I’m sorry for the question that I’m certain has been probably beat to death but I searched and couldn't find a thread pertaining to the highest quality wet media tumbler for using the SS pins in. I want to give it a shot to clean up some older brass I use in a few of our hunting rifles and other than the cheap plastic tumblers I cant seem to find anything of higher quality meaning something that will last longer than a year before falling apart from cheap Chinese made junk. Are these the only options available now? A local friend has a heavy duty metal framed unit but it’s old and the stickers are long gone on it so we can’t figure out who made it. Any insight would be greatly appreciated...
Best SS Pin Tumbler?
- Thread starter Ol Thumper
- Start date
gravelyctry
Gold $$ Contributor
I don’t have one, but I believe they’re a sponsor on this site and look like a decent unit.
Personally, I bought a thumbless tumbler 5 years ago, and it’s still running.
Neil
Big Shot Tumblers are now available.
F-Class John here, did you know I liked a product so much that I bought a company? You may recognize the look, but they have a new name and have been updated with some new features. If you're looking for new tumbler and want the ultimate in versatility and power, check out Big Shot Tumblers. We...
forum.accurateshooter.com
Personally, I bought a thumbless tumbler 5 years ago, and it’s still running.
Neil
Did you search under "rock tumblers"?
As a very old rockhound and doing lapidary work as a hobby , I've found that many of the "cheap" tumblers work as well as the very expensive ones and last quite a while too.
Maybe this might suit your criteria:
Rocks, Gemstones, Minerals, Rock Tumblers, Lapidary Equipment, and Educational Supplies For Sale - The Rock Shed
The Rock Shed features rock tumblers, polished rocks, minerals, spheres, gemstone beads, amber beads and gold specimens as well as crushed rocks, agate bookends and tumbling grit.
www.therockshed.com
This is the same unit my friends using and exactly what I was looking for, thank you!!!
gravelyctry
Gold $$ Contributor
I just noticed the stupid autocorrect changed “thumblers” to “thumbless “. Same as straightshooters picture.
I use that same unit , does a great job on my brass , the brass does come out like you see on pictures and videos , my brass looks brand new inside and out . They are all good and depends on how much brass you plan on cleaning at a time . I also bought a harbor freight single drum rock tumbler uses 1 pound of SS Pins for small cleanings 100 45acp or 50 308 . Depends on how much brass you have on hand .. l let them air dry face down in the holders that come with loaded brass , takes one day untill the dry. Use to tumble using the vibrator tumbler with the corn or walnut media for 25+ years , once I went with the wet tumbler & SS Pins
I gave the dry system to a shooting friend , I'm done using dry . You'll see, it won't tighten your groups but will be like reloading with new brass every time . Hope I Helped.
Chris
I gave the dry system to a shooting friend , I'm done using dry . You'll see, it won't tighten your groups but will be like reloading with new brass every time . Hope I Helped.
Chris
I was recently given a Frankford Arsenal SS wet tumbler. I have used it several times now and really like it. It does a much better good then my Hornady dry tumbler. I use a few good squirts of dish soap, about a 1/4 cup of Lemon Shin, and about a table spoon of cream of tartar. The brass comes out nice and shinny inside and out. I get the Lemon Shin, but not sure what the Tartar does. However, it works like a champ! Still trying to perfect the after process. Separating the pins from the brass(especially when still wet) can be a challenge I would also recommend getting the separating magnet. It does help quit a bit.
If anyone has a good process for separating the brass and pins, I'm all ears.
If anyone has a good process for separating the brass and pins, I'm all ears.
I have the larger Frankford Arsenal tumbler and like it very much, much more than the Thumbler's I had before. The only thing about it that I don't like is that it is too big for most of my needs because I shoot mostly cartridges from Hornet up to 223. Looking for a smaller unit as a Christmas present for my son, I decided to go with the RCBS unit because it is rubber lined unlike the smaller FA unit. Hope this info is helpful.
Meant to add that I have found for my brass the pins are not needed. I put in the prescribed amount of Dawn and LemiShine then tumble for about an hour and the brass comes out very clean except that there is still a little residue in the primer pockets. Next time I do a batch I'm going to add some NuFinish car wax to the rinse to see if that will keep the brass a little brighter; it does tarnish a little after cleaning.
Meant to add that I have found for my brass the pins are not needed. I put in the prescribed amount of Dawn and LemiShine then tumble for about an hour and the brass comes out very clean except that there is still a little residue in the primer pockets. Next time I do a batch I'm going to add some NuFinish car wax to the rinse to see if that will keep the brass a little brighter; it does tarnish a little after cleaning.
Last edited:
Thumlers is good. I do very strongly suggest pulling the rubberish drum liner and painting the inside of the metal drum with a good rust resistant coating. Then again what's best depends on a variety of criteria. I started with the Thumlers and added a larger one from Frankford with accessory end caps as well as kept the Thumlers. As noted sometimes bigger is better - I have an ultrasonic cleaner big enough for a carbine upper but I can't say it's good for cleaning dies or moulds or jewelry - and often smaller is better.
Good advise on not using pins Joe! I'll diffidently
I will also see if that Cream of Tartar helps with the primer pockets and let you know!
give that a try! That would make it much easier to deal with after the tumble!!!!
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
If your tumbler is not doing a good job you may want to consider adding more pins. It really helped the performance of mine.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
I use 10 lbs.
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
Wow.. I was using 2 and went to 4.. lol..
I started yrs ago with a Thumbler and now use a FART. The Thumbler will make a brighter shine because it rotates slower, a FART is easier and faster. Quit using Dawn and Lemishine, went to the RCBS solution with far better results. With RCBS solution you do not have to rinse, just use distilled water. I drain water into a large jug and contaminates will settle then syphon off good mixture and re-use. I also let run for 30 min then turn off let set overnight, run again the next day and blow out with air. The RCBS solution will not leave brass with water spots. Running too long will cause peening on the case mouths. HOPE THIS HELPS
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
5 lbs is the minimum I would suggest in a Thumbler unless you want to peen the necks like crazy.
10lbs means incredible results. Very fast, no neck peening.
Big Shot Tumblers
FWIW I'm partial to this one....
You can do anywhere from 100rds of .308 with 5-10lbs of SS Media up to about 500rds of .308 with 25lbs of media. The BST-40 will handle up to 40lbs total brass and media and the BST-60 will do up to 60lbs.
Plus if you decide you want to do some dry tumbling, you can do that too with it.
Plus for the rest of the month it's FREE SHIPPING with the code listed on the website.
You can do anywhere from 100rds of .308 with 5-10lbs of SS Media up to about 500rds of .308 with 25lbs of media. The BST-40 will handle up to 40lbs total brass and media and the BST-60 will do up to 60lbs.
Plus if you decide you want to do some dry tumbling, you can do that too with it.
Plus for the rest of the month it's FREE SHIPPING with the code listed on the website.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.