Large Tumbler Recommendations

[titanxt]

Hello!! I have a TON of brass to clean at about any given time. I have used a regular sized vibratory tumbler for ever, but its just about as bad as mowing your lawn with scissors... I was looking at the Dillon CV-2001 because it reportedly holds up to 1,300 38SP cases at a time. Any other large tumbler recommendations out there?

Thanks!

Andy

 

[James EPS]

I purchased 2 HF 18lb units that I run daily long and hard. They have stood up to serious use but its only been about a year. I think I paid less than $150.00 each at the time. Some of their stuff is obviously junk and some isn't. Its a big unit and gets the job done, I tumble 1500ct of bullets a day in mine, so far so good.

James

 

[kcomeau10x]

You could try renting a small, rubber or plastic barreled, electric cement mixer. Lowes used to sell one made by Kobalt that I always thought would be perfect for a shooting range or gun club.

 

[Bayou]

If you're a wet tumbler, you can check this new model tumbler out:

http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.com/frankford-arsenal/catalog.asp?product=platinum-series-rotary-tumbler

 

[hmcsr]

Andy,

I have a Dillon Magnum FL 2000 I purchased in 1987. Used extensively, maybe once a week, for about 10 years cleaning service rifle (308) cases. Shifted over to bolt rifle long range so less use . Brass stayed cleaner. Anyhow, only had one problem so far (2014). Over time and clamping knob pressure, the lower washer will indent enough to cause the lid to bow and not seal at the edges. Re-flattened the washer, problem solved. I consider my Dillon a great choice.

Bill 8)

 

[jonbearman]

I also have the Dillon 2000 and I fixed my lid by putting high temp silicone all the way around the edge that conatacts the bowl.Problem solved and way quitter.I just got through doing about 20,000 cases plus with mine and it is at least 20 years old now and it has been a good solid machine.I use clean corncob with nufinish for a polishing additive.

 

[stool]

i run three dillon large tumblers..
imho the big thing to know is electric stuff only has a one year warrantee....
the good news is they have gone to a ball bearing motor.
mine run almost every day...
ground corn cob media and nufinish car polish..from a guy that makes his living selling brass

 

[titanxt]

Stool - good information for sure. So for really dirty handgun cases do you ever use walnut media before the corn cob or is that a waste of time?

Thanks!

Andy

 

[stool]

i have only used walnut once or twice. once on some mil 308 bullets that got wet, and once on some 7.62x51 brass that got wet.
you are right walnut is good for getting brass CLEAN, but to polish bright, use ground corn cob.
you will notice dirt in the tumbler when you stop it.....it is best to pour out the media and brass slowly , then invert the tumbler and tap it on the floor to dump the dirt..its a little each time but it adds up and loads up in the media leading to dull brass.

Stool - good information for sure. So for really dirty handgun cases do you ever use walnut media before the corn cob or is that a waste of time?

Thanks!

Andy

 

[Biggdawg]

For wet tumbling you can check out www.biggdawgtumblers.net

the large drum will do 20 lbs of brass per batch.

 

[titanxt]

BigDawg, You might be a bit biased since, but I would appreciate the input. Is wet tumbling worth all of the water mess? I also do woodworking and using wet stones was a PITA! I went to a dry sharpening system... I am wondering if wet polishing will be the same for me??

Andy

 

[jonbearman]

I am slightly confused.I get the feeling that your frame may work with a thumblers drum or not? How much would a frame and motor be for this application?

 

[Biggdawg]

BigDawg, You might be a bit biased since, but I would appreciate the input. Is wet tumbling worth all of the water mess? I also do woodworking and using wet stones was a PITA! I went to a dry sharpening system... I am wondering if wet polishing will be the same for me??

Andy

yes you have the wet mess, and wet tumbling isn't for everyone. I personally switched because the dry method was taking too long, was dusty and the results were subpar.

is it worth it? to me it is but it is a personal opinion only, i like sparkling brass, don't like the dust dry tumbling had so it is a no brainer for me but as i said it isn't for everyone.

the draw backs to wet tumbling are you should deprime first, the added time to let cases dry, working with the water if you don't have a good set up for it. i have a dedicated sink and water in my basement right by my tumbler.

the pluses to wet for me are i can tumble them faster with superior results - 1-2 hours tumble time -- 3 -4 hours air dry time.


no dust -- all the dirt, dust, lead and all other contaminates are trapped in the water so you don't breath them in.

not trying to convert anyone just saw the need for a large tumbler and these will clean large amounts of brass in a short time.

 

[Biggdawg]

I am slightly confused.I get the feeling that your frame may work with a thumblers drum or not? How much would a frame and motor be for this application?

I have been told the thumler drums will work on the frame. the spacing on the axles is 5.5 inches center to center

pm inbound

 

[stool]

in SIX hours i can polish a bunch of brass in a dillon.....atleast twice what you do wet...
and yes my primer pockets are not cleaned...but that is not an issue..because all my precision brass gets its primer pockets trued every time it is fired, so it gets cleaned at the same time.


more than one way to skin a cat

 

[titanxt]

Bigdawg - I will say that the ability to clean them inside is a plus. Currently, I run my tumbler outside.

Andy

 

[titanxt]

Stool - Valid point, I do too. Handgun stuff I could care less about the cleanliness of the pocket as long as the primer seats. Once the bullet is seated, I no longer see the grime.

Andy

 

[stool]

i run the three big dillon's in the garage, but i run the rcbs sidewinder and two other vib type tumblers in the basement/gun shop/armory/etc. they do not get used as much. the basement floor does not send sound all over the place.

 

[2506]

I know a fellow that uses a cement mixer with corn cob media and Flitz to do BIG batches of cases at a time. It works really well.

 

[stool]

yep one of my competitors uses FOUR cement mixers....
we buy media by the 40 case.

I know a fellow that uses a cement mixer with corn cob media and Flitz to do BIG batches of cases at a time. It works really well.