electrical issues! Why not include rotary tumblers in your case cleaning evaluation?

I have been however, my bud has a untrasonic cleaner he puts his pistols in and man does it clean them up with having to take it apart. He places it into a freezer bag with simple green and distilled water. Then puts it into the sonic cleaner with water. 15 minutes later whistle clean. Then he dumps out the liquid which is black and puts the gun in another bag filled with an oil base solution for 10 minutes. Takes it out wipes it all down and it is perfect. He only does this once a year as he only gives his gun a cleaning without breaking it down. He has done this for 6 years no rust or other wear signs to his Ruger 9mm.

 

[divingin]

Was able to gleen some range pick-up of 45/70, 30/30 and 1/2 of a 5 gallon bucket of 40 S&W. Well during the case tumbling process my turbo tumbler of 15 years STB.

Was that a Lyman tumbler? Mine froze up. Pity, as, even though it was a little smaller than I would have liked, it worked really well. I bought a Frankford Arsenal as a replacement, and the difference is quite noticeable. Takes twice as long for an equal cleaning.

One of these days I'll pull the Lyman apart and replace the motor (once I figure out how to defeat the hot-glued springs holding everything together.)

 

[M-61]

Smoke… 100% the cause of all electrical issues! Why not include rotary tumblers in your case cleaning evaluation?

Isn’t the electrical issue that caused the smoke?
I’ll think twice about living anything running if I’m not home
Always had something vibrating and go to the store. No more.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Clean brass in an Ultrasonic= but too clean.
Dirty brass=
Once clean, MUCH better results.
Thumbler Tumbler with uncoated corn cob?

 

[TTE]

Lyman tumbler even though it was a little smaller than I would have liked, it worked really well. I bought a Frankford Arsenal as a replacement, and the difference is quite noticeable. Takes twice as long for an equal cleaning.

I have both and use both. The Lyman tumbles quite fast compared to the Frankford. Both will clean cases nicely, but the Lyman requires less time.

 

[jepp2]

Thoughts from the collective what say you?

I have a SS pin tumbler and use it for my really dirty stuff and brass from my AR's. I have several Lyman vibratory case tumblers and they handle everything else. For my better brass fired in bolt guns, I use one of the Lymans with 12-20 corncob with Nufinish. After sizing (I use Bootleg) I toss them in the other Lyman and it has plain 20-40 corncob. Meets my needs. I always avoided ultrasonic due to the cleaning solution and they don't get the brass nearly as clean as SS pin tumbling and have smaller capacity. But what is best for me might not be for you.

 

[CJ6]

I have both. Vibra-shine tumbler and a Lyman 6000 sonic. If I want shiny shiny brass I use both. Range pick-ups get sonic cleaned first, then sized, then tumbled (to get the lube off). I've had the tumbler since the early 80's, the sonic early 2000's. I use the Lyman solution for brass and a couple different Brownells solutions for cleaning parts and lubing them.

 

[The German]

I switched from corn cob vibratory one to a rotary with steel pins (and cleaning solution). Amazing how clean the rotary one with pins make the brass - honestly, the brass looks brand new when it comes out and I don't mind leaving them out to dry for 1-2 days.

 

[Firearmsunlimited]

When I want brass really, really showroom clean inside and out I first put them in my ultrasonic for a total of 800 seconds with Hornady One Shot ultrasonic cleaner. Then I tumble them in a vibratory for 2 hours with medium walnut with Iosso addative. The issue you may run into with the ultrasonic is that for it to work effeciently you can not do too many cases at one time. Also, to help with the efficiency of the ultrsonic you should buy a Borosilicate glass (not Pyrex) 1600 ml beaker to place in the ultrasonic. It helps annunciate the sonic signal. Occasionally you can get one of these on sale.

2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner

Amazing deals on this 2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

​

 

[jk80]

I've used a lyman 1200 tumbler for many years. Corncob media with a cap full Nufinish. When it goes I'll probably buy the same again. Have a Frankford armory stainless pin tumbler that I use stainless chips in for really grungy brass only. As a bonus when I change the corncob media it works great to fill shot bags for range use.

 

[6BRA]

When I want brass really, really showroom clean inside and out I first put them in my ultrasonic for a total of 800 seconds with Hornady One Shot ultrasonic cleaner. Then I tumble them in a vibratory for 2 hours with medium walnut with Iosso addative. The issue you may run into with the ultrasonic is that for it to work effeciently you can not do too many cases at one time. Also, to help with the efficiency of the ultrsonic you should buy a Borosilicate glass (not Pyrex) 1600 ml beaker to place in the ultrasonic. It helps annunciate the sonic signal. Occasionally you can get one of these on sale.

2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner

Amazing deals on this 2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

​

All US cleaners are made in China. I have had this one for 5 years and still going strong.

 

[F Class John]

On a selfish note, check out www.bigshottumblers.com. Assembled in the US, capacity for up to 40lbs of brass at a time and built like a tank.

 

[Webster]

Was able to gleen some range pick-up of 45/70, 30/30 and 1/2 of a 5 gallon bucket of 40 S&W. Well during the case tumbling process my turbo tumbler of 15 years STB. The motor got real hot then let the smoke out of it. So now I am looking for a replacement case cleaner.

Thinking on going to an ultrasonic case cleaner. A bud has one and it really does a nice job cleaning the cases whistle clean.

The replacement turbo tumbler is under a 100 bucks and an ultraconic runs from 150 to over 300 bucks.

I looked at a few u-tube vids on the ultrasonic case cleaner.

Thoughts from the collective what say you?

Can you pick up a generic motor for a replacement? You should be able to find one mail order. Maybe some of the electronics guys on the website could help you. I use a $39 rock tumbler from Harbor Freight. It's ok if you don't do a lot of cases.

 

[BigBolt]

Thanks for everyones input, after comparisons of different types of case cleaners I purchased a Hornady Lnl Sonic Lih 2 Liter with heater. It fits my needs better than the others and did a pros/cons list. Also, an OSHA Certified HAZWOPER I have done some testing for lead in several types of media. Some have worried about lead contamination of media. The only issue I have found was when using hard cast lead bullets there was some lead contamination detected in all wet and dry media. Other wise the powder residues could be more of an issue than any lead. The below is a link to the MSDS for Hodgdon powders which shows the chemical make up and possible health risks. Using dry meadia use N95 mask and gloves using wet media use nitrate gloves.

https://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/documents/powder%2000000371/Hodgdon_H110.pdf

You can find other manufacturers MSDS by searching google.

Dry Tumbling

Pros

Dry vibrating tumblers are cheaper than rotary ones

No need for drying

Least expensive

Cons

Creates a lot of dust

Does not clean the inside of cases as well as wet tumblers or ultrasonic cleaners

Cannot be used to clean guns and their parts

Can take 2-3 hours to clean cases



Wet Tumbling

Pros

Gives a deeper clean and gets into the insides and primer pockets

Leaves cases shiny and like new

Does not create dust

Cons

Rotary tumblers allowing wet tumbling are expensive

Drying time is required

Cannot be used to clean guns and their parts

Lids/covers can leak

Typically, 1-2 hours to complete cleaning



Ultrasonic Cleaning

Pros

Gives a deep clean outside the case insides and the primer pockets

Leaves cases like new

Does not create dust

Guns and their parts can be cleaned

Can be used to clean jewelry

Typically takes only 15 minutes to clean

Cons

Ultrasonic cleaners can be expensive like wet tumblers

Drying time is required

 

[JLT]

Was able to gleen some range pick-up of 45/70, 30/30 and 1/2 of a 5 gallon bucket of 40 S&W. Well during the case tumbling process my turbo tumbler of 15 years STB. The motor got real hot then let the smoke out of it. So now I am looking for a replacement case cleaner.

Thinking on going to an ultrasonic case cleaner. A bud has one and it really does a nice job cleaning the cases whistle clean.

The replacement turbo tumbler is under a 100 bucks and an ultraconic runs from 150 to over 300 bucks.

I looked at a few u-tube vids on the ultrasonic case cleaner.

Thoughts from the collective what say you?

I have this unit and, so far, very happy with it.

https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Commercial-Ultrasonic-Capacity-Solution/dp/B01HGNYO0U/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2ZOQBPH1E9G4G&keywords=ultrasonic+cleaner&qid=1668035174&sprefix=ultrasonic%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&psc=1

Capacity is not 6 liters - more like 4 - but its cleaning capacity is good, and the brass is like new at the end of a 30-minute cycle. The heater helps quite a bit with shortening the cycle time. Wait for the water to warm up and the brass is clean in 15 minutes or so.

 

[divingin]

Isn’t the electrical issue that caused the smoke?

What was the meme? "Any machine is a smoke machine, if you use it wrong enough"...

 

[M-61]

What was the meme? "Any machine is a smoke machine, if you use it wrong enough"...

You lost me.

 

[divingin]

Just a joke about smoke.