Frankford Arsenal tumbler?

[broncman]

The $38 one from Midway... Anyone use it? My RCBS vibratory case cleaner died after 12 years..... Should I pony up for the more expensive RCBS or is the Frankford arsenal a decent product?

 

[37Lincoln1]

Mine was a constant PIA. It's loud and I was having to take it apart and fiddle with the wires and bearings/lube about once a year before it finally died after 4 years of use. I guess I got my money's worth but. . . I wouldn't recommend it.

I replaced it with a Lyman 1200, lot quieter and does as good as if not better job without all the other BS, so far.

 

[Webster]

I bought the rock tumbler polisher for about $45 from Harbor Freight. It isn't ideal but it works. Difficult to get the rubber seal in place. It will hold about 50 -70 cases. After 1 or 2 uses you get the hang of it.


Harbor Freight has 2 vibratory polishers and 2 rotary.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=tumbler

 

[stool]

ii have and use the midway small vib tumbler..it works well..on a solid floor....
i also use dillon large tumblers..so my recommendation is a small dillon....and their media seperator

 

[3Ackleys]

I would email or call RCBS. they may fix yours for less than any new one

 

[snert]

I have had my FA for about 2 years, light use. HAve done about 5000 40 cal and 1700 308, plus about 2500 223. It is loud. It is cheap. But so far for $35 it has worked. I keep an eye on it, just in case it melts down....

 

[broncman]

I beleive I will just buy another RCBS. Mine was used nearly every week for at least 8 months of the yeat for the past 10-12 years. God only knows how many cases it has done! I called RCBS and the peice that broke is not replacebale.

It has been a very good product!

 

[amamnn]

I have 2 FA tumblers, not because I wanted two, but because after 9 or 10 years my old one locked up. The cure for that was to buy a new one (which is too quiet for me since it operates in the barn and I have gotten used to hearing the old one running and remembering to get the brass out after a while) because as soon as I spent the money on a new one, the old one started running again--for another year--and then froze up. I took it apart and oiled the bearings - no other repairs needed as it has a brushless motor--it's been running about another year--though only half as much I need to get some use out of the new one..........................

 

[243Mendoza]

I would call RCBS; they will probably fix for free; they replaced the motor in mine for free after many years of use. It's hard to beat RCBS customer service.

I have the Frankford vibrator and it's LOUD!!!! but it does work.

 

[Shynloco]

I beleive I will just buy another RCBS. Mine was used nearly every week for at least 8 months of the yeat for the past 10-12 years. God only knows how many cases it has done! I called RCBS and the peice that broke is not replacebale.

It has been a very good product!

I;d call them and ask if I were you. Not long ago, I had a ppwer cord on a 4 yrs old RCBS Rangemaster scale go south on me and I called to order a new one expecting to pay for it and they sent me a new for FREE. They might just fix that one of your for free. They have terrific Customer Service. Wouldn't hurt to ask if they could repair it.

Alex

 

[guidom]

mine works just fine. i have had it for about 5 years.

 

[KAIFS]

I have 2 FA and one huge 18lbs tumbler with two bowls... FA are small 5lbs tumblers... One goes continuously, another on as needed bases to do my swede mauser parts that need re-bluing/cleaning/polishing... 18lbs tumbler has been non-stop for two years as well. I purchased two FAs at the same time, so one has, realistically: over 17K hours on it and still is going. I tend to overload mine a bit. 3 5lbs tumblers from Harbor Freight died each within a month of constant use, that is when I switched to FA.

 

[Deton8tor]

I have been using one for over 5 years now with no problems whatsoever. It is a bit loud, but it is in my garage, so no problem there.

 

[CatShooter]

The Harbor Freight vibratory polishers are God awful - a small ammo company I consulted for had 6 of them, and all of them had to be replaced once or twice in the first year, and at the end of the year, HF would no longer replace them.

They are junk.

 

[jonbearman]

I have a dillon which is by far the best vibratory I have had the pleasure to use. Next I have 2 lymans that are great to coat bullets,had a frankford and it was not so good,had a berrys,pure junk. Spend once cry once.If you can afford the dillon you wont be disappointed,then the lyman would be my second choice.

 

[Hitman]

My FA lasted two months. Replaced it with a large dillon and a small Lyman. The dillon and Lyman are going strong. Hope this info helps.

 

[fdshuster]

Don't overlook the Lyman 1200. I bought one new in '84, used it a lot, and it finally quit. Lyman replaced the unit for a total cost of $38 including shipping, and, it's "Made in the USA".

 

[scpaul]

I've got 1 too. IT stopped after less than 1 year. Pull the bottom off, you will probably find a loose wire or possably one broken usually at the connector. They should have used a little more wire. I also drilled a 3/4 in. hole below the motor for cooling. A spare case cleaner doesn't hurt either. Paul